Looking for a way to celebrate on this St. Patrick’s Day? We have a very interesting Irish Whiskey tasting at the shop with Evan if you’re looking for an opportunity to raise a glass to the Irish. At the time of writing there are just two tickets left for Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey, 7PM, $50. Formerly know as Pure Pot or simply, Pot Still Irish Whiskey, Single Pot Irish Whiskey is the most Irish of whiskey styles and we have a great range of them planned! Call 403-283-8000 to register.

While on the subject of St. Patrick’s Day and Irish Whiskey, we have a special focus in this edition of the Malt Messenger on Irish Whiskey. While Scottish single malts hog most of the attention, and real estate on our shelves, Irish whiskey is experiencing a resurgence of interest, demand and most importantly supply. While there were just two Irish Distilleries operating between 1975 and 1987, one of which produced almost all of the brands, there are now 16 distilleries operating with close to a dozen more in various stages of planning.

We have a great single malt tasting coming up this Monday night with Andrew Laing of Hunter Laing & Co. We will be featuring whiskies from the First Editions and Old Malt Cask lines. Andrew is even bringing advanced samples of three whiskies currently on the water. Tickets are just $35, and there are only 8 left. More details below.

Our biggest tasting(s) of the year is also upcoming. We have two seatings for Ancient Malts, Wednesday March 29 and Thursday March 30. The cost is $200, for a range of whiskies that retails for more than $10,000.00. We have a pair of whiskies nearly 50 year old from 1967, a closed distillery bottling from 1966 and as if that were not enough, we are opening one of the 5 bottles of Tullibardine 1970 Custodians Collection that are coming to Alberta (two of the others have sold). More details and a teaser photo of the tasting below.

We also have a couple of exciting pre-order announcements. We are expecting a very cool Blended Malt in the next few weeks. The Infamous 22 Year, is actually a 23 year old whisky, bottled at 50%, a marriage of two legendary single malt whiskies. The other whisky available for pre-order is the Arbeg Kelpie. Kelpie is the 2017 Ardbeg Day special release, and should be here in time for Ardbeg Day. The whisky is matured in Ex-Bourbon but also Virgin Oak!

Finally, our full Spring Tasting Schedule will be online at the end of the month. Knowing our friends and customers can’t wait that long for everything, we have opened the new April tastings for registration today. Get em while they’re hot! The 5 April spirits tastings are detailed below.

I hope this message finds you well, and that you have a Happy St. Patrick’s Day… My advice, why bother drinking anything died green, when there is plenty of fine golden amber spirits to enjoy? That’s what the Leprechauns would go for!

Sláinte!

In This Edition

1. Hunter Laing Tasting with Andrew Laing, Monday!
2. Ancient Malts Is Two Weeks Away
3. Spring Tasting Schedule Teaser
4. Coming Soon Ardbeg Kelpie
5. Coming Soon The Infamous 22 Year
6. Focus on Irish Whiskey

Andrew Ferguson

Kensington Wine Market

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

@scotch_guy, Instagram: @thescotch_guy/ or @kwmwhisky and Facebook: facebook.com/scotch.guy.1

Hunter Laing with Andrew Laing 

7 Whiskies, Monday March 20, Just $35

Even though it was short notice we jumped at the opportunity to welcome Andrew Laing, ofHunter Laing & Co. for a tasting at KWM on Monday March 20. For just $35 you will be guided through a range of older single malts from their family run firm known for the Old Malt Cask, Old & Rare and First Editions lines. Andrew is bringing with him 3 bottles not yet released in Alberta for the tasting, including First Edition Braeval 18 Year and Old Malt Cask Craigellachie 20 Year! A bargain priced tasting at => – $35

Call 403-283-8000 to register, or register online!

Ancient Malts is Two Weeks Away! 

Two nights, a $10,000.00 range of whiskies! 

It has been a while since we’ve held the last round of Ancient Malts at Kensington Wine Market. Rare and old whiskies are getting harder and harder to come by, and the prices for them are only going in one direction. So you can imagine our excitement when we realized we could get our hands on a pair of 1967 single malts, and a 1966. Our first thoughts turned to, how on earth can we get these open for a tasting! Rounding out the range has not been easy, but we have put together what we feel is a stellar lineup for our March 29th and 30th seatings of Ancient Malts. $200 may seem like a steep price to pay, but not when you consider it is for a chance to sample a range of whiskies worth North of $10,000.00. Two nights only, with a lineup never to be repeated…

Can’t quite make out the destails on the bottles in the photo? Here’s what is confirmed for the lineup:

1. Gordon Macphail Longmorn 1967 – $2000
2. Celebration of the Cask Caol Ila 1981 – $830
3. Tullibarine 1970 Custodians Collection – $2000
4. Gordon Macphail Rare Old Banff 1966 – $2500
5. Gordon MacPhail Strathisla 1967 – $2000

Register Online, or by phone at 403-283-8000! 

Spring Tasting Schedule Teaser 

The first month of an epic 3 month schedule is now open for registration!

2017 is our 25th Anniversary, and we are celebrating bigly! (That’s a word now right?) We have an epic assortment of tastings, especially on the spirits side of the equation for the months of April through June. While the whole schedule won’t be up until the end of the month (May & June), we have opened up our April tastings for registration. Get em while they’re hot!

1. Classic Malts – Tuesday April 11 – Our introduction to the world of Single Malt Scotch whisky. You’ll learn about different styles and regions while enjoying a fine range of drams. – $35
2. GlenDronach Batch 14 – Thursday April 13 – The 9 oldest whiskies from GlenDronach’s 14th release of single casks. You’ll be in sherry-bomb heaven as we sample vintages 1985 and 1990 through to 1996. – $150
3. Chateau Montifaud Cognacs – Thursday April 20 – Welcome our first exclusive bottling of this 1992 Cognac to mark our 25th Anniversary!  Please join us for a master class directed by Sophie Cabanes from Chateau Montifaud. – $35
4. East of Scotland – Tuesday April 25 – While the Japanese have been making world class whisky for nearly 100 years, India, Taiwan and Australia are recent arrivals to the game and deservedly gaining an international reputation too! – $100 
5. Hidden Gems of the Highlands – Thursday April 27 – Blair Athol, Glenturret, Aberfeldy and Royal Brackla are but a few of the stalwart yet little known and mostly unheralded Highland distilleries we’ll feature to shed light on some of the lesser known distilleries. – $60

Call 403-283-8000 to register, or register online!

Coming Soon – The Ardbeg Kelpie 

The 2017 Ardbeg Day Edition is available for Pre-Order!

The Ardbeg Day 2017 special release is Ardbeg Kelpie, a whisky produced with a heart of virgin oak and Black Sea casks, married with “hallmark” ex-Bourbon matured Ardbeg. The whisky is a limited release bottled at 46%.

Ardbeg Kelpie – 46% – Producer Tasting Note: “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 follwed 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 for ever, with deep, deep, almost subterranean flavours of clove, tar and rich toffee.” – $140 Available for Pre-Order!

Coming Soon – The Infamous 22 Year 

An old Blended Malt of two Legendary Whiskies – Available for Pre-Order!

This is an amazing value Blended Malt Whisky, 50% abv and 22

years of age. The producers can’t disclose the whiskies used to produce it, but we are under no such restrictions… The whisky is composed of lightly peated Orcadian single malt and a heavily sherried and sought after Speyside whisky, married at 22 years of age. The sherry Speyside notes complement the soft oily peat smoke of the Orcadian malt nicely. This one is a steal!

J Wheelock says: “Heavily sherried malt from a luxury Speyside producer that rhymes with Jack Fallon and a lightly peated Island Malt that has more in common with Vikings than Braveheart!”

The Infamous 22 Year Blended Malt – 50% – My Tasting Note: Nose: starts decadent and fruity, cocoa nibs emerge with peachy floral tones, jujubes and wine gums; the sherried tones catch up first: candied nuts, leather and dark fruits with crisp spices; then the peat chimes in: soft earthy peat oils, maritime tones and clean smoke. Palate: big, rich and fruity; oily and spicy with dark fruits and more clean smoke; Christmas cake balances nicely with creamed heather honey; becomes leathery and more meaty (it’s bacon…) with building firm spice and we leaf litter; more cocoa nibs, salted caramel and soft peat oils. Finish: long, rich and very layered; dark fruits and spices with earthy oils; the sherry, spices and clean smoke linger longest! Comment: this is a big whisky and a great cigar malt; I imagine a great Speyside stag rearing on its hind legs about to clash with a Viking warrior from the Orkneys!” – $110 Available for Pre-Order!

Focus on Irish Whiskey 

An Industry In Full Renaissance! 

The 20th Century was a tumultuous time for Irish Whiskey. At the end of the 19th Century Ireland’s whisky was the most respected in the world. A series of unfortunate events however lead to a rapid and almost fatal decline in the late 1910s and early 1920s. When the New Midleton Distillery opened in 1975 it was one of but two distilleries left operating on the Emerald Isle, the other being Bushmills in Northern Ireland.

The Industry’s recovery was slow to take hold, slowly picking up steam in the 1980s. The first new distillery, Cooley, a converted potato ethanol plant, was opened by Jack Teeling in 1987. Cooley reopened Ireland’s oldest distillery, Kilbeggan in 2007, and that is when things really started to get rolling. As of November 2016 there were 16 operational distilleries in Ireland, including a new Tullamore Distillery and the Teeling Distillery (opened by Jack Teeling), Dublin’s first distillery to be built in Dublin in over 125 years. And there are at least as many more new distilleries on the way. Like the song say, “The futures so bright, I gotta wear shades.”

Here is a rundown of 30 Irish whiskies available from KWM. Far from a complete list, we sure there are more than a couple herein to temp your taste buds. And yes, we have a thing Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey… it is after all the most Irish of whiskies!

1. Berry’s Craoi Na Mona – Craoi Na Mona is an Irish Whiskey bottled by Berry Bros. & Rudd. What makes it a little bit different is that it is finished in ex-Islay whisky barrels sourced from Laphroaig. This gives this Irish Whiskey just a hint of peat and smoke. – $83
2. Blackadder Drop of the Irish – A cask strength single cask Irish whiskey by Blackadder, under their Drop of the Irish line. Probably Cooley, but we don’t know for sure. 60.4% from a single hogshead. One of 286 bottles, only a dozen are coming to KWM! – $150
3. Bushmills 10 Year – Though it claims to be the world’s oldest whiskey distillery, the claim is debatable. What is not up for debate is the quality of this tripple distilled whiskey! Matured for at least 10 years in bourbon season barrels which give it it’s honey, vanilla and milk chocolate aroma. – $50
4. Connemara Peated – Connemara is a peated single malt from the Cooley Distillery. The malt is an example of what most Irish whiskies would have tasted like historically! Connemara’s smooth sweet malt taste and complex peat flavours makes it a truly unique Irish whiskey. – $65
5. Connemara Cask Strength – This is one of the only cask strength Irish whiskey, let alone peated Irish single malt. Sweet, dry, smoky & spicy. – $72
6. Dunville’s Old Irish Whiskey PX – Coming soon! This is a stunning new Irish Whiskey, bottled by Echlinville Distillery. The whisky is finished in Pedro Ximenez casks and bottled at 46%.Best Irish Single Malt under 12 Year, World Whisky Awards 2015 & 2016. – $92
7. Green Spot – Green Spot is an 8 to 9 year old Pot Still Irish whiskey made under license for Mitchell & Son of Dublin, an independent wine merchant. 94.5pts in the Whisky Bible it is “unquestionably one of the world’s great whiskies.” – $90
8.  Hyde 10 Year – The whisky is named for Ireland’s first President, Douglas Hyde. This 10 year old Irish single malt whiskey has been matured 10 years in Ex-Bourbon and finished for 6 months in Ex-Oloroso Sherry Butts. Bottled at 46%, this whiskey has won a number of awards. – $110
9.  Jack Ryan 12 Year – This whiskey is a tribute to 100 years of the Ryan Family at their famous Beggars Bush pub on Haddington Road, in Dublin’s Ballsbridge. Bottled at 46%, this 12 year old Irish single malt is sourced from casks produced at the Cooley distillery. Matured in Ex-Bourbon barrels. – $110
10. Jack Ryan 15 Year – Bottled at 46%, only 2500 bottles have been produced of this Irish Single Malt Whiskey. The whisky, probably from the Cooley distillery, has been matured in Ex-Bourbon and finished in First Fill Oloroso Sherry. – $160
11.  Jameson Gold Irish Whiskey – This is a blended Irish whiskey, triple distilled with a high proportion of proportion of pot still whiskey, and the rest grain. The distillery decribes the casks used to mature it as Grade “A”. Bottled at 40%. – $135
12.  Jameson 18 Year – This is a superb Jameson bottling, a blend of 2 different pot still whiskies and a grain matured in Oloroso sherry and finished in Ex-Bourbon casks for 6 months. – $135
13. Kern Premium Irish Whiskey – Kern is blended Irish whiskey made from Irish malts and grains. The whiskey is distilled in pot stills, blended, and then aged in American oak for 3 to 5 years. – $39
14. Kinahan’s 10 Year Single Malt Whiskey – A new to Alberta Irish Single Malt Whiskey, bottled at 46% after maturing in American oak for a minimum of 10 years. The whisky is probably from Cooley distillery. 86pts Whisky Advocate magazine. – $96
15. Kinahan’s Small Batch Whiskey – This blended Irish whiskey is bottled at 46% after maturing in American oak. The youngest whisky in the bottle is 6 years old. 85pts Whisky Advocate. – $70
16. Liquid Sun 2003 Irish Single Malt – Exclusive to KWM, we have just 12 bottles of this independently bottled Irish single malt coing into the store. Distilled in 2003 and bottled in 2014 after 11 years at 53.7%. – $145 – 25%off Today!
17. Maltbarn Irish Malt 2001 – A 14 year old Cooley Irish single malt from Maltbarn, bottled at 48.3% from a Bourbon Barrel; 167 bottles! Round, chewy and malty; more pineapple and banana chips; crisp spices and orange slices in an old fashioned cocktail; more candied ginger and some licorice. – $230
18. Midleton Barry Crocket Legacy – Released to mark the 47 years of service that Barry Crockett gave to Irish Distillers, who retired in 2013 as Master Distiller. Barry is aid to have aidded in the blending of this single pot still whiskey himself. The whisky is a mariage of light, medium and full bodied pot still whiskies up to 25 years of age. The whisky was mostly matured in American oak with some of it matured in virgin oak. – $267
19. Powers Signature Release Single Pot Still – This single pot still Irish Whiskey has been matured primarily in American oak, with a touch of Oloroso Sherry. Bottled curiously, at 46%. Single Pot Still whiskey, is a triple distilled style of Irish whiskey comprised of both malted and unmalted barley. The spirit is distilled at the New Midleton Distillery in Cork. – $68
20. Redbreast 12 Year – Redbreast is one of the best-known Irish whiskies on the market, and one of just a few single pot still whiskies. Complex with great depth. Huskier than Powers but that same robustness, with apple notes. – $95
21. Redbreast 12 Year Cask Strength – Canada is finally got the cask strength version of Redbreast 12 Year, and it is just $5 more than the regular. This single or pure pot still Irish whiskey is tripple distilled from a mash of malted and unmalted barley. This batch has been bottled at 57.4%. – $100
22. Redbreast 15 Year – Until recently even the Redbreast 12 Year Pure Pot Still Irish Whiskey was an irregular bottling on our shelves. The 15 year old is said to be like the 12 but on steroids… we can’t wait to put that to the test! The Whisky Advocate gave it some glowing reviews, and we love the bottling strength! 46% – $115
23. Redbreast 21 Year – The oldest single pot or pure pot still Irish whiskey to have come to Canada to date. Love the bottling strength, 46%, some of the better known Scottish distilleries could take a page from this book. The reviews are impressive, 96pts Whisky Advocate Magazine, I smell a pot still tasting coming! Matured 21 years in a combination of Ex-Bourbon and 1st fill Ex-Sherry Oloroso casks. – $220
24. Teeling Single Malt – The whisky has no age statement, but consists of whiskies of different ages, the oldest of which were laid down into oak in 1991. The whisky is matured in American oak but finished in five different wine casks: (Sherry, Port, Madeira, White Burgundy, Cabernet Sauvignon). The whisky is bottled at 46% without colouring or chillfiltering. – $72
25. Tullamore D. E. W. Special Reserve 10 Year – 12 Year Old Special Reserve is a carefully crafted blend of old Irish whiskeys,” according to the team at Tullamore. “Early spice accompanied by red wine while a nice nuttiness follows. A hint of citrus can also be noted. Taste: A deep robust taste with spice and linseed oil giving a creamy body and powerful flavour. Sherry notes are evident with a real depth of cinnamon and vanilla. Finish: The finish is long and rich with a creamy sherry, dark chocolate and almond taste lingering.” – $55
26. The Whisky Agency Eiling Lim Irish Malt 1989 – This Cooley single malt is a colaboration between The Whisky Agency and Eiling Lim, distilled in 1989 and bottled after 27 years. Only 177 bottles produced from a single barrel and bottled at 45.0% – $530
27. Tyrconnel Single Malt – A brand steeped in history and heritage Tyrconnell dates back to the glory days of Irish whiskey. Traditionally, most Irish malt has been used to create blended Irish whiskey so it is rare to find Irish malt whiskey bottled in its purest form. This pure pot-still single malt whiskey uses only barley and fresh spring water. The resulting whiskey then matures in oak casks stored in 200-year-old granite warehouses, allowing it to develop its full flavor and character. – $51
28. West Cork – This smooth Irish Whiskey comes from West Cork Distillers. It is a blend of malt and grain Irish Whiskey aged in ex-bourbon barrels. – $37
29. Writers Tears Pot Still – 93 points from Jim Murray’s The Whisky Bible. The review: “Soft honey tones which dovetail with lightening kumquat-citrus tones. Quite a curious, but always deliciously appealing animal. … The sweeter, more yielding notes dissolve with little or no resistance, leaving an acacia honeyed trail; towards the middle. a juicier malt element mingles with soft vanilla.” – $52
30. Yellow Spot – The older sibling of Green Spot. The Yellow Spot is a Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey that is at least 12 years old. Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey is a style unique to Ireland in which both malted and unmalted barley is used to make the whiskey. – $90

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

Glenturret Single Cask #110 | Vintage 1998

Single Cask Exclusive!

Ooh, a single sherry cask exclusive from Glenturret distillery, we’re super excited about this latest release, the colour on the liquid looks tremendous. Distilled in 2004 at the Glenturret distillery, this Highland single malt Scotch whisky has been fully matured in a first fill sherry cask (cask #110) for 12 years. Bottled at cask strength, 55.5% with an out-turn of 590 bottles.

£62.75

Here are some new additions to our Irish Whiskey shelf.

‘Tis going to be a chilly St. Patrick’s Day here in NYC!

We weathered Winter Snow Storm Stella and emerged with St. Patrick’s Day just about upon us. While Park Ave has a nice selection of Irish Whiskey ~ we thought we’d share a few new additions that will make you forget winter has no intention of leaving anytime soon up here. 

Cheers!

Jonathan & Eric

The Park Avenue Liquor Shop

270 Madison Avenue New York, NY 10016 212-685-2442  

jonathan@parkaveliquor.com

eric@parkaveliquor.com www.parkaveliquor.com

Powers ‘Signature Release’

Powers Signature Release is a Single Pot Still Irish whiskey of outstanding complexity and flavor. Using the signature Powers Pot Still distillate, this whiskey has been matured mainly in American oak barrels with a subtle inclusion of first fill Oloroso Sherry casks. Under the watchful eye of our Master Blender, the whiskeys have been selected and married at just the right time to create an overall character of balance, intensity and depth.

Nose: Crisp herbal notes with touches of nutmeg, fig and black pepper corns. Sweet vanilla, followed by succulent berry fruits.

Taste: Vanilla with black licorice and cinnamon reveal fresh fruit – melons, green apples and pears – followed by crisp barley.

Finish: Long and wonderfully complex honey and spice.

PRICE: $52/btl

Barr an Uisce: “Wicklow Rare” Small Batch ~ Blended 

Tube container not available.   The blend is 80% Grain and 20% 10year old malt which is then matured in first-fill Bourbon barrels for 4 years then finished in Oloroso casks for 6 months at 43% ABV. This golden whiskey has aromas of vanilla, honey and baked fruits. On the palate is a smooth entry that expands to coat the mouth with a somewhat oily texture. Mid-palate shows nuttiness and warmth with hints of raisin and plum. The finish is long and clean with subtle notes of marmalade and sweet caramel.

Price: $40/btl  

The Irishman ~ Small Batch Single Malt

The Irishman Small Batch, Single Malt Irish Whiskey is crafted from Irish barley. After the barley has been malted, it is mashed and fermented before being distilled three times through copper pot stills.Then, the whiskey is matured in a combination of American oak casks that were previously used to mature bourbon and European oak casks that were previously used to mature Oloroso Sherry. As a result, the whiskey has an aroma of dried apricots, peaches and tropical fruits. Notes of vanilla, sweet granola, toasted almonds and honey dominate the palate, and lead to a finish touched by malt and sweet oak.

PRICE: $52/btl

Due to ever-changing inventory, we cannot guarantee bottle availability. We are not responsible for any typographical errors or your March Madness bracket getting busted. Please contact the store with any questions.

The Park Avenue Liquor Shop | 212-685-2442 | 212-689-6247 |

parkaveliquor.com

Glen Grant 25 year old

One of only 150 bottles charged from a single sherry hogshead in November 2016, this single cask Speyside expression from Glen Grant distillery is part of independent bottler Hunter Laing & Co’s Old Malt Cask range.

Notes from Hamish:

Sweet and zesty marmalade characteristics over apricots and green herbs. Hold the phone! Is that smoke I can taste? In a Glen Grant?.. Truly wonderful and a must try while stocks last.

£160 Click to buy

ARDBEG LAUNCHES KELPIE TO CELEBRATE ARDBEG DAY  

Ardbeg is set to bring Islay’s Festival of Music and Malt to a close on Ardbeg Day, the global celebration of the single malt’s untamed spirit.

Ardbeg Day falls on Saturday, 3^rd June 2017.  This year, in homage to the sea that surrounds the Distillery’s remote Scottish island home, Ardbeg will again release a celebratory Limited Edition expression. Ardbeg Kelpie is the first Ardbeg to be matured in Virgin Black Sea oak casks.  Renowned for the deep flavours that they impart and rarely used in whisky making – these casks bring a distinct intensity to the world’s smokiest, peatiest Islay malt whisky.

Dr Bill Lumsden, Ardbeg’s Director of Distilling, Whisky Creation and Whisky Stocks, in his continuing search for intriguing casks, was inspired by the depth of flavour imparted by the Black Sea casks. Grown and seasoned in the Adyghe Republic, which leads down to the Black Sea coast, these casks impart incredibly deep flavours.

The whisky was then married with hallmark Ardbeg, matured in ex-bourbon barrels, to amplify Ardbeg’s characteristic style and create a whisky of incredible depth.

As the festivities begin on Islay, Ardbeg’s loyal following – the Ardbeg Committee – and their friends across the world will be invited to join underwater-themed events which pay tribute to the whisky’s namesake – the kelpie, this legendary water demon is said to lurk in the Atlantic Ocean off Islay’s shores.

Distillery Manager Michael (Mickey) Heads said: “Ardbeggians and their smoky malt friends will have the chance to celebrate with a dram or two of Ardbeg Kelpie.  With a heart matured in Black Sea casks, this whisky’s extraordinary depth and its waves of salty seaweed and tarry rope, hint at what might be hiding under the sea…”

“For now, the finer details of our plans for will remain a closely guarded secret, but rest assured Ardbeg Day 2017 will be another legendary worldwide celebration of all things Ardbeg.” 

Ardbeg’s general release of Kelpie at 46% ABV, launches on Ardbeg Day (3^rd June), the expression will be available to purchase from Ardbeg Embassies* for a two week exclusive period. Kelpie will then be available at Ardbeg Embassies, whisky specialists and department stores with a RRP of £98.00.

The Committee only release of Kelpie at 51.7% ABV will be made available on 16^th March 2017 at 9.00AM, exclusively from www.ardbeg.com/

Ardbeg Day will be celebrated at the distillery on Saturday 3^rd June 2017 and at participating Ardbeg Embassies around the world. 

Ardbeg Kelpie is non-chill filtered for extra texture and mouthfeel.

#ardbeg #untamed #islay

NOTES TO EDITORS:

Ardbeg Kelpie tasting notes at 46% ABV: 

Colour:                 Burnished gold

Aroma:                 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.

Taste:                    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.

Finish:                  Seemingly lasting forever, with deep, deep, almost subterranean flavours of clove, tar, and rich toffee.

Ardbeg Day:

Every year, the Islay Festival of Malt and Music takes place in May or June on Ardbeg’s island home.  On the Festival’s final Saturday, Ardbeg Day, the Distillery traditionally throws open its doors to welcome fans from all over the world.  In 2012 Ardbeg Day became a global event, enabling the whisky’s passionate international following to take part in a worldwide celebration of all things Ardbeg in their own country.  Recent Ardbeg Day themes have included the Islay-limpics and the Peat Football World Cup, while in 2015, Ardbeg Day celebrated the single malt’s 200th anniversary by looking forward 200 years to a retro-futuristic version of Islay in 2215.  For 2016, Ardbeg Day became Ardbeg Night, as fans at 215 events across the globe recalled Islay’s dark past as a smugglers’ haunt.

Ardbeg Kelpie:

Ardbeg Kelpie is a limited-edition bottling created to celebrate Ardbeg Day 2017.  It is the Distillery’s first whisky with a heart matured in virgin oak from the Black Sea coast.  Renowned for imparting incredibly deep flavour notes, only a handful of whiskies have ever been matured in these Black Sea casks.  Married with hallmark ex-bourbon Ardbeg, it results in a whisky of incredible depth, which tells of its ties to the Black Sea and the waves of flavour its casks have created. 

The kelpie:

Situated on the shore of Islay’s southernmost coast, the Ardbeg Distillery has always held a deep connection to the sea – and those who live nearby have passed down through generations the stories of mysterious beasts said to live beneath the waves.  Among the most terrifying of these is the kelpie – a Scottish shape-shifting water spirit, rumoured to take the form of a horse or a bull and prey on unwitting travellers.  Legend has it that long ago, a farmer walking near Ardbeg’s shoreline was almost dragged to sea by a water bull.  Managing to overcome and rope the creature, he locked it in a barn where it cried for mercy.  At dusk, the farmer’s daughter was chased by a water horse seeking revenge for its kin.  The terrified girl ran to the barn and released the water bull, whereupon the malevolent beasts took flight back to the sea.

Ardbeg:

Ardbeg is The Ultimate Islay Single Malt Whisky.  Established in 1815, Ardbeg is revered by connoisseurs around the world as the peatiest, smokiest and most complex of all the Islay malts.  Despite its smokiness, Ardbeg is renowned for its delicious sweetness, a phenomenon that has affectionately become known as ‘the peaty paradox’.

During the 1980s and 1990s, Ardbeg suffered from an uncertain future and it was not until the brand was purchased by The Glenmorangie Company in 1997 that the Distillery was saved from extinction.  Since then, the Distillery has risen like a phoenix and today Ardbeg is well established as a niche, cult malt, with a passionate following.  

Ardbeg Committee:

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

Awards:

Ardbeg is the world’s most highly awarded smoky single malt whisky.  Since 2008, Ardbeg has won more than 50 gold and double gold medals in key whisky competitions.  Ardbeg was voted ‘Scotch Whisky of the Year’ twice by Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible (2008, 2009) and has twice been awarded ‘World’s Best Single Malt’ at the World Whiskies Awards (2010, 2013).  At the 2014 Global Icons of Whisky Awards, Mickey Heads was voted ‘Distillery Manager of the Year’.  The following year, Ardbeg’s expressions took the top three spots in Whisky Advocate magazine’s review of the best single malt Scotch whiskies under US$100.  Meanwhile, both Ardbeg Corryvreckan and Ardbeg Uigeadail have been awarded gold medals at the 2016 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

The Glenmorangie Company:

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

Responsible Drinking:

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

Damn what a good dram this is…”

Last week, we released 170 limited edition, very special bottles of The Glenturret Jamieson’s Jigger Edition. At Glenturret, we wanted to celebrate Michael and his passion and dedication for his craft, and we want you to celebrate with us. Pick up your bottle of this limited edition, 29-year-old whisky now.

CLICK TO BUY

There’s still some special numbers available…

Special numbers: £395

18, 20, 21, 30, 40, 60, 70, 80, 88, 90, 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160

General numbers: £295

TASTING NOTES

Appearance: Light straw

Aroma: Cedarwood, camphor, eucalyptus and lavender infused honey

Taste: Sweet vanilla, creme brulee with hint of nutmeg

Finish: Medium sweet lingering woody and caramel

<>FIND OUT MORE HERE…<

It’s that special time of year everyone! Perhaps the most exciting day of the Scotch whisky drinker’s schedule is the annual release of Ardbeg’s new committee bottling, a tradition at K&L that never gets old. We never know for sure what new concoction Ardbeg’s head of whisky creation Dr. Bill Lumsden will dream up, but that’s part of what makes the anticipation so much fun! The 2017 Ardbeg Committee Release is called “Kelpie” and it’s named after a mythical beast from the Corryvreckan, but it also alludes to the idea of “kelp” or seaweed. Aged in Russian oak barrels made from Adygea, near Georgia along the Black Sea, the whisky exudes a whirlwind of dark fudge, earthy peat, and of course a healthy dollop of seaweed and salt water flavors.

As if one new release from Dr. Bill Lumsden wasn’t exciting enough, we’re pleased to announce that Ardbeg’s sister distillery Glenmorangie has also allocated its new limited release for 2017 on the same day! The new Glenmorangie “Bacalta,” a Madeira-finished delight that captures the richness and the decadence of the supple Malmsey dessert wine. For those of you who enjoy the “Nectar d’Or” expression finished in Sauternes, the “Bacalta” dials that experience up just a bit, finishing with a candied note that’s as hedonistic as it is heavenly.

Glenmorangie “Bacalta” (750ml) $109.99

A RARE RELEASE OF A QUIXOTIC BLEND FROM HIGH WEST

High West’s latest batch of Bourye, a marriage of Bourbon and rye adorned with the elusive jackalope – a cross between a jack rabbit and an antelope, is back for another limited run. The Park City, Utah outpost only releases the Bourye when they have sufficient quantities of the necessary ingredients, which are getting more and more difficult to secure in today’s market. This latest batch is bottled at 46% ABV and consists of rye and Bourbon whiskies aged 10 to 14 years from MGP Distillery in Indiana, formerly known as LDI and Seagrams. Considering that a simple ten year old American rye whiskey seems to be worth its weight in gold, the fact that High West has included casks of a much older heritage is no simple task. The balance between both the richness of the Bourbon and the spiciness of the rye is quite wonderful here. There are no rough edges, the flavors meander from mellow oak to toasted with vanilla, all with a backbone of peppery rye goodness. We never have the Bourye in stock for long and we’re always handling questions about when we’ll get more. David Perkins continues to captivate us with his American whiskey blends, now considered the gold standard of the industry.

High West Bourye Bourbon/Rye Whiskey (750ml) $69.99

WEST CORK FINISHES WITH A FLOURISH

The West Cork distillery started as a pet project by John O’ Connell, Denis McCarthy and Ger McCarthy in 2003 in Union Hall, West Cork. In 2013 after much expansion WCD moved to a larger distillery in Skibbereen, West Cork where it now resides. It now operates as only one of the few independent distilleries in Ireland. A trio of limited 12 year old releases has just trickled into the U.S. and we’ve been told this will be it as far as inventory until late in 2018. Each finished in a different type of cask (port, sherry, and rum), the soft and creamy Irish whisky takes on just a bit of the character from the barrel it was matured in.

West Cork 12yr “Rum Cask Finish” Limited Edition Single Malt Irish Whiskey $59.99 The rum cask release has a creamy and textural palate of sweet grains with just a bit of that sweet molasses that you would associate with a Caribbean rum.

West Cork 12yr “Port Cask Finish” Limited Edition Single Malt Irish Whiskey $59.99 The port cask release offers a subtle tinge of red fruit and sweet dessert flavor on the finish, but the influence is very delicate and refined.

West Cork 12yr “Sherry Cask Finish” Limited Edition Single Malt Irish Whiskey $59.99 The sherry cask finish takes the subtle sweetness of Oloroso and melds it into the easy-drinking character of the whisky, adding just a bit of chewy richness to the soft vanilla.

SECOND WAVE

In another colourful explosion of flavour, we’ve just released a second wave of dazzling drams for March online. Taste and explore eight fresh and vibrant single casks from a broad range of flavour profiles. Each of these new whiskies comes in our striking new look bottle.

SHOP NEW RELEASES NOW

Browse on smws.com

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

Douglas Laing Single Cask, Cask Strength, Single Malt Whisky

New to store ~

Bowmore 20 Year Old, 51.5%

£114.95

 Caol Ila 20 Year Old, 51.5%

£104.95

 Auchentoshan 18 Year Old, 48.4%

£79.95

Established in 1948, Douglas Laing is a leading creator and purveyor of the finest Scotch Whisky with particular focus on artisan, Small Batch and Single Cask bottlings. A proud family business in its third generation, our goal is to continually exceed the expectations of our customers and consumers around the world by offering the most special, quality-driven and unique Scotch Whisky experience

We’re always on the look out for new and exciting scotch whiskey. This is the great benefit of working so closely with a number of superb independent whiskey bottling companies. They have stock of a great variety, vintage, age and style of whiskies. We love finding out what new expressions are on their way to bottling and then soon to hit out online store. But sometimes, the ‘back catalogue’ offers a gem. This Glen Grant 25 year old 1985 Old & Rare is just one such example. Bottled in 2011 – 6 years ago! – we have been able get hold of some new stock of this fine scotch.

Indie Glen Grant

Hunter Laing’s Old & Rare scotch label is reserved for the very best. Glen Grant Distillery is a powerhouse of whisky production. So Hunter Laing having the chance to develop a single cask to their own spec is not to be overlooked. Owned by the Chivas Brothers and one of the largest distilleries in Scotland by production output, a huge volume of Glen Grant whiskey makes its way into blends. Some makes it as single malt official distillery bottlings –  The 18 Year Old Rare Edition was lauded very recently in The Whisky Bible 2017. But for us, the most exciting Glen Grant scotch comes from indie bottling companies like Hunter Laing & Co. Namely, the likes of this Glen Grant 25 year old 1985 Old & Rare. This expression in particular is a chance to have un-intruded cask strength, un-chillfiltered, single cask Glen Grant whiskey.

With a sherry twist…

Distilled in October 1985 it was matured primarily in a refill hogshead. But, as is the advantage of this cask being in the hands of Hunter Laing, the whiskey was finished for a time in a single Sherry Butt. This is a Glen Grant different to the norm. Bottled in June 2011, just 206 bottles were produced. This is a well-aged, rare and sherried Glen Grant scotch. Again, this is where the like of Indie bottling companies like Hunter Laing & Co. because they have the freedom to cask and re-cask whiskey as they desire when it is just right. Consequently, it’s a chance to explore Glen Grant whisky beyond the official distillery releases.

Please click here to read (or order a bottle) the remainder of the article