Well hello, where have you been all this time? Christmas is the perfect time to catch up with old friends, so we’ve just released two new casks from distilleries we haven’t seen in a while. Full of juicy fruits and mouth-watering sweet flavours both these whiskies are delicious, delightful and decadent. Limited bottles are available, order now to avoid disappointment.

Cask No. 65.5  Old-school Speyside Age: 21 Years Price: £175

Cask No. 68.10 Delicious, delightful, decadent! Age: 7 Years Price: £48

To Join:

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

 

 

DISCOVER A NEW TRILOGY OF LUXURY WHISKIES CRAFTED AT THE HOME OF THE WORLD’S OLDEST SCOTCH MATURATION WAREHOUSE

Introducing the Vintner’s trilogy from bowmore islay single malt scotch whisky,

a unique collection of luxury whiskies matured in wine casks

Bowmore® Islay Single Malt Whisky has announced the launch of the Bowmore® Vintner’s Trilogy. Launching from September, the trilogy will feature a collection of exceptional single malt whiskies; Bowmore® 18 Year Old Double Matured Manzanilla, Bowmore® 26 Year Old Wine Matured and a final 27 Year Old bottling to be released in 2018. The trilogy has been created in the Hidden Depths of Bowmore®’s No.1 Vaults, the world’s oldest scotch maturation house, imbuing the signature Bowmore® flavour with attributes of the finest ex-wine, sherry and port casks.  

DISCOVER HIDDEN GEMS

Nestled on the edge of the island of Islay, with the tumultuous waves of the Atlantic crashing against the walls of the maturation warehouse, expertly chosen casks transform single malt whisky into Bowmore®’s liquid gold. Within the maturation warehouse lays hidden casks waiting to be discovered as a result of generations of distilling expertise and the unique sea-buffeted atmosphere within the No. 1 Vaults. Bowmore®’s legendary No. 1 Vaults, established in 1779, is the birthplace of coveted whiskies including the latest premium collection that is the Vintner’s Trilogy. Explore the depths of the legendary vaults and discover the hidden casks, matured for 18 years or more, to create the Vintner’s Trilogy. Matured in manzanilla sherry, wine, bourbon and Islay malt barrels, these whiskies boast extra layers of flavour unique to this collection.

BOWMORE 18 YEAR OLD DOUBLE MATURED MANZANILLA

The first of the Vintner’s Trilogy, Bowmore® 18 Year Old is matured in both ex-bourbon barrels and ex-manzanilla sherry barrels, taking on a rich antique gold colour. On the nose, notes of treacle, salted caramel, ripe blackcurrants, soft stone fruits, vanilla fudge and spiced Seville oranges sit alongside subtle hints of menthol and chamomile. These aromas develop into bitter oranges and a burst of peat smoke on the palate to create this refined whisky. Bowmore®’s 18 Year Old Double Matured Manzanilla will be available from specialist whisky retailers at RRP $127| €110 | £105.

BOWMORE 26 YEAR OLD WINE MATURED

The second in the trilogy, Bowmore® 26 Year Old Wine Matured spends time in ex-bourbon barrels and wine barriques, developing a burnt amber colour. Redcurrant jam, camphor oil and cherry pie intermingle with earthy smoke on the nose, developing into spiced oak, tropical fruits such as papaya and mango and a honeyed sweetness with the addition of water. A full-bodied whisky, on the palate the flavours develop into oak spiced smoke and rich dark chocolate with a long finish and a hint of salt typical of Bowmore®. Bowmore®’s 26 Year Old Wine Matured will be available from specialist whisky retailers at RRP $540 | €420 | £400.

BOWMORE 27 YEAR OLD

The final whisky in the trilogy set to be released in 2018, Bowmore® 27 Year Old will complete the collection. 

David Turner, Bowmore® distillery manager, comments: “The Vintner’s Trilogy is a collection of three liquid gold whiskies which have been meticulously matured over time in our No.1 Vaults. The unique, sea-buffeted atmosphere inside the oldest scotch maturation warehouse in the world has created three perfectly balanced whiskies full of flavour, with each whisky offering an individual taste journey through their time maturing in manzanilla sherry, wine, bourbon and Islay malt casks.”

 www.bowmore.com

Facebook.com/BOWMORE

Twitter.com/BOWMORE

Instagram.com/BOWMORE

Notes:

The Vintner’s Trilogy collection and its name has been inspired by Bowmore®’s use of ex-wine and sherry barrels to create their perfectly balanced whiskies. The trilogy celebrates the distillery’s legendary Scotch maturation warehouse, the No. 1 Vaults, the oldest in the world. 

ABOUT BOWMORE®

Founded in 1779, Bowmore® is the oldest 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®’s adherence to traditional production methods 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 rich peaty overtones – the same Islay peat that fires the malt-drying kiln.

Bowmore® Distillery’s close proximity to the sea is also vital in determining the final character of its spirit. The legendary Bowmore® No. 1 Vaults is where most 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, sherry or claret, gradually developing rich and mellow flavours.  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.

Awards:

ISC 2017 | Gold for 12 Year Old

ISC 2017 | Gold for 18 Year Old (GTR)

ISC 2017 | Silver for Vault Editions Atlantic Sea Salt

ISC 2017 | Silver for 18 Year Old (Domestic)

ISC 2017 | Silver for 15 Year Old Darkest

ISC 2017 | Silver for Bowmore No.1

ISC 2017 | Silver for Bowmore 10 Year Old

ISC 2017 | Silver for Bowmore 15 Year Old

San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2017 | Gold for 18 Year Old

San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2017 | Silver for 15 Year Old Darkest

San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2017 | Silver for 12 Year Old

International Spirits Challenge 2017 | Gold for 12 Year Old

International Spirits Challenge 2017 | Gold for 18 Year Old (GTR)

International Spirits Challenge 2017 | Silver for 10 Year Old

International Spirits Challenge 2017 | Silver for 15 Year Old

International Spirits Challenge 2017 | Silver for 15 Year Old Darkest

International Spirits Challenge 2017 | Silver for 18 Year old

International Spirits Challenge 2017 | Silver for Bowmore No.1

International Spirits Challenge 2017 | Silver for Vault Editions Atlantic Sea Salt

Bowmore supports www.drinkaware.co.uk

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 http://www.beamsuntory.com/ and www.drinksmart.com.

Bowmore 26 Year Old French Oak Barrique

The second release in the Vintner’s Trilogy from Bowmore, this Islay single malt is double matured, first in bourbon barrels for 13 years followed by another 13 years in wine barriques. Non chill-filtered and presented at a cask strength of 48.7% abv, this limited edition has tropical fruit and oak spiced smoke with dark chocolate and a hint of salt.

£420 Buy Now

 

 

What a Difference a Year Makes – Incredible Value Next to Macallan 25

1993 Macallan 24 Year Old “Old Particular” Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky

“Macallan is the only true first growth in today’s single malt market and it’s not often you get a deal on luxury.” – David Driscoll, K&L Assistant Head Buyer

Macallan is the only Scottish single malt distillery that has truly achieved first growth status within the industry, despite the fact that many others have tried. The distillery’s multi-thousand dollar price points are reminiscent of Chateau Lafite (even DRC at times) and rare collections continue to drive the value of the heralded Highland distillery further into the stratosphere. The 18 year old has gone from $80 to $250 in the span of a decade and the 25 year old now sells for a minimum of $1500 a bottle when you can find it. It’s for that reason that, despite the lavish expense, our buyers could not pass up the rarest of all opportunities when it happened upon them: a rare single cask of Macallan 24 year old, bottled at cask strength (no water added), unchillfiltered straight from the barrel for a price that defies the market forces. While normally full proof, single barrel editions sell for a premium compared to the standard editions, our team managed to pull off the deal for a fraction of comparative market prices. Full of vanilla, stone fruit, and classic malt character, this single hogshead edition captures the elegance of the perfectly mature Macallan distillate at an unbridled 51.3% natural cask strength. Bottled exclusively for K&L by our friends at Old Particular, there are only 190 bottles available.

This product is expected to arrive for shipment or pickup by Monday, January 15, 2018.

1993 Macallan 24 Year Old “Old Particular” K&L Exclusive Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) (Pre-Arrival) ($599.99)

David Driscoll | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 16, 2017

As K&L’s spirits buyer, I stopped looking for luxury casks years ago. The Port Ellens and Broras of the world are far too expensive at this point to justify the thousand dollar prices and the amount of customers still looking for rare editions of lost distilleries has dwindled, especially for an entire cask’s worth of whisky. That being said, every now and again I can pull a little magic out of my dusty old Scotch hat and find a barrel of something truly stupendous. While $600 for a bottle of Macallan may not seem like a deal to everyone, I would do a price search for the 25 year Macallan as a comparison and see what pops up. You’re looking at a minimum of $1500-$1700 for a single bottle in today’s market and that’s for a blend of numerous barrels proofed down to 43% ABV. Can you imagine what the Mac 25 would cost as a single barrel at full proof? It would be at least $3000 if not more! Even older independent editions like the one we’re offering here sell for a minimum of $750-$1000 overseas. But in the spirit of the holidays, we’re offering a pure, unadulterated cask of 24 year old Macallan from a single barrel at full proof for $599. There’s not much of it. Only enough for 190 lucky people (if everyone only buys one bottle), but like I said before: Macallan is the only true first growth in today’s single malt market and it’s not often you get a deal on luxury. Aged in a refill hogshead barrel, there’s no sherry influence here, just golden grains, soft vanilla, rounded fruits, and classic Macallan elegance. Getting the price down to $599 in today’s competitive market was something of a miracle, but that’s what the holidays are for, right? Those looking for something truly special this holiday season need look no further. We won’t actually receive the bottles until January, so you might have to print out a gift receipt and place it in a card for your loved ones in the meantime, but it doesn’t get more refined than this. This is the Chateau Margaux of single malt whisky casks. If you truly enjoy drinking old Macallan, I have to imagine this is the last time we’ll see anything like this under $1000 at K&L.

We’ve added some seductive single cask sparkle to this month’s Outturn with the release of these two sophisticated whiskies. Silky smooth with glorious warm and sweet flavours, both bottles come with a sleek black label. Limited in availabilty, order now to avoid disappointment.

Cask No. 27.111

A coal bucket of marshmallows

Age: 22 Years Price: £285

Cask No. 41.100

‘Curl up by the fire’

Age: 37 Years Price: £395

To Join:

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

 

One of a Kind Leather Bourbon Bag Created by Jackson Wayne 

FRANKLIN, Tennessee – November 3, 2017 – Jackson Wayne Leather Goods has collaborated with the Southern Whiskey Society to create a totally unique product, just in time for the holidays: the Bourbon Bag. This tote is both rugged and refined, designed specifically for connoisseurs of fine whiskey to carry their fine spirits to transport their spirits to tastings, gatherings and other events.

The Bourbon Bag is made with thick vegetable tanned full grain leather, which means that its quality is top of the line and makes a perfect gift for the true (or even wannabe) whiskey aficionado.

“Until now, guys would be carrying around expensive bottles of bourbon in cardboard boxes or their own makeshift bags,” says founder of Jackson Wayne, Andrew Lynch, “But in talking with the guys over at the Southern Whiskey Society, we really felt that fine bourbon deserved to be carried around in fine leather, and some functionality was needed, so we got to work on developing this bag. It was a lot of fun to design.”

The Bourbon Bag, like all Jackson Wayne products, is American made. In addition to heirloom quality leather bags that are built to last, Jackson Wayne also has a direct-to-consumers pricing model allowing consumers to pay for quality instead of markups–making the Bourbon Bag attainable given its level of craftsmanship and quality of materials.

Product details include:

• Thick full grain vegetable tanned leather
• Unlined, finished leather interior
• Antique brass hardware  and solid continuous gusset construction with reinforced bottom
• Holds 3 bottles – can also be used as a wine tote
• Contains 2 removable leather cylinder casks to configure a variety of bottles
• Has 2 side holster for carrying mixers, glasses, tools & accessories
• Free domestic shipping and returns, international shipping available
• Dimensions: 15” x 14” x 4.25”
• Handcrafted in America
• Available in Saddle Tan and Vintage Brown
• Price $475.00
• Pre-orders are now open, shipping begins in December 2017.

The Macallan Gran Reserva has been bottled and released at 15 years old for the first time. Matured predominantly in first-fill sherry seasoned European oak casks, the result is a rich and tantalising spirit that reveals lingering flavours of winter spice, orange and chocolate. With only 1500 bottles ever to be available, we’re offering you the opportunity to be amongst the first to have a chance to own this exclusive release. The Macallan Gran Reserva 15 Years Old will be made available through an exclusive ballot from our Online Shop. All you need to do to secure an opportunity for a chance to purchase is follow the button below before 23:59 UK time on the 19th November 2017 and you will be entered into the ballot.

Good luck!

ENTER THE BALLOT

EXPLORE GRAN RESERVA

• Delivery of whisky from the Online Shop is currently available to 27 countries.
• The RRP is £495 (70cl) but the final price will be subject to local taxes and duties.
• To receive a link to enter the ballot you must have a confirmed registration to The Macallan newsletter.
• Entries to the ballot will close at 23:59 UK time on Sunday 19th November 2017.
• By entering the ballot you are not making a purchase and there is no obligation to buy, even if you are successful in the ballot.
• All successful entrants will be confirmed via email no later than 14:00 UK time on the 5th December, for their individual chance to purchase.
• Any bottles remaining after ballot sales have been completed will be put on general sale but stock cannot be guaranteed.

Full terms and conditions can be found here. If you have any questions please see the FAQs.

We hope this quarterly newsletter finds you in rude health.  The clocks have turned back, the nights have drawn in and the last ferry of the season has long since departed here in Campbeltown as we batten down the hatches for what will surely be another wet and wild Kintyre winter. We’ve had an industrious few months here at Springbank so grab yourself a healthy measure of something wet and Springbanky and make yourself comfortable while we bring you up to speed.

Distillery News

Our beloved Springbank distillery is currently undergoing an extensive program of refurbishment works, some of which you may have seen on social media.  These works will ensure we can keep producing our whisky in the manner that is unique to Springbank for many more years to come and also enhance our visitors’ experience. For the cynics amongst you, this is not corporate PR talk for overhauling Springbank into a ‘Disney Distillery’ with VR Malting and conveyor belt tours, but rather includes work such as surfacing the car park and installing drainage so we do not need to provide visitors with welly boots and plans to install an onsite shop to save visitors from the ‘Longrow dash’ to pick up their tour tickets and pay for warehouse bottles from the Cadenhead shop. Recent and ongoing works include;

Malt Barns – Local contractors McFadyens have worked tirelessly over 9 weeks to replace and renew the crumbling concrete floors of our malt barns to ensure we can continue with 100% floor malting for many more years. The Malt Barns which were closed during refurbishment are now open again to tours.

New Boiler – Our trusty distillery boiler, designed by Chairman Mr H G Wright and installed in 1962 was finally retired last month and replaced with a brand new Cochran boiler manufactured in Annan, Dumfries and Galloway.  The old boiler certainly earned its  retirement having being converted from coal, to heavy oil and latterly light oil.  Rest easy  old friend.  We all held our breath as the old 24 ton boiler was delicately manoeuvred by crane out of the boiler house and over the newly refurbished malt barns, but the transition passed seamlessly and Director of Production Findlay Ross can sleep easy once again.

Below we have a picture of the boiler being carried over the malt barns,

Staff Facilities – A swelling work force (not talking about waistlines) means bigger and better staff accommodation is required.  McFadyens are currently renovating the old stable next to warehouse 7 to create a new canteen, changing rooms and showers.

Distillery Shop – Once the new staff facilities are complete the old staff canteen will be turned into a distillery shop where visitors will be able to buy tour tickets and pay for warehouse purchases without the need to do the Longrow dash down to Cadenhead’s.   The Cadenhead shop and tasting room on Union Street/Bolgam Street will continue to run as our flagship store.

Aesthetic improvements – Flagpoles flying the flags of our three malts have been erected on the corner of the recently surfaced car park, which are visible from the distillery lane ensuring visitors from afar can locate us with ease. Once they disembark they will enjoy a walk across the recently surfaced car park to a decorative Springbank cask feature which provides another photo opportunity to remember their pilgrimage down the A83.  Benches and raised flower beds mean visitors can even choose to sit outside in the driving Campbeltown rain while they wait for their tour to start.

Kilkerran Award

We are delighted to announce that the Kilkerran 12yo was the winner of the gold medal in the Scottish Field Whisky Challenge 2017 Grand Final – under £40 category. The Scottish Field Whisky Challenge has been running since 2000 and receives acclaim for its  independent and unbiased award process. The whiskies are nominated by a group of independent retailers before being blind tasted by an industry panel. Fantastic recognition for one of Campbeltown’s finest!

Society News

Longrow 9yo Fresh Sauternes 

All society members should be aware of the recently released society bottle; Longrow 9yo Fresh Sauternes. Orders have been coming in thick and fast so if you would like a bottle and have not yet ordered please do so immediately. Orders are being taken by email only; society@springbank.scot.

Society Membership Gift Packs

New members will soon start receiving their membership packs in a presentation box which is a step up from the usual jiffy bag and perhaps more appropriate for those of you who want to purchase memberships for friends and family as gifts.  So, struggling to think of the perfect Christmas present for a fellow Springbank lover…hint hint 😉  Drop us an email for more info society@springbank.scot

Upcoming releases

December 2017

Springbank 10yo Local Barley 

The third release in the iconic Local Barley series will be available to purchase from early December.  Keep an eye on social media and for society newsflashes for further info.

Kilkerran 8yo cask strength 

Last year’s popular cask strength whisky from Glengyle is being followed up again with a limited number of bottles from a fresh batch to be released in early December. Again, make sure you follow us on social media for updates and look out for society newsflashes.

February 2018

Springbank 12yo cask strength 

The latest in the biannual 12yo cask strength series is scheduled for release in February.  As always, the maturation recipe is 70% sherry, 30 % bourbon.

Springbank 25yo 

The 5th annual release of the extremely limited Springbank 25yo will be available worldwide in limited quantities.

Longrow Red 11yo

The eagerly awaited annual Longrow Red release which we can exclusively reveal here is partially matured in South African Cabernet Franc casks supplied by De Toren winery, the same supplier of the recent Malbec casks.

Sales team events

As usual, the Sales Team are travelling far and wide earning their airmails to promote Springbank and Kilkerran across the globe.  Here’s where you might be able to track them down over the next few months;

November

4-5th November – Whisky Messe, Villingen, Germany (Ronan)

11th November – Glasgow Whisky Festival, Hamden Park (Grant)

17-18th November – Malta Whisky Festival (Ronan)

18th November – Drambusters Whisky Festival, Dumfries (Ranald and Grant)

25th November – Dublin Whisky Live (Grant)

30th November – 3rd December – Whiskyschiff, Zurich (Melanie & Ronan)

January 2018

12-13th January – Harrow Whisky Festival, The Grim’s Dyke Hotel, London (Grant)

15-21st January – Canada Tasting Tour (Melanie)

15-16th  Edmonton retailer visits and tastings

17th Edmonton Whisky Festival plus MC

18th Calgary Whisky Festival

19th Victoria Whisky Festival plus MC

20th Vancouver Whisky Classique MC

21st Vancouver Whisky Classique

Social Media 

Lastly, a quick reminder that you can follow us online through a variety of websites and social media channels.  This will help you keep up to date with daily goings on at the distillery and where the Sales Team are popping up next.

Facebook

Twitter – @Springbank1828

Instagram – @springbankwhisky1828

WeChat –  You can find us under the name “Springbank Distillers” or by searching for SpringbankWhisky.

And, of course, you can always find us on the Springbank website www.springbank.scot

We hope you’ve enjoyed the latest newsletter.

If you have any questions, queries, concerns or comments please contact society@springbank.scot and we shall do our very best to get back to you as soon as possible.

Slainte,

The Springbank Society.

Please contact society@springbank.scot to join

 

The Whisky Barrel releases their latest exclusive 10^th Anniversary Whisky!  

Specialist online whisky shop, TheWhiskyBarrel.com, is proud to release Glenlivet 11 Year Old 2006 Signatory 10th Anniversary. 

This is the fifth addition to The Whisky Barrel’s range of exclusive bottlings commemorating the 10^th anniversary of the retailer established in 2007 and which is now renowned as one of the world’s leading whisky and spirits merchants.

The Glenlivet 11 Year Old 2006 has been specially selected by The Whisky Barrel from the warehouses at Signatory Vintage at Pitlochry in the Scottish Highlands. The Whisky Barrel hand selected this first-fill sherry hogshead cask due to its exceptional aromas and flavours.

Glenlivet Distillery produces single malt Scotch Whisky in Ballindalloch, Moray. It was founded in 1824 by George Smith and is the oldest legal distillery in the parish of Glenlivet. Following expansion in 2010 the distillery is now equipped with fourteen stills making it one of the largest malt whisky distilleries in Scotland.

Signatory Vintage was established by Andrew and Brian Symington in 1988 at Newhaven on the southern shore of the Firth of Forth. Having taken over the business in 1997 and purchased Edradour Distillery in Pitlochry in 2002, Andrew Symington moved his bottling business into new premises next to the Highland distillery.

The Glenlivet 11 Year Old 2006 Signatory 10^th Anniversary has been aged for 11 years in a first-fill sherry hogshead cask #900552 yielding 316 bottles at natural cask strength. The whisky is richly sherried in colour and flavour.

Tasting notes: 

Colour: Beautifully dark. Shine a light on it and a lovely caramelised sugar on the cusp of catching come out. 

Nose: Rich sherry notes. Rum and raisin with soft Scottish toffee and dark chocolate. Leather boots and tobacco leaf add some real muscle but softened with strawberry and dried apricot. 

Taste: Lovely warming chewiness of the sherry. Crisp red berries giving way mil chocolate raisins, oak and a touch of apricot sherbet. The high ABV makes it a big hitter. Left to some air relaxes it and brings out a little more chocolate and toffee. 

Finish:  Long and lingering with a pleasant heat. Big spicy fruit cake with cinnamon and cloves with a touch of bitter chocolate. Dries to an oaky finish. 

Price: £79.99 GBP / $87.00 USD (+ P&P) 

Notice for Editors:-

1. Q) What is the product called? A)  The Glenlivet 11 Year Old 2006 Signatory 10^th
2. Q) When will this product be released/was it released? A) Monday 13 November 2017. Q) Where is it available? A) Scotland, off-trade, TheWhiskyBarrel.com. Q) Is this product already available in other markets? A) Scotland only, TheWhiskyBarrel.com ships worldwide. Q) How much is it? A) £79.99 GBP / $87.00 USD (+ P&P)
3. Q) Who handles the product’s distribution? A) In-house at TheWhiskyBarrel.com. Q) What is the ABV of this product? A) 63.5% ABV natural cask strength.
4. Q) Why has this product been launched? A) Limited Edition single cask bottled exclusively by The Creative Whisky Co. to celebrate 10 years of TheWhiskyBarrel.com. This is the third bottling in the 10^th Anniversary series of single cask spirits.

Note to Editors 

The Whisky Barrel is a specialist online whisky and spirits merchant was established in 2007 and celebrates it’s 10^th anniversary in 2017. The firm has been nominated for Whisky Magazine Awards and prestigious International Wine & Spirits Competition runner-up in 2016.

Previous Anniversary Releases:

#1 Irish Cooley, 13 year old, 2003 Exclusive Malts 10^th Anniversary

#2 Dumbarton 30 year old, 1987, The Sovereign

#3 Laphroaig 6 year old, 2011 Exclusive Malts 10^th Anniversary

N.B. prices correct at the time of publishing and are subject to currency fluctuation.

If they aren’t playing them already, then they soon will be… There are just 41 shopping days left until Christmas, and you know what that means, a seemingly endless stream of Christmas music. Don’t get me wrong, we’re not curmudgeons here at KWM, and we get excited about Christmas too. But you have my, solemn promise that KWM will remain a Christmas music free zone (not even Michael Buble’s “Jingle Bells” will be played), at least for the next couple of weeks.

So that means if you swing by the store to take advantage of our great ‘Pre-Christmas’ “Super Sale” deals this weekend, you won’t be subjected to “Frosty the Snowman”, “White Christmas” or anything by Mariah Carey. You will be able to save 10% or more on all in-stock whiskies*, as well as 15% off all in-stock wine and 5% off all in-stock beer. Think of it as Christmas in November, except you give to yourself, and you won’t have to listen to “Wonderful Christmas Time” by Paul McCartney & Wings.

There are a couple of upcoming events to fill you in on. First and foremost, the final performance of “Tasting Scotch” a multi-sensory tasting experience is taking place at Last Best on Friday, November 17. It is a collaborative whisky tasting experience between KWM, the Scotch Malt Whisky Society Canada and Ghost River Theater. Tickets are $125 and a $75 tax receipt will be issued. More details below.

Tickets are now on sale for the 7th Annual 2018 MS Calgary Whisky Festival, on Thursday January 18 2017. Of note, this year’s VIP Master Class will be an Old Pulteney vertical tasting including the soon to be released Old Pulteney 25 Year and 1983 vintage. Tickets range in price from $120 to $200 and all ticket classes include a glass. The General Admission tickets can be bought at the early bird price of $100 until November 30!

More new whiskies to tell you about, including another new KWM exclusive cask. Our first ever cask of Tomatin has just landed! The PX Sherry finished Tomatin 1999 KWM Cask, is a big sherried fruit bomb. Bottled at 52% after slumbering in Scotland for 18 years and 9 months. More details below!

We have 8 new Islay whiskies hitting the shelves tomorrow, 5 of them are exclusive to KWM. There are the Elements of Islay: Ci8, Lg7, Oc4 and Peat, as well as the Port Askaig 8 Year, 15 Year, 19 Year and 100 Proof. Port Askaig is a mystery malt label, the whiskies likely produced at Caol Ila distillery, which is the net cove over from the port. We will be setting up a tasting soon to introduce these 8 curious new whiskies to the market. Details and tasting notes below.

Speaking of mystery malts, the Lismore 18 Year and 21 Year The Legend are back in-stock. In honour of the occasion, I’ve written up my own tasting notes on the pair. The malts are very good for their age and price. Their origin a tad mysterious, but you’ll have to read more for my thoughts below.

I have also written up my own tasting notes on four other whiskies currently gracing store shelves, and one more that will be here shortly. It is a tough job tasting whiskies, but someone has to do it.

Finally a quick update on the Kensington Wine Market 2017 Whisky Advent Calendar. The first calendars should be hitting the store this weekend or Monday, November 20 at the latest. The project was delayed by 4 of the 25 whiskies, which did not arrive on time. Everyone involved has been working hard to rectify the situation, and we appreciate your patience and understanding.

If you have yet to order a KWM 2017 Whisky Advent Calendar and would like to do so, I wouldn’t put it off much longer… there are but 40 of 384 which are not yet spoken for!

I hope you enjoy this edition of the Malt Messenger.

Sláinte!

In This Edition

1. Annual Pre-Christmas “Super Sale” This Weekend!
2. Kensington Wine Market 2017 Whisky Advent Calendar Update
3. “Tasting Scotch” The Final Performance
4. MS Calgary Whisky Festival 2017: 2 Weeks Left for Early Bird Tickets
5. NEW KWM Exclusive Tomatin Casks
6. NEW Exclusive Elements of Islay Whiskies
7. NEW Exclusive Port Askaig Whiskies
8. The Lismores Are Back
9. My Tasting Note: Glenmorangie Grand Vintage Malt 1990
10. My Tasting Note: Glenfiddich Winter Storm
11. My Tasting Note: Cadenhead Small Batch Invergordon 1972 43 Year
12. My Tasting Notes: Springbank 21 & 25 Year Current Bottlings

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

Our Annual Pre-Christmas “SUPER SALE” This Weekend! 

SAVE 10-35% on all In-Stock Whisky*: November 17-19!

* Excludes the Kensington Wine Market 2017 Whisky Advent Calendar and Scotch Malt Whisky Society bottlings!

 

 

Kensington Wine Market 2017 Whisky Advent Calendar Update 

Less than 40 of 384 Calendars left! 

Firstly, we are a little behind on building our Whisky Advent Calendar this year… A couple of products were delayed, and are expected to arrive late this week. This should allow us to have the first batch of calendars built and ready for pickup between the 19th and 20th.

There are a lot of exciting details about the 2017 edition, including the fact that we succeeded in bringing the base retail price down by $25, to $375+gst. We also have 25 all new whiskies, never before featured in the KWM Advent Calendar. This includes 5 whiskies bottled exclusively for the Kensington Wine Market 2017 Whisky Advent Calendar. While the bulk of the Calendar is still Single Malt Scotch Whisky, there are for the first time single malts from Canada, England and the Netherlands! This is our fourth straight year that we have designed and built our own exclusive Whisky Advent Calendar. It features 24 50ml premium whiskies, a 100ml Christmas Day bottling from the Scotch Malt Whisky Society (The Society) and a custom logo Glencairn glass.

The Kensington Wine Market Whisky Advent Calendar is more than just a product for us – it is a way for us to share and connect with other whisky lovers in Calgary, Alberta and across Canada. Details on the whiskies’ released and their distillery will be posted on the KWM Blog each day of Advent. Recipients of the Calendar are encouraged to share their thoughts with us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. The KWM Whisky Advent Calendar also comes with a 10% discount card, good for any of the whiskies in the Calendar (excepting the Society whisky), subject to availability.

A deposit of $150 will be charged for each calendar requested. This helps KWM with the production costs. The balance of the payment will be taken a few days before delivery to our shop. ETA is mid-November!

Order a Kensington Wine Market 2017 Whisky Advent Calendar!

“Tasting Scotch” the Final Performance 

The final KWM/SMWS/Ghost River Theater Multi-sensory Collaborative Tasting

This is the second and probably final performance of “Tasting Scotch” a multisensory tasting experience put together by Ghost River in collaboration with Kensington Wine Market and the Scotch Malt Whisky Society Canada. Tickets are $125 with a $75 tax receipt.

Tickets can be purchased here!

MS Calgary Whisky Festival Tickets Now On Sale 

Early bird pricing in effect until November 30! 

Tickets are now on sale for the 2018 MS Calgary Whisky Festival! Calgary’s best and biggest whisky festival is now in its 7th year. It will take place on Thursday January 18 at Arts Commons, in the foyer of the Jack Singer Concert Hall.  http://calgarywhiskyfestival.ca/ Early bird tickets are available until November 30. There will be at least 1, possibly 2 VIP Master Classes. Neither will disappoint!

There are three types of tickets for this year’s event:

1. VIP Early Entry (includes a cut crystal Glencairn glass) – $175 – Only 72 Tickets Left
2. VIP / Master Class (includes a cut crystal Glencairn glass) – $200 – Only 42 Tickets Available
3. General Admission (includes a Glencairn glass) – $100 – Price goes up to $120 on December 1

Purchase tickets here!

 

KWM Exclusive Tomatin Cask 

Our Ever Tomatin is a PX Sherry Finished 18 Year! 

Our first ever single cask of Tomatin is here! The whisky was distilled in 1999, matured in Bourbon and finished for five years in a Pedro Ximenez Sherry Butt. 621 bottles were filled at 52%. It was bottled at 18 years and 9 months of age. It is a classic big sherry cask whisky, and it does not disappoint! Think PX Glendronach…

Tomatin 1999 KWM Cask – 52% – 18 Year – Finished in PX Sherry 5 Years – My Tasting Note: “Nose: nutty and woody with soft leather; a touch of tobacco and clotted cream; moist Jujubes and candied fruit tones with a touch of musty oak; ginger and cinnamon in a cedar sauna. Palate: round, oily and thick; the sherry is laid thick over the creamy, honeyed, base; more Jujubes and big candied fruits; leather and tobacco with dark chocolate, candied orange peel and Demerara sugar; my mouth is tingling, watering and desirous of more; the sherry is bold but balanced, coming in big waves, eventually emerging into cloves and Dutch licorice. Finish: very fruity, rich, long and spicy; it continues to evolve in waves; very oily and coating. Comment: it is getting harder and harder to find good value sherry cask whisky, and so this exclusive Tomatin cask is timely; very good value for its age, here you have a very sherried but balanced malt; and for those with a sensitivity to sulphur I dare you to find even a trace herein!”  – $150

NEW KWM Exclusive Elements of Islay Whiskies 

Caol Ila, Lagavulin and Octomore! 

We have been trying to get the Elements of Islay range into Canada for a couple of years now. We have only just succeeded in doing so. We have three exclusive single malt offerings and there is a 4th generally available Blended Malt.

About the Range: “The medicinal, almost ‘elemental’ character of Islay malt whiskies was the inspiration for the laboratory-style bottle and element symbol/number naming system used across the Elements range (Lp1, Ar2, and so on). Coincidentally, even the 50cl bottle used throughout the Elements range is called ‘pharmacy’. Every Elements bottle also bears the signature of a whisky authority, so you can be confident of the quality of the liquid inside.”

1.  Elements of Islay Ci8 – 55.2% – 5 Bourbon from the Mid-2000s – Producer Description: “Our eighth bottling from Caol Ila is a marriage of five bourbon barrels. Caol Ila is renowned for its light, flinty style, which adds elegance to the layers of smoke and strong coastal notes that are its trademark.” Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Classic coastal sea spray with an undercurrent of caramel and buttered popcorn. A background note of aniseed marries nicely with lime oil and thyme. Palate: The texture is creamy and full with flavours of baked lemon and rock salt. The distillery’s flinty edge is on show and balances nicely with the flavour of delicate custard. Finish: Juicy and long, with lemon oil and cloves coming through.” – $88
2. Elements of Islay Lg7– 56.8% – 4 Bourbon Barrels from the mid-2000s – Producer Description: “Lagavulin whiskies are known for their meaty style, balanced by touch of sweet fruit. Lg7 is matured in refill bourbon barrels, and is everything we have come to expect from Lagavulin: Islay in a bottle.” – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: CInitially, maple-cured bacon and orange sponge cake give a great balance of sweet and savoury. Delicate honeysuckle is offset by barbecue char and toasted marshmallows. The smoke is full and aromatic, like Chinese tea. Palate: thick and creamy with the classic iodine character and some sweeter notes coming through. There is a thick and meaty note, almost like caramelised beef fat blended with cockles and burnt honeycomb. Finish: Warm spice with toasted caraway seeds and salty dryness.” – $132
3.  Elements of Islay Oc4 – 59.1% – 3 2010 Bourbon Barrels – Producer Description: “The most heavily peated of all the spirits on Islay, Octomore showcases maritime and fruity notes among a dense and smoky character. Oc4 is a marriage of three bourbon barrels from 2010, showing sweet malty notes intertwined with powerful smoke.” – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Clean, with pine smoke and lemongrass. Juniper and fennel seeds make for an intense aromatic experience, with the distillate clearly in the foreground and wood in the background. Of course there is medicinal peatiness, and lots of it. Palate: White pepper and intense peat reek sit up front. The texture is rich and oily, and while there is heat from the strength, it is all in the background. There is something almost mezcal like about this whisky, run through with smoked juniper and iodine. Finish: Warm and tangy with flavours of well-cooked meat.” – $190

Also available, but not exclusive to KWM, Elements of Islay Peat. “PEAT is the perfect expression of smoky whisky, with all the full-on coastal character you would expect from an island whisky, as well as balanced sweetness. On its own or in a cocktail, it is the go-to peaty whisky for all, balancing serious smoky flavour with a sense of fun.”

1. Elements of Islay Peat – 59.3% – Around 60 casks from the North and South of Islay – Producer Description: “We have used whisky from a handful of distilleries across the island to create an Islay blended malt, taking the distinct character of each and bringing them together, focusing on Islay’s most famous flavour – peat.” – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose:  Fresh, sprightly barley entwined with peat smoke and bonfire embers. Bracing aromas of salty seaweed and seashells. Plenty of clean fruit – lemon, lime and grapefruit, while hiding underneath are notes of rich earth and liquorice. Palate: Warm and leathery with thick-cut bacon, seashore campfires and roasted fruit: sweet apple and lime with a sprinkle of caster sugar. Layers of smoke and dark-chocolate limes envelope the palate and are intertwined with softer lemon oil and barbecue sauce, with hints of roasted spices and barrel char, complementing the peat and smoke. Finish: Sea spray and baked apple fade leaving heavier smoke, truffle salt and sweet spice.” – $55

New KWM Exclusive Port Askaig Whiskies 

And two others to boot! 

We have two interesting new KWM exclusive Islay whiskies. They are from the Port Askaig range, which is new to Canada.

Producer Description: “Nestled into the north coast of the island, Port Askaig has been the gateway to Islay for hundreds of years. For many it is the start of a journey that will stay with them for a lifetime.

“Port Askaig is a range of Islay single malt whiskies that embodies the unique spirit of Islay and its people. Its character brings together the robust smokiness and soft fruitiness found in this beguiling island. The range has been developed to appeal to the most discerning of whisky connoisseurs while also appealing to the novice whisky drinker. We have selected exceptional casks of Islay single malt and created a range that we believe will become recognised as an Islay classic.

“Each expression within the range is bottled in limited batches. While recognising that each bottling will vary, the aim is to achieve a consistency of quality and character over time. To ensure each whisky maintains its original flavour and character, the whiskies are not chill-filtered and no colouring is added. In a world of change, we believe there is still a place for tradition. However, one that embraces evolution and new ideas required to make it ever better. We believe that the expert cask selection and traditional yet contemporary look of the packaging will ensure Port Askaig stands shoulder to shoulder with Islay’s more established brands for many years to come.”

Exclusive to KWM:

1. Port Askaig 100 Proof – 57.1% (100 British Proof) –  Producer Description: “A cask-strength Islay single malt with notes of sweet fruit, peat smoke and minerality, this is a benchmark Islay whisky and a great everyday peaty dram at this price.” – My Tasting Note: “Nose: fresh, herbaceous, medicinal and malty; seaweed, vanilla and honey; orange bitters, cedar shavings and dried cherries. Palate: starting light, fresh and herbaceous it quickly builds into something more malty, briny and peaty; still medicinal, earthy peat and tarry ropes; a touch of honey with vanilla, orange bitters and lemon clices on goat cheese. Finish: long, malty and medicinal with fading smoke; fresh citrus tones and more goat cheese. Comment: this is a firm, medicinal Ileach, though even at a young age and strength the alcohol has very little bite.” – $87
2. Port Askaig 19 Year – 50.4% –  Producer Description: “This 19 year old cask-strength edition bursts with fabulously flinty, lemony, seashells-on-the-seashore flavours. This is a truly elemental whisky, perfect for sipping from hip flasks during cold winter walks.” – My Tasting Note: “Nose: doughy, buttery and fuity, silky peat oils and beeswaxy-honeycomb tones; delicate elegant smoke, bright berry fruits (raspberry), chantilly cream and more delicate tropical fruits: mango and papaya. Palate: round, delicate and doughy; a touch of maritime character, more buttery notes and silky peat oils; more beeswax, bright berry fruits and tropical fruits towards the finish; chantilly cream and clotted cream on dry Brittish scones. Finish: long, coating and creamy with fading tropical fruits, chantilly cream and silky peat oils. Comment: this is a whisky with the delicate finesse of a Ileach many years its senior; very elegant and delicate with a firm peaty base.” $195

Port Askaig 19 Year – 88pts Serge @WhiskyFun.org: “The first version in 2013 was absolutely excellent (WF 88). Colour: white wine. Nose: some linguist may have invented the word ‘vibrant’ just for this. It is pure briny and smoky Caol Ila, polished by time and not by wood, with fresh apples, fresh almonds, and a discreet mentholy side. Then a little antiseptic/TCP/iodine, and a good dollop of seawater. With water: your old jacket after a walk on Islay. Should I add ‘after the rain’? Mouth (neat): once again, it’s the purity that’s impressive. A smoked blend of seawater and lemon juice, with a few essential oils thrown in for good measure. Mint, camphor… With water: gets a notch fruitier (citrus) and, as often, a little earthy. Mud under your shoes (after that famous walk on Islay). Finish: long, zesty, chiselled, blade-y. I had noticed some sweetness in the first batch, but not quite in this one. Comments: as Ayrton Senna used to say, “If you take away Caol Ila, you take away (one of) the reasons why I do this.” Just put Eau Rouge instead of Caol Ila. SGP:447 – 88 points.” – $195

Also available from Port Askaig:

1.  Port Askaig 8 Year – 45.8% – Producer Tasting Note: “Elegant, soft, sweet, classy,minerally, medium-peated style perfect for novices to discover Islay and connoisseurs to enjoy as their regular dram.” – $70
2. Port Askaig 15 Year Sherry – 45.8% – 90pts Whisky Advocate: “Matured in first-fill oloroso sherry casks, this is 20% peated whisky from 1997 and 80% fruitier whisky distilled in 2001. Earthy on the early nose, with bonfire smoke, vanilla, raisins, and prunes. The palate opens with sweet fruit notes and medium-dry sherry, giving way to nutmeg, brine, and peat. The finish features plain chocolate, bitter lemons, and a hint of smoky chili.” – $142

 

The Lismores are Back!

Well Priced 18 and 21 Year Old Possibly Glenfarclas! 

A mystery malt from the owners of Glenfarclas, possibly a second label for the distillery?! Both are excellent value for whiskies of their respective ages!

1. Lismore 18 Year – 43% –  My Tasting Note: “Nose: very fruity, fresh and floral; as though someone has just sprayed a room with a fruity floral mist; jujubes, wine gums and jelly bellies; so fruity and decadent; creamy, velvety and smooth. Palate: soft, honeyed and creamy; still velvety, clotted cream and honey butter; then the wine gums, jujubes and jelly bellies with Demerara sugar and soft leather; the crisp decadent spice emerges late with a broad stroke of juicy orange. Finish: medium in length, creamy, coating and smooth; still velvety, the oak spices and fruit candy notes slowly dissipate. Comment: very good for a $100 18 year old single malt; eminently quaffable; wish it was at 43%; only wish it was 46%!” – $100
2. Lismore 21 Year: The Legend – 43% – Definitely some sherry influence. – My Tasting Note: Nose: stewed fruits, chocolate covered espresso beans, soft leather and plum pudding; cooked medjool dates with prune and grapefruit juices; some musty earthy tones and classic Christmas cake sherry tones. Palate: round, fruity and chocolaty with building earthy sherry notes and spices; more milk-chocolate covered espresso beans, soft leather and musty old dunnage warehouse tones; nutty and a touch grassy; raisins, dates, figs and prunes with crisp spices: licorice, fennel and clove. Finish: medium length with big coating sherry notes and drying fruity tannins. Comment: quite sherried, but not a sherry bomb; a lovely malt at a good price for its age; possibly from the Ballindalloch Estate!” – $150

My Tasting Note: Glenmorangie Grand Vintage 1990 

The replacement for the Quarter Century Does Not Disappoint! 

To say this replaces the Quarter Century does both whiskies a disservice. The Grande Vintage Malt 1990 is the first release in the new Bond House No 1 Collection. It is a 25 year old single malt bottled at 43% from a single vintage and harvest, 1990. The whisky has been matured in a mix of Ex-Bourbon and Ex-Sherry casks. 92pts Whisky Advocate

I have written up my own tasting notes on it. Overall, it is very elegant and decadent. The best word to summarize it, ethereal!

Glenmorangie Grand Vintage Malt 1990 – 43% – Bourbon & Sherry – My Tasting Note: “Nose: honeyed, elegant and silky; Earl Grey ice cream, tapioca pudding and creme brule; vanilla bean, just picked California oranges, cinnamon sticks and nutmeg; tarte tatin and tallow candles. Palate: delicate, waxy, honeyed, creamy and coating; ethereal and silky; the fruits come in waves: cooked apple, fresh orange, melons and kiwi fruit; the spices build, more cinnamon sticks, nutmeg and Earl Grey ice cream; more creme brule and clotted cream; very layered and pretty. Finish: long, elegant and silky; delicate, almost fragile waves of fruit and cream. Comment: very elegant and dangerously drinkable; though layered this whisky is also sessionable!” – $785

92Pts Whisky Advocate: “The first release in Glenmorangie’s new Vintage Collection, named Bond House No.1 after the 19th century warehouse that became the distillery’s new stillhouse in 1990. Matured in a mix of bourbon and sherry casks. Mandarins, honey, and vanilla on the floral nose. Very smooth on the palate, with malt, vanilla, more honey, and milk chocolate orange. Attractive soft oak notes and gentle herbal spice in the medium to long finish.”

My Tasting Note: Glenfiddich Winter Storm  

Coming Soon to KWM! 

This limited edition 21 year old Glenfiddich was finished for 6 months in Ex-Peller Estate Icewine casks. A clever idea and far from a gimmick. The icewine casks have added a lovely, decadent touch. Only 36ish bottles coming to KWM, ETA December!

Glenfiddich Winter Storm – 43% – Finished 6 Months in Peller Estate Icewine Casks – My Tasting Note: “Nose: big, honeyed and grapey; lots of sugars, creamed heather honey, icewine and a touch of soft leather; Scottish tablet and molten brown sugar; exotic fruits: honeydew melon, pineapple and guava; waxy oranges and beeswax candles. Palate: sweet, rich and fruity; much more spicy and earthy than the nose let on; though the earthy tones and soft and delicate, as are the spices; more exotic fruits: melon, pineapple and guava are joined by some mango and kiwi; still thick with creamed honey, beeswax candles and grapey-icewine tones; the palate is big, but round, smooth and very layered. Finish: medium-long, waxy and coating with lots of fruit, honey and cream; very layered even the delicate spices and earthy tones make a reappearance. Comment: this whisky is no gimmick; it is pretty, fruity, honeyed and layered!” – $300

Producer’s Description: “Brian Kinsman, our Malt Master, is constantly on the lookout for ingenious innovations in Scotch whisky. So when he travelled to Canada, he made a point of visiting a winemaker at a renowned winery in Niagara. Despite the freezing January weather, Brian braved the tour of the vineyards, where he learned how the grapes had to be picked by moonlight at -10˚C when they were as hard as pebbles. These stories about extreme conditions and the unique production process of the intensely sweet Icewine were inspirational.”

My Tasting Note: Cadenhead Small Batch Invergordon 1972 43 Year 

One of the Standouts from Thursday’s Fall Single Malt Festival! 

This was one of the highlights of this past week’s Fall Single Malt Festival at Kensington Wine Market. A 43 year old 1972 vintage single grain from Invergordon Distillery. We were very luck to receive 30 bottles of this very old grain, because it is excellent.  Matured in 2 Ex-Bourbon Barrels and bottled at a cask strength of 48.3%.

Cadenhead Invergordon 1972 43 Year – 48.3% – Ex-Bourbon Matured – My Tasting Note: “Nose: big, rich, floral and oily; vanilla extract, corn syrup, premium olive oil, caramel sauce and candied apple; orange-chocolate-marzipan; toasty and woody, it is starting to show its age, but far from bitter; Marcona almonds quince paste. Palate: silky, sinful, sweet and fruity; wow this is big and sticky… so sweet; loaded with sugar, vanilla extract, honey butter and tangerines; cooked raisins, more candied apple with caramel corn and peach crumble warm from the oven; the wood is present and toasty, without a hint of bitterness. Finish: light but with a good length; coating, it stays sweet and fruity as it slowly vanishes. Comment: this is what good old grain whisky should be… silky, layered and dangerously drinkable!” – $385

 

 

My Tasting Notes: Springbank 21 & 25 Years Current Batches 

Hint, they are lovely! 

We opened both of these for our tasting with Melanie Stanger a couple of weeks back. They were a hit, so I have written them up. I compared them to each other and older bottlings of the same age statements for the same distillery. The batches we are currently sitting on are superior to the past releases, IMHO, and I have a slight preference for the 25 over the 21. That being said, the former is nearly double the price of the latter!

Both are buys in my opinion. The 21 year is the closest batch we’ve seen in terms of style, to the old Springbank 21s of a decade ago.

1. Springbank 21 Year – 46% – Batch 15/52 – My Tasting Note: “Nose: creamy, savoury and comforting; vanilla, clotted cream and salted caramel envelop you in a warm embrace; dried apricots, peaches and cream; wood smoke from a beach bonfire and steamed mussels. Palate: round, creamy, salty and still very savoury; vanilla bean, clotted cream, silky honey and salted caramel; the beach bonfire wood smoke is still there, but clean, without a sharp edge; more peaches and cream, dried apricot and cantaloupe. Finish: medium in length, it is creamy, coating and fruity with savoury salted caramel tones and clean smoke. Comment: lovely; I compared it to Batch 12/18 and this is heads and shoulders a better whisky; more akin to the legendary Springbank 21s of more than a decade ago!” – $386
2. Springbank 25 Year – 46% – Batch 16/513 – My Tasting Note: “Nose: l ots of dried fruits: apricot, apples and pineapple chunks; caramel chews, salt water taffy and candied fruits; jujubes and touches of moist, light Christmas cake; a touch of clean smoke and salt. Palate: sweet, silky, fruity and honeyed; vanilla bean with jujubes and lots of fruit: both fresh and dried, leaning towards stone and orchard varietals; there is a touch of sherry-influenced Christmas cake; the smoke and salty maritime tones are subtle and elegant; bergamot earl grey tea, caramel chews and Panda brand licorice. Finish: long with loads of fruits, cream and spices; more gentle elegant smoke and maritime tones. Comment: brilliant, I have a slight preference for this over the 21 year Batch 15/52; I also compared it to an older 2014 edition of the 25 year: while the older bottling  is lovely, this current release is more tropical, fruity and elegant.” – $688
   

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

Kensington Wine Market

403-283-8000