‘Aye, the nights are fair drawing in.’

As shadows cast become longer and the nights fade into darkness ever more quickly, draw some warmth from a fine dram. After all, there’s always plenty to choose from. 

MORTLACH
Old & Rare (50cl)
£54.95

‘The proof of the pudding is in the eating.’ Or rather, in our case – the drinking! It’s a brand new release, but it’s not like we didn’t know it was coming. Out with the tasty old and in with the tasty new.

GLENDRONACH 18
Tawny Port
£67.95

Upgraded by a further 3 years maturation, this 18 year old replaces the discontinued Glendroanch 15 Tawny Port. It is a permanent addition to the core range. Rich, fruity & warming.

AVAILABLE TO PRE-ORDER NOW!

KILCHOMAN
Port Cask
£67.95

First sampled at our annual Whisky Fringe event at the start of August and subsequently much in demand. Luscious stuff! Rich, potent, peaty Kilchoman entirely matured in ex-ruby port casks for 3 years.

GLEN GARIOCH
Renaissance
£76.95

The first in a series of four limited editions from Glen Garioch, being released over the next 3 years. Each chapter will have been distilled in 1997, when the distillery re-opened and switched to using unpeated malt.

GLENDRONACH
UK Exclusives
£89.95 & £104.95

Not one, but two new limited edition Glendronachs – 1995 Cask #3326 & 1993 Cask #39. One has been matured in a former PX cask and the other in a ex-Oloroso cask. Both of these fine drams are only being released to the UK market.

GlenDronach 1995 / Single Cask #3326 UK Exclusive

One of two UK exclusives released towards the end of Summer 2014 from GlenDronach distillery. Single cask #3326 has been aged for 19 years in a Pedro Ximénez sherry puncheon before being bottled at cask strength, 55% vol with an out-turn of 661 bottles.

£89.90 (£74.92 ex vat)

Click here to purchase GlenDronach Single Cask 3326

GlenDronach 1993 / Single Cask #39 UK Exclusive

A UK exclusive from GlenDronach distillery and sure to be another very popular release. Single cask #39 was distilled in 1993 and aged in a Oloroso sherry butt for 21 years. Filled in 2014 at 58.8% vol with an out-turn of 567 bottles.

£109.95 (£91.63 ex vat)

Click here to purchase GlenDronach Single Cask 39

BenRiach 1995 / Single Cask #182044 UK Exclusive

Single cask #182044, a UK exclusive release from BenRiach distillery. Launched towards the end of Summer 2014, this single cask release is a classic Speyside Scotch whisky, matured in an ex-bourbon barrel. Only 208 bottles filled at 52.5% vol.

£84.90 (£70.75 ex vat)

Click here to purchase BenRiach Single Cask 182044

GlenDronach
2 New Single Casks

Two new single sherry cask bottlings from GlenDronach Highland distillery.

Glendronach 1995 $136.93

Glendronach 1993 $159.06

Introducing the latest single cask offerings from BenRiach and Glendronach. All exclusive to the UK and limited to only a few hundred bottles. As always these will sell very quickly!

Glendronach 1995 Single Cask Bottling 19 year old UK exclusive

Nose: Soft, well-rounded oak spices combine perfectly with rich plum juice and dates. Hints of citrus and cedar wood add a crisp contrast to the initial soft nose.
Palate: Lashings of dark fruit syrup and a dark chocolate depth are warmed by cracked black pepper and touches of orange bitters. The long finish explodes with traditional sherry characteristics.
One of only 661 bottles. Bottled at a natural cask strength of 55% volume. Drawn from a Pedro Ximenez Sherry Puncheon Cask number 3326.
£100 Click here to buy.

Glendronach 1993 single cask bottling 21 year old UK exclusive

Nose: A rich, meaty character filled with dark fruit-cake and roasted coffee beans, leading to a gentle balance of sugared dates, zested orange and hints of red chilli.
Palate: Fantastic depths of allspice, dark chocolate and espresso coffee combine with delicate, warm, toasted oak spices. A soft, floral fruitiness appears in the long, unique sherried finish.
Bottled at 58.80% volume One of only 567 bottles Cask number 39 Drawn from a Oloroso Sherry Butt.
£115 Click here to buy.

BenRiach 1995 single cask 18 year old UK exclusive

Nose: Classic crème caramel combines with ripe pear and apricot. Gentle waves of lime zest add a contrasting, crisp fresh edge.
Palate: Fruit salad syrup, vanilla pod and touches of toasted coconut combine to give the delicious, classic-Speyside character. Barley sugar and toasted oak give a sweet, warm and lingering finish.
One of only 208 bottles Drawn from a bourbon barrel Bottled at a natural cask strength of 52.50% Cask number 182044.
£93 Click here to buy.

SEPTEMBER PREVIEWS: GALLEON ATTACKED BY PIRATES

In the warm waters of the Caribbean, an opulent, cargo-laden galleon is under attack by pirates: aromas of ginger, nutmeg and chocolate blend with musket smoke and gunpowder borne on a salty sea breeze. While evoking a sun-drenched scene, we’re aware that autumn is just around the corner bringing a whole new harvest of flavours from field and forest: could one of these warming bottlings be a mouth-watering match to autumnal fare? Be the first to get the juices flowing with September’s early releases…

Spicy & sweet

2.88 Cinderella weeping over matchmakers

Rich fruit cake, black bun, ginger snaps and matchmakers with oak and vanilla. The palate showers the mouth with muscovado, dark chocolate and treacle…

20yo; Refill ex-bourbon hogshead

BUY £80.50

Lightly peated

3.225 Galleon attacked by pirates

Cigars, fruits, spices, coffee, smoke, charred wood, sea-spray, tarry rope and gunpowder suggest a pirate attack. The taste is rich and dark…

16yo; Refill ex-sherry butt

BUY £60.00

Browse Full 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

Malt Messenger Bulletin – Kensington Wine Market’s Fall 2014 Schedule is Now On-Line!

Our Fall 2014 tasting schedule is now on-line with an excellent array of tastings and events. It starts Tuesday September 9th with the legendary Jim McEwan of Bruichladdich, who is returning to KWM for two back to back tastings. We have a lot of unique tasting events scheduled with special guests from Springbank, Glendronach, Jura, Glen Garioch and other distilleries. Our Fall Single Malt Festival will be Thursday November 13th, it always sells out a month ahead of time, so don’t hesitate purchasing your ticket. Details on all of our whisky and spirits tastings can be found below. You can jump to the full list on our website now by following this link!

I’m off to Scotland in a week’s time. The best place to follow my adventures is my Twitter feed: twitter.com/scotch_guy. Time permitting I will also be posting to my whisky tour company fergusonwhiskytours.com/blog/. I’m heading up into the Highland for a few days of work before guiding a troupe of intrepid whisky pilgrims on a west coast adventure to Islay, Jura, Arran and Campbeltown.

One other note, I took the ALS Icebucket Challenge yesterday, the video is up on YouTube. In return I’ve nominated some others to follow in my footsteps, to see who , watch the video, check out my Twitter feed or have a look at the wee post on our KWM Blog.

Don’t forget, we are taking pre-order for: The Kensington Wine Market 2014 Whisky Advent Calendar. We first sent out notice of them on Thursday last week, and already 1/3 of the 288 units are spoken for. The perfect pre-Christmas gift for the whisky lover in you life, and a great way to toast the season.

I hope this email finds you well and that you enjoy the rest of your summer.

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

Bruichladdich Tastings with Jim McEwan

Tuesday September 9
5PM -or- 7:30PM $30

Jim McEwan was the chief visionary behind the revival of Bruichladdich and is one of the most captivating brand ambassadors in the world of whisky. We’ll be putting on two back to back tasting with Jim to highlight this very special distillery and its cult whiskies.

More Information

The Kensington Wine Market Fall 2014 Whisky and Spirits Tasting Schedule

More than enough to keep your thirst quenched this fall!

Our Fall Tasting Schedule is now On-Line and open for registration. You can register on our website, in-store and over the phone. We have special tastings marking the release of new exclusive casks and exciting guest presenters like Willie Tait, Jim McEwan and Iain MacCallum. There is also our Fall Single Malt Festival, and another edition of Ancient Malts. I hope we’ll see you this fall!

1. Bruichladdich w/ Jim McEwan – Tuesday September 9 5:00PM or 7:30PM. – Jim McEwan was the visionary behind the revival of Bruichladdich and is one of the most captivating brand ambassadors in the world of whisky. We’ll be putting on two, back to back, so everyone gets a chance to taste the highlights of this very special distillery. The same whiskies will be served at each event. Register for. – $30
2. Independent Macallan – Tuesday September 16 – There is perhaps no more iconic single malt whisky than The Macallan. It is the Cadillac of single malts and an aspirational brand the world over. We’ll take a look at the distillery, exclusively, with independent bottlings going back to 1970! – $80
3. Classic Single Malts – Tuesday September 23 – This is our classic introduction to the world of single malt Scotch whisky. You’ll discover a little history, how it’s made, and sample six distinct styles. – $35
4. Give Thanks for Bourbon – Our resident Bourbon expert, Hunter Sullivan, will take you on an exploration of America’s biggest contribution to the World of whisk(e)y. You’ll sample whiskies you’ll be very thankful for! – $35
5. Rare Malts – Only the rarest whiskies, those more than 20 years of age, or from closed distilleries are considered for this very special tasting. – $80
6. A Duriach Supper w/ Willie Tait – He may be five foot nothing, but his personality is that of a giant. Jura’s Brand Ambassador Willie Tait will entertain you with the mysteries of Scotland’s least populated whisky island, and guide you through a range of fine whiskies while you enjoy a three course meal at Buchanan’s Chophouse, 738 3 Ave SW. – $100
7. Modern Cocktail – What makes a great cocktail? Let our “mixologist” Phil Grandbois be your guide. You’ll learn the tricks, the techniques, and the ingredients… all put together with a dash of fun! – $35
9. Springbank Society Launch – This mini-Festival style tasting will celebrate the launch of the Springbank Society in Canada. We’ll be sampling a wide range of whiskies from Scotland’s oldest family owned distillery, including a selection of whiskies exclusive to members of the Springbank Society. – $30
10. Glendronach Casks Tasting w/ Stewart Buchanan – Stewart will be in town to guide us through a range of Glendronach single malts including two casks bottled exclusively for the Kensington Wine Market (1993 and 2003). – $40
11. Glen Garioch Cask Launch – Kensington Wine Market has an exception exclusive Glen Garioch cask on the way. To celebrate we’re throwing an open house, mini-festival style tasting with Morison Bowmore’s Master of Malt Iain McCallum. You’ll have the chance to sample a range of whiskies from Auchentoshan, Bowmore and Glen Garioch, including our new cask! – $25
12. Fall Single Malt Festival – Thursday November 12 – Our famous biannual whisky festival may be limited to just 100 participants, but there will be just as many whiskies to sample in this festival style tasting. – $60 – !!!Warning! Tickets sell out very quickly!!!
13. Classic Cadenhead Single Malts – Thursday November 20th – W.M. Cadenhead is Scotland’s oldest independent bottler, and they sit on a treasure trove of old and rare whiskies. We’ll sample a range of 7 Cadenhead whiskies, exclusive to KWM, from 10 to 48 years of age. – $85
14. Ancient Malts – Wednesday November 26 -or- Thursday November 27 – This tasting features the rarest of the rare, whiskies from 30-50+ years of age and it never disappoints. We’re keeping tight lipped on this one for now, but suffice to say it will be another fabulous event! The same whiskies will be served at each event. – $250

!!ALL TASTINGS START PROMPTLY AT 7:00 PM Seating is strictly limited so book early to avoid disappointment. Telephone: 283-8000 to register or do so online. It is recommended that those attending wine tastings use public transportation. Tastings are complete with light snacks!!

Taking Pre-Orders: Kensington Wine Market 2014 Whisky Advent Calendar!

Nearly 1/3 are already spoken for! “24 Days of Dram Fine Whisky!”

Kensington Wine Market 2014 Whisky Advent Calendar – Although it sold out well before its arrival, we didn’t feel last year’s Advent Calendar was good value, so this year we’ve put our own together. A total of 288 will be produced, and we are taking orders for them now. They will retail for $359.99 + GST. You can reserve them now for a $150 deposit. Each KWM 2014 Whisky Advent Calendar contains 24 unique 50ml whiskies and a specially marked Glencairn glass. The actual list of whisky is a surprise, and we’ll know you’ll enjoy it. If you are looking for an enticement, one of the whiskies is 40 years old and retails for more than $700 a bottle (750ml)! This is the perfect pre-Christmas gift for the whisky lover in your life, and a great way to lift your spirits. Slainté! $359.99

The Macallan ‘M’ is Available Again!

The Pinnacle Dram in the 1824 Collection

This has been our hottest selling premium whisky over the last 10 months. Frankly we’ve had a hard time working through our list of requests. Well we’ve finally done so, and I have 2 further bottles available to us. It is a stunning whisky, classic older sherry cask whisky in a beautiful decanter. This is the pinnacle of Macallan’s 1824 Series, and by far the oldest and rarest whisky in their stable. A 6L version sold at auction in January 2014 for north of $630,000.00 US, making it the world’s most expensive whisky! We poured it at a tasting this winter, and it was a huge hit!

Macallan ‘M’ – 44.7% – My Tasting Note: “Nose: raspberry sauce, damp Christmas cake, nutty Oloroso sherry and tingling spices; some hints of vanilla and dark sugars with treacle sauce and chocolate coated coffee bean; melons, pineapple and other tropical fruits emerge with some patience before being replaced by leather and tobacco; and then it is on to the spices, cinnamon sticks, powdered ginger and cardamom; Palate: immediately fruity with flavour tendrils spreading in a bewildering number of directions; classic Christmas cake and nutty sherry notes make way for the finest soft leather and soft cigar tobacco; more chocolate, coffee bean, maple syrup and now some sweet Panda Brand black licorice; the fruits emerge again as the sherry and leathery notes recede showing some orange peel, melons, mangoes and a hint of pineapple; I could go on; Finish: varies by sip, at times a wave of spices rippling across the tongue; other sips fade into soft leather and nutty sherry or old earthy Dunnage sherry notes; but it is always long, complex and fruity; Comments: the haters will say what they will about the lack of an age statement and the price point, that is until they try it, this is one hell of a good whisky. ” – $3799.99

Last chance to join the October Kentucky Bourbon Tour!

6 days and 7 nights in Bourbon Country!

The trip will begin in Louisville and conclude in Lexington. The price will include accommodation for 7 nights, 2 in Louisville, 1 in Bardstown and 4 in Lexington; October 4-11. The reason four nights are being spent in the latter location is the proximity of distilleries. I have two prices for the trip, one is for single occupancy and the other is for double whether as a couple or two individuals with separate beds. The costs are approximate and will be confirmed 1 month prior to the trip. Estimates:

– Single Occupancy $3615/person
– Double Occupancy $5469/couple ($2735each)

Price includes:

• Accommodation at good hotels.
o Marriot Louisville Downtown
o Hilton Lexington
• Ground Transportation
• Dinner on the Lexington Dinner Train
• Distillery Visitor Center and Tasting costs.
Price doesn’t include:
• Flights
• Most meals.
• Golf or Other add on activities.
The rough itinerary is as follows, some items may shift and or be replaced:

Day 1 – Saturday October 4 – Calgary to Louisviller
– Accommodation – Louisville
Day 2 – Sunday October 5 – Louisville Area
– Golf AM or Alternate Activity
– Evan Williams Bourbon Experience
– Jim Beam Distillery
– Accommodation – Louisville
Day 3 – Monday October 6 – Bardstown
– Heaven Hill
– Barton
– Willet
– Accommodation – Bardstown
Day 4 – Tuesday October 7 – Bardstown to Lexington
– Marker’s Mark
– Four Rosses
– Wild Turkey
– Accommodation – Lexington
Day 5 – Wednesday October 8 – Lexington
– Golf or Alternate Activitiy
– Other Activity
– Accommodation – Lexington
Day 6 – Thursday October 9 – Around Lexington
– Wild Turkey (if not above)
– Woodford
– Town Branch
– Accommodation – Lexington
Day 7 – Friday October 10 – Around Lexington
– Buffalo Trace
– Accommodation – Lexington

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

Kensington Wine Market
403-283-8000

Early September 2014 Outturn Offerings 

Cask No. 9.76                                 $195 

Out of Africa 

Speyside, Spey 

Some of us were transported back in time into an African hunting lodge of the 19th century filled with mahogany furniture, a collection of trophies, antique rifles and their fine leather scabbards hanging on the walls and an overall scent of freshly polished wooden floor boards. In the taste sweet dried tropical fruits, fresh strawberries covered in icing sugar and madeleine cakes prepared with finely ground almonds and lemon zest. With the slightest drop of water initially a smell of cleaning the silver cutlery is soon replaced by brown sugar caramelized pecan and cashew nuts. In the taste the overall impression is fruity like a pear juice or a succulent honey sweet flavoured Medjool date. 

Drinking tip: Be very careful with how much water you add 

Colour: Polished brass door knob

Cask: Refill butt

Age: 25 years

Date Distilled: April 1988

Alcohol: 56.1%

USA allocation: 150 bottles

Cask No. 4.190                               $175 

Big boys smoking in the sauna 

Highland, Island 

A boys night out of a dram packing a punch of cigar smoke, scented candles and heavy polished wood. One panel member was reminded of a stag weekend eating Mediterranean tapas and another of Moroccan spices on Arbroath smokies. Pickled onions on the side! Heather and sandalwood smouldering on a wood stove with a mug of Mexican hot chocolate. After water was thrown on the coals a puff of hot sauna wood and more heather with tobacco leaf unfurling. Cured hams with mango chutney, then dried apricots and apple rings. Round the world in a glass! 

Drinking tip: With big boots on 

Colour: Needs a polish

Cask: Refill hogshead

Age: 22 years

Date Distilled: May 1991

Alcohol: 53.9%

USA allocation: 118 bottles 

Cask No. 10.77                               $85 

Beware of the monster 

Islay 

A fruity and meaty nose initially with wine gums and honey glazed ham. Earthy notes are found alongside aniseed, fried mackerel skins, fabric elastoplast and germolene. Smoke is present but be prepared as something much bigger than anticipated is lurking… As you take your first sip the full wrath of this peat monster is unleashed, singeing the tongue with hot charcoal and lavender ash. This adolescent beast can be tamed by adding water, bringing out heather, gorse and a light soapiness but the meaty notes – now mussels and spare ribs are long-lasting. Salty and ashy with soy sauce on the palate from this usually mild Islay malt. 

Drinking tip: Dare to be different, the monster won’t bite 

Colour: White gold

Cask: Refill hogshead

Age: 6 years

Date Distilled: October 2007

Alcohol: 61.4%

USA allocation: 72 bottles 

Cask No. 46.23                                           $120 

A sweetie shop in a park 

Speyside, Lossie 

A gentle, unassuming nose – slight suggestions of scorched wood and small insinuations of acidity – but mainly a sweetie shop (vanilla, Turkish Delight, strawberry fondant) in a park (meadowsweet, laurel, gorse, wood sap, flowers). The palate held a happy balance of sweet (chocolate-coated raisins, iced vanilla sponge-cake) and bitter (lemon, lime, pear, damson); pleasant pepper, wood and salty liquorice warmed the mouth. The reduced nose was fresher and fruitier – sherbet lemons, elderflower and lime cordial, cranberries, pineapple and pine. The palate became easy-drinking, lip-smacking and moreish – apple chews, refreshers and lime zest; ginger snaps and liquorice to finish. Named after the Lossie. 

Drinking tip: Any time whisky – better with a splash of water – refreshing and up-lifting 

Colour: Moonlight in Lothlorien

Cask: Refill hogshead

Age: 12 years

Date distilled: July 2001

Alcohol: 52.6%

USA allocation: 114 bottles

Cask No. 127.39                            $110 

Intensely Tasty 

Islay 

Nose: It reminds you of tobacco leaves and fish drying on wooden racks by the shore. Imagine Germolene, First Aid boxes and soap in a coal scuttle in a fisherman’s boot, you find salt and smoke. If you’re hungry; seafood platters, dark honey, bacon and rye bread with caraway, sausage with fennel. Palate: Taste sea shells on a salty jetty. Treacle and spicy liquorice Tabasco and Scotch Bonnet.Toasted caraway and sesame seeds drizzled with honeyTantalising seafood cocktail and oily mackerel Tempted by deep-fried Mars Bars? Cooked in the same oil as the fish? Imagine This Initial distillation Two-thousand-and-one 

Drinking tip: Imagine this – under the stars, with jolly Jack tars 

Colour: Golden marigold

Cask: Refill butt

Age: 11 years

Date Distilled: June 2002

Alcohol: 66.7%

USA allocation: 102 bottles 

Please visit the Scotch Malt Whisky Society at http://www.smwsa.com/

Cut Spike Nebraska Single Malt Whisky 750ml ($59.99)

At first we couldn’t believe our mouths. We knew that Cut Spike single malt had just taken Double Gold honors at the 2014 San Francisco Spirits competition (the highest possible honor), so obviously other people thought it was good, too. But after tasting so many mediocre American attempts at single malt whisky, we had become accustomed to the idea that the Scottish style of distillation would never be recreated here at home. There would be spin-offs, and experimental gasps at greatness, but that supple, malty profile would simply be something we needed to import from abroad. Then the folks at Cut Spike sent us a sample of their two year old Nebraskan single malt whisky made from 100% malted barley on a pot still crafted in Rothes, Scotland. Fermented at the brewery next door to Cut Spike in La Vista, the malt was matured for two years in new American oak with varying levels of char. The result is an incredible hybrid: soft, barley and vanilla-laden whisky that tastes somewhat like your standard Scottish single malt, but has its own unique character simultaneously. It’s the kind of whisky that you taste once and enjoy, but then the next day suddenly crave intensely. It impresses you instantly, yet doesn’t really reveal its full character until weeks later. The new oak blurs seamlessly into the malty mouthfeel, adding a richness on the finish normally not tasted in standard Scottish selections. Cut Spike is a major accomplishment for American distillation, pure and simple. – David Driscoll, K&L

Joe Manekin | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: August 15, 2014

Here is our latest entrant in American craft whiskey, a very tasty, skillfully made whiskey from Nebraska. Nebraska? Yes, Nebraska! As mentioned earlier, this is stylistically a Bourbon-meets Sherry-barrel-aged Single Malt. Lovely richness, lots of sweetness and spice from new American oak barrels, but most importantly, the balance, drinkability and elegance of a well made single malt Scotch. These folks clearly studied how things are done in Scotland, and it shows. Very cool new whiskey that is well worth a try!

Gary Westby | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: August 15, 2014

This rich, layered whisky shows just how good young craft malt can be. I am not a believer in paying a high price for young stuff just because it comes from a small hands-on distillery. It has to be in the bottle, and the Cut Spike has the stuffing to justify the price. It is rich and textural without being over the top, and has layers of complexity that caught me by surprise. If you are interested in seeing how good a new distiller can be, check it out!

Shaun Green | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: August 14, 2014

Fantastic! This didn’t really take too long to grow on me, I was hooked at the first waft of the wonderful vanilla and malty aromatics. Long and rich with a great touch of sweetness–who knew the Nebraskans had been hiding this gem? It’s definitely Scotch-like, but with a wonderful, smooth, rich twist that more than hints at its American roots.

David Driscoll | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: August 14, 2014

When the guys from Cut Spike first sent us the sample of their whiskey, they said, “Take your time with it. It grows on you.” I would pass that advise along to any K&L customer who buys a bottle. The first time you taste the Cut Spike single malt you’ll likely say, “That’s pretty good.” It’s later, however, that you start to really fall in love with the flavors. The new oak adds a dimension that’s somewhat between Scottish single malt and Bourbon, but the finish is so rich and integrated that it does indeed remind you of something like Glenmorangie. Personally, I think the Cut Spike whiskey is tremendous, but I can imagine others not being nearly as enthused. It ultimately will come down to personal interest and preference, but I love knowing this whiskey was made 100% in the USA with Scottish techniques and a little American new oak char. That makes it all taste better in my glass.

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

Hankey Bannister Original Blend 40% | 70cl

A popular Scottish blend it is said to be over 250 years old. Hankey Bannister is a popular export whisky.

Tasting Notes

Nose: A light aroma with a spiciness which gives extra depth.

Colour: Creamy toffee with a golden hue.

Taste: A light, subtle blend, clean, sweet and spicy with honeyed tones and a pleasant lasting finish.

Tasting notes by Hankey Bannister.

Price: £15.83 ex VAT
£19.00 inc VAT

Hankey Bannister 12 Year Old Regency Blend 40% | 70cl

Tasting Notes.

Nose: Slightly sweet aroma with hints of vanilla and oak.

Colour: Golden amber with reddish highlights.

Taste: Medium bodied, well-balanced with sweet soft vanilla and a slightly smoky finish.

Tasting notes by Hankey Bannister.

Price: £20.83 ex VAT
£25.00 inc VAT

Longmorn 1992 21 Year Old Dimensions Cask 71740 53.0% | 70cl
Distilled May 1992

Bottled May 2014

One of 272 bottles.

Released in small batches, these unique expressions from renowned and lesser known distilleries offer a comprehensive overview of Duncan Taylor’s award winning portfolio. Neither chill filtered nor coloured, only the finest whiskies are selected for inclusion in the Dimensions Collection, ensuring that each release represents the true multi-dimensional character of the distillery and delivers the company ethos: Whisky Without Compromise.

Established in 1938, Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky Limited are specialist independent whisky merchants who hold one of the world’s largest private collections of vintage single malt and single grain Scotch whiskies. Using only the finest oak casks, Duncan Taylor lays down whiskies that are only bottled upon meeting rigorous standards of quality, ensuring optimum dimensions of character and flavour for the whisky enthusiast.

The balance of craftsmanship and attention to detail that is central to Duncan Taylor’s award winning reputation is evident in complexity and depth of each release in the Dimensions Collection.

Price: £104.17 ex VAT
£125.00 inc VAT

Macallan 1951 / 50 Year Old

Fine & Rare 

An incredible 1951 vintage release from The Macallan Distillery, bottled as part of their Fine & Rare Series. Sherry butts #1541 and #1542 were filled back on the 20th December 1951 and left to slumber in the same warehouse for 50 long years. Interestingly, the strength of the whisky was almost identical in each cask just before bottling in 2001, 49.4% and 49.9% respectively.

 632 bottles were filled at natural cask strength, 48.8% vol. 

A very rare gem indeed. 

£7,775.00

(£6,479.17 ex vat) 

Click here to purchase Macallan 1951 / 50 Year Old