Norfolk distillery to make history with launch of first English whisky in century

Award-winning Norfolk business The English Whisky Co. is offering customers a chance to own a little bit of history this Christmas by releasing the first 10-year-old English whisky for over a century.

A very limited number of bottles of the single malt, taken from one of the first batch of casks laid down at St George’s Distillery in Roudham, are now being made available by England’s oldest registered whisky distiller.

It’s the result of the vision and determination of the late James Nelstrop, the founder of the business who opened the distillery in 2006. He, working alongside St George’s Distillery’s original Master Distiller Iain Henderson, went on to create the business’s first barrels of English whisky.

James’ son Andrew, owner and managing director of The English Whisky Co., said: “After a seemingly endless wait – we finally have a 10-year-old single malt whisky to share with you all.

“This is one of the ultra-rare casks from the Founder’s Private Cellar range and was chosen because it represents the quality of whiskies we expect in the future. The cask used for the 10-year-old is one of the earliest casks laid down at the distillery and is a wonderful example of the pioneering work my father and the distillery’s team have undertaken here.

“The whole team are immensely proud to see this whisky finally bottled and ready to be sent to our customers.

“The 10-year-old is presented in a beautiful piano finished box and each bottle is numbered and comes with a numbered certificate.”

The release of the historic single malt comes at the end of a tremendously successful year for The English Whisky Co. It has won numerous awards, including Gold and Silver in the San Francisco Spirits Competition, and three Liquid Golds in Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible – which also named the Norfolk distiller’s single-grain whisky Parched as the Best European Single Cask Whisky.

There were also celebrations in November with the launch of the distillery’s new £400,000 restaurant and coffee house The Kitchen.

“Releasing the 10-year-old certainly is a wonderful end to an exciting 2017,” added Andrew. “We have been overwhelmed by the reaction to our products – the awards are an extraordinary achievement for a non-mainstream whisky distillery.”

The English Whisky Co. have also taken this opportunity to join forces with Amathus PLC, who will look after the UK distribution of all The English products going forward.

Phil Duffy, Head of Spirits for Amathus, said: “The English Whisky Co. is an incredible addition to the Amathus portfolio and we feel honoured to have them on board. With the increasing popularity of whisky, it is inevitable the collection will be equally well received by on-trade and off-trade customers.

“The release of The English Whisky Co.’s 10-year-old English Single Malt is an important landmark in the development of modern distillation in England, and having tasted the range of whiskies they are producing we’re looking forward to exciting times ahead.”

For further information about The English Whisky Co. and its products, call St George’s Distillery on 01953 717939 or visit www.englishwhisky.co.uk

NOTES: 

The Founder’s Private Cellar is a collection of casks that belong to the founding family. These casks are made up of one-off’s and extraordinary examples of current products. There are very few of these casks, which is why the Distillery only release two or three a year.

Impressive, Can’t Miss 20 Year Scotches Aficionados Will Adore

With the gift giving season just around the corner, we’re rolling out a pair of 20 Year Islay bottlings that are sure to impress the Scotch lover in your life. Bowmore and Caol Ila are two of the more recognizable names in the world of Scotch, each known for their own distinctive style and approach. These single barrel bottlings were hand-selected by our spirits team and are priced at a fraction of what you’ll find elsewhere. But the remarkable price is only part of the story here, as this pair count among the best we’ve had from these illustrious distillers.

The Bowmore leaves you awestruck with its potency, richness, and depth. The Caol Ila for its part offers a magical infusion of smoke, maritime notes, sweet vanilla, and orchard fruit. Both deliver impeccable balance and charm from the very first sip to the last. Perfect for gift giving (or as a special treat to yourself), these limited production bottlings are welcome additions to any collection.

 

1997 Bowmore 20 Year Old “Old Particular” K&L Exclusive Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) ($149.99)

There are two things that are consistent about Bowmore: the whisky is almost always awe-inspiring and rare editions will most often cost you a pretty penny. The stalwart of Islay is the spiritual home of smoky whisky, known equally for its grace under a peat fire. The Bowmore 25, one of the distillery’s most magical expressions, routinely hovers between the $400 -$500 price point on the open market, but for this holiday season we set out to find a more affordable version for our customers who want something special, but not quite that expensive. This cask strength 55.7% 20 year old single barrel edition, while lacking any sherry influence, still manages to offer an incredible amount of sweetness from the refill oak hogshead, coupling with the clean flavors of malted barley and vanilla. The richness overtakes the palate initially, which is rare in an Islay whisky with this much smoke, dominating the flavor profile right off the bat. The peat and campfire notes don’t begin until almost halfway through the process, combining sea salt and maritime elements with caramel and ash on the finish. There’s plenty of Islay influence here, but it’s beautifully balanced by the whisky’s inherent maltiness. In a nutshell, it’s textbook Bowmore with maturity and power for a fantastic price. It tastes exactly the way the distillery itself smells when you enter it, haunting the senses with equal parts malt and smoke. Our cask is a chance at true single malt royalty for a reasonable entry fee.

David Driscoll | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 03, 2017

I’ve tasted old Bowmore whiskies with heavy peat, heavy sherry, heavy smoke, and heavy funk, but I’ve never tasted one with this much sweet malt and vanilla. That’s not to say this edition goes easy on the smoke, however, because there’s definitely plenty of phenolic goodness to light the way home on the finish. This 20 year cask is maritime whisky at its finest. It reminds me of walking the streets in Bowmore near the distillery for the first time years ago, grabbing a plate of fresh oysters at the Harbour Inn across the street, then ducking into Duffie’s for a quick dram. In a sense, it’s a nostalgic whisky. It reminds me of what got me into whisky in the first place, a sense of wonder and complexity at how a golden liquid like this could taste so damn good. If you’re in search of that feeling, that sense of excitement that may have been lacking from your single malt consumption as of late, I invite you to find that feeling again in this bottle.

Jeffrey Jones | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 03, 2017

What I like about the Bowmore offerings is that they are balanced and nuanced. This single cask is no exception. It begins with nice smoke and sea aromas that are not heavy or over-powering. In the mouth this Bowmore is concentrated and complex, with rich and round flavors and hints of smoke coming through. There is a nice long finish. I tasted this with a splash of water.

Andrew Whiteley | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 02, 2017

Getting single casks from major distilleries like Bowmore just makes me so happy. It’s a unique way to look at the components of a particular distillery and dive into what makes them so special. This 20 year old Bowmore is no exception. The nose is exquisite. It’s loaded with sea spray, sweet fruits, and extinguished campfire. I feel like I can reach out and touch the wet malt on the floor just as the dry smoky air starts to fill the room. It’s clean and pure, powerful whisky. The barley song is loud and clear. All of the pieces are there to be examined, yet harmoniously balanced into a whole single experience. This whisky perfectly shows why single malts are so compelling. They are a fascinating way to watch the whole movie, frame by frame, as they age.

Gary Westby | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 02, 2017

This fantastic refill hogshead of Bowmore has all the complexity that one would expect from a 20 year old Islay, balanced by fresh sea air. This is not a heavy dram, but rather an expansive one, and has the rare peacock’s tail finish that I prize in the finest of drinks. It seems to expand after each sip, with the flavor coming on stronger after each sip. I like this best diluted down to about 40%, so I’ll get almost a liter of pleasure out of my bottle!

Alex Schroeder | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 02, 2017

I’m a huge fan of the Bowmore whiskeys, mostly because they display their Islay characteristics with subtlety and grace. The peat is always a soft undertone to the malty complexity. This single cask from Old Particular is faithful to that mission. Flavors of toasted cereals, orange citrus oil, vanilla and briny smoke are robust and sweet on the palate, with incredible integration. Normally sensitive to higher alcohol levels, at 55.7% abv this was very enjoyable neat for me. If you enjoy these Old Particular single cask offerings, this is definitely a winner.

1996 Caol Ila 20 Year Old “Old Particular” K&L Exclusive Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky (750ml) ($129.99)

Caol Ila’s whisky can be as transitive and unpredictable as the Islay weather itself; sometimes it’s light and breezy, while other times powerful and thunderous in its character. At cask strength, the salt, smoke, and peat aromas often leap out of the glass, but when tempered the creaminess and fruitiness of the spirit itself is allowed to shine, fat and unctuous in its texture. With this cask of 20 year old Caol Ila, we have the best of both worlds: a full proof, no-water-added single barrel whisky that has naturally proofed itself down to 46% after two decades in wood. The nose is an absolute dream: sweetly-tinged smoke, burning embers, with faint aromas of peach and apricot in the background. The palate is simply perfect: sweet vanilla intermixed with peat, salt, and ash, but always with a roundness of texture that’s a product of the distillery’s wide-necked pot stills. It’s a perfect Caol Ila specimen, highlighting the strengths of the Islay distillery’s personality, each with equal concentration and intensity, all in harmony and balance.

David Driscoll | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 15, 2017

One of my all time favorite whiskies was the old distillery edition of the Caol Ila 18 – a beautiful rendition of the Islay single malt that packed equal weight and richness of texture with all that peaty goodness. It wasn’t a cask strength edition, which is what really made the difference for me. If a distillery can manage to find the sweet spot with water, I’m all for reduced spirits in bottle. The beauty of this 20 year old Caol Ila is that it’s at cask strength, but has naturally reduced itself to the perfect 46% ABV (exactly where many distilleries will reduce to). The result is the closest thing I’ve ever tasted to that legendary 18 year bottle that is now just a memory. The nose is simply haunting; an enticing combination of vanilla, creme brulee, and campfire embers. The whisky rolls over your tongue with creaminess and texture, but it leaves a trail of peat smoke in its wake. If you want the perfect Islay whisky, this is it. It doesn’t get much better than this. Buy three if you can afford it.

Andrew Stevens | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 22, 2017

If you are a fan of Islay whisky just buy this, seriously this is just absolutely beautiful Islay at a wonderful age. I have said on more than one occasion that Caol Ila may be my favorite Scotch once it has had a chance to age because it just always seems that somewhere right around the 20 year mark this whisky just all comes together and sings. This bottling is no exception and the price is fantastic for what you are getting. Light fruit, honey, ash and smoke on the nose lead to an incredibly balanced palate. Here an immediate strong core of just doused campfire smoke carried the young sweet fruit, honey, and seaside notes effortlessly. The balance is amazing and the finish is surprisingly soft and mild. Just delightful!

Jeffrey Jones | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 22, 2017

This cask of Caol Ila was a lucky find because it has so much to offer. There are pleasant smoke aromas that should please any fan of single malts from Islay. My first thought when I tasted it was that this cask is really something special. There is such a nice mixture of smoke, sea-like flavors and malt, and it is concentrated and intense. I tasted this with no additional water because it was 46% ABV when bottled which probably helps explain the lovely concentrated flavor.

Andrew Whiteley | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 22, 2017

It’s my favorite time of year here at K&L. Not only are we hitting our stride in the busy season for wine, but it’s finally whisky season. I wait all year to see what David has hidden up his sleeve. As the market for fine malts gets tighter and tighter we still manage to procure things like this. 20 glorious years in barrel has brought the full proof down, integrated the smoke and salt, and let the barley shine through. The end result is one of the most approachable and lovely Islay whiskys I’ve tasted this year. The big brash smoke of Caol Ila’s youth has been tempered with age into an assertive and confident dram, and the salt air of Islay permeates the glass. Fresh fruits of a distant land waft in and out. The palate is smooth and lingering. There is a touch of sweetness on the back end and a little piquant spice. This is a no brainer for the whisky lover in your life during the holidays…even if that whisky lover happens to be yourself.

Alex Schroeder | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 16, 2017

This might be the deal of the holiday season in Scotch whiskeys. After tasting it, I’m almost tempted to use the word perfect to describe it. It showcases the beautiful Islay brininess and smoke as a subtle undertone to the rich, sweet malt profile. The flavor punch from the full strength, single cask is incredible, balanced, and fully integrated. Definitely my top pick for holiday Scotch.

 

BOWMORE® ISLAY SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY RELEASES

BOWMORE® 1966 50 YEARS OLD

FROM ONE OF THE WORLD’S OLDEST SCOTCH MATURATION WAREHOUSES 

The Third Edition From The Bowmore®

50 Years Old VAULT LEGENDS COLLECTION Debuts As The Rarest Expression Yet

Islay, Scotland (November 28, 2017) –  Bowmore® Islay Single Malt Whisky, the oldest licensed distillery on Scotland’s isle of Islay, announces the global release of BOWMORE® 1966 50 YEARS OLD, a rare and refined whisky from a golden year in Bowmore’s heritage. Only one cask of this remarkable spirit was set aside in 1966 – the same year that Bowmore Single Malt Scotch was first officially bottled. It has spent 50 years aging in Bowmore’s No. 1 Vaults, one of the world’s oldest Scotch maturation warehouses. Only 74 bottles of this rare whisky have been produced for the world and this December, a portion of those will be available in the U.S. It is the third edition in the Bowmore 50 Years Old VAULT LEGENDS COLLECTION with a suggested retail price of $30,000 (750ml/41.5% ABV).

Bowmore 1966 50 Years Old celebrates a unique year for the Islay distillery. It was distilled in 1966 – the same year that Bowmore Single Malt Scotch Whisky was first officially bottled and this cask gem was nurtured over the years by legendary Bowmore Distillery Manager Eddie MacAffer, who joined Bowmore distillery that very same year.

David Turner, Bowmore Distillery Manager, comments: “To this day Eddie MacAffer is renowned at the Bowmore distillery for his passion and knowledge, which he so proudly showcased throughout his 50 years at the distillery. I am honored to celebrate such a pivotal year in Bowmore’s history and launch this incredible whisky, which was not only nurtured by Eddie himself but also created the very year Eddie joined us. The Bowmore 1966 50 Years Old demonstrates the rewards of our meticulous aging process and proves the unparalleled quality of the whiskies coming from our passionate and dedicated distillery team. This single malt whisky is set to be treasured among Bowmore fans and will undoubtedly build upon Bowmore’s legendary collectors status.”

This remarkably rare limited edition bottling has, over its 50-year maturation in the No. 1 Vaults, unlocked the exotic fruit tastes distinctive of 1960s Bowmore whiskies that have been savored by connoisseurs worldwide and are renowned in some of the most collectible Bowmore expressions.

Bowmore 1966 50 Years Old is the third expression to debut from the Bowmore 50 Year Old VAULT LEGENDS COLLECTION, a series honoring the rare single malts that were first distilled and began aging in the No. 1 Vaults during the 1960s, an era known for producing some of Bowmore’s most collectible bottlings. Bowmore 1961 50 Years Old was introduced in December 2016 in the U.S. and Black Bowmore 1964 50 Years Old was introduced in June 2017 in the U.S., and demand for both has been extraordinary. 

THE 1966 BOWMORE BOTTLE AND WOOD CASE

Sitting at the pinnacle of Bowmore’s portfolio, Bowmore 1966 50 Years Old is presented in a handmade crystal decanter boasting sterling silver adornments and is housed in a hand crafted cabinet made from quality Scottish oak. At the center of the each cabinet lies five hand laid silver tree rings depicting the five decades of the rare vintage’s maturation. The characterful nature of the Scottish oak means each individual bottling will be entirely unique with no two bottles being the same, echoing the rare and unique features of the Bowmore 1966 50 Years Old.

TASTING NOTES

This exceptional expression has been aged for 50 years in a single ex-bourbon hogshead cask, developing a complex flavor and beautiful golden amber hue. On the nose, Bowmore 1966 50 Years Old offers elegant bursts of lychee, pineapple, and watermelon, developing into light floral notes and a dry finish on the palate. It is perfectly balanced with a silky whisper of smooth syrup. 

ABOUT BOWMORE®

Founded in 1779, Bowmore is the oldest licensed distillery on Islay, one of the Scottish isles which make up the region known as the ‘Islands’ in the lexicon of Whisky. The other regions are the Highlands, Speyside and the Lowlands. Islay malts are famous for their characteristic smokiness and Bowmore is no exception; the malt is carefully smoked in a peat-fired kiln, using skills handed down from generation to generation to craft a perfectly balanced Single Malt.

Bowmore adheres to traditional production methods which helps to shape the character of its single malts. Today, it prides itself as one of the rare distilleries which still produces its own floor malted barley, hand-turned by a traditional wooden malt shovel and hand drawn machinery. Water for the whiskies is specially drawn from the Laggan River, with its peaty overtones, the same Islay peat that fires the malt-drying kiln.

Bowmore Distillery’s proximity to the sea is also vital in determining the final character of its spirit. The legendary Bowmore No. 1 Vaults, one of the world’s oldest Scotch maturation warehouses, is where some of the whiskies spend their long lives resting quietly in the cool, dark, damp cellars below sea level, oblivious to the waves thrashing the vault’s sea-facing wall. They mature in oak casks, previously used for bourbon and sherry, gradually developing rich and mellow flavors. It is this combination of peat, barley, sea breeze, water, wood, people and tradition that together create the perfectly balanced warm and smoky character of Bowmore Single Malt Scotch Whiskies.

Bowmore domestic product range: Bowmore 12 Years Old, 15 Years Old, 18 Years Old and 25 Years Old.

http://www.bowmore.com/; Facebook | Twitter | Instagram: BOWMORE 

About Beam Suntory Inc.

As the world’s third largest premium spirits company, Beam Suntory is Crafting the Spirits Brands that Stir the World.  Consumers from all corners of the globe call for the company’s brands, including the iconic Jim Beam and Maker’s Mark bourbon brands and Suntory whisky Kakubin, as well as world renowned premium brands including Knob Creek bourbon, Yamazaki, Hakushu and Hibiki Japanese whiskies, Teacher’s, Laphroaig, and Bowmore Scotch whiskies, Canadian Club whisky, Courvoisier cognac, Hornitos and Sauza tequila, EFFEN and Pinnacle vodka, Sipsmith gin, and Midori liqueur.

Beam Suntory was created in 2014 by combining the world leader in bourbon and the pioneer in Japanese whisky to form a new company with a deep heritage, passion for quality, innovative spirit and commitment to Growing for Good.  Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, Beam Suntory is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings Limited of Japan.  For more information on Beam Suntory, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, please visit www.beamsuntory.com and www.drinksmart.com.

New Releases

The striding man is back with some fantastic limited editions from Johnnie Walker Blue Label – from the Ghost & Rare series featuring incredibly rare whisky from closed distilleries to the Year of the Dog edition celebrating Chinese New Year, each one is only available while stocks last!

Next day UK delivery available International Shipping

 

Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ghost & Rare: Special Release with Brora & Rare

The Johnnie Walker Blue Label reserves contain a small number of very precious casks from Ghost Distilleries – iconic stills that have ceased production. Master Blender Jim Beveridge has hand-selected some of the most interesting parcels from this library of liquids, skilfully marrying them together to create an extraordinary blend.

With a highly limited release worldwide, this first special editon is Brora & Rare, an 8 whisky Blue Label blend with single malt from the now silent Brora at its heart. Bottled at the higher strength of 46% abv.

Featuring rare expressions from the operational distilleries of Royal Lochnagar, Clynelish, Glenkinchie, Glenlossie and Cameronbridge, this blended Scotch is smooth with the fruity sweetness of pineapple, rich notes of hazelnut and dark chocolate, and a subtle smoky finish.

£219.99 Pre-Order Now

Orders will be dispatched w/c 4th December

Highland Park The Dark

This 17 year old limited edition from Orkney’s Highland Park distillery has been created in honour of the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year, celebrated each December on the island. Matured in European oak sherry-seasoned casks and presented at a cask strength of 52.9% abv, only 28,000 bottles have been produced.

£190 Pre-Order Now

Orders will be dispatched week beginning 4th December

Whisky Advent 2017 Day 4 – Gretzky Red Cask Whisky

Like many other experts in the liquor business, it is fair to say that at best we are suspicious of celebrity endorsed products. We don’t care whether David Beckham, George Clooney or Drake actually owns or rents their celebrity to promote a product, we are only concerned with one question, is it good? Entering into that fray is the Wayne Gretzky Red Cask Canadian whisky. Kensington Wine Market 2017 Whisky Advent’s Day 4 offering.

Full disclosure, we hadn’t originally intended to include this whisky in our Calendar, but another planned product fell through with very little notice. After carefully considering the limited other options available we settled on the Wayne Gretzky 99 Red Cask Whisky. Beginning with very low expectations were more than a little surprised by it when it launched a year. If we have but one regret, it is that 50mls of the whisky were filled into plastic bottles… why?

We will leave to the side the fact that Wayne Gretzky, “The Great One”, captained the mortal enemy of our beloved Calgary Flames. When the whisky first landed in Alberta we were curious, but also skeptical. It is fair to say our expectations, mine especially, were very low, especially considering they didn’t make the whisky themselves. There was a lot of excitement around the launch so we brought some in to the store, and opened a bottle to give it a try. In short the whisky it turned out was considerably better than expected. I was not blown away but for $42 (when it launched) it was pretty good.

The origins of this whisky and its exact nature are curious to say the least. Although the Gretzky name has been hawking wine for many years now, the release of Gretzky 99 Red Cask Whisky caught us completely by surprise. The official description is that it is made from local grains distilled individually before blending and finishing in ex-red wine casks from the Gretzky Estate Winery. Some online sites suggest that it is composed of rye, corn and malted barley.

It will be a few years until the Gretzky Estates Winery and Distillery have whisky of their own to bottle. Ground was only broken on the facility in 2015, and its grand opening was just a few months ago. They have hired a Heriot Watt trained distiller with industry experience in Europe and Canada.

Wayne Gretzky 99 Red Cask Whisky – 40% – Blended Canadian Whisky from a Mixed Mashbill – Matured in Ex-Bourbon and Finished in Red Wine Barrels – Andrew’s Tasting Note: “Nose: very fruity, spicy and earthy; big orange (think toned down Grand Marnier), mixed berry compote and salted caramel; very rum-like, some earthy leather and wine tones. Palate: soft, fruity, light, and still very rum-like; gently spicy and earthy; double caramel pop-corn, more Grand Marnier (though not as sweet one the palate), mixed berry compote and salted caramel. Finish: medium-shorty, fruity and smooth; very balanced. Comment: clearly corn driven, the whisky has no rough edges; not mind-blowing, but it is very good especially for the price.” – $45 (750ml)

Stay tuned for Kensington Wine Market 2017 Whisky Advent Day 5!

Malt Messenger No. 81 –  Whisky Galore & the Winter 2018 Tasting Schedule!

It has been a busy couple weeks since the last newsletter. Tonight is the launch party for our sold out Kensington Wine Market 2017 Whisky Advent Calendar. But I have just enough time to push out a full edition of the Malt Messenger before the party gets started.

If you missed out on the KWM Advent Calendar, but would still like to celebrate the month of December with a whisky Calendar, we have limited stock available of the Scotch Whisky Advent Calendar 4th Edition, $480+GST by Secret Spirits. If we run out in-store, we can probably get more next week.

Lots of new whisky to tell you about, but before we get to that we have a newsletter and some tastings to tell you about. The December 2018 “Wine Times” Newsletter is in the mail, and  also available online! Lots of wine, whisky and beer news and other tidbits from KWM.

The Wine Times newsletter is also the official announcement that our Winter 2018 Tasting Schedule is open for registration. We have lots of great whisky, wine and beer tastings planned for the new year. I have highlighted a small selection in the newsletter below. The full Winter 2018 Tasting Schedule can be viewed online! 

One last event to tell you about before getting to the whiskies. This coming Monday, December 4, we are hosting our last tasting event of 2017… Islay Night will serve as the Canadian launch for the  Elements of Islay and  Port Askaig whisky lines. We are very honoured to have the opportunity to introduce these whiskies to Canadian consumers. The tasting cost is $30, includes a glass, and proceeds will be donated to the Calgary Interfaith Food Bank. Join us for a tasting of some exciting new whiskies, and donate to a great cause at the same time.

There are so many new whiskies to tell you about that this newsletter has grown into a monster… I just sampled last night a new bottled for Canada cask of the Kavalan Solist Vinho, “Celebrating Canada”. It is excellent. As is the newest edition to the Ardbeg core range, the Ardbeg An Oa. The first new edition to their core range in nearly a decade. While on the subject of Ardbeg, we also have a new Ardbeg Committee bottling, the Ardbeg Kelpie Committee Edition. I have written up my own tastings notes on both, as well as for the soon to be released Glenmorangie Private Collection Bacalta.

After disappearing from the market for a few years, The English Whisky Company (St George’s Distillery) is back with a pair of fine new releases: Original & Smokey. There are also a pair of tasty new releases from Shelter Point: Montfort District Lot 141 Single Grain and French Oak. For whiskies in the 5-7 year range, they are very impressive. We also have new whiskies from Laphroaig, Highland Park, Tyrconnell and Duncan Taylor.

I also took the time to write-up tasting notes on a pair of older Duncan Taylor whiskies: Miltonduff 31 Year and Glen Moray 26Year, both of which are lovely!

Last but not least, some increasingly rare and old expressions of Highland Park and Macallan have briefly returned to the market.

Lots to digest, I hope you enjoy this full 81st edition of the Malt Messenger.

Sláinte!

In This Edition

1. The December 2017 Wine Times & Winter 2018 Tasting Schedule
2. Islay Night: Introducing the Elements of Islay & Port Askaig
3. Introducing: Kavalan Solist Vinho “Celebrating Canada” Cask
4. Introducing: Ardbeg An Oa
5. Introducing: Kelpie Committee Edition
6. Introducing: Glenmorangie Private Collection Bacalta
7. The English Whisky Company is Back
8. Two New Shelter Point Whiskies
9. Introducing: Laphroaig 25 Year 2016
10. Introducing: Laphroaig Cairdeas 2017
11. Introducing: Highland Park Full Volume
12. New Tyrconnel Whiskies
13. New Duncan Taylor Octaves
14. Our Whisky Advent Calendar is Sold Out, but there is another, the Secret Spirits Scotch Whisky Advent Calendar
15. My Tasting Notes: A Pair of Old Duncan Taylors
16. Macallan & Highland Park Whiskies Back in Stock

Andrew Ferguson

Kensington Wine Market

PS – Don’t forget you can follow me on Twitter:

@scotch_guy, Instagram: @thescotch_guy/

or @kwmwhisky and Facebook: facebook.com/scotch.guy.1

Also, as indicated above, our Winter 2018 Tasting Schedule is out, and open for registration. Here is just a taste of the exciting tastings we have planned in 2018:

1. Glendronach Batch 15 & One More – Tuesday January 16 – We’ll sample 6 heavily sherried, single cask, cask strength vintage whiskies from Glendronach Batch 15, and a 7th bottle from Batch 14 to round out the lineup. A range 21-27 years in the making!  – $80
2. MS Calgary Whisky Festival – Thursday January 18 – For the 7th straight year, KWM is the presenting sponsor of the MS Calgary Whisky Festival. Over 200 whiskies will be served at Arts Commons. Tickets available at: www.calgarywhiskyfestival.ca 
3. Tomatin Takedown – Tuesday January 23 – KWM is thrilled to welcome Tomatin Brand Ambassador Scott Frazier for an epic Tomatin range tasting including our new exclusive 1999 Tomatin PX Sherry Cask. – $30
4. Burns Bash – Thursday January 25 – Join us for a mini-festival event the night before our Year End Inventory Sale. We’ll raise a glass to the Bard while you taste your way through a preview of some of the weekend’s great deals! Includes a KWM 25th Anniversary Glass. – $30
5. Cadenhead 175th Annivesary Malts Part 1 – Tuesday February 6 – Part 1 Scotland’s oldest independent bottler, established in 1842, is celebrating with some special bottlings. We’ll sample the whiskies from seven closed distilleries, including five 175th Anniversary releases. – $125

And much, much more.  Check out the website for the full listing of tastings and to register. You can also register in-store and by phone!

Islay Night: Introducing the Elements of Islay & Port Askaig 

A Special Tasting to Launch These New Whiskies in Canada! 

Join us on Monday December 4th as we launch the Port Askaig and Elements of Islay whiskies in Canada. It has taken a few years of work and begging on the part of Pacific Wine & Spirits and the Kensington Wine Market to get these whiskies to Canada, but we finally have our first release of Port Askaig and Elements of Islay. There are four single malts from Port Askaig, two of them exclusive to KWM: the bold Port Askaig 100 Proof and sublime Port Askaig 19 Year. There are also three Elements of Islay single malts exclusive to KWM and a very reasonably priced peated cask strength whisky appropriately called “Peat”. We will be cracking all 8 whiskies for the occasion, giving away a glass and donating all of the proceeds from the tasting to the Calgary Interfaith Foodbank. $30

Register online or by calling 403-283-8000.

Introducing: The Kavalan Solist Vinho “Celebrating Canada” Cask 

A Kavalan Vinho Cask Selected by Fountana Beverage and Bottled for Canada! 

This just came into the shop yesterday, and it is excellent. Like the best of the other Kavalan releases, this one is very fruity, layered and complex. It has some of the richness of other single casks of Kavalan Solist Vinho, but it is a little lighter, not quite as heavy and more nuanced.

The Vinho is matured in toasted American oak wine barrels which have been re-charred. It is always bottled from a single cask at 57.1%. It won the “World’s Best Single Malt” in the 2015 World Whisky Awards.

 Kavalan Solist Vinho “Celebrating Canada” Cask – 57.1% – Matured in Charred American Oak Wine Barriques which have been re-charred. – Andrew’s Tasting Note: “Nose: big, rich and spicy; loads of dark and candied fruit; a balsemic vinegar reduction, Demerara sugars, peanut brittle and with patience some soft, delicate fruits: dried apricots, melon and peaches. Palate: big, creamy and decadent with loads of fruit: more dried apricots, and diced pineapple with cooked apple and poached pear; more Demerara sugar, French roast coffee dregs, peanut brittle and more balsemic vinegar reduction notes. Finish: fruity, spicy and nutty; very silky and smooth. Comment: more balanced and less over the top than most of the other single casks I’ve sampled; this is a lovely single cask!” – $285

Introducing: Ardbeg An Oa 

The first new Ardbeg core range expression since Corryvreckan! 

The Ardbeg An Oa is the first new release in the Ardbeg Core Range since the Corryvreckan was launched. An Oa” is named for Islay’s wild Mull of Oa on the south-west coast. The prominent headland offers the Kildalton coast a bit of shelter from the tempestuous North Atlantic. The area was in centuries past the scene of much illicit distilling. The whisky is the first new core release in the Ardbeg range for close to a decade. Crafted to offer a more approachable take on Ardbeg whisky, the spirit was matured in a mix of PX Sherry, Virgin Oak and Ex-Bourbon casks. The mix was then rested in the distillery’s new Gathering Vat.

From the Producer: “A welcome new addition to the  Ultimate range. Ardbeg An Oa is  singularly rounded, due in no small part to time spent in our newly established bespoke oak Gathering Vat where whiskies from several cask types – including; sweet Pedro Ximenez; spicy virgin charred oak; and intense ex-bourbon casks, amongst others – familiarise themselves with each other. The result is a dram with smoky power, mellowed by a delectable, smooth sweetness. Hallmark Ardbeg peat, dark chocolate and aniseed are wrapped in smooth, silky butterscotch, black pepper and clove, before rising to an intense crescendo of flavour.”

Ardbeg An Oa – 46.6% – Matured in a mix of PX Sherry, Virgin Oak and Ex-Bourbon – My Tasting Note: “Nose: Old English Butterscotch ice cream, dark milk chocolate, fresh picked oranges, briny maritime tones and a frim base of earthy smoke; coffee liqueur, brandy soaked cherries and melon liqueur. Palate: round, malty and smoky; the Old English Butterscotch ice cream hits first with cream soda and honeycomb; the chewy malt slowly rolls in with more dark milk chocolate and some soft tarry peat; more coffee liqueur and brandy soaked cherries; there is some bright orange and melon here, but they are thoroughly buried. Finish: maritime, malty and creamy; cream, fruit, butterscotch and tarry peat; medium in length and light but layered in weight. Comment: this malt slides nicely in between the 10 year and Uigeadail; a touch of sherry but not too much; an excellent complement to the rest of the range.” – $98

Introducing: Ardbeg Kelpie Committee Edition 

A higher proof even more limited version of the 2017 limited edition release! 

Having tried both the regular and Committee Editions of the 2017 Kelpie release, I can unequivocally say the Committee Edition is better, as was the case with Dark Cove.

Ardbeg Kelpie Committee Edition – 51.7% – Matured in Virgin Russian Black Sea Oak Casks – Producer Description: “Nose: A wonderful, intense, ‘dancing’ nose, with lots of different, intertwined aromas – powerful, oily peat, dark chocolate, smoked fish, hints of seaweed, and a curious, sharp herbal note. Waves of spicy, black pepper. A splash of water brings forth some classic Ardbeg notes, such as creamy coffee, smoked fudge and pine resin. Even some hints of smoked coconut. Palate: A peppery mouthfeel is followed by a crescendo of rich flavours. Treacle toffee, Turkish coffee, smoky bacon and lots of dark, dark chocolate. A curious burst of peachy, estery fruit, hickory wood, clove oil and a suggestion of black olives on the aftertaste. Finish: Seemingly lasting forever, with deep, deep.” – $195

My Tasting Note

Nose: tarry, malty, medicinal and oily; smoked mussels, salted caramel and dark goats milk chocolate; muscavado sugars, seaweed salad and hotdogs boiled in a salty broth; some lovely creamed honey notes emerge on the nose after the first sip.

Palate: big, bold and brash; the tarry-medicinal Islay notes hit first, with the sweet chewy malt fast on its heels; honeyed and briny; fried kale, seaweed salad and dried kelp chips; more salted caramel, smoked mussels and more briny boiled hot dogs; there is orange, dark chocolate, rough leather and some firm tobacco too.

Finish: long, oily and drying; the leather, tobacco and chocolate fade first leaving the maritime, seaweed and orange notes to linger longest.

Comment: bigger and bolder than the standard release; this is an unapologetic Ileach, not for the faint of heart.

Introducing: Glenmorangie Private Collection Bacalta 

A Madeira finished extension to the Private Collection series! 

The 8th instalment of Glenmorangie’s annual Private Collection releases is the “Bacalta”, Scots Gaelic for baked. The whisky was matured in Ex-Bourbon and finished in bespoke heavily toasted American oak casks, seasoned in Madeira with “Malmsey – the sweetest and most prized of the Madeira wines.” The whisky is bottled at 46% with natural colouring and without chill-filtering. 91pts Whisky Advocate

 Glenmorangie Bacalta – 46% – Finished in Madeira Casks – Andrew’s Tasting Note: “Nose: butter tarts, ginger-molasses cookies and candied orange chunks; leathery with some tobacco, lemon drops and grapefruit juice. Palate: sweet and creamy with a lush vanilla base, overlayed with crisp decadent spice; candied ginger, fennel, clove and all-spice; loads of orange: candied and lightly burnt orange rind; Demerara sugars with some firm leather and dry tobacco. Finish: medium long it remains creamy, coating and decadent with some firm spice. Comment: the Madeira has given the whisky a very spicy edge; I love the crisp, decadent spice, but this is not IMHO the best of the Private Collections line to date; good but not great!” – $120

91pts Whisky Advocate: “The 8th Private Edition release. This one is finished in sun-baked casks which previously contained Malmsey Madeira. A predominantly sweet and fruity whisky, with caramel, honeyed almonds, peaches in syrup, and orange scone. Soft, soothing finish. Delicious!”

The English Whisky Company is Back! 

Two New Expressions, Original and Peated.  

It has been a few years since the English Whisky Co. has had a presence in Canada. The whisky hails from the St. George’s, the first of a wave of new English distilleries. Two releases have returned to the market: Original and Smokey.

1. English Whisky Company Original – 43% – Producer Decryption: “The English – Original. Aged to perfection in specially selected Bourbon Casks. An unpeated single malt whisky. A great easy-drinking classic single malt.” Producer Tasting Note: “A gentle aroma with hints of vanilla and tropical fruits. Like a soft whipped vanilla ice cream. Melts on the palate. Slightly nutty with a long malty finish. Finish is clean, dry and slightly salty.” – $82
2. English Whisky Company Smokey – 43% – Producer Description: “The English – Smokey. Aged to perfection in specially selected casks. A peated (45ppm) single malt whisky. A lovely waft of smoke on the palate, ideal alternative for the Islay fan.” – Producer Tasting Note: “A gentle aroma with hints of vanilla, aniseed & ginger, a creamy palate, a little peat initially and then the smoke bomb! Finish is long, spicy and smokey.” – $82

About St George’s

“St George’s is the home to The English Whisky Co. The beautiful distillery was designed and built by the Nelstrop family for the specific purpose of producing the very finest English Single Malt Whisky.

“Why England and more specifically Why Roudham, Norfolk? Well, there are only two main ingredients in whisky, barley and water and we have them both. We draw the purest, cleanest water from the Breckland aquifer deep beneath our distillery. Norfolk is one of the world’s premier growing barley regions, so our supply is plentiful and local.

“The only other thing needed to create the very best malt whisky is oak casks. We don’t add colour, we don’t add flavour, we let the barrels do that for us, so we have to buy only the very finest oak casks. Most of ours are supplied by direct from America, having first been used for the maturation of bourbon. We also mature in sherry casks, and various other wine casks.

Our whisky is batch made by hand with no computers, filled into casks and then left to sleep until our distillers consider it perfect for bottling, which of course we do by hand – one bottle at a time.

“We are really proud of these things and believe you will taste the difference too.”

Two New Shelter Point Whiskies 

And They Don’t Disappoint!  

Shelter Point Distillery has made a name for itself, at least in Canada, since it launched its first whisky a little over a year ago. We have two new releases to tell you about, and they are good! These will both be in-store next week:

1. Shelter Point Montfort District Lot 141 Single Grain –

46% – Producer Description: “Raised right here on our family farm on Vancouver Island, Montfort DL 141 is a truly unique field-to-flask whisky. The name itself is the very lot in which the single-grain barley was grown, and the coordinates to the exact field are included on every bottle. Distilled in our traditional copper pot stills, aged in American Oak at our oceanfront warehouses, and bottled on-site by the Shelter Point family, Monfort DL 141 is a proud product of our distillery home. This limited-edition run is only 1,400 bottles.” – My Tasting Note: “Nose: shortbread dusted in refined sugar; tarte tatin, poached pear and vanilla cream and white chocolate; beeswax candles, tropical fruits and floral tones. Palate: light, fruity and floral; it is delicate, creamy and fruity; more dusty shortbread and citric sugars; still waxy with some melon and white chocolate. Finish: light, clean, floral, creamy and fruity; very pretty and elegant. Comment: wow, this is a very drinkable elegant grain whisky; I am a bit dumbfounded! – $88

1. Shelter Point French Oak Single Malt – 50% – Producer Description: “Our long-awaited Special Edition Single Malt Whisky is now available! Aged in American oak for 6 years and then matured in a French Oak barrel from the local Coastal Black Estate Winery!” – My Tasting Note: “Nose: very nutty, hard toffee and fruit flan; doughy and fruity, apple crumble, lemon drops and fresh cut flowers; decadent with loads of vanilla and clotted cream. Palate: big, rich and creamy; very layered, spicy and lush; layers of fruit, more hard toffee and glazed fruit flan; even darker than the nose let on with some Demerara sugar, licorice and baking spices. Finish: medium-long, still coating, creamy fruity and spicy. Comment: this is but the fifth release of Shelter Point whisky we’ve seen, and like the others it does not disappoint… look out world! ­- $112

Introducing: Laphroaig 25 Year 2016 Edition 

And it is a step up on the 2014 and 2015 IMHO! 

The 2016 edition of Laphroaig 25 Year wasmatured in a mix of Oloroso sherry and Ex-Bourbon barrels. Bottled at 48.6%.

Laphroaig 25 Year 2016 – 48.6% – Oloroso Sherry & Ex-Bourbon – My Tasting Note: “Nose: doughy, waxy and fruity; a touch medicinal and smokey with a hint of mesquite BBQ sauce; baked apple pie with cinnamon; honeycomb, tallow candels and vanilla icing sugars. Palate: starting soft, it builds into something more decadent, peaty, malty and fruity; loads of vanilla, baked apples with cinnamon, green magoes, honeydew melon and peaches in cream; a building spiciness, hints of sherry and dark chocolate. Finish: long, coating, elegant and oily with a backbone of medicinal peat; it becomes more leathery, tarry, spicy and peaty as it slowly fades out. Comment: an improvement on the previous two releases, the 2015 and 2014 Laphroaig 25s; this is much more interesting, layered and complex.” – $670

Introducing: Laphroaig Cairdeas 2017 

The 2017 Friends of Laphroaig “Friendship” bottling! 

Limit 1 Per Customer!

Producer Description: “For several years, our Friends of Laphroaig have been interested in tasting a Cask Strength version of our popular Laphroaig Quarter Cask – which offers an irresistible doubling of flavour, due to the double maturation in two barrels made of American oak.  This year we decided to bring this dream into reality.

“First fill Makers Mark casks have been used for the first maturation of 5+ years in Warehouse 1 next to the Atlantic Ocean.  Different ages have been awoken temporarily to be brought together, before laying to rest for a second time in our smaller quarter casks (125lt).  After a further 6 month maturation, the liquid from 177 of these casks were put into the bottle at Cask Strength, with no colour, no chilling and a simple barrier filtration.

Laphroaig Cairdeas 2017 – 57.2% – Distiller’s Tasting Note: “Nose: Gentle coffee cream and freshly sliced vanilla pods, builds into sweet mint with notes of old hay, a background of beach bonfire and then freshly sanded wood. Body: Full bodied and complex. Palate: A sweet vanilla dryness that develops into a creamy, oily mouth feel with bitter liquorice root and a throat full of smoke. Finish: A long, creamy smoky finish.” – $125

Introducing: Highland Park Full Volume 

A 1999 Bourbon Matured Vintage Highland Park! 

We aren’t 100% sure this is an 18 year old, just that it was distilled in 1999 and matured exclusively in Ex-Bourbon. It was bottled at 47.2%. We are just getting a handful of bottles!

Highland Park Full Volume – 47.2% – Producer Description: “FULL VOLUME is a perfect illustration of the fine skills of our Master Whisky Maker, ensuring that every individual wave of flavour finds its perfect place in the beautifully harmonised final spirit.” – Producer Tasting Note: “Vanilla | Coconut | Mango | Pineapple | Cedar Wood | Lemon peel | Vanilla pods | Light smoke” – $135

Producer Story

“For musicians, amps and equalisers maintain critical balance at high volume by fine-tuning musical frequencies – at Highland Park, our Master Whisky Maker, Gordon Motion, does a similar job.

“FULL VOLUME was created using 100% ex-bourbon casks rather than our traditional sherry-seasoned ones. During 1999, a combination of 481 casks – 200 litre barrels and 250 litre hogsheads – were filled at strengths of between 63.6% and 63.7%. The whisky was filtered at just over 4oC and delivers flavours of creamy vanilla and sweet citrus fruits from the bourbon casks, balanced by Highland Park’s characteristic aromatic smokiness.”

New Tyrconnell Whiskies 

Three Wine Finishes and a 16 Year! 

The Tyrconnell is an iconic Irish whiskey brand with roots in the 18th Century’s Watt Distillery. The Whiskey is a double distilled single malt named after a legendary horse who won the iconic National Produce Stakes in 1876, against all odds. We have four new expressions of the whiskey which is today produced at the Cooley Distillery.

1. Tyrconnell 10 Year Madeira Finish – 46% – Matured in Ex-Bourbon Finished in Madeira – Producer Description: “This version of The Tyrconnell® is aged 10 years, then is finished in casks previously used to age Madeira, a fortified wine hailing from a group of islands off the coast of Portugal. Bottled at 92 proof to bring out the flavour nuances of its casks, The Tyrconnell® Madeira Cask Finish begins with a salty, red fruit flavour-filled nose before finishing dry, with prominent notes of cocoa, caramel, and allspice.” – $98
2. Tyrconnell 10 Year Port Finish – 46% – Matured in Ex-Bourbon Finished in Port – Producer Description: “After a decade resting in bourbon barrels, The Tyrconnell® Port Cask Finish is transitioned into port wine casks from the Duoro Valley in Portugal for an additional 6-8 months of aging. Bottled at 92 proof, the additional time spent in hand-selected port casks gives this single malt whiskey a nose that evokes baked apples and notes of roots. A warm sweetness recedes, allowing a finish characterized by a multitude of spices to move to the forefront.” – $98
3. Tyrconnell 10 Year Sherry Finish – 46% – Matured in Ex-Bourbon Finished in Sherry – Producer Description: “After ten years spent in bourbon barrels, The Tyrconnell®Sherry Cask Finish spends an additional 6-8 months in Oloroso Sherry casks from Spain. The casks exert their influence on the whiskey, creating a noticeably darker finished product. The interaction of single malt and fortified wine casks creates a veritable dessert in a glass, in which thick notes of sherry find themselves melding amongst hints of tarte tatin and custard.” – $98
4. Tyrconnell 16 Year – 46% – Producer Description: “The Tyrconnell® 16 Year Old is the highly anticipated limited release expression that builds on the legacy of the original incarnation of The Tyrconnell®. This is the result of sixteen years spent in bourbon barrels, and the first general release of an aged expression of this magnitude. The nose evokes citrus with underlying notes of oak, then the palate reveals a light and approachable taste.” – 91pts Whisky Advocate: “Whiskeys made from 100% Irish barley are not abundant, so at sweet sixteen, there is much to celebrate about this grown-up version of Tyrconnell. Honey, pear, crème brûlée, clementine peel, tinned peach, and pencil shavings on the nose. Citrus, candied peel, lemon, and grapefruit mingle among the sweetness, but it’s anchored by layered spices and rounds out with a finish of juicy spiced oranges and peach. Moreish and delicious.” – $125

New Duncan Taylor Octaves 

Wee Sherry Cask Finished Curiosities! 

Another release of Duncan Taylor Octaves are here. These are whiskies finished in bespoke wee sherry casks. A couple of curious whiskies here. “The Huntly” is supposedly a Balfiddich, or Glenvenie if you will. And I will leave it to you imagination exactly which distillery the “An Iconic Speyside” comes from. Rhymes with Benfarclas!

“For many years, Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky Ltd. has experimented in the use of differing cask sizes for the maturation of Single Malt and Single Grain Scotch whiskies. The research stemmed from a simple premise that there is more interaction between the wood and the spirit over a shorter period of time in a small cask than in a large cask, therefore allowing a more rapid “melding” of wood, air and alcohol.”

1. Duncan Taylor Octaves “An Iconic Speyside” 2008 – 53.2% – 8 Year – Finished 3 Months in a Sherry Octave – Andrew’s Tasting Note: “Nose: beer nuts and candied almonds; licorice jujubes, raspberry-rhubarb jam and Moroccan marmalade; citric sugars and sour keys. Palate: round, toasty and citric; more licorice Jujubes, Moroccan marmalade and beer nuts; burnt brown sugar, musty old wood, dark spices and firm Dominican tobacco. Finish: long, spicy and leathery; more big licorice, firm spicy and earthy Dominican tobacco. Comment: pretty tasty for a spirited young Glenfarclas.” – $106
2. Duncan Taylor Octaves North British 2007 – 51.9% .- 10 Year – Finished 3 Months in a Sherry Octave – Andrew’s Tasting Note: “Nose: lemon drops and orange hard candies; honeyed with smooth leather and a hint of firm spice Palate: sweet, silky and fruity; wine gums, lemon drops and more orange hard candies; toasty and woody with some firm leather and spice. Finish: light, floral and toasty; tingling leather and spice. Comment: a touch spirity with light sherry tones.” – $110
3. Duncan Taylor Octaves The Huntly 1997 – 52.0% – 19 Year – Finished 6 Months in a Sherry Octave – Andrew’s Tasting Note: “Nose: honeyed, doughy and nutty; Demerara sugars and cold tea; cigar tobacco, dark chocolate shavings and candied nuts. Palate: big, rich, leathery and nutty; very spicy: clove, fennel and anise; musty old oak and dunnage warehouses. Finish: long, rich, nutty and spicy. Comment: this is big, leathery, earthy and nutty; a malt in need of a cigar.” – $250
4. 

My Tasting Notes: On a Pair of Old Duncan Taylors 

26 Year Old Glen Moray and 31 Year Old Miltonduff! 

Everyone knows I love Miltonduff, and this one is good. I have more mixed feelings about Glen Moray, but not this one. It is also excellent.

1.  Duncan Taylor Miltonduff 31 Year – 51.5% – Matured in Sherry Oak – Andrew’sTasting Note: “Nose: buttery and waxy; French toast with maple syrup; crème brule and both maple bacon and carrot cake donuts. Palate: classic waxy old whisky, soft leather and antique-y tones; more French toast, exotic donuts and some sweet Cuban tobacco; cooked raisins, dates and grilled prosciutto wrapped figs; very layered with tropical fruits. Finish: long, coating, creamy and fruity; fades out slowly in waves. Comment: this is a beautiful old Miltonduff; I just wish there was more left in the bottle… it is all gone!” – $530
2.  Duncan Taylor Glen Moray 26 Year – 45.7% – Matured in Sherry Oak – Andrew’s Tasting Note: “Nose: big time Jujubes, chocolate fudge and classic Christmas cake; treacle sauce on sticky toffee pudding drowning in cream; ripe figs, maple syrup and mincemeat. Palate: big, round fruity and juicy; more nutty sherry tones, some firm leather and building spices; the Christmas cake is still there with some candied and tropical fruits, mincemeat pie and sticky toffee pudding with treacle sauce; thick, fruity and coating and very layered. Finish: long, fruity, woody and spicy; more layers, big sherry, Christmas cake and cooked figs. Comment: a lovely big rich sherried whisky; this is one to tuck into an armchair with and enjoy the night.” – $450
3. 

Macallan & Highland Park Whiskies Back in Stock 

Four of the World’s Most Iconic Whiskies! 

A couple of these have been gone for a while. They are not likely to be around for long. Global demand is directing them to other markets, and it has jacked their prices up…

1. Macallan Fine Oak 21 Year – 43% – Matured in American & European Oak Ex-Sherry and Ex-Bourbon – Producer’s Tasting Note: “Nose: Intense and rich with a hint of vanilla and passion fruit. Palate: Soft, rich and spicy with a hint of oranges and peat. Finish: Lingering with a hint of wood smoke.” – $820
2. Macallan 25 Year Sherry Oak – 43% – Sherry Oak – Producer’s Tasting Note: “Nose: Citrus, balanced with cinnamon, sherry and wood smoke. Palate: Full and rich with dried fruits and wood smoke. Finish: Long with dried fruits, wood smoke and spice.” – $1600
3. Highland Park 25 Year – 45.7% – Producer Description: “The casks impart an astonishing flavour to the whisky as it matures – at once dark and full bodied with a rich and nutty spiciness, yet brimming with sweet dried fruits, cinder toffee and soft fudge. 25 years encased in oak has not only created a whisky with impressive depths, but time has delivered a vibrant sweetness too. Renowned whisky writer F. Paul Pacult named it Best Spirit in the World in the 2013 Spirit Journal – an accolade of which we are particularly (but typically quietly) proud.” – Producer Tasting Note: “Dark chocolate | Fudge | Heather honey | Nutty toffee | Dried fruits.” – $765
4. Highland Park 30 Year – 48.1% – Producer Description: “In Malt Advocate, John Hansell commented “Whiskies like this one remind me why I fell in love with whisky in the first place” and we know exactly what he means. There’s that fudgy sweetness that characterises the more mature Highland Park, but here it’s combined with complex aromatic spices as well as dark chocolate orange and floral peat notes. Dry at the finish, it leaves an aromatic smoky flavour and a mouth-watering hint of mild, salty sea spray – the result of 30 years’ maturation on Orkney’s windswept island environment.”  – Producer Tasting Note: “Nutmeg | Dark chocolate orange | Aromatic peat smoke | Sticky toffee pudding | Sea salt.” – $960

Thank You for Reading the Malt Messenger! 

Contact & Disclaimers 

If you have any whisky questions or comments concerning The Malt Messenger please contact me by e-mail, phone, or drop by the store. All of the products mentioned in THE MALT MESSENGER can be purchased in store, over the phone or from our website at www.kensingtonwinemarket.com. All prices quoted in the Malt Messenger are subject to change and don’t include GST. In the case of discrepancies in pricing, the price in our in store point of sale will be taken as correct.

Thanks for reading the Malt Messenger.

Slainte!

Andrew Ferguson

Owner & Scotchguy

Kensington Wine Market

403-283-8000

Calgary, Alberta, Canada

www.kensingtonwinemarket.com 

Kensington Wine Market

403-283-8000

 

Share the Society love this Christmas with our most intriguing and exclusive cask collection of the year. Christmas Parcels Outturn brings 29 sparkling new single casks, including five hand-picked festive parcels and our third Black Magic Discovery Pack. Whether it’s sharing a dram or gifting a bottle, we trust that Society whisky will be at the heart of your festive celebrations.

READ THE OUTTURN

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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

1996 Caol Ila 20 Year Old “Old Particular” K&L Exclusive Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky (750ml) $129.99 View

Kavalan Solist “Sherry Cask – K&L Exclusive” Cask Strength Single Barrel Taiwanese Single Malt Whisky (750ml) (Elsewhere $300) $209.99 View

Garnheath 43 Year Old “Old Particular” K&L Exclusive Single Barrel Cask Strength Grain Whisky (750ml) $249.99 View

Highland Park 1996 Authors’ Series George Sand

Distilled in September 1996 at Orkney’s Highland Park, this single malt was matured in a refill hogshead for 21 years before bottling in October 2017. This 15th release in the series is limited to just 230 bottles, each one presented at a natural cask strength of 52.7% abv. Each bottle is presented in a brown leather box, embossed with gold metallic text, and are individually wax sealed.

£340 Buy Now