Ardbeg Distillery Releases Limited Edition “Auriverdes”

 – Limited Edition whisky will be released on Ardbeg Day – May 31st 2014 –  

(MARCH 28, 2014)  Ardbeg, four-time winner of the World’s Best Scotch Whisky award – is announcing the launch of its 2014 Limited Edition Ardbeg Auriverdes. The new Ardbeg will launch globally on May 31st, as part of “Ardbeg Day”- the distillery’s annual celebration of all things Ardbeg. 

“Auriverde” a Portuguese term, is the combination of auri (meaning “golden”) and verde (meaning “green”) – the colors found in the iconic Ardbeg bottle, as well as the Brazilian Flag and a reflection of the “Ardbeg Day” salute to the 2014 World Cup. 

Ardbeg Auriverdes has been matured in American oak casks, with specially toasted lids that were tailor-made for this formula. The toasting technique has given the whisky a unique flavour profile, producing a mocha coffee flavour at one end and flowing into creamy vanilla at the other – truly a dram of two halves. 

Ardbeg Auriverdes follows the highly acclaimed, Limited Edition Ardbeg Galileo, which scooped the ‘World’s Best Single Malt’ at the World Whisky Awards 2013. Ardbeg Auriverdes is bottled at 49.9% ABV and will be available for U.S. purchase at select embassy liquor stores ($99.99). For an embassy liquor store locater, please visit www.ardbeg.com . 

Dr Bill Lumsden, Director of Distillation and Whisky Creation, explains: 

“When creating Auriverdes, I had a distinct flavour profile in mind that I wanted to achieve, so I specifically created the heart of the recipe to bring that to life. It is a unique expression of Ardbeg which has exceeded all my expectations. It has the trademark Ardbeg undertones with a distinct new taste experience and an explosive mouthfeel which gives way to complex flavours of coffee grounds, liquorice, maple smoked ham, malty/biscuit notes, white pepper and a good sweet/salty balance.” 

He continues: 

“We love to experiment and try new things at Ardbeg and we are in no doubt that Auriverdes will be a hit with our Ardbeg fans on Ardbeg Day!” 

“Ardbeg Day” runs alongside the widely celebrated Islay Festival (the Feis Ile). It has become a key event in the calendar of malt whisky aficionados around the world, with thousands making the trip to the Island of Islay annually. “Ardbeg Day” will be celebrated in the form of a “Peat Football” tournament on May 31st at the Ardbeg Distillery and at participating Ardbeg Embassies around the world.  

Ardbeg Auriverdes Taste Notes

Aroma: Tarry and herbal notes with hints of mocha

Taste: Coffee grounds pass to smoked root vegetables, while maple-cured bacon collides with hot-smoked salmon

Finish: A lingering, smoky vanilla note              

About Ardbeg

Ardbeg prides itself on being the ‘Ultimate Islay 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. The legacy of the whisky was safeguarded by the formation of ‘The Committee’ in 2000 from thousands of Ardbeg followers across the globe keen to ensure, “the doors of Ardbeg never close again.”

Ardbeg was voted ‘Scotch Whisky of the Year’ three years in a row by Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible and was awarded ‘World’s Best Single Malt’, ‘Best Islay Single Malt’ and the ‘Global Icon Visitor Centre Manager of the Year’ at the World Whisky Awards 2013. 

Ardbeg Embassies

Ardbeg Embassies are a network of Ardbeg customers who love Ardbeg and have agreed to profile Ardbeg to their consumers; most are independent premium whisky stores.                                                                                                                                                      

Responsible Drinking

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

Introducing the NEW Glengoyne 25YO

Announcing the launch of the Glengoyne 25YO. This is an extremely special whisky, unchill-filtered and bottled at 48% ABV. Matured exclusively in hand-selected sherry casks in our traditional dunnage warehouses for a quarter of a century and presented in its own bespoke bottle, this unique malt has a flavour of soft oak, cinnamon, stewed fruits and a Seville marmalade tang – a perfect after dinner dram.

The Glengoyne 25YO, priced at £250, will be on UK shelves from Monday 7th April and available globally shortly thereafter.

A.  Smith Bowman Distillery Releases Limited Edition

Double Barrel Bourbon  

               Fredericksburg, VA. (March 26, 2014) – A. Smith Bowman Distillery announces the first release in its Abraham Bowman line for 2014, the Abraham Bowman Limited Edition Double Barrel Bourbon. This new bourbon was aged a total of seven years and two months.

               This bourbon was originally put into barrels on December 12, 2006 and transferred to new barrels on April 17, 2013.  After aging an additional six months in Bowman’s standard Warehouse (A1), the barrels were then moved to the mezzanine of Warehouse K, and aged for an additional 5 months. The mezzanine allows for increased air flow around the barrels while also allowing the barrels to receive more scrutiny under the watchful eye of Master Distiller Brian Prewitt.

               “This is a bourbon lover’s bourbon,” said Prewitt. “We decided not to chill filter this bourbon to help retain more of the flavors. The bourbon is smooth and sweet in the mouth, with a pleasant marriage of spice, vanilla, and toasty oak flavors that linger delicately on the palate.” 

               Prewitt also describes the bourbon to have a “beautiful deep cooper color. The nose opens up with honey and vanilla, giving way to baked apple and pear notes. Sweet caramel, brown sugar, and brown spice round out the nose.”  

The Abraham Bowman Limited Edition Whiskey Double Barrel Bourbon is part of a series of limited edition whiskies, named after Abraham Bowman, the commander of the 8^th Virginia Regiment in the American Revolutionary War. Each edition of the Abraham line is a different expression and a new expression is released a few times a year.  The Abraham Bowman Limited Edition Double Barrel Bourbon is on sale now. It is 100 proof. Suggested retail pricing is $69.99.  

About A. Smith Bowman

A. Smith Bowman’s distilling roots date back to the years before Prohibition when the Bowman family had a granary and dairy farm in Sunset Hills, Virginia. They used excess grain from the family estate to distill spirits. In 1934, after the Repeal of Prohibition, Abram Smith Bowman and his sons continued the family tradition and built a more modern distillery in Fairfax County, Virginia called Sunset Hills Farm.  In response to the rapid rise of taxes in Northern Virginia, the Distillery was moved in 1988 and is now nestled in Spotsylvania County near the city of Fredericksburg, 60 miles away from the original location.

As a small and privately owned company, A. Smith Bowman Distillery continues the time-honored traditions on which it was founded. Considered a micro-distillery by today’s standards, A. Smith Bowman produces an assortment of hand-crafted spirits distilled from only the finest natural ingredients and using the latest technology. This micro-distillery focuses on the production of premium spirits honoring the legacy of Virginia’s first settlers. For more information on A. Smith Bowman, please visit www.asmithbowman.com.

anCnoc Takes a Trip to the Dark Side With

New Peated Collection

anCnoc Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky is inviting drinkers to find their ‘peaty side’ this year as the contemporary single malt launches an intriguing new collection of limited edition peated whiskies for the global market.

Aiming to unravel the mysteries of peated whisky for modern drinkers, this new collection from the Knockdhu Distillery will feature anCnoc’s classic light, easy-drinking style but with a dark, distinctive and smoky twist.

The first three releases in the collection were unveiled at a launch event in Glasgow last night (Wednesday 26^th March), with the anCnoc team treating guests to tastings of each new single malt, alongside an inspiring mix of peaty experiences.

A menu inspired by anCnoc’s new dark side was created for the event by rising Scottish food experimentalists Jelly&Gin, with jars of edible peat bog, copper rivet lollipops and clouds of anCnoc smoke delighting guests on the night. A living peat bog was even transported to the venue for the occasion.

The expressions in anCnoc’s new peated collection are named in honour of the traditional tools used to cut peat, with ‘Rutter’ and ‘Flaughter’ unveiled for the UK and global markets and ‘Tushkar’ released exclusively for Sweden.

Each new release will also display its own varying phenol content in parts per million (ppm) to indicate just how peated the whisky inside the bottle is, aiming to help drinkers find a peaty level to suit their palate.

Inspiration for the new peated collection comes from anCnoc’s 120 year history, which reveals that the very first whiskies crafted at Knockdhu had a peaty edge, thanks to the distillery’s location in the heart of some of Scotland’s most fertile peat land. 

Tasting notes

Rutter (11.0 ppm): sparkling gold in appearance, initially smoky on the nose giving way to spices, pineapples, pear drops and vanilla. A full-bodied peaty richness to taste but with undertones of set honey, vanilla, toffee and leather, punctuated by green apples, giving way to a smoky peaty finish.

Flaughter (14.8ppm): pale gold in appearance a warm smokiness with spice, ash and surprising fruit on the nose. Distinctly smoky to taste with a fruity long-lasting finish.

Tushkar (15.0 ppm): polished gold in appearance with a rich sweet honey and vanilla nose wrapped in a veil of warm peat smoke, pierced by overtones of fresh green apples, orange peel and cut spring flowers. Rich, full-bodied wood smoke to taste, opening up to exotic spices, runny honey, toffee sweetness and a hint of freshly squeezed lemons.

The packaging of the new collection represents a dark and striking alternative look for anCnoc, with each green glass bottle featuring a glistening illustration of a traditional peat cutting tool on an eye-catching black label.

The whiskies will be available through independent and specialist retailers from April and will sit alongside anCnoc’s core range. They are bottled at 46% ABV and in their most natural state – neither chill-filtered nor coloured.

Charles Maclean, Master of the Quaich comments: ‘The difference between these three malts is subtle, but apparent. Their overall flavour – their aroma and taste –is nicely balanced, fresh and breezy; their smokiness subtle and understated, while their cheerful simplicity makes them very ‘more-ish’ and easy to drink’.

Project Manager, Stephanie Bridge, hopes that anCnoc’s new collection will encourage malt drinkers to explore peated whisky in a new way. She commented: ‘Our new limited edition peated single malts will form an exciting collection to sit alongside our core anCnoc expressions, offering drinkers a new, and perhaps a first experience of peated whisky. These malts have all the exceptional qualities of anCnoc but with a depth and smokiness that will be appealing both to peat aficionados and to drinkers of lighter malts with an interest in finding a peated malt whisky that they understand and enjoy. We’re on a mission to bring our very modern take on the world of peated whisky to our drinkers and to entice customers to experience this new side of anCnoc.’

anCnoc Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky is part of the Inver House Distillers portfolio, and is produced at Knockdhu Distillery – established in 1894 and one of the smallest and most enchanting in the Scottish Highlands. It is renowned the world over by malt enthusiasts for bringing a contemporary twist to the traditions of fine malt whisky, producing a single malt that is accessible and versatile for all occasions.

Notes

About anCnoc Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky

anCnoc Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky is produced at the Knockdhu Distillery which was established in 1894 and is one of the smallest and most enchanting in the Scottish Highlands. It’s renowned the world over by malt enthusiasts for producing a single malt that makes every day a special occasion. The new limited edition peated whiskies join the popular anCnoc 12 years old, a light yet complex dram; 16, 22 and 35 years old expressions; and a yearly vintage, currently the 1999. anCnoc is known for championing the contemporary visual arts and for its partnerships with some of Scotland’s most vibrant galleries and arts projects. 

About International Beverage 

International Beverage Holdings (www.interbevgroup.com) was established in 2005 as the international arm of ThaiBev, one of South East Asia’s leading alcohol beverage companies. With a network of regional offices in Asia, Europe and North America, the company is responsible for the production, sales, marketing and distribution of a portfolio of premium global brands in over 80 countries and territories.

Inver House Distillers (www.inverhouse.com) is globally integrated into International Beverage Holdings and drives the distillation and maturation of Scotch through its five distilleries.

International Beverage brands include:

• Chang Beer: Thailand’s iconic beer brand
• Single Malt Scotch Whiskies: Old Pulteney, Balblair, anCnoc, Speyburn
• Blended Whiskies: Hankey Bannister
• Mekhong: ‘The Spirit of Thailand’ since 1941
• Caorunn – a small batch distilled Scottish Gin infused with 5 Celtic botanicals

The company’s success is built on the combination of a strong understanding of local cultures and markets with the creation of a truly global operational network.  Brand building pays respect to heritage, provenance and craftsmanship whilst delivering innovative and highly effective strategies at global level. A skilled and dedicated team of more than 12 nationalities speaking over 14 languages delivers the highest standards of customer service and attention to detail across all aspects of the business.

Two remarkable brand new and delicious Japanese whiskies now available to order via The Whisky Shop. Free delivery on all orders over £60 delivered to mainland UK.

Yamazaki Distiller’s Reserve

Full gold. A gentle, elegant fragrance topped by soft fruits – strawberry, white peach, cherry – and backed by sweet tobacco leaf. A smooth texture and a sweet taste, with crisp acidity, traces of coconut and a medium – length, warming finish leaving a hint of planed oak. More perfumed with water, with light oak notes, the taste is now sweet throughout.

Bottled at 43% volume

For nearly a century the Yamazaki distillery has been dedicated to the pursuit of crafting a world-class whisky that is uniquely Japanese. The still green valley that this distillery calls home is blessed with the perfect balance of pristine water and humidity. Here they have been creating innovations in single malt whisky production that incorporate an art of whisky-making passed down through the ages. This never-ending journey that winds tradition with innovation in pursuit of the finest Japanese whisky has led to the creation of a world-class whisky known simply as Yamazaki

£52.00 Simply Click Here To Buy

Hakushu Distiller’s Reserve

The colour of white wine. A fresh nose, and lightly cooling – eucalyptus, a hint of mint, a trace of cucumber – the first taste is likewise mouth-cooling, with a sweet start, a trace of fresh acidity and a shortish finish. A light, aperitif – style malt. A drop of water sweetens the aroma slightly and introduces pear drops. The taste remains light, sweet and fruity.

Bottled at 43% volume.

Known as the ‘Forest Distillery’, Hakushu Distillery is located at a site known for the pristine waters of the Ojira River, which has been designated by Japan’s Ministry of the Environment as one of the highest-quality water sources in the country. The construction of the distillery, which is surrounded by expansive forest, was the culmination of a many-year search for a site that could best take advantage of Japan’s natural bounty in the process of making Japanese whisky.

£52.00 Simply Click Here To Buy

New! Signatory Vintage Single Cask Whiskies

New arrivals from independent bottler Signatory the proprietor of Edradour including Laphroaig, Imperial, Cambus, Highland Park, Coal Ila and this 16 Year Old from the Glenlivet distillery.

Glenlivet 16 Year Old $61.31

DIAGEO LAUNCHES A NEW SPIRIT DRINK BASED ON J&B SCOTCH WHISKY

APRIL PREVIEWS: BREATHE IN LONG!

Fill your lungs with fresh air and let our three new bottles evoke the great outdoors with meditative breathing exercises in a flower-filled garden, fresh laundry on the line and – perhaps more realistic – a bracing walk on a windy beach…

Old & dignified

9.82 Breathe in long!

The first nose made us all feel very calm and relaxed just like aromatherapy or Zen meditation. A walk through a garden filled with mellow aromas of summer flowers combined with a soft woodiness of cedar and salsa wood gave us the feeling of a sense of tranquillity…

Age: 25 years
Cask: Refill ex-sherry butt

BUY £100.00

Young & spritely

36.74 Whiter than White

Undiluted on the nose the Panel was awakened by pink grapefruit accompanied by strawberries. A clean whisky. Freshly washed linen with a hint of musky perfume…

Age: 9 years
Cask: First fill ex-bourbon barrel

BUY £44.00

Peated

53.202 A Bracing Outdoors Loving Character

If this was a person it would be a bracing outdoors loving character taking a brisk walk along the shore in windy weather. You know the sort, ruddy cheeks, with Kendal Mint cake and cinnamon balls in his waxed jacket pockets…

Age: 17 years
Cask: Refill ex-bourbon hogshead

BUY £59.30

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

This past Thursday and Friday we held two sold out Ancient Malts tastings at Kensington Wine Market, highlighting the Glendronach 1968 Recherche, and 7 other Scotch whiskies. The lineup was epic, and the tastings a huge success. The star of the show, other than the 1968 Glendronach (of course), was the Wilson & Morgan Caol Ila 30 Year! You can read all about the tasting and my tasting notes on the whiskies on the store blog. I’ll include some of the details in the next Malt Messenger!

Ancient Malts is not the only whisky tasting we’ve hosted over the last few weeks, there’s been a parade of great tastings like: Monday’s Irish Whiskey Rennaissance, the Great Macallan Vertical Featuring ‘M’ on March 5th and of course the March Outturn Tastings for the Scotch Malt Whisky Society. Speaking of the Society, there’s an exciting and handsome new Membership Kit, more details to come in the next Malt Messenger.

On the subject of tastings, I have a couple of events to tell you about. Firstly, we’ve added a new tasting for April 1, “Fools for Whisky”, our first ever April Fools Day Whisky tasting. We’re aiming to challenge your preconceptions and introduce a little fun and sport to whisky tasting. Think you know your whiskies? Careful, we’re aiming to fool you.

There is also a great club tasting I’d like to fill you in on too. The Calgary Companions of the Quaich, Calgary’s oldest and most established whisky club is hosting a Kavalan vertical tasting this tomorrow, Wednesday March 26. The tasting will feature a range of 9-10 single malts from Kavalan, one of the hottest new distilleries in the world. The tasting is great value, $40 for member and $60 for guests. Curious about the club, or Kavalan whisky, send me a note, and maybe you can join us!

I’m also working on a full edition of the Malt Messenger, which I hope to have out next week. Included in it will be a slew of new products and the Spring 2014 preview. In the meantime, there’s a couple of whiskies I thought I bring to your attention, before they sell out. First up, is the Arran Millennium Casks, a seductive whisky filled into cask the day before and the day after the turn of the millennium. We bought 2/3 of what came into Alberta, and at the time of writing we’ve only a handful left. The Glendronach Cask Strength Batch 3 is also nearly sold out.

We also have a couple of new Organic whiskies from Loch Lomond distillery, a single malt and a single blend. Both are surprisingly good, especially considering the less than sterling reputation of the distillery. Could be a sign of things to come. I’ve also included some tasting notes I wrote up on a couple of older whiskies from Balblair and Rosebank.

Finally, its not too late, though we’re getting close, to join on a tour of the Speyside and Highlands in May. We’ll hit more than a dozen of Scotland’s finest distilleries in 12 days. More info is available on my Ferguson Whisky Tours website.

I hope you enjoy this Malt Messenger Bulletin, clear your plate for Friday. Malt Messenger No.59 is going to be a big one!

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

Fools For Whisky

Tuesday April 1

We won’t be opening a bottle of Port Ellen at our Fools for Whisky tasting, on April Fools Day, we just wanted to get your attention!

$50.00

Click Here For More Info

Taking Pre-Orders of our Duncan Taylor Octaves !

Mortlach 1995 – $175 & Deanston 1994 – $180

Pre-order & Save 5%! Both are small casks and will sell out very quickly. Tasting notes to be posted shortly on our website. 

Fools for Whisky

The Highland Park 50 Year is Stunning but Will Not Be Poured at the Tasting!

Monday April 1, 2014, 7PM – $50

Think you know your whiskies? Be forewarned, we’re aiming to make a fool out of you! Join us for our first ever April Fool’s Day Tasting at KWM, and let’s see just how well you do know your whiskies!

Call 403-283-8000 or Register Online: kensingtonwinemarket.com/tastings/register.php

 
Companions of the Quaich Kavalan Vertical Tasting

Guests welcome!

The Companions of the Quaich is a Canada-wide whisky club with a strong chapter in Calgary. Established in February of 2007, the Calgary Chapter is now in its 8th year. The club holds six to eight events a year, from tastings to whisky dinners. It also selects and bottles casks of malt whisky exclusively for its members. For more information on the club visit: quaichcalgary.ca/ , the website is being redeveloped but is up and running.

The Calgary Quaich’s Kavalan Vertical Tasting is being help on March 26 at 7PM. The tasting will feature a range of 9-10 Kavalan whiskies. Kavalan to the uninitiated is a new award winning whisky distillery in Taiwan. Taiwan is a huge market for Scotch whisky, and it was probably only a matter of time until someone there decided to open their own distillery. They owners sought out the Scotch whisky industry’s Top Guns for the project, which they hoped would create a whisky similar in style to Glenlivet or Macallan. As a point of pride they take the smallest middle cut (or hear) of any malt distillery in the world. They sought out to creat world class whisky, and by all accounts they’ve succeeded.

The tasting will include:

Kavalan Number 1
King Kar Conductor
Kavalan Concert Master (Port Finish)
Kavalan Podium (Virgin Oak)
Kavalan Ex Bourbon 46%
Kavalan Solist Bourbon
Kavalan Solist Vinho
Kavalan Ex Sherry 46%
Kavalan Solist Sherry
!!Possibly 1 More!!

Just some of the Kavalans to be Sampled

For more information or to register, please send me an email!

New Organic Whiskies from Loch Lomond

A new single blend and a single malt!

Both of these whiskies have caught me by surprise. Surprise because who’d have thought someone at Loch Lomond, a distillery known for creating mainly supermarket and low quality brands, had thought to distill both organic malt and grain 12 years ago. It is even more surprising how characterful and interesting these whiskies are.

Loch Lomond Organic 12 Year Single Malt – 48% – My Tasting Note: “Nose: juicy citrus and powdered sugar, sweet barley and green grasses; floral and delicate with some white chocolate, honey and candied apple; Palate: very sweet and malty with loads of honey, soft toasted oak and coconut chips; still floral and grassy but with green grapes, Granny Smith apples and some tart citrus notes; white peppers and anise; Finish: honeyed, malty and sweetly spiced with more toasted oak, cream and floral tones. – $94.99

Loch Lomond Organic Single Blend – 46% – My Tasting Note: “Nose: very buttery and toffeed on the nose, the grain make its presence know with a Caramel or Kettle Corn like character; lots of vanilla, honey and white fruits as it opens up and something reminiscent of almond brittle; Palate: surprisingly big and toasty with both the grain and malt making their presence known right off the back with some grassy malt and more caramel corn; the base is of toasty oak with notes of vanilla pods, heather honey and more almond brittle augmented by a little peppery spice; the fruits eventually emerge from the creamy oak with some lovely white fruit and crisp citrus; Finish: dusty and toasty with honey and citrus and some growing peppery spice.” – $67.99

A Couple Other New Whiskies

From Rosebank and Balblair

Balblair 1975 – 46% – Distilled: 1975 – Bottled: 2007 – Matured in European Oak Ex-Sherry Casks – My Tasting Note: “Nose: all spice, Licorice All Sorts, musty old oak and Dunnage warehouses; candied fruits and Christmas cake with some tropical elements like mango and papaya; Palate: big round sherry notes with lots of candied fruits, Christmas cake, leather, tobacco and soft leather; tropical fruits emerge along with assorted decadent spices and Licorice All Sorts; Finish: as the tropical fruits fade it becomes subtly leathery and earthy showing its age with firm spices and more licorice.” – $369.99

OMC Rosebank 21 Year – 50% – Distilled: February 1990 – Bottled: August 2011 – Refill Butt – My Tasting Note: “Nose: doughy, confectioneries and French pastries; very sugary, reminiscent of French crepes with powdered sugar and lemon juice; floral and dusty with a hint of refined flower and potpourri; Palate: creamy, floral and fruity at first soft and citric, then tropical (melons) moving toward candied fruits; more French crepes and powdered sugar with lemon juice; fruit flan, pain au chocolate and some slowly developing dark fruits and spice with soft leather; Finish: light, soft, floral and fruity; more tropical fruits and toasty oak .” – $249.99

Glendronach 1968 Recherche 44 Year – $4,799.99

97pts Whisky Bible – SOLD OUT!

Glendronach has been a hot whisky at KWM ever since its relaunch in 2008 by BenRiach Distillery Co. The distillery’s new owners immediately put out a new core range of 12, 15 and 18 year old whiskies, heavily sherried in the distillery’s classic style. They then began releasing batch of vintage single casks and things really got exciting. A few of the older single casks from 1971 and 1972 became legendary, like our KWM 1972 Cask 711.

Glendronach launched the 1968 Recherche in the fall of 2013. At 44 years of age it is the oldest Glendronach ever bottled. From a single oloroso sherry cask, 1968 #5, 632 bottles were released at 48.6%. 10 bottles of the whisky found its way to Canada, 5 of those to the Kensington Wine Market where we opened one for our Ancient Malts tastings, March 20 & 21 of 2014. It was a hit. We squirreled one final bottle away until the tastings, and it sold at the Friday tasting. 97pts from the Whisky Bible.

Glendronach 1968 Recherche – 44 Year – 48.6% – Oloroso Sherry Butt – Cask No. 5 – 632 Bottles – Andrew’s Tasting Note: “Nose: rich and fruity, right off the bat soft sweet licorice notes (think Panda brand), expensive ladies leather gloves and brandy soaked cherries; candied fruits and classic Christmas cake notes are present, but they are soft and elegant, layers of assorted fruits lie beneath, dark, orchard and tropical; Palate: rich and fruity with lively spice and a velvety smooth delivery; the flavours peel back from this whisky like the layers of an onion: first dark fruits: dates and sultanas, then fleshier tropical fruits, next soft leather, then chocolate and tobacco before tingling spices take charge; this is a classic sherry cask whisky, and so fruity: melons, mangoes and plums; brown sugar, maple syrup and treacle sauce develop as the fruits fade; Finish: long and fruity with a soft leathery backbone; it dries hinting at the whiskies age but still has more layers to peel back. – $4,799.99 – !!!SOLD OUT!!!
Going…, going…, GONE!

Your Last Chance for Two Popular Whiskies

Our two most popular whiskies over February and March have been a couple of limited edition cask strength offerings. The Glendronach Cask Strength Batch 3, which was our best selling whisky in February, and the Arran Millennium Casks, our best selling whisky in March. The Arran may be sold out by the end of the weekend. The third batch of the Glendronach Cask Strength will not last much longer! Here are my tasting notes on each:

Glendronach Cask Strength Batch 3 – 54.9% – No Age Statement – Oloroso & PX Sherry – My Tasting Note: “Nose: firm leather, chocolate orange, candied fruits and treacle sauce; Palate: rich, fruity and layered with some late spices; it gently warms the palate with notes of candied fruits, leather and some earthy spices; Finish: long, rich, fruity and sweet with tingling-drying spice.” – $94.99

Arran Millennium Casks – 53.5% – 13 Year – My Tasting Note: “Nose: creamy and floral with loads of creamed heather honey, white chocolate and soft fruits; melons, juicy oranges, soft barley and a touch of spice; Palate: round and chewy with some silky vanillans, big juicy malt, and more white chocolate, heather honey and spices found on the nose; the melon and citrus notes are still there along with some chocolate, soft leather and dark fruits; this is a whisky with layers and depth well beyond its 13 years; Finish: long, rich, creamy and coating the heather honey lingers long and the spices fade ever so slowly with the layers of fruit.” – $114.99

Ferguson Whisky Tours

Speyside Tour May 11-17 2014

Estimated price, $3500-4,000 per person.
7 days/6 nights
Includes visits to the following distilleries some to be confirmed:
Glengoyne
Deanston
Edradour and Signatory
Glencadam
Glen Garioch
AnCnoc
Glendronach
Balvenie
Cardhu
BenRiach
Gordon & MacPhail
Benromach
Tomatin
And More.

As always, we’ll wind up with a whisky dinner at the Scotch Malt Whisky Society. Check out the website, or send an email to scotchguide@fergusonwhiskytours.com for more details.

FergusonWhiskyTours.com

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

Two brand new limited edition bottlings from anCnoc are now available to order via The Whisky Shop only while stocks last! Don’t forget we have free postage on all orders over £60 delivered within the UK.

anCnoc flaughter

Colour: ancnoc flaughter is pale gold in appearance

The nose: Initially smoky and ashy underneath that fresh vanilla notes ooze softness and creaminess while a sharper hint of sticky toffee offers a balancing sweetness.

Taste: A warming and smooth experience peaty and intense but remarkably rounded it flickers with hints of fragrant pipe tobacco orchard Fruits brown sugar sweetness and a slight medicinal overtone. An intensely flavoursome smoky and smooth finish.

One of only 1500 bottles £57.00

Click here to buy

anCnoc rutter

Colour: The ancnoc Rutter is sparkling gold in appearance.

Nose: Very smoky it quickly unveils the unmistakable ancnoc character with delicate spices juicy pineapples pear drops and gentle vanilla. Rich and warming.

Taste: Full bodied and bursting with peaty richness. Soft undertones of honey creamy vanilla toffee and leather are punctuated by the freshness of green apples.

One of only 1500 bottles £57.00

Click here to buy