DANCE TO A DIFFERENT BEAT

With July bottlings running low, we’ve added a hot selection of toe-tapping, Summertime whiskies. Enjoy a dram Straight, No Chaser, find A Love Supreme or Take Five – but whatever you do, clasp your bottle for a twirl before they dance right out the room…

Young & spritely

39.106 Deliciously sweet but feisty £44.00

Spicy & sweet

55.26 Outdoor, masculine dram £48.10

39.104 Getting steamy in the sauna £48.10

Old & dignified

30.84 To sit by the samovar £171.00

Light & delicate

84.17 Fluffernutter  £42.40

Juicy, oak & vanilla

112.9 Cooper’s apron; perfumed mink £53.00

Peated

53.222 The Three Little Pigs £51.80

Jazz & Whisky Playlist > #whiskyjazz

Browse New Outturn >

Browse All Bottlings >

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

Glenfarclas £511.19s.0d Family Reserve

On the 8th June 1865, John Grant, 1st generation of the Grant family, bought the Glenfarclas distillery for £511.19s0d. His grandsons, John and George, later formed the company J. & G. Grant; and to this day it remains a family run business.

Glenfarclas £511.19s.0d Family Reserve, released to celebrate the 150th anniversary of family ownership of the Glenfarclas distillery. The whisky is a vatting of predominantly first fill sherry butts, bottled at 43% vol. Each bottle includes a copy of the original bill of sale.

£84.00

Bruichladdich Octomore 7.1

Bruichladdich Octomore 7.1, the seventh annual release of Octomore, created from Scottish barley then matured in American oak casks for 5 years. Bottled at 59.5% vol with a 208PPM rating!

£108.00

They say time flies when you’re having fun and the last few months have certainly flown by so clearly I’m having a great time. It’s been a busy year thus far and the last three months have been especially so since purchasing the store. For starters we launched a new website and I spent two and a half weeks crisscrossing Scotland looking for new whiskies. A few weeks after returning from Scotland Hunter and I hit the Bourbon Trail looking for new Bourbons. You be happy to know we have a couple coming!

I am in the process of putting the final touches on a full edition Malt Messenger, scheduled for next week. It is full of exciting news, tasting notes and new tastings. But it’s been a while since you last heard from the Malt Messenger, and I do have news which just can’t wait.

Our most exciting news is that we have started taking orders for the 2015 KWM Whisky Advent Calendar. This is our 3rd year in the calendar game and our 2nd producing our own in-house edition. Last year’s calendar was a huge success and sold out before it even hit the shelves. We feel this year’s calendar is even better and we expect it won’t last long either.

We are also just two weeks away from our Whiskies of Summer Mini Festival. This Mini Festival will feature over 90 whiskies focusing primarily on lighter style Single Malts, Blends, Bourbons and other whiskies. But, there will be some heavier malt too, to keep some of you anoraks keen! The festival is already half sold out and will take place Thursday July 30th at KWM. The price is $50.

The next Malt Messenger will fill you in on a lot of the new whiskies we’ve seen over the last few months with details and tasting notes. For those who can’t wait a week, you will find a summary of highlights below. I also want to  remind you that the Ardbeg Perpetuum is here.

I hope this wee Malt Messenger Bulletin finds you well and I look forward to welcoming you at the shop sometime soon.

Sláinte!

Andrew Ferguson

In This Edition

1. TAKING PRE-ORDERS: 2015 KWM WHISKY ADVENT CALENDAR
2. WHISKIES OF SUMMER FESTIVAL – JULY 30th
3. ARDBEG PERPETUUM IS HERE!
4. SUMMARY OF NEW WHISKIES

Andrew Ferguson

Kensington Wine Market

PS- PS – Don’t forget you can follow me on Twitter: scotch_guy, Facebook: scotch.guy.1 and Instagram: kensingtonwm.

www.fergusonwhiskytours.com

TAKING PRE-ORDERS FOR THE 2015 KENSINGTON WINE MARKET WHISKY ADVENT CALENDAR! 

25 More Days of Dram Fine Whisky...   

Kensington Wine Market’s Whisky Advent Calendar is back! Last year’s calendar, our second and the first one we produced entirely in house, was a huge hit. It sold out  before it hit the shelves. This year’s is even better.  It still includes 24 x 50ml whiskies and a custom Glencarin whisky glass. But, that is not all! We are offering an even wider range of whiskies and we are also including an extra 25th bottle. As a special treat for Christmas morning, there will be a 100ml Scotch Malt Whisky Society single cask bottling. This is a rare treat indeed, and usually only available to Society members. All of this year’s whiskies are different from 2014 and we are really excited about the range. There are 23 single malts from Scotland, Ireland, India and Taiwan, as well as a boutique blend and a boutique blended malt. Whether it is for yourself or to give as a gift, we know it won’t disappoint. Don’t hesitate! This one is sure to sell out fast, and the price goes up September 15! 

You can pre-order the 2015 Kensington Wine Market Advent Calendar online, by phone 403-283-8000 or in store. A $150 deposit will be taken for each calendar requested at the beginning of August. The calendars will be available at the “early bird price” of $375+GST. until September 15th. After September 15th the Calendar’s price will go up to $400+GST. The calendars should be ready for pickup before the end of October. 

The image shown is a sample of what the final product may look like! 

Pre-Order Your 2015 Whisky Advent Calendar Here! Please note some customer have been experiencing error messages ordering on line. If this is the case for you please send me an email. In all cases so far we have received the order. We are in the process of trying to work out the bug on our new site.

WHISKIES OF SUMMER FESTIVAL – JULY 30th

There is more than one way to stay cool this summer…

Our first summer whisky festival with touch on the lighter side of whisky. We’ve rounded up some lighter style single malts, Bourbons, Blends and Japanese whiskies for a mini-Festival style tasting. 80+ Whiskies will be on offer with a lot of new releases, one offs and rarities. So gather the friends and kick off your August Long Weekend in style…

Thursday July 30th – 7-9PM – $50

Register on line, by phone 403-283-8000 or in store!

THE ARDBEG PERPETUUM IS HERE!

Celebrating Ardbeg Day 2015 & 200 Years in the Life of the Distillery…

Ardbeg’s 2015 Ardbeg Day Bottling has been created by Dr. Bill Lumsden from a mix of stock. In celebrating the distillery’s 200th year they have decided to dip into a wide range of stock. Some have compared this whisky to the Roller Coaster, in terms of its creation. It has been 47.4%. The whisky has flown off our shelves with just a little over a dozen bottles left in store and only a small top up order still to come. This one will be sold out by the end of July!

Ardbeg Perpetuum – 47.4% – My Tasting Note: “Nose: decadent and creamy, floral peat, slightly burnt bacon and saline solution with creme brule and tangerines; a curious balance of vanilla, licorice and smoldering cedar shavings; Palate: very honeyed and creamy, some gentle oily-earthy peat, bacon dipped in maple syrup, barley sugars and more creme brule; the licorice note is still there with some darker fruits and spices; I still find the tangerine but with Five Alive fruit punch and a building salty maritime tarryness; Finish: long, coating and very soft for such a peaty maritime dram; the final flourish is oily and sweet with heathery floral overtones.” – $130

Pre-Order the Perpetuum for $129.99 +GST

SUMMARY OF NEW WHISKIES AT KWM!

More details to come…

There are a lot of new and exciting whiskies that have come into KWM over the last three months. Over the next couple of Malt Messengers I’ll fill you in with more details on them. For the time being, here’s a partial list to drool over:

1. anCnoc Peat Cutter – $82+GST
2. anCnoc 2000 Vintage – A great value malt! – $98+GST
3. anCnoc 1975 – Only 2 left! – $690+GST
4. Ardbeg Perpetuum – $130+GST
5. Arran 18 Year – The oldest Arran bottled to date and a limited release! – $120+GST
6. Arran Cask Stregth 12 Year – 53.2% – $80+GST
7. Auchentoshan American Oak – $57+GST
8. BenRiach 15 Year Sauternes – $88+GST
9. BenRiach Albariza 18 Year – $135+GST
10. Blackadder Glen Esk 1983 30 Year – Extremely rare, only 4 bottles for Canada from this obscure closed distillery! – $1920+GST
11. Blackadder Black Snake Vat 6 First Venom – $135+GST
12. Blackadder Raw Cask Auchentoshan 21 Year – $255+GST
13. Blackadder Raw Cask Auchentoshan 23 Year – $290+GST
14. Blackadder Raw Cask Lochranza 18 Year – Yes this is an 18 year old Arran! – $222+GST
15. Bruichladdich Octomore 6.3 Islay Barley – $150+GST
16. Bruichladdich Organic Scottish Barley 1L – $74+GST
17. Compass Box Hedonism Quindecimus – The only thin more beautiful than the bottle is the whisky! – $201+GST
18. Compass Box Peat Monster 15th Annv Magnum – $166+GST
19. Edradour Fairy Flag 15 Year – $180+GST
20. Glendronach 12 Year Sauternes Finish – $90+GST
21. Glendronach 18 Year Marsala Finish – 135+GST
22. Glendronach 18 Year Tawny Port Finish – $140+GST
23. Glenfarclas 1996 Fino Cask – I have one signed bottle left! – $1650+GST
24. Glenfarclas Family Cask 1976 – $1000+GST
25. Glenfarclas Family Cask 1977 – $770+GST
26. Glenrothes Sherry Reserve – Our top whisky pick for summer sipping whisky whether at the lake, on the patio or in the woods… it is very refreshing! – $75+GST
27. Laphroaig 25 Year 2013 Cask Strength – $640+GST
28. Laphroaig 25 Year 2014 Cask Strength – $640+GST
29. Mars 2011 The Revival – $195+GST
30. Nikka Taketsuru 25 Year – $1160+GST
31. Nikka Taketsuru 40 Year – SOLD OUT, BUT WE MAY GET ANOTHER – $6000+GST
32. Nikka Yoichi 12 Year – $130+GST
33. Signatory Bunnahabhain 1988 26 Year – $290+GST
34. Signatory Dufftown 1997 16 Year – $180+GST
35. Signatory Glen Keith 1995 19 Year – $120+GST
36. Signatory Glenlivet 1981 32 Year – $380+GST
37. Signatory Glenlivet 1981 33 Year – $385+GST
38. Signatory Imperial 1995 19 Year – $175+GST
39. Sovereign Invergordon 1964 50 Year – Best priced 50 Year Old around! – $590+GST
40. Tomatin Cask Strength – Incredible value! – $70
41. Tomatin CuBocan Virgin Oak – $82
Descriptions and tasting notes for some of these whiskies can be found on our website. The others will be updated over the week’s ahead.

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, 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
Manager & Scotchguy
Kensington Wine Market
403-283-8000
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
www.kensingtonwinemarket.com

Owner & Opperator
Ferguson’s Whisky Tours
www.fergusonwhiskytours.com
scotchguide@fergusonwhiskytours.com

DREAMING OF CANTALOUPE ISLAND

As warm evenings turn to sultry nights and jazz chords escape from basement clubs, our mouths water for the sensory journey of great whisky. Will 39.107 Coconut Oil and Candy Floss evoke summers past or could Herbie Hancock’s piano make you dream of Cantaloupe Island? Richard Havers (Universal Music/The Jazz Labels) has put together a compelling playlist, exploring the relationship by matching jazz tracks to drams. Enjoy a selection of our whisky and jazz matches at our Members’ Rooms or listen at home HERE >

Let us know what you think #whiskyjazz

NEWLY RELEASED DRAM BEATS

Spicy & sweet

39.107 Coconut oil and candy floss. Jazz match: Cantaloupe Island – Herbie Hancock

10 years old. Refill ex-bourbon barrel. £44.00

Juicy, oak & vanilla

 4.64 You can fly. Jazz match: Straighten Up and Fly Right – Nat King Cole.

24 years old. Refill ex-bourbon hogshead. £89.60

Heavily peated

53.223 Angels and Demons. Jazz match: Cherish the Day – Robert Glasper

23 years old. Refill ex-bourbon hogshead. £94.00

Browse New Outturn >

​Browse All Bottlings >

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

New from Càrn Mòr’s Celebration of the Cask range.

Bunnahabhain 20 Year Old  1995 Single Cask 2536

Beautiful bold colour on this 20 year old Bunnahabhain, bottled as part of Càrn Mòr’s Celebration of the Cask Black Gold series. Distilled in 1995 and left to mature in single sherry hogshead #2536, before being bottled in 2015 at cask strength, 51.1% vol with only 246 bottles filled.

£185.90

Strathmill 23 Year Old  1992 Single Cask 10924

A 23 year old Strathmill, bottled for Càrn Mòr’s Celebration of the Cask range. Distilled in 1992 and aged in single bourbon barrel #10924 before being bottled in 2015 at 51.8% vol. One of only 179 bottles filled.

 £93.00

If you’re down to your last drop of 20 year old Bourbon, never fear! We’ve just received our latest shipment of 21 year old Kentucky Bourbon from the Orphan Barrel series. While most stores are selling it around the $150 mark, we’re going to get crazy and give it away for $99.99. Grab a bottle (or three) while they last!

Orphan Barrel Rhetoric 21 Year Old Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey 750ml (Elsewhere $150) ($99.99)

(ships like 1.5L due to bottle shape)

The sequel to one of the most-coveted and fastest-selling Bourbons in K&L history is now back for round two (albeit one year older this time around). The Rhetoric 21 year from Diageo’s Orphan Barrel series is bringing serious bang-for-the-buck, showcasing mature stocks of beautiful American whiskey (in a seller’s market, no less) in this rock release. Sweet vanilla on the entry rounds quickly into herbaceous notes of tobacco and cedar, before finishing in a flurry of pepper and spice. It’s completely in balance from front to back; never too woody, never tasting dried out or past its prime. The whiskey is in a fantastic place right now and, again, for the age alone they could have charged double. Grab your bottle while we still have inventory. A deal this good is never around for long.

David Driscoll | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: July 09, 2015It’s crazy to me that there can be a 21 year old American whiskey in 2015 that sells for the same price Pappy 20 did back in 2008. Buying extra mature Bourbon in this market is like buying an apartment in San Francisco–you’re in no position to squabble over price due to the incredible demand and incredibly-low supply. Yet, not only is the Rhetoric 21 a reasonable $99.99, it’s also delicious. The fear is that these older releases are just over-oaked leftovers from Bernheim distillery, but in fact this is bursting with sweetness and spice. Grab two and save one for later. You’ll be thankful you did.

Kyle Kurani | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: July 08, 2015Another seriously good offering in the Orphan Barrel series that is everything you could ask for to feed that old Bourbon. Incredibly balanced, this bring me back to the days when I tasted older expressions regularly- days long gone- when Bourbon had a beautiful mix of rich and savory characteristics. The Rhetoric strikes that beautiful balance. The nose leaps out with beautifully rich notes of baked apple and vanilla spice, quite inviting. The palate carries the apples but introduces the savory aspects that 21 years in a barrel gives you. Leather, sandalwood intertwined with baking spices galore. Simply the best and oldest hooch we can get our hands on. Enjoy while it lasts!

K&L Wine Merchants
http://www.klwines.com/
Phone: 877-KLWines (toll free 877-559-4637)
Email: wine@klwines.com
San Francisco, Redwood City, Hollywood CA

HIBIKI JAPANESE HARMONY

Introducing an eagerly anticipated new release from Suntory that brings to life the harmony of Japanese nature and craftmanship.

A delicate and well balanced expression that is both subtle and complex. A blend of more than 10 malt and grain whiskies creating a harmony of flavours and aromas.

Knowledge Bar: 

Hibiki means resonance in Japanese. It speaks to the soul and emotions of the most discerning whisky lover. The legendary Hibiki represents true harmony, the ideal of perfection, the paragon of ‘The Art of Japanese Whisky’ and its artisans.

Now in stock, immediate dispatch available on all orders.

Click to buy – £54

Cask No. 7.111 $115

Sweet melody – jazzy harmonics

Speyside, Lossie

The nose trumpeted sweet notes (toffee, jam roly-poly and custard, vanilla, bubble gum; then crooned cherry blossom and pot-pourri – as an after-thought it whispered toasted coconut, raisins, sultanas, nuts and banana chips. It changed its tune slightly with water – fragrant basmati rice, pencil shavings and Scalextric formed a curious jazz chord. The palate ran with the sweet baton – toffee, fudge, caramel, chocolate, vanilla ice-cream, crème brûlée, Oreos and bourbon – just held back from over-sweetness by nutmeg, toasted oak and Camp coffee. With water, we warmed happily to its adult sweetness of dark chocolate Magnums, pecan pie, sweet sherry and chocolate-coated cherries.

Drinking tip: With artisan chocolate and good music as a special Sunday treat – would also provide comforting distraction in a thunderstorm

Colour: Burnished belt buckle

Cask: First-fill barrel

Age: 11 years

Date distilled: September 2003

Cask No. 39.93 $220

Pork chops in red wine sauce

Speyside, Lossie

We all got very hungry nosing this one neat; very lightly smoked pork chops in a rich red wine sauce, grilled apple rings and sautéed red cabbage with raisins. To accompany the meal we either had a cool dry white Port wine or a cold wheat beer. The taste followed on with sweet sticky marinated chargrilled pork cracklings, maple and mustard glazed ham and richly spiced plum chutney. When adding a drop of water, pork sausages with fennel and coriander are on the smoldering barbeque and the taste is sweet, nutty and slightly ashy with a hint of salt – the barbeque has now been doused with a splash of sea water.

Drinking tip: Watching the sun dip into the sea

Colour: 18 carat gold

Cask: Refill hogshead

Age: 29 years

Date Distilled: September 1984

Alcohol: 57.9%

USA allocation: 72 bottles

Flavour profile: Spicy & sweet

Cask No. G7.9 $135

A sultry smoking seductress

Grain

At first the panel found cedar wood shavings, old wood, and then mineralic wet slate and cooling Victory V’s. A delicate oiliness of sewing machine oil and warm ski wax preceded orange zest, barley sugar and warm hay. Grippy aromas of white balsamic and lime pickle came through as aged honey infused grappa on taste. It barreled over the tongue with intense tobacco dryness, snus and then burnt toast. They found North African sweet spices, more orange and perfumed cigarette smoke. Poached fruits in a cardamom infused syrup with a hint of mint on the finish. Unusual and elegant.

Drinking tip: Don’t leave this too long – it becomes sooty!

Colour: Polished trumpet

Cask: Refill barrel

Age: 22 years

Date distilled: September 1992

Alcohol: 57.3%

USA allocation: 48 bottles

Flavour profile: Spicy & sweet

Cask No. 93.63 $140

Unapologetic non-conformist

Campbeltown

To nose, we found venison in a red wine and cocoa sauce, maple syrup on pancakes and salted rum caramel. Then, a furniture workshop was crafting benches for a bodega whilst a mechanic with grimy overalls tucked into a bacon sandwich at the beach. To taste, cranberries coated in chocolate, melted salted butter on Belgian waffles, and hoisin sauce noodles. Water brought brown envelopes, wet seaside rocks, Branston pickle, and memories of smoking a shisha pipe (apple tobacco) in a leather armchair. It was sweet and earthy with papaya, roasted beetroot, salted cashews, mint humbugs and bran cereal. Conformity is overrated.

Drinking tip: While camping on a beach

Colour: Precious amber

Cask: Refill hogshead

Age: 15 years

Date distilled: June 1999

Alcohol: 56.1%

USA allocation: 96 bottles

Flavour profile: Oily & coastal

Cask No. 29.159 $150

Anyone for cricket?

Islay

The panel were transported to a tranquil scene at the cricket pavilion. Old apothecary chests and Germolene merged with gentle applewood smoke and wet, mossy grass. Tuna steak with a crust of wasabi was served with crispy seaweed and posh salt and vinegar crisps. A selection of tea was on offer: nettle, Berber, camomile, Earl Grey. A smirr of rain evoked damp hessian sacks, and sportsman leathers like well worn gloves and knee pads. Sweet pipe tobacco wafted over a old fashioned chest of fresh linen. It finished with cool, ashy flavours and dark chocolate with mint and sea salt.

Drinking tip: Careful with the water

Colour: Peely wally

Cask: Refill hogshead

Age: 17 years

Date distilled: October 1997

Alcohol: 51.7%

USA allocation: 90 bottles

Flavour profile: Peated

Visit The Society at

www.smwsa.com

MALTS OF SCOTLAND

BACK IN STOCK!

The sun has been shining on Soho this week with people out enjoying the cafe culture. Offices are empty and pubs are full! Chester, the shop dog, has been sat on our front step catching some rays, and our buyer Lee is thinking of investing in a deck chair to match his Panama hat (he’s going for a look…).

The sun has also been shining on us in terms of availability of interesting independent bottlings. We have more Maltbarn and Samaroli on the horizon, and today we have had a gleaming arrival of new releases from the most excellent Malts of Scotland.

There’s a great value Deanston, a staff-pick Bruichladdich, and even a 28 year old Bowmore which we don’t need to say much more about than that! Malts of Scotland are one of the recent additions to our shelves and are part of a cohort of indie bottlers we’ve wanted on the books for some time, largely because of their quite frankly amazing ability to consistently select good casks!

THE SELECTION

Deanston 1997, 16 Year Old, 46%

A 16 year old Deanston bottled by German indie bottler Malts of Scotland, this single cask is limited to just 242 bottles. On the nose there are notes of vanilla toffee, nutmeg and freshly mown grass. The palate opens up with a firm maltiness and a oily mouth coating quality. The finish is long and complex as notes of Asian spice, baked Bramey apples and passion fruit come to the fore.

£45.95

Angel’s Choice Bowmore 1987, 28 Year Old, 35cl, 51.3%

What more do we need to say – a 28 year old sherry cask matured cask-strength Bowmore – yes please! The nose opens with blackberry fruit, summer fruit pudding and palma violet floral peat. The whisky coats the mouth with notes of blueberries, Victoria sponge cake and blackcurrants. Then comes the spectacular finish; warm spice, soothing coastal peat and demerara sugar. Sublime!

£239.95

Images of Islay, Lochindaal Lighthouse, 53.2%

A limited run of just 265 bottles, this is a stunning secret Islay bottling. The peat is sturdy but reveals itself coquettishly. The palate balances a saline maritime quality with estery fruit, pear drops and banana. The finish lingers with the peat becoming a beach bonfire on a balmy summer evening.

£78.95

Bruichladdich 2004, 11 Year Old, 55.5%

This Bruichladdich has been matured in an ex-Bourbon cask for 11 years. Expect Islay coastalness (that’s a word…) with additional notes of greengages, fennel seeds and compte shavings. A superb cask selected by one of our favourite German independent bottlers!

£78.95

Images of Dufftown, St Michael’s Episcopal Church, 53.2%

This secret bottling of a Speyside distillery is adorned with a label depicting St Michael’s Episcopal Church. Only 557 bottles were produced from a single cask and were bottled at cask-strength. The whisky has a nutty aroma with extra notes of stewing plum fruits. The palate is relatively soft for a single malt of this strength, followed by a luxuriously silky finish.

£68.95

Bunnahabhain 2000, 15 Year Old, 50.9%

A proud sherry cask matured Bunnahabhain bottled from a single cask at cask-strength. The aroma conjures up images of a calm Scottish Island bay before those assertive sherry cask scents emerge lending a richer Christmas cake-like quality to the whisky. The palate maintains an earthiness with winter spice softening the edges. The finish lingers with a coastal salinity and soft fruit notes. One of 655 bottles.

£88.95