The new and limited Kininvie 23 year old Batch 2 is now available to order.

Kininvie is a unique single malt distillery founded on 6 copper stills nestled in the Conval hills of Dufftown, Speyside.

First opened in July 1990, it has taken three decades of quiet, patient and devoted care to get to this point . A treasured secret known until now by only a few, Kininvie is at peak perfection – and now the first house malt is ready for release in the UK.

The brand new Kininvie 23 year old has been made in small batches, every bottle will be individually numbered and housed in 35cl bottles. Each batch number and year of distillation will appear on the label. This scarce 1990 UK release contains malt whisky from the very first distillation, matured in a mix of American hogsheads (80%) and sherry casks (20%).

Tasting notes:

Nose: Rich and vibrant aroma with ripe, fleshy fruit notes overlaid with creamy vanilla toffee sweetness.  A more subtle floral, leafy summer blossom note develops over time.

Palate: Beautifully soft and mellow with a luxurious silky texture. The rich vanilla oakiness resulting from 23 years of maturation gives an incredible depth of flavour and sweetness. Woody spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves are layered with zesty citrus and candied orange peel.

Finish: Enduringly sweet.

Simply click here to buy – £97

THE EXCLUSIVE MALTS BACH #5 IN THE US 

We’d like to let you in on some exciting news – the wildly popular Exclusive Malts is back by popular demand for a fifth time. Here’s a sneak peak of Exclusive Malts Batch #5

Ardmore’ 2000 14 yr Speyside

108.60 proof 

There was a time when all of the malt whisky made in Scotland was made using barley that had been dried over a peat fire meaning the whisky was smoky. Whilst this tradition slowly diminished with the production of coal, there are a few distilleries that continue to produce smoky on the mainland. Ardmore is one such distillery and this heavily peated expression is a real lesson in the history of Scotch whisky. RRP $ 129.99 

Bowmore’ 01 12 yr Islay

 116.80 proof 

Nose:  Tar, Faint Peat, Slight Iodine

Palate:  Sweet Beginning, Burnt Sugar, Turns Spicy

Finish:  Soft, Sweet Juicy Oak, Very Light White Pepper

The Isle of Islay is famed for its richly-flavoured malt whisky distilleries. The whisky in this bottle was distilled at the Bowmore Distillery, the heart of the Isle of Islay and is a full-bodied, rich and smoky affair having spent 12 years in a refill ex-Sherry butt. RRP $ 119.99  

Dalmore’ 96 18 yr Hihgland

105.00 proof 

Dalmore Distillery is situated in the North Highlands on the edge of the Dornoch Firth. It is a rugged area of Scotland, full of mystique and charm yet the people are always warm and friendly. Expect the same from this cask aged 18 years in a refill oak hogshead. It is a rugged whisky, full of Highland charm but very warming. RRP $ 149.99 

Glenrothes’ 96 18 yr Speyside

104.60 proof 

Glenrothes Distillery is at the heart of the town with the same name. The whisky has been prized by blenders for over a century and by malt whisky drinkers when they could find it. It is now quite commonly available although single cask bottlings are getting rarer to find. This cask demonstrates all of the reasons that make Glenrothes so prized. RRP $ 139.99 

Ledaig’ 05 8 yr Highland

115.20 proof 

With youth on its side, this cask demonstrates all that is great about heavily-peated Scotch malt whisky. Taken from a distillery not normally associated with peaty whisky, this cask is full of smoke, seaweed and the smells of the Isle of Mull. A brute of a whisky bottled before time dulled its full powers. RRP $ 89.99

Speyside’ 89 25 yr

97.60 proof 

This single barrel of malt whisky is taken from a secret distillery in Speyside. Famed for its honey-richness and soft fruits, this cask does not disappoint with an added layer of vanilla in the finish. A classis cask from a classic distillery – sip and savour all of its 25 years. RRP $ 199.99 

The Exclusive Blend of Malts’ 94 20 yr

100.00 proof 

 RRP $ 99.99

HIGHLAND PARK DELVES INTO ITS DARK ORIGINS FOR MAJOR NEW RELEASE 

Highland Park today announced the launch of a new core expression inspired by the cunning spirit and courageous personality of its founder, Magnus Eunson.  

Establishing a secret bunker in the hills of High Park in Orkney, Magnus ‘Mansie’ Eunson became a famed dark distiller back in the late 1700s, creating whisky for the people of Orkney to offer relief from the villainy of the tax collector. By day he worked tirelessly in his church providing spiritual guidance to the people of Orkney, but in the dead of night, he hand crafted what was to ultimately become the best spirit in the world, warming hearts and uniting all who tasted it. 

Dark Origins, a stunning, non-chill filtered single malt with an ABV of 46.8%, will start to appear on shelves in July and roll out internationally throughout autumn 2014.   

It uses twice as many first fill sherry casks than in the classic Highland Park 12 year old resulting in a naturally darker, richer flavour with sherried spice, a chocolate twist and the signature sweet smoke fans of the Orcadian elixir have come to know and love. 

Highland Park is one of the few distilleries not using distiller’s caramel and so Dark Origins takes its natural colour from the interaction between spirit and cask which Highland Park believes consistently rate amongst the best casks in whisky. 

Gerry Tosh, Global Marketing Manager, said: “Cask management is so very crucial to our work at Highland Park. We have strived to raise the bar, working tirelessly in sourcing the right wood and then working and finessing the balances to ensure we create single malt that is rich, warm and enticing in flavour. Dark Origins sits in the heart of our core range complimenting them perfectly – distinct in itself, but always and forever a classic Highland Park.” 

The tasting notes: 

Colour: Rich mahogany                

Nose: Sherried spice and ripe bananas combine with toasted hazelnuts and baked apple

Palate: Well-balanced, dry peat at first mellowing out to maraschino cherries, warm dark chocolate entices the palate

Finish: Enduring sweet smoke 

Dark Origins will be exclusively available from Harrods from 1 July – 14 July at an RRP of £64.95.  It will be available from specialist independent whisky retailers, at the Highland Park distillery and http://www.highlandpark.co.uk/ thereafter. 

To learn more you can follow us on https://www.facebook.com/HighlandParkWhisky, on Twitter @HighlandPark and on Instagram on @highlandparkofficial 

Notes:

About Highland Park:

Established in 1798 on Orkney, Highland Park is one of the most remote Scotch whisky distilleries in the world. For over 200 years, the distillery has combined time old tradition and the very best craftsmanship to achieve perfection.   Its range of 12, 15, 18, 21, 25, 30 and 40 year old single malts is consistently acclaimed by connoisseurs and experts.  Highland Park has won a string of prestigious awards across its portfolio, most recently including category winner at the 2011 World Whisky Awards for its 25-year-old single malt and ‘best whisky in the world 2009’ for its 21-year-old expression in the World Whisky Awards, as well as four double gold awards in the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2009.

JULY OUTTURN: FEVER PITCH

The excitement is palpable. Fans are on the edge of their seats. Selection, styles and scores are being passionately debated up and down the country… It must be First Friday, and the arrival of a new Outturn!

Young & spritely

7.101 Playing with colours
BUY £48.40

Sweet, fruity & mellow

2.87 Satisfying as a butcher’s blade
BUY £89.00

117.3 Hubba-bubba, mango and Monstera
VERY RARE IRISH SINGLE CASK
BUY £335.00

76.116
Tangier market
BUY £117.70

Spicy & sweet

123.8 In the Spanish mountains
REFILL EX-PORT PIPE
BUY £50.70

36.77 Wee secrets of flavour
BUY £56.70

35.114 A southern gentleman
BUY £65.60

Spicy & dry

1.181 Vintage car in a rose-garden
BUY £45.00

Deep, rich & fruity

39.100 Exotic contradictions
BUY £87.20

73.65 Tarts in a tea house
BUY £92.40

Juicy, oak & vanilla

95.17 Goooaaalll!!!
LIMITED EDITION LABEL
On sale from 10am Monday 7 July (TODAY)
MORE £87.20

9.86 Sangria on the terrace
BUY Exclusive to offers

Oily & coastal

93.57 Yo-ho-ho and a bottle of this!
ONLINE EXCLUSIVE
BUY £84.90

Lightly peated

4.187 Let the magic unfold
BUY £53.00

Peated

3.226 Cigar smoke & Newhaven fish boxes
BUY £59.40

53.206
Ooh Matron!
BUY £71.70

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

Ben Nevis 15 Year Old Cask #590

The latest official single sherry cask expression from the Highland Scotch distillery in Fort William.

Distilled June 1998 and bottled May 2014

Buy – $133.84

The Glenfiddich Excellence 26 year old is now available to order at The Whisky Shop. Order today to secure your bottle – all orders dispatched in July.

Glenfiddich has announced a new and exciting expression to its incredible single malt range with the release of Glenfiddich Excellence 26 Year Old. This will be the second expression in the Excellence line of premium Glenfiddich releases, following the previous release of the Excellence 18 Year Old. It is also the first Glenfiddich expression matured exclusively in ex-Bourbon casks.

Click here to read more about this brand new Glenfiddich release via the latest edition of our Whiskeria magazine

Tasting Notes:

Colour: Pale gold and sauvignon blanc in colour.
Nose: A mild nose, with light fresh fruits (pineapple, blood orange, tinned peach) a hint of candlewax and the interior of a new car after a while.
Palate: The taste is fresh, sweet and citric – reminiscent of lemon sherbet sweets and Schweppes Bitter Lemon.
Finish: A short to medium finish and a lingering spiciness. A drop if water flattens the aroma but introduces almonds to the taste. Bottled at 43% volume.

Housed in a splendid gift box.

Tasting notes by whisky expert and historian Charlie Maclean.

Simply Click here to buy – £260

NEW ARRIVALS

Japan – Single Malt Scotch

• White Oak Akashi Single Malt Whisky 750ml ($89.99)

United States – Bourbon and Rye

• Medley Bros. Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey 750ml ($22.99)

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

I hope you are all very well and have been able to enjoy some nice weather this Summer. We have been very lucky here in Campbeltown with lots of sunshine so fingers crossed it stays this way for a little while longer! Just sending you a quick newsflash regarding a new bottling while I get my next newsletter together.  

Last Tuesday (24th June 2014) we bottled a special 30 year old blended whisky called Spirit of Freedom. This was bottled to celebrate the 700th anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn where Robert the Bruce led Scotland to victory in one of the most famous events in the wars of independence. The Spirit of Freedom has been bottled at 46% ABV and consists of 75% malt whiskies from across Scotland and 25% grain whisky. Only 2,014 bottles are available, with 6 of these signed by Scotland’s First Minister, Alex Salmond, who visited Springbank in August 2013. I have attached the product sheet to this email for you which gives the tasting notes and a little more information on the bottling. 

Now for the fun bit – we will be auctioning off a Limited Edition pair of Spirit of Freedom bottles – one has been signed by First Minister, Alex Salmond and the other by Springbank & Glengyle Distillery Manager, Gavin McLachlan. Funds raised by the auction will be donated to the Yes Argyll campaign.  

The auction has now started and will end at 4pm BST on Friday 11th July 2014. The highest bid currently stands at £300.00. If you would like to make a bid to win these unique bottles then please send your offer, along with your name, address and contact telephone number to: auction@springbankwhisky.com. Each Friday, an update will be made on the Springbank Distillers Facebook page and an email will be sent to all bidders stating the current highest bid.  

If you would like to buy an unsigned bottle of this whisky, it is now available for purchase from our Campbeltown Cadenhead Shop and will be available in other UK outlets, including our Cadenhead shops in Edinburgh and London, within the next couple of weeks. The price is £75.00 and unfortunately because it’s so limited, Society Members will not receive their 10% discount on this bottle. If you would like to purchase a bottle from our Cadenhead Shop in Campbeltown, can I please ask you to contact our shop directly. We will only have a limited number of bottles so they will be able to advise on stock availability much quicker than me! The shop can be contacted by emailing shop@wmcadenhead.com or called on +44 (0) 1586 55 1710 (option 1) 

Finally, my sincere apologies if you are still waiting for a reply about purchasing a bottle of the latest Society 14 year old Local Barley bottling (released May 2014). So many emails built up after sending the last newsletter giving details of the new bottling and with the Malts Festival combined with a few days holiday, it has been difficult to get through them as quickly as I would have liked to. Thank you for your patience with this and if you have emailed and haven’t heard back then you should receive a reply within the next couple of weeks. Anyone who has already emailed for a bottle is now on the purchase list and will receive one so please don’t panic! Apologies once again and the next time we release a Society bottling it will be much better timed – I promise!  

Be in touch soon!  

Slainte, 

Mairi  

Mairi Paterson 

For the Springbank Society

 To join the Springbank Society please contact them at society@springbankwhisky.com

Malt Messenger Bulletin – The Ardbeg Tractour & KWM’s Summer Tasting Schedule

Dear Malt Messenger Subscribers,

Summer is here, the days are long, and as the song says, the living is easy. Take advantage of those longer days to check out some of our new summer tastings, just posted online today! The theme is “Quickies and Afternoon Delights”, and these fun 1 hour tastings (starting at 6PM) will get you in and out in enough time for dinner or drinks on the patio. Pop in on your way home from work or before heading out on the town. We have a wide range of wine, whisky, beer and cocktail classes with which to delight you. More details below and on our tasting registration page.

One of the most exciting events coming up in the next few months is the visit of the Ardbeg Tractour to Calgary. The Gateway to the Rockies is the only stop in Canada for this marvel of farming machinery, and it will be parked out in front of Kensington Wine Market on Friday July 11 while two back to back Ardbeg Master Classes hosted by Ruaraidh McIntyre take place in side. The tastings are a bargain at just $20, and will take place from 5-7 and 7-8PM. More details below and on our tasting registration page.

One of the most exciting new whiskies to come into KWM recently is the Gordon & MacPhail Glentauchers 1994. Very few bottlings are seen from this elusive Speyside distillery, and this one caught our attention when it scored 96.5pts in the Whisky Bible. It is a KWM exclusive and sells for the very reasonable $115. More details on the Glentauchers can be found below, drop in for a sample!

Finally, Glenfarclas’ long awaited 60 Year Old whisky is to be launched in Canada this fall, and is available for special order. It is expected to retail at $22,000.00. Details on the whisky can be found below. Anyone looking for a bottle before Christmas needs to special order it by Thursday July 3rd, 2014. Pricing in Alberta is very competitive with the Global list.

I hope you enjoy this Malt Messenger Bulletin, and I hope we’ll see you in store at one of our exciting new tastings.

Slainte!

Andrew Ferguson
Kensington Wine Market

PS- PS – Don’t forget you can follow me on Twitter: twitter.com/scotch_guy and Facebook: facebook.com/scotch.guy.1 .
www.fergusonwhiskytours.com

Our Summer Tasting Schedule is Open for Registraion!

Tantalize Your Taste Buds!

Drop in to the store, call 403-283-8000, or better yet register online for our summer tastings!

The Ardbeg Tractour is Coming!

And Calgary is its only stop in Canada!

Just in time for the Calgary Stampede, the Ardbeg Tractor is coming to Calgary, and specifically to the Kensington Wine Market, North America’s first Ardbeg Embassy. The Ardbeg Tractor will be parked out in front of Kensington Wine Market on Friday July 11 to give our customers a chance to see it and sample some whisky. We have two back to back Ardbeg Master Classes (5-6 and 7-8PM), to be hosted by Ruaraidh McIntyre. These tastings will feature 5 Ardbeg expressions including Galileo and the new Auriverdes for the bargain price of just $20. Call the store to register, or Register Online.

On Saturday July 12 the Ardbeg Tractor is rolling into the National on 10th Ave (341 10th Avenue SW) for an event from 3 to 7PM. The complimentary event (RSVP to katy@bondpr.ca) will give guest the opportunity to sample Ardbeg-inspired appetizers and complimentary Ardbeg cocktails created by National’s mixologists Stephen Phipps and Alex Newman.

Whisky of the Summer? Drop in and sample Gordon & MacPhail Glentauchers 1994 and decide for yourself!

Exclusive to KWM, 96.5pts Whisky Bible!

Glentauchers distillery was built in 1898 at the height of what became known as a the Pattison Whisky Crash, the devasting bursting of a late 19th century industry bubble. Unlike many of the distilleries founded around that time it survived and has been in production for the most part ever since. From the bottler: ” The Glentauchers Distillery Company started as a joint venture between James Buchanan, the creator of the “Black & White” and “Buchanan” blends and WP Lowrie. The distillery was designed by local architect John Alcock.”

The distillery is currently owned by Pernod Ricard, and there are virtually no official bottlings. The closest thing available are those released by Gordon & MacPhail, such as this 1994 vintage which scored 96.5pts in the last edition of the Whisky Bible. On a recent visit to Gordon & MacPhail in Elgin, Scotland, I had a chance to sample it. My tasting note from that visit is below. The whisky is available exclusively from KWM in Alberta, and is a lovely summer dram!

G&M Glentauchers 1994 – 43% – Refill Sherry Butts & Recharred American Oak Hogsheads – My Tasting Note: “Nose: melons, pinapple and kiwi fruit; lots of honey, beeswax and citrus, subtle honey and soft floral tones; Palate: creamy, honeyed and still floral with smooth decadent oak and gentle spices; more melon and pineapple with a building creamy oakyness; Finish: long, clean and sweet, still fruity, soft and decadent.” – $114.99

Glenfarclas 60 Year 1954

Pre-Order by Thursday July 3rd

If the price of the whisky has caught you off guard, you can console yourself in the knowledge it could have been much higher. Demand for this highly collectible whisky was such that one Asian market apparently tried to buy it all and was prepared to pay to do so. Glenfarclas is a global brand, and they weren’t prepared to see it all go to one jurisdiction. Of the 360 bottles produced, 13 are slated to come to Canada. KWM is offering the whisky at pre-order price of $22,000.00, which is quite competitive considering the distillery is projecting a Global list price of more than $26,000.00 (£14,500.00).

Please find below the distillery’s press release. If you would like to order a bottle please contact us ASAP! From the Distillery:

“Ballindalloch, 6th of May 2014

J & G Grant launch 60 Year Old Glenfarclas

J & G Grant are delighted to announce the launch of a new 60 Year Old Glenfarclas. Only 360 bottles of this incredibly desira ble, rare single malt whisky will be produced offering a unique opportunity to acquire one of the oldest bottles ever released by this iconic family owned distillery.

Officially launched on the 3rd of April 2014 at the Nth Whisky Show in Las Vegas by George Grant, Glenfarclas’ Sales Director and 6th generation of the family, it will be rolled out across other key markets over the coming months.

George Grant says, ‘At a time when more and more distilleries are going down the no age statement route for their super premium products, we are delighted to be able to release this magnificent 60 year old Glenfarclas. My grandfather started laying down stocks for the future way back in the 50s, so it is thanks to his incredible foresight that we are able to bottle this today. I’m sure he would have been as impressed by it as I am.

Matured in a first fill sherry butt, it has an incredibly dark, rich mahogany colour. It is surprisingly vibrant with lots of dried fruits, demerara sugar and spice coming through on the nose as well as the rich, oaky tannins that one would expect from a whisky of this venerable age. The sherry influence really comes through on the palate, with rich treacle, bitter coffee and espresso notes all making an appearance. The finish is the longest I have ever experienced – 20 minutes later you will still be able to taste the subtle nuances of this incredible dram.’

The long family history and heritage is reflected in the packaging; a bespoke cut crystal decanter mirrors the shape of the classic Glenfarclas bottle while each side of the hexagonal presentation box represents one of the 6 generations of the Grant family to own and manage the distillery since 1865.

This is a truly exceptional bottle that will be sure to delight whisky aficionados around the globe. It is expected to retail for around £14,500.00.”

To pre-order a bottle send reply to this email or order it through our website!

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

William Grant’s Rare Cask Reserves
Now available to order – £250 

On 10th March this year whisky writer and historian Charlie Maclean, Darren Leitch and Scott Dunn of The Whisky Shop accompanied two W Club members to hand select three incredible whiskies to be bottled exclusively for The Whisky Shop. 

A truly rare and unique combination of some of the finest whiskies available from the William Grant’s rare cask reserves were selected and blended. The pack includes a blended malt scotch whisky, a blended Scotch whisky and a blended grain whisky. All bottled at 47% volume.

Click here to learn more about their fantastic journey in the latest edition of our Whiskeria magazine.

‘Master blenders’ for the day with one of the chosen casks.

Blended Malt Scotch Whisky over 25 years old
Bottled at 47%Vol 35cl
Deep amber. Slight nose prickle, but generally nose cooling. A light mossy note to start, with some baked apple and burnt toffee. With a little water, it still remains dense, then comes an artificial lavender scent. The taste is sweet then dry and slightly bitter, with a surprising spiciness; with water the taste is less sweet/dry, with a very light smokiness in the finish.

Blended Grain Scotch Whisky over 25 years old
Bottled at 47%Vol 35cl
Full gold in colour, with bigger body than most grain whiskies. A sweet, lightly cereal nose (vanilla sponge), faintly herbaceous, and even lighter with water, with a hint of oaky spice. A sweet, cooling mouthfeel, then drying; a light sweetness, with violets, then a tart oakiness; still some spice (nutmeg, white pepper).

Blended Scotch Whisky over 25 years old
Bottled at 47%Vol 35cl
This incredible whisky has been blended using some of the finest whiskies not only from William Grant’s own distilleries but also from key distilleries in the Highlands and on Islay.
Deep amber colour, and a relatively gentle nose-feel. The nose clearly indicates American oak – sawdust, oak shavings, bourbon. Behind this, fresh red apples, with a touch of cinnamon, and buttery vanilla sponge. A pleasant texture and a sweet taste to start (with clover flowers), becoming drier, with oak notes in the middle.

Tasting notes by Charlie Maclean

Simply click here to purchase this stunning set of whiskies