GORDON & MACPHAIL GLEN GRANT 1962 43 YEAR OLD SHERRY CASK DESCRIPTION

Glen Grant 1962 43 Year Old
Gordon & MacPhail
£1,499.00
Buy Now ›

We are big fans of Caol Ila at The Whisky Exchange, and when veteran independent bottler Gordon & MacPhail offered us the chance to take this single cask bottling as an exclusive, we couldn’t say no.

Aged for 19 years in a first-fill ex-boubon barrel, its smokiness has calmed just enough to let layers of fruit shine through – apple, pear, mango and pineapple – all backed up by spice and peat. It’s an excellent whisky, specially selected by and exclusive to The Whisky Exchange.

SHOP NOW

 Kensington Wine Market’s Whisk(e)y Newsletter

Happy Belated Canada Day!

It’s about this time of year that when we all let ourselves feel a little more patriotic. At KWM we stand a little taller and wave our pride a little higher, and of course increase the spotlight on Canadian-made Wines, Whiskies, Beers, and other spirits.

We have been reminded over the last few weeks that our nation’s history has its share of blemishes. There is much still to be learned, and work done redressing past wrongs, but that doesn’t mean we can’t still be proud to live in a country willing to confront these challenges and learn from its mistakes.

Now through the end of the weekend (midnight July 4), all Canadian Wines and most Canadian Whiskies are on sale. There are some very good deals to be had, on products we can all feel proud of!

Browse the sale page showing everything on sale!

Or… download a PDF with all the deals by clicking on this text! I’ve included the Canadian wines on Sale through July 4 and the current Whisky Bin End Deals.

Turning our eyes to the new and noteworthy, our 2nd Teeling Cask, a 15-year-old single malt finished in an ex-Armagnac cask, has at long last arrived… We have only been talking about this beauty since February, but as I’ve said before, shipping is not exactly predictable at present!

But it’s here, and it is another tropical fruit bomb, this time with a kick of spice!

We have also just added a new tasting to the schedule:

Stumbling Blindly into Some Exciting New Whiskies, on July 29. We wanted to add one more tasting to the July schedule before we take our August break from tastings. It boils down to two things. Firstly, we’ve had a lot of requests for a blind tasting. And secondly, I saw some things I want to try, and I didn’t want to push them off until the Fall… they might not be here that long.

We are also expecting a new release from our friends at Yukon Brewing & Distilling next week: the Two Brewers Yukon Single Malt Release 26. And at long last, we’ve had a top-up from Tamdhu & Glengoyne Distilleries.

Everything in this newsletter can be ordered/purchased online, so please try to do that if you can. If you email me rather than order online, you might miss out on something. It may not often seem like it, but I do have a life outside of work (refer to above photo)… your order might come in while I’m on my mountain bike or out SUPing!

As always, in the event of a price discrepancy, the point of sale at KWM will be taken as correct. Please don’t hesitate to email me with any questions or comments. But be patient, even if I am at the shop, I may be head down, working on our new website, which will be launching next month.

Sincerely,

Andrew Ferguson

Kensington Wine Market

IN THIS EDITION

1. Introducing: The Teeling 15 Year KWM Armagnac Cask

2. New Tasting: Stumbly Blindly into Some Exciting New Whiskies

3. New From Two Brewers: Single Malt Release #26 – Classic

4. The Glengoynes & Tamdhus Are Back!

INTRODUCING:

THE TEELING 15 YEAR KWM ARMAGNAC CASK

Our second exclusive single cask from Teeling is a 15-year-old, finished in an Armagnac cask (#16570), and it has just arrived! We’re huge fans of Teeling, and feel they are one of the most compelling whiskey makers in Ireland. The juice from this beauty won’t have been distilled at Jack and Stephen Teeling’s distillery in Dublin’s Liberties, but rather at their father John’s old Cooley Distillery. Cooley was sold to Beam Suntory in 2011, but as part of the sale, the Teelings walked away with a good chunk of the maturing inventory… including the juice in this bottle!

Teeling 15 Year KWM Armagnac Cask 16570 – 58.4% – Finished in an Armagnac Cask – My Tasting Note: “Nose: thick, decadent and fruity with a backbone of oak spices; doughy with dried apricots, honeydew melon, and bright citrus; marzipan and buttery toasted oak make way for cinnamon, fennel, and clove. Palate: Bright, fruity, and decadent with a firm but yielding backbone of spice; licorice root and cinnamon sticks; still doughy, almond paste croissants and chocolate-orange marzipan; very fruity, green mangoes, dried apricot and melons galore; some jammy strawberry and quince paste; warming, coating and rich. Finish: long and coating with decadent buttery oak tones, exotic fruits, and crisp spices. Comment: this is another fine example of why we love Teeling Whiskey; the Armagnac cask finish has kicked up the spice when compared with our last cask, but the fruits… oh the fruits… they are still there, and in abundance!” – $150

NEW TASTING

Stumbling Blindly Into Some Exciting New Whiskies

·     Date: Thursday, July 29

·     Time: 8 PM

·     Cost: $40

·     Pick-Up Date: Available Now

Andrew couldn’t help himself… he saw a few new arrivals and, wanting to taste them himself, threw together a wee lineup. Also, and this is an important point, he wanted the tasting to be blind. Our range is, as usual, 7 whiskies deep, all of them single malts, stretching up to 27 years of age! They range in style from light and floral, to big and spicy, to almost over-the-top peated. We’d really like to tell you what the whiskies are – as we know it would whet your appetite even more! – but then it wouldn’t be a blind tasting, would it? 8 PM Thursday, July 29. 7x50ml samples

*SAMPLES READY FOR PICK UP NOW!

NEW FROM TWO BREWERS:

RELEASE #26 CLASSIC

Is it a coincidence that we are hosting a Two Brewers tasting with owner Bob Baxter tonight? Absolutely, yes!

Release #26, a classic expression, was made from a blend of malts, three different mashes, and was aged in first and second fill ex-Bourbon as well as ex-Brandy casks. 71% of the whisky was matured 6 years and the balance 7 years, before blending and bottling.

Two Brewers Yukon Single Malt Release 26 – 46% – ex-Bourbon & Brandy Casks – Producer Tasting Note: “Bright meadow tones are braced with fresh cedar, oak, and hints of treacle. An elegant malt profile swells from entry, pinches of oak and spices dusting the edges are whisked in, shrouding the palate in a gently satisfying linger of sweet malted milk.” – $105

THE GLENGOYNES & TAMDHUS ARE BACK

We have just received a load of whiskies from Tamdhu and Glengoyne, so you know what that means… Sherry! And the Glengoynes, they come in new kit, because, you know… the old ones were tired and needed refreshing! 🙄

I actually kind of really miss the old 25 & 30 labels… a lot!

1. Glengoyne Cask Strength Batch 008 – 59.2% – 29% First-Fill Sherry casks. 16% First Fill Bourbon Barrels​. 55% Hand-selected quality Oak Refill casks. – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Enticingly malty with apple pie, peach, vanilla, nutmeg, and white chocolate​. Palate: Thick rounded mouthfeel, buttery toffee popcorn, banana, soft oak, and fruit.​ Finish: Long with summer fruits, digestive biscuit, and kiwi.” – $98

2. Glengoyne 12 Year – 43% – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Coconut oil, honey, lemon zest, dried oak. Palate: Toffee apples, cinnamon spice, ginger, orange, shortbread. Finish: A hint of sherry and soft oak. Very well balanced. ” – $75

3. Glengoyne 18 Year – 43% – 35% 1st Fill European Oak Sherry. 15% 1st Fill American Oak Sherry, 50% Hand-selected quality Oak Refill casks. – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Awash with red apple and ripe melon. Heavenly and well rounded, it drifts into hot porridge topped with brown sugar. Palate: Full-bodied, round and rich. At first macerated fruits, marzipan and walnuts; then warm spices, dry cocoa, and lingering Seville marmalade. Finish: Long, warm and dry.” – $150

4. Glengoyne 21 Year – 43% – 100% Sherry Casks. Predominantly 1st Fill European Oak Sherry Casks. – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Red apples, spicy strudel, toffee, sherry and dried fruits. Christmas cake in a glass. Palate: Lots of Sherry, honey, oak with a developing aromatic sensation. Ends with a heavenly cinnamon nip. Finish: Long, sherry, spicy, warm and dry.” – $235

5. Glengoyne 25 Year – 48% – 100% Sherry Oak Matured – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Red Fruits, old leather and brown sugar. Palate: Soft oak, cinnamon, stewed fruits and a Seville marmalade tang. Finish: Very long, with spicy liquorice, slowly drying.” – $520 – Taking Orders for September

6. Glengoyne 30 Year – 46.8% – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Black Cherry, Sherry Trifle, Marmalade, Tea Rose, Rum & Raisin Chocolate. Palate: Burst of sweetness changing quickly to Plum compote, Cinnamon, Cloves and Tangy Marmalade. Finish: Soft Oak dryness and Cinnamon. – $1100 – Taking Orders for September

7. Tamdhu Batch Strength 005 – 59.8% – Oloroso Sherry Matured – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Subtle waft of warm vanilla, followed by cinnamon spice and roasted brazil nuts. Palate: A luxurious, thick mouthfeel, sharp summer berries cutting through rich double cream. Finish: Long and lingering, delivering warming spices and the crisp sweetness of clementine zest.” – $105

8. Tamdhu 12 Year – 43% – Matured in Sherry Casks – Nose: Rich and enticing, iced cinnamon rolls, orange boiled sweets, fresh sweet oak with raisins and the faint hint of mint. Palate: Silky texture that coats the mouth with banana, berry jam, malt biscuit and classic sherry oak depth. Finish: Pleasantly long and balanced with ground spice, dried fruit and soft Scottish tablet – finally unveiling the merest wisp of peat smoke.” – $84

403-283-8000

888-283-9004

Store Hours

Sunday: 11am – 6pm

Mon – Wed: 10am – 8pm

Thu – Fri: 10am – 9pm

Sat: 10am – 8pm

*All Prices Quoted here are subject to change and do not include GST. In the case of pricing discrepancies, the price at our point of sale will be taken as correct.*Kensington Wine Market Copyright © 2021. All Rights Reserved

AN EVENING OF BEER, WHISKY & DISCOVERY 

Last Sunday we had a fantastic time with our latest Adventure in Deliciousness. And if you missed our exploration of whisky and beer with the head brewer of Big Smoke Brew Co., you can watch it back whenever you fancy. Thanks to Nick Blake for bringing the beers and the insights, and as always, thanks to all who joined and asked great questions.

DELVE INTO BEER & WHISKY’S
FASCINATING INTERPLAY OF FLAVOUR

Nick chatted to Compass Box founder John Glaser and whiskymaker James Saxon about their mutual fascination with evolving traditions as they paired three of our malt whiskies with a Big Smoke pilsner, imperial stout and double IPA. Watch the recording to find out how far they think smoke and beer should mix, whether there’s such a thing as too much hops for a pairing, and Nick’s surprising answer to the question of the most important ingredient in beer brewing.

WHAT TO TRY NEXT?

Pick up a brown ale or bitter and see how it lengthens the gingerbread finish of The Spice Tree, or how combining The Story of the Spaniard and a sour tastes like lemon tart as the whisky’s sweetness soothes the citrusy grip of the beer. For The Peat Monster, try a West Coast-style IPA that can punch its weight with the heavy peat. And of course, head over to Big Smoke Brew Co. to discover more.

That’s all for now, but stay tuned for something special we’re cooking up for summer…

Share & Enjoy!
The Compass Box Team

We’re delighted to welcome the launch of The Real Drinks Company online retail site, our new addition to the SWA family!

Taking our years of knowledge and expertise gained in the whisky auction industry we’re proud to offer a wide range of drinks! We’ll be offering exclusive releases in the coming months alongside incredible offers on our personally selected range and great value weekly hot deals. We offer shipping UK wide, free for orders over £100, plus the option to transfer your purchases to your Scotch Whisky Auctions account for free – should you wish to combine purchases, ship internationally or arrange collection with auction winnings.

This week’s deals include the Glenfarclas 185th Anniversary bottle for just £105 and Glenfiddich 23 year old Grand Cru for just £200, while stocks last. We’ve also just added some exceptional Balvenie Tun 1509 batch 7 and some Macallan 30 year old 2020 release that we know a few of you may want to check out!

If that wasn’t enough The Real Drinks Company is also giving you the chance to win a monster 4.5l Really Big Peat and prize pack worth over £300, enter online for your chance to win this month.

All the best from us here at SWA!

Sláinte!

Win big with Big Peat! Enter now for your chance to win a monster 4.5L Big Peat and goodies with a combined value of over £300.

The Real Drinks Company

Scotch Whisky Auctions
Unit C
139 Lancefield Street
Glasgow, Lanarkshire G3 8HZ
United Kingdom

Fettercairn 16 Year Old
1st Release 2020 (1 Litre)
£99.99
Buy Now ›

Lagavulin 9 Year Old
Gleann Mór Loch Fyne Exclusive
£90.00
Buy Now ›

Loch Lomond
Peated Single Grain
£27.95
Buy Now ›

#Ardbeg #Untamed Islay #ArdbegCommittee #Ardbeg8YearsOld #8ForDiscussion #Smoky #Whisky 

BORN OUT OF A WHISKY CREATOR’S HYPOTHESIS,

ARDBEG LAUNCHES THEIR NEW COMMITTEE ONLY WHISKY:

ARDBEG 8 YEARS OLD FOR DISCUSSION 

The Ardbeg Distillery invites its weird and wonderful Committee to join the conversation on their youthful new malt…

This month, Ardbeg will launch a brand new Committee only bottling – Ardbeg 8 Years Old. A Committee Exclusive, 8 Years Old is a big, youthful whisky, sure to excite the smoke-loving and insanely committed Ardbeg Committee.

This ‘For Discussion’ release started out as a thought experiment by Master Distiller Dr Bill Lumsden. As he sampled Ardbeg casks at different ages, he found new dimensions of smoky flavour in the spirit. He asked himself: What if, in an alternative universe, Ardbeg Ten Years Old was not the Distillery’s ‘flagship’ aged expression?  Perhaps a new whisky, smokier, but balanced by ex-Sherry casks, could be a worthy centrepiece to the Ardbeg core range?

This hypothesis is what gave birth to Ardbeg 8 Years Old For Discussion. So now the time has now come for the Distillery to pose a question to their Committee Members… How does it taste? Ardbeg wants to hear what their fans have to say. So, they’re inviting Members both old and new to buy, try, then hop online to kickstart the conversation about their new malt. 

Ardbeg’s Director of Distilling and Whisky Creation, Dr Bill Lumsden, said: “Ardbeg 8 Years Old is a delectable, young and curious whisky – I like to think of it as the ‘alternative universe’ version of Ardbeg Ten Years Old. An aged ex-Sherry whisky is new territory for us, so naturally, we want some thoughts! We’re sharing this with the Committee’s experienced palates to help us find that smoky sweet spot. With notes of bold peat smoke, creosote, charcoal and salted caramel, it’s more than guaranteed to provoke discussion among those privileged enough to taste it.”

Colin Gordon, Ardbeg’s Distillery Manager, said: “If there’s one thing we know about Ardbeggians, it’s that they’re an eclectic mix of people – whisky-mad and up for anything. But they’re all bonded by one shared passion – smoky Ardbeg malt. We look forward to hearing their thoughts on our latest expression.  And, to anybody not already part of the family, we invite you to join the Ardbeg Committee… and join in the conversation!”

To celebrate the launch of Ardbeg 8, Distillery Manager Colin Gordon will host a private online tasting for Committee Members only on 30^th July 2021. The Ardbeg Committee is free to join at Ardbeg.com/committee.

www.ardbeg.com

Follow us on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Ardbeg

Twitter: @Ardbeg

Instagram: @ardbeg

TASTING NOTES:

Colour

Pale Straw

Nose

Intense with a burst of charcoal, creosote, tar and treacle toffee, with curious hints of something vegetal, like fennel, celery and green peppers. Once these subside, there are hints of milk chocolate, aniseed and wood smoke. With a little drop of water, some more herbal notes appear, like fennel, coriander and lavender, along with some characteristic Ardbeg aromatic wood smoke and a hint of fresh, salty sea spray.

Taste

A distinctively peppery mouthfeel eases into a complex symphony of flavours; treacle toffee, aniseed, salted caramel chocolate, eucalyptus, menthol and briar wood, to name but a few. The ‘tingling’, peppery sensation on the palate continues, with the sweeter flavours giving way to more savoury notes like charcoal, smoked bacon, burnt toast and tar.

Finish

The aftertaste is long and lingering, with a suggestion of peppermint and clove.

ABV: 50.8%

RRP: £57 

NOTES  

Ardbeg:

Ardbeg prides itself on being The Ultimate Islay Malt Whisky.  Established in 1815, Ardbeg is revered by connoisseurs around the world as the peatiest, smokiest and most complex of all the Islay malts.  Despite its smokiness, Ardbeg is renowned for its delicious sweetness, a phenomenon that has affectionately become known as ‘the peaty paradox’.  During the 1980s and 1990s, Ardbeg suffered from an uncertain future and it was not until the brand was purchased by The Glenmorangie Company in 1997 that the Distillery was saved from extinction.  Since then, the Distillery has risen like a phoenix and today Ardbeg is well established as a niche, cult malt, with a passionate following.

Ardbeg Committee:

The legacy of the whisky was safeguarded in 2000 by the formation of the Ardbeg Committee.  The Committee is made up of thousands of Ardbeg followers worldwide who are keen to ensure that “the doors of Ardbeg never close again”.  Today there are more than 100,000 members of the Ardbeg Committee in over 130 countries.  Committee members are regularly consulted on new bottlings and expressions and are offered exclusive Committee bottlings. Members also receive invitations to special gatherings, tastings and events.  The Committee, chaired by Mickey Heads, is free to join at ardbeg.com.

Awards:

Ardbeg is the world’s most highly awarded smoky single malt whisky.  Since 2008, Ardbeg has won more than 50 gold and double gold medals in key whisky competitions.  Ardbeg was twice been awarded ‘World’s Best Single Malt’ at the World Whiskies Awards (2010, 2013).  At the 2014 Global Icons of Whisky Awards, Mickey Heads was voted ‘Distillery Manager of the Year’.  The following year, Ardbeg’s expressions took the top three spots in Whisky Advocate magazine’s review of the best single malt Scotch whiskies under US$100.  Meanwhile, both Ardbeg Corryvreckan and Ardbeg Uigeadail have been awarded gold medals at the 2016 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. In 2019, Dr Bill Lumsden was awarded Master Distiller of the Year for the third time in four years. Ardbeg 10 Years Old also won the Best Single Malt Scotch 10 Year Old at the International Whisky Competition 2019, while the Ardbeg Distillery won the Distillery of the Year 2019. In 2020, the International Whisky Competition awarded Ardbeg Corryvreckan first place for Best Single Malt Scotch, Best Single Malt Scotch (No Age Statement), Best cask Strength (Over 57% ABV), Best Peated Scotch and Best Islay Single Malt. Ardbeg Wee Beastie also earned first place for Best Single Malt Scotch Under 10 Year Old and The Ardbeg Distillery achieved another Distillery of the Year award. 

The Glenmorangie Company:

The Company is one of the most renowned and innovative distillers and marketers of Scotch whisky brands worldwide and is part of Moët Hennessy, the wine and spirits division of Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton.  Headquartered in Edinburgh, Scotland, the Company produces Glenmorangie Single Highland Malt whisky and Ardbeg Single Islay Malt.

Responsible Drinking:

Ardbeg and The Glenmorangie Company advocate responsible drinking and suggest that drinkers savour Ardbeg whiskies in moderation and in line with recommended daily guidelines for alcohol consumption.

Tomatin 1988 31 Year Old
Connoisseur’s Choice

This Tomatin 1988 has been released as part of the Connoisseurs Choice series from the indpendent bottler Gordon & MacPhail. Aged for 31 years in a refill American hogshead cask, it is bottled at a natural strength of 57.3% abv with natural colour and free from chill filtration.

£799.00
Buy Now ›

Glenlivet 1979 39 Year Old
Gordon & MacPhail Archive

This independent bottling by Gordon & MacPhail is an Archive release limited to only 59 bottles. Distilled by The Glenlivet in 1979 and bottled 39 years later in 2018, this Speyside release is left at a natural cask strength of 50.6% abv.

£1,149.00
Buy Now ›

Glen Grant 1962 43 Year Old
Gordon & MacPhail

This Glen Grant 1962 bottled by indpendent bottler Gordon & MacPhail is a whisky of great age and rarity. Released with the traditional old distillery label it has been aged for 43 years in sherry oak developing a colour that is completely decadent. Bottled in 2006 at a strength of 40% abv.

£1,499.00
Buy Now ›

Jura 1992 28 Year Old
Connoisseur’s Choice

This Jura 1992 bottled by indpendent bottler Gordon & MacPhail has been aged for 28 years in a refill American hogshead. Released as part of the Connoisseur’s Choice series, it is bottled at a natural strength of 50.2% abv with natural colour and free from chill filtration. Limited to 173 bottles!

£240.00
Buy Now ›

Glen Elgin 13 Year Old 2007

Selected exclusively for the United Kingdom market a single PX sherry butt yielding 508 bottles. A big dram featuring the distillery’s trademark characteristics with stewed fruits and crème Bottled from a single luxurious PX Sherry Butt and bottled exclusively for the UK. It is a big dram showcasing the distillery’s trademark characteristics with stewed fruits and crème caramel.  Elgin 13 Year Old 2007 vintage Speyside single malt Scotch whisky. Matured in PX sherry butt bottled 2021 by Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers for the Strictly Limited series. 508 bottles exclusive to the United Kingdom market. MAXIMIMUM 2 BOTTLES PER CUSTOMER.

Buy Now – Glen Elgin 13 Years – £80.40 / €77 / $92 / c$114*

Glen Elgin Distillery was designed by Charles C. Doig and established beside the Morayshire Railway in Fogwatt in 1898 by William Simpson and James Carle. This is a Speyside malt whisky distillery equipped with six small stills and six round wooden worm tubs. It is one of the few distilleries in Scotland which continues to cool its spirits in traditional worm tubs. Glen Elgin contributes a large proportion of its whisky to White Horse blends consequently the only distillery release single malt whisky is the Glen Elgin 12 Year Old. Independent bottlings are available from the Coopers Choice, Cadenhead and Signatory Vintage ranges.

JULY OUTTURN ALERT

The Society is well-known for its colourful interpretation of whisky flavours through our 12 distinct profiles, and we’re inviting you to explore them with us in this month’s bumper release of 30 exciting new casks.

Whether you are just getting into whisky and unsure of what to try, or you are a connoisseur who knows exactly what you like, the Society flavour profiles can help direct you to the perfect whisky for you. With such a wide selection available, we suggest you head over to the website and read our July Outturn now, ahead of its release this Friday, 2 July at 9am (UK time).

OUTTURN HUB

ALL OUTTURN WHISKIES

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, The Vaults, 87 Giles Street, Leith EH6 6BZ

Contact: sales@smws.com or call 0131 555 2929 (Mon-Fri 9am-4.45pm). Visit the Society at here for membership information

This is your chance to join and to take advantage of their great offers!

Spot the SMWS bottles in this amusing You Tube video