Malt Messenger Bulletin

Even More New Tastings, a Few New Products & Even More Deals!

We are just over a week out from the annual KWM Year-End Inventory Sale. The shop will be closed on Monday, February 1 so we can count what is left in the store. We hold a sale every year on the weekend before to reduce what needs to be counted… But while the Year-End Inventory Sale is a week away, we have some deals on now!

We added 21 whiskies to the list of Sale Items this morning, with savings of between 20 and 30%. Some highlights include the Tamdhu 15 Year, Aberfeldy 21 Year, Bowmore 18 Year and the Craigellachie 13 Year, which is a steal at $56 (after a 30% discount).

We have also just opened up two new Virtual Whisky Tastings: A Very Belated Ardbeg Day with Bryan Simpson and the Cadenhead Original Collection with Cameron McGeachy. The sample sets for both tastings are poured and ready to go. Bryan will be joining us live from his home in Toronto, while Cameron will be joining us live from Campbeltown, on Scotland’s Kyntire Penninsula.

Connal Mackenzie, Sales Director for Adelphi and the Ardnamurchan Distillery, joined us live for a virtual tasting this past Saturday. I’ve been to the distillery, one of the most remote in Scotland, a few times over the last 5-6 years, and have been eagerly awaiting the first release of whisky. It did not disappoint. We have a bit of the very first whisky release, Ardnamurchan AD 09.20:01, available for sale. Limit 1 bottle per customer.

There are also some new Bourbons from Smooth Ambler, four different single barrels of Old Scout Bourbon. The Barrels have been bottled with proceeds from the sale of each bottle going to one of two charities supporting out of work hospitality workers: The Bartenders Benevolent Fund and the CPBA – or Canadian Professional Bartenders Association.

There are also some new whiskies from the High Coast Distillery in Sweden. We’ve actually had whisky from the distillery before, which used to trade under the name BOX. The BOX whiskies were good, but 500ml bottles and very expensive. The new range is all 700mls, and the prices are a lot better. The whiskies are also getting good reviews, and I can’t wait to try them.

I’ve also left our newest whisky and rum arrivals from Cadenheads, which were in the last Malt Messenger, up for browsing. They are a great value, and I thought they might tempt you to join us for Cameron’s tasting!

Finally, don’t forget to stay tuned for the Year-End Inventory Sale announcement, in about a week’s time.

As always, please let me know if you have any comments, questions or requests. In the event of a discrepancy in price, the Point of Sale at KWM will be taken as correct.

Sincerely,

Andrew Ferguson

Kensington Wine Market

In this Edition

1. New Virtual Whisky Tastings

2. Other Up-Coming Virtual Whisky Tastings

3. Introducing: The Ardnamurchan Single Malt AD 09.20.01

4. Introducing: High Coast Whisky from Sweden

5. New Single Barrel Bourbons in Support of Bar Tenders

6. New Whiskies from Cadenhead.

7. On Sale Before the Big Sale

NEW VIRTUAL WHISKY TASTINGS

We are just getting started with the virtual tastings, and we will continue to add tastings to the lineup over the weeks and months ahead.

·     A Zoom link for each of the tastings will be emailed 12-48 hours prior to the tasting.

·     A pick-up date for the samples is indicated for each tasting!

·     Tasting samples can be delivered in Calgary city-limits for a $10 fee, which will be waived for orders over $100.

A Very Belated Ardbeg Day Tasting w/ Bryan Simpson

·     Date: January 28, 2021 @ 7PM

·     Cost: $40.00

·     Pick-up Date: Available Now

We’ve been hanging on to some rare bottles of Ardbeg for a special occasion, and this is it. Not surprisingly, we had to put a pin in our Ardbeg Day celebrations this year, but we looked at that as more of a postponement than a cancellation. So, here we go with our first ever Ardbeg Day in January… Bryan Simpson, Ardbeg brand ambassador for Canada will be your host as we sample through a range of 8 Ardbegs (15ml pours), including: An Oa, 10 Year, Wee Beastie, Traigh Bahn 19 Year Batch 2, Supernova 2019, Drum Committee Edition, Blaaack and Blaaack Committee Edition. This is the most epic Ardbeg tasting we’ve had in a “wee” while, and you won’t want to miss it. Each participant will receive 8x 15ml samples and an Ardbeg tasting glass. Thursday, January 28th @7PM

*LIMIT 1 TASTING REGISTRATION PER CUSTOMER!

Cadenhead Original Collection w/ Cameron McGeachy

·     Date: January 28, 2021 @ 5PM

·     Cost: $40.00

·     Pick-up Date: Available Now

Our friend Cameron McGeachy, WM Cadenhead’s Sales Manager, will join us live from Campbeltown, Scotland, as we virtually taste our through the latest Cadenhead whiskies to reach Canada. Cadenhead’s is not only Scotland’s oldest independent bottler, but it is also one of our favourites here at KWM. We’ll be sampling whiskies from Caol Ila, Deanston, Dufftown, Glenrothes, Strathclyde, Tomatin & Tullibardine. The tasting includes 7x 15ml samples.

OTHER UP-COMING

VIRTUAL WHISKY TASTINGS

KWM Casks Recap Tasting

·     Date: January 22, 2021 @ 8PM

·     Cost: $55.00

·     Pick-up Date: Available Now

·     Only 10 Spots Left!

We’ve launched some pretty cool single cask whiskies over the course of the last 9 months. In normal times we would have put them into a tasting or two, but we are not in normal times. Thankfully, the AGLC has changed the rules and is allowing us to pour samples for the purpose of virtual tastings, so we’re going to recap 7 of the great KWM exclusive whiskies we’ve launched in 2020. The tasting will consist of 7 20ml samples including our new Glenfarclas 25 Year KWM “Ferg Hommage” bottling, our 12-Year-old Kilchoman and the two new Whisky Agency mystery Speyside whiskies. 8 PM Friday, January 22

Dumangin Whisky with Gilles Dumangin

·     Date: January 23, 2021 7PM

·     Cost: $50.00

·     Pick-up Date: Available Now!

·     Only 6 Spots Left!.

Gilles Dumangin is best known for his fabulous Champagnes and his award-winning Ratafia Champenois (a fortified wine). But Gilles also loves whisky, and he’s been a busy chap… Gilles sourced whisky from a number of distilleries around the World, and then finished it, in Champagne, in his own Ratafia seasoned casks. We think he’s on to something… We’re are thrilled to have Gilles join us live from France for a virtual tasting of six of his whiskies, as well as his Ratafia. This tasting includes 6x20ml samples of the whiskies and a 50ml of the Ratafia Champenois. 7 PM Saturday, January 23.

Boutique-y Whisky Roulette Double Header with Dave Worthington

·     Dates: February 13, 2021 5PM & February 27, 2021 5PM

·     Cost: $160.00 (2 Tastings & 7 Whiskies)

·     Pick-up Date: Available Now!

·     Only 12 Spots Left!

The boys are back with another Boutique-y Double Header tasting. This time we will be tackling the “Boutique-y Greatest Hits Collection Vol. 1” in a virtual trans-Atlantic game of spin the bottles (the Greatest Hits Collection Spins). The tasting will take part over 2 nights, Saturday, February 13, 5 PM MT and Saturday, February 27, 5 PM MT. On each night we will sample 5 of the 10 50ml bottles in the Greatest Hits Collection, selected at random. Call it Whisky Roulette or Spin the Bottle… We will also sample two bonus drams each night, 28ml samples filled by KWM of 4 other Boutique-y whiskies. Dave Worthington will be our guide, and with a little luck, Sam Simmons will crash the party. 5 PM Saturday, February 13 & 5 PM Saturday, February 27..

INTRODUCING: THE ARDNAMURCHAN SINGLE MALT – AD 19.20.01

Of the dozens of new distilleries in Scotland, one of the ones I’m most excited about is Ardnamurchan. This western Highland Distillery is one of the most remote in Scotland, but the drive, not one for the faint of heart, is one of my favourites in Scotland. The setting is spectacular, located on the remote and rugged Ardnamurchan Peninsula. I’ve made the pilgrimage there at least twice, possibly three times, it is hard to be sure.

The driving force behind the distillery, is Managing Director Alex Bruce. Alex is better known for the Adelphi Selection independent bottlings. The Ardnamurchan Distillery and Adelphi Selection brands are owned by parent company Adelphi. Jim Swan consulted on the project, and while Alex didn’t want to produce the archetypal “Jim Swan” spirit, Alex did opt for longer fermentations and slow distillations.

Building started in 2013, with the distillery and its warehouses carved into the hillside. It is a miracle they managed to get all their equipment down the single track road. The first spirit trickled off the stills in 2014, and it was the following year that I paid my first visit. I was impressed with the distillery, and also the spirit coming off the stills. The distillery’s releases of Ardnamurchan Spirit over the last few years did not disappoint.

Six years and change on from the first distillation, the distillery has 10,000 casks maturing, and the first release of proper Ardnamurchan Single Malt Scotch Whisky is here. We don’t have a lot, so we are limiting sales to 1 per person. The distillery produces both peated and unpeated spirit, and the first release is a 50/50 marriage of these styles. We sampled it on Saturday, during our Ardnamurchan Virtual Tasting with Connal Mackenzie. It was a hit.

Ardnamurchan Single Malt AD/09.02.01 (Release 01) – 46.8% – 65% Ex Bourbon cask / 35% Sherry cask – 50/50 Split Peated & Unpeated – Producer Tasting Note: “Honeycomb, waxy peel, oyster shells, brine, strawberries with black pepper and bonfire embers.” – $105+gst Limit 1 per Customer

86pts Whisky Fun: Summary — Full Tasting note on our website: “Did anybody ever try to smoke gingerbread? The aftertaste is more on a classic citron/brine/smoke combo. Comments: this impressive young baby improves a lot with oxygen. Let them breathe! Can’t wait to try these when them too are eleven.

SGP:655 – 86 points.“

SINGLE BARREL BOURBONS IN SUPPORT OF BARTENDERS

Sovereign Wine & Spirits, the Canadian importer for Smooth Ambler and Old Scout Bourbons, have selected four different single barrels of Old Scout, $5 from each of these four bottlings benefitting two different charities: the Bartender’s Benevolent Fund and the CPBA – or Canadian Professional Bartenders Association.

KWM will also donate $5/bottle sold between now and the end of March to the respective charities!

1. Old Scout Bourbon BBF1 – 56.4% – 5 Year – $98.99

2. Old Scout Bourbon BBF2 – 58.4% – 5 Year – $98.99

3. Old Scout Bourbon CFBA#1 – 58.1% – 5 Year – $98.99

4. Old Scout Bourbon CFBA#2 – 57.3% – 5 Year – $98.99

INTRODUCING: HIGH COAST WHISKY

We’ve actually seen these whiskies before, under the brand name BOX. They were good, if a little pricey given they were 500mls and rather young. Rebranded High Coast, the distillery opened in 2010 in 19th Century buildings. One of the most northerly distilleries in the World, the artic circle passes through the distillery.The distillery has a long fermentation, 72-96 hours, leading to a fruitier profile. It also has some of the coldest cooling water in the world, ranging from 2-6C. The distillery uses both peated and unpeated malt. The following 4 releases have just arrived, and will begin trickling in to the store this week:

1. High Coast ÄLV – 46% – 6 Years – ex-Bourbon – Unpeated – Producer Description: “Älv is the Swedish word for River. Outside our front door runs the beautiful river Ångermanälven, the heart of the High Coast region and essential to our distillery. We are able to make such elegant whisky thanks to the naturally cold, crystal clear water sourced from the river. Älv — a well-balanced soft single malt with vanilla tones. Älv is our most elegant whisky.” – Producer Tasting Note: “Aroma: Vanilla, Coconut, Sponge cake. Palate: Sweet vanilla, Mature pear, Apple. Finish: Long sweet vanilla notes.” – $96

2. High Coast BERG – 50% – PX Sherry Casks – Producer Description: “BERG – is a sherry matured whisky which has the same natural colour as the Nordingrå granite which can be seen protruding the dramatic landscape of the High Coast. The casks have previously held the flavoursome Pedro Ximénez sherry.” – Producer Tasting Note: “Aroma: Sultanas, gooseberry, honey, dark chocolate. Palate: Long and fruity with a spicy aftertaste. Finish: Rich dates and balanced honeyed sweetness.” – $105

3. High Coast Hav – 48% – 5 Years – Bourbon, Sweedish Oak & Hungarian Oak – 76,82% unpeated whisky and 23,18% of peated whisky – Producer Description: “Hav is the Swedish word for Sea. In the majestic landscape of a world heritage site, High Coast Distillery sits where the beautiful river Ångermanälven merges into the sea. Here, the river is just about to reach the coast and slowly disappear out into the world, just like our single malt whisky. The message Hav brings to the world is an expression of oak, with a touch of spice and a little northern hardiness.” – Producer Tasting Note: “Aroma: Fruity, Spicy, Cloves, Light Peat Reek, Nutmeg. Palate: Well balanced, Fruity, Spicy, Peat aroma. Finish: Oak, Cloves, Vanilla.” – $96

·     High Coast Timmer – 48% – 6 Years – Producer Description: “Peated single malt whisky matured in first fill Bourbon barrels. Timmer is our peated whisky, our humble tribute to the men and women who once lived and worked here. Those who risked their lives fighting icy cold waters as they steered the heavy logs downstream and kept warm by burning fires under the pale moon light.” – Producer Tasting Note: “Aroma: Peat, Vanilla. Palate: Campfire smoke, Rich Vanillia Sweetness. Finish: Citrus, Ash.” – $96

NEW WHISKIES FROM CADENHEAD

Cadenhead has put a pin in the Small Batch range and instead put out what they are calling the Original Collection at 46%. Our understanding is this was to stretch the amount of stock they could supplier retailers like us with. Here’s what’s coming!

1. Cadenhead Caol Ila 12 Year – 46% – Bourbon – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Faint candle smoke, peppermint, toasted marshmallows. Palate: Stewed apples, vanilla yogurt, kiwi fruit. Finish: Burning coals, honey ham, salted caramel.” – $120 – Limit 1 per customer!

2. Cadenhead Deanston 10 Year – 46% – 80% Bourbon + 20% Madeira – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Apple skins, green tomatoes, stewed fruits. Flavour: Malty. Rye bread, freshly baked cake. Finish: Long finish with sour grape candy and ice gems.” – $94

3. Cadenhead Dufftown-Glenlivet 10 Year – 46% – Bourbon + PX Sherry – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Danish pastry, geraniums, toasted oats and caramelised brown sugar. Flavour: Raisin and rum ice cream, fruit loaf, sultanas. Finish: Slightly tannic, cigar boxes, rock salt.” – $100

4. Cadenhead Glenrothes-Glenlivet 23 Year – 46% – 60% Bourbon & 40% Sherry – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Apricots, dried mango, treacle, and banana chips. Palate: Green apples, Danish pastry, stewed rhubarb, and cherry yogurt. Finish: Mouth coating, subtle spice, ginger snaps, coffee liqueur.” – $225

5. Cadenhead Tomatin 12 Year – 46% – Bourbon – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Icing sugar, marzipan, Battenberg cake, strawberries. Flavour: Salted and sweet popcorn, lemon meringue pie, crystallised orange peel. Finish: Well balanced with cinnamon sugar and butter fudge.” – $108

6. Cadenhead Tullibardine 13 Year – 46% – Bourbon – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Freshly cut grass, digestive biscuits and lots of tropical fruits. Flavour: Candy floss, white chocolate, vanilla pods and creme brûlée. Finish: Oily. Faint pine notes, hard boiled sweets and hoppy.” – $108

7. Cadenhead Strathclyde 31 Year – 46% – Bourbon – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Vanilla ice cream, raisins, pecan pie, peach slices in syrup. Flavour: Dark chocolate orange, dense madeira cake, soft spiciness. Finish: Creamy. Pistachio ice cream, cashews and peanut butter.” – $208

ON SALE BEFORE THE BIG SALE

A lot of importers have dropped prices ahead of Burns Day, somewhat forcing our hand. So even though our Year End Sale is just a week away, we’ve got some new deals for you right now!!!

None of these whiskies will be discounted more during the Year-End Inventory Sale. So you can be assured you won’t save more by waiting…

New Sale Items:

1. Aberfeldy 16 Year – Was $110 SAVE 20% – Now $87.99

2. Aberfeldy 21 Year – Was $180 SAVE 20% – Now $143.99

3. anCnoc 2002 Vintage – Spanish and American Oak Casks- Was $120 SAVE 20% – Now $95.99

4. anCnoc Peat Heart – Was $95 SAVE 20% – Now $75.99

5. Bowmore 18 Year – 43% – Was $125 SAVE 20% – Now $99.99

6. Caol Ila 15 Year Unpeated – 59.1% ABV – American & European Oak – Was $190 SAVE 25% – Now $142.49

7. Caol Ila Stitchell Reserve – 59.6% ABV – Unpeated – American & European Oak – Was $185 SAVE 25% – Now $151.99

8. Craigellachie 13 Year – American Oak – Was $80 SAVE 30% – Now $55.99

9. Game of Thrones Mortlach 15 Year – Matured in Sherry Finished in Bourbon – Was $220 SAVE 25% – Now $164.99

10.  The Deveron 18 Year – Was $190 SAVE 20% – Now $151.99

11. Johnnie Walker Green Label – Blended Malt – Was $82 SAVE 20% – Now $65.59

12. Lagavulin 8 Year – Was $92 SAVE 20% – Now $73.59

13. Lagavulin Distillers Edition 2018 – Finished in PX Sherry – Was $175 SAVE 20% – Now $139.99

14.  Royal Brackla 16 Year – Matured ex-Bourbon Finished in Sherry – Was $174.99 SAVE 20% – Now $139.99

15. Royal Brackla 21 Year – Was $279.99 SAVE 20% – Now $223.99

16.  Talisker Distillers Edition – Finished in Amoroso Sherry Butts – Was $120 SAVE 20% – Now $89.99

17. Talisker Storm – Was $98 – SAVE 25% – Now $73.49

18. Talisker Port Ruighe – Finished in Port Casks – Was $120 SAVE 30% – Now $83.99

19. Tamdhu 12 Year – Sherry Cask Matured – Was $98 SAVE 20% – Now $78.39

20. Tamdhu 15 Year – Sherry Cask Matured – Was $140 SAVE 20% – Now $111.99

21.Teeling Single Malt – Matured in American Oak / Finished in Wine Casks (Sherry, Port, Madeira & more) – Was $92 SAVE 20% – Now $73.59

STAY HOME… WE’LL DELIVER!

We Are Offering Some Great Deals

&

Free City-Wide Delivery for Orders Over $100

FREE DELIVERY – We are offering free delivery for orders over $100 placed online or over the phone, and will do our best to deliver within 72 hours.

CURBSIDE PICKUP – Place an order, we’ll let you know when it is ready. Call us when you are out front or parked in the back lot and we’ll bring it out. Simple as that!

GIFTING – Want to send someone a care package? All gifting options are still available. Quarantined parents and closed schools qualify as a “wine emergency”. Gift cards are also available and can be used over the phone.

If you are able, please submit your order online. We will answer any questions you might have before finalizing and processing your order. You are not automatically billed when you submit your order.

www.kensingtonwinemarket.com

We will do our best to answer and process as many phone orders as we can. Call us at 403-283-8000.

COVID-19 Precautions at KWM

To protect our staff and customers we have implemented some policies!

Please do not enter the store if:

·     You have returned from Outside of Canada in the last 2 weeks, or you live with someone who has!

·     You are showing symptoms of COVID-19, or if you have been in close contact with someone diagnosed with or suspected to have contracted COVID-19.

If the above applies to you, please order online or by phone and we can deliver!

Precautions we are taking in-store:

·     All of our staff are wearing masks, and we’d appreciate if you would do so too!

·     We are only allowing 6 customers in the store at any given time.

·     We have hand sanitizer throughout the store for the use of customers and staff.

·     We kindly ask that you do not to pick up products unless you intend to purchase them.

·     We are frequently disinfecting commonly touched surfaces and high contact areas within the store.

·     We are also not accepting cash payment at this time.

·     Staff are frequently washing and disinfecting their hands.

·     We have cancelled all in-store tastings.

·     We are monitoring our staff for symptoms.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we all try to navigate this challenging time!

403-283-8000

888-283-9004

Store Hours

Sunday: 11am – 6pm

Mon – Wed: 10am – 8pm

Thu – Fri: 10am – 9pm

Sat: 10am – 8pm

*All Prices Quoted here are subject to change and do not include GST. In the case of pricing discrepancies, the price at our point of sale will be taken as correct.*

News on your new issue!

The latest edition of Whisky Magazine, issue #172, publishes this week, and is currently winging its way to your doorstep.

Our cover story brings together the best of British, with the story of Islay’s Bowmore whisky and the beloved Aston Martin coming together to create something truly unique. Chris White examines how the newest Black Bowmore came to be, and the circumstances surrounding this iconic partnership. While some may be surprised by an ancient Islay distillery and a luxury motor company joining forces, Chris explains how it might not be all that off-piste. One thing’s for sure: It seems the concept of ‘luxury whisky’ is changing once more…

We hope you enjoy this issue!

Let us know your thoughts on Twitter @Whisky_Magazine or Instagram @Whisky_Magazine, or on Facebook @WhiskyMagazine

Christopher Coates
Editor
Whisky Magazine

WHAT’S IN WHISKY MAGAZINE 172?

• • Justine Hazlehurst learns about the philosophy behind Ardnamurchan Distillery, and how these guiding principles have made the distillery what it is today
  • Mark Jennings shows that whiskey can still surprise us, with the (re)emergence of Irish peated
  • Independent Bottlers Challenge: All is revealed as we announce the winners of the 2020 IBC
  • Liza Weisstuch shows us what’s in store for Jack Daniel’s, as she talks to new master distiller Chris Fletcher
  • Plus 20 whiskies tasted this issue!Including AnCnoc, The Balvenie, Eternity, The Macallan, and more!
•  Remember, you can also purchase back issues from our amazing back catalogue! 
•  BUY TODAY

Scotch Whisky 

The Whisky Magazine Annual

Have you seen our new Scotch Whisky annual? Packed with interviews, distillery focus features and blind tasting reviews, Scotch Whisky turns the spotlight on distilleries old and new, large and small. Curated by Whisky Magazine’s editor, Christopher Coates, Scotch Whisky is a valuable addition to any whisky lover’s bookshelf.

• 132-page ‘bookazine’

• Available in print and digital editions

• Includes six in-depth interviews with the great and good of whisky

• Distillery features on Highland Park, GlenAllachie, Macallan, Rosebank, Raasay, Glenturret, and many more

• More than 100 blind tasting reviews of the latest whiskies
• Tasting notes and progress reports on unreleased spirits from some of Scotland’s newest distilleries

BUY NOW

Best wishes, The team at

AVAILABLE NOW – SAVE £75

Scotland’s Lowland region has been – and, indeed, still is – home to some of the whisky world’s best-loved drams and distilleries, including Rosebank and, more recently, the much-lauded Daftmill. It’s also the home to Glenkinchie – an underappreciated distillery, too-often overlooked in favour of its arguably more famous neighbours.

This 20-year-old, bottled as part of Diageo’s Special Releases and matured in American-oak casks, is packed with a perfect sunny-day’s-worth of soft floral and green, grassy notes, backed up by sweet summer fruits, plenty of punchy spice and clean vanilla flavours.

A crisp and clean dram, this 1990-vintage is both a great example of the famed Lowland style of single malts, and an excellent way to explore a distillery which is something of a hidden gem – all for a rather good price.

BUY GLENKINCHIE 1990

SHOP OLD & RARE WHISKIES

Happy New Year from all at the distillery! The weather in the far north is seasonally fresh – ideal conditions for whisky maturation – and the still house is sparkling after its winter deep-clean and equipment overhaul.

To get the year started with a bang, Wolfburn has just been awarded “Brand of the Year 2020” by the Whisky Committee. It’s a wonderful accolade, especially given some of the great whisky brands we came up against. We’ll be entering more whisky competitions during the year and keeping our fingers crossed for similarly positive results. Read more here.

Speaking of growing the brand, we’ve got several new releases planned for 2021, including Kylver#8 around Easter, a brace of Festival Specials in the spring/summer, and a small-batch release in the Autumn. Our core expressions of Northland, Aurora, Morven and Langskip are all benefiting from an extra year of maturity. The colour and depth of flavour continues to progress wonderfully well.

Thanks as always to our friends, fans and followers for your support. We’re looking forward to a ton of fun in the year ahead.

 Slàinte Mhath!

The Wolfburn Team

VALENTINE’S DAY RELEASE

We are today delighted to announce a new whisky, created specially for Valentine’s Day. Crafted from lightly-peated spirit and matured since 2015 in casks hand-selected by Iain, it’s a proper treat – and it will be available to buy from ~ SOLD OUT!

Ditton is one of London’s leading fine wine wholesalers. We pride ourselves in sourcing and selling extensive quantities of the world’s finest wine, champagne, and whisky. We are principally wholesalers, but we also sell to the general public and generally at wholesale prices. We deliver anywhere in the world, right to your doorstep.

 Buy Scotch Whisky Online today at the best price.

Bestselling Rare
Whiskies of 2020

Rare & Collectable Whiskies from 2020

Don’t miss out on these great bottles from 2020 including GlenAllachie, Cambus, Glen Scotia, Lagavulin and more!

TyndrumWhisky.com

Brings you a Kilchoman

Freebie!

We hoped to have this in one of our 12 days of Christmas offers and freebies, however, we didn’t get the glasses in time. They are here now, and with a wee reduction on the Cask Strength – with every bottle purchased, we’ll add in a free Kilchoman Glass. A limited edition Cask Strength Machir Bay released for the festive season in 2020. Free Glass is while stocks last.

Order Now >

 

Say it with an engraving

Whether you want to wish someone a happy birthday, celebrate a special anniversary or say thank you to a loved one, our bottle engraving service allows you to personalise selected bottles (including The Macallan, Oban, Loch Lomond and more) with a thoughtful, hand-engraved message.

Your recipient is guaranteed to love the personal touch, and they can keep the bottle long after the liquid is gone!

Engrave a Bottle ›

EMPIRE STATE DEVELOPMENT ANNOUNCES “RAISING THE BAR” RESTAURANT RECOVERY FUND 

More Than $3 Million in Grant Funding Available through Financial Support Led By Diageo North America and Supported By Coastal Pacific Wine & Spirits, and implemented by the National Development Council

Eligible Restaurants Can Receive up to $5,000 to Assist with COVID-19 Safety Measures

Empire State Development (ESD) today announced the more than $3 million “Raising the Bar” Restaurant Recovery Fund to assist restaurants in New York State during the COVID-19 pandemic. This grant funding has been made possible through financial donations led by Diageo North America and supported by Coastal Pacific Wine & Spirits (a division of Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits) and will be implemented by the non-profit National Development Council (NDC). The “Raising the Bar Restaurant Recovery Fund” will help eligible restaurants adjust their operations to the impacts of COVID-19 and adherence to New York State’s public health and safety measures during the winter months when outdoor dining is limited.

Empire State Development Acting Commissioner, and President & CEO-designate Eric Gertler said, “The restaurant industry has been among the hardest hit during the COVID-19 crisis and they have had to come up with many changes to keep their employees and patrons safe.  With the winter months here, we need to be able to help these establishments adapt during this critical time.”

“Raising the Bar” grant funding can be used for COVID-19-related improvements and equipment that will allow the business to comply with social distancing guidelines, expand take-out/delivery operations, or accommodate outdoor dining such as plexiglass barriers/partitions, signage promoting social distancing and hygiene protocols, heaters, heat lamps, weatherization upgrades and insulated delivery bags;  improvements that will allow the business to continue operating through the winter months such as filtration system upgrades and food heaters to maintain temperature for to-go orders and purchasing PPE and sanitation supplies necessitated by the pandemic; and COVID-19 related business improvements like patio heaters or contactless technology. Qualifying purchases and expenditures must be from September 1, 2020 onwards to be eligible. Initial round of grants are in the amount of up to $5,000.

Initial grant funding will be awarded based on the received applications and dispersed independently by NDC, an experienced national economic non-profit that has been in operation since 1969.

“Diageo is committed to supporting restaurant owners, particularly those in underrepresented communities, who have been disproportionately harmed by COVID-19,” said Debra Crew, President, Diageo North America. “We are honored to serve as a founding contributor of the ‘Raising the Bar’ Restaurant Recovery Fund, providing much needed relief to an important industry that serves as a vital part of the economic engine of local communities. We encourage other organizations and businesses that also call New York ‘home’ to join us in this endeavor to make the impact of the program even stronger.”

“The hospitality industry in New York needs help now more than ever and we are here for them like they’ve always been here for us,” commented Wayne E. Chaplin, Chief Executive Officer, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits. “The Raising the Bar Restaurant Recovery Fund provides an essential lifeline to restaurant owners so they can continue to operate safely, and stay afloat during this critical time. We are proud that our Coastal Pacific Wine & Spirits division is working with the State of New York, our valued supplier, Diageo, and the NDC to provide this much needed and urgent financial support.”

“At NDC, we are eager to get moving on this restaurant grant program,” said Dan Marsh, President of National Development Council. “Having worked on numerous loan and grant programs in New York and across the country, what we have seen is that smaller restaurants — especially minority and woman-owned establishments and those in hard-hit neighborhoods — are not getting the help they really need. A tailored grant program specific to this industry is critical.”

Eligible businesses consist of New York State restaurants that have no more than $3 million in 2019​ revenue ​and are engaged in providing food services and meals prepared on-premises to patrons who traditionally order and are served while seated, including certain on-premises food and drinking establishments licensed through the State Liquor Authority (SLA) and which need funding to adjust to COVID-related impacts and protocols. Establishments providing take out or grab and go food services due to COVID-19 restrictions are also eligible to receive the grant from NDC. Additionally, these establishments must have been in operation on or before March 1, 2019 and certify and demonstrate that they have experienced financial hardship due to COVID-19. ​All businesses must continue to comply with the New York Forward reopening guidance and Cluster Action Initiative guidance, as applicable. Restaurants can apply to the R​aising the Bar Restaurant Recovery Fund starting Monday, January 11, 2021. For more information visit the ESD website at https://esd.ny.gov/raising-bar-restaurant-recovery-fund.  Applications will begin to be accepted on Jan. 11, 2021.

About Empire State Development  

Empire State Development (ESD) is New York’s chief economic development agency. The mission of ESD is to promote a vigorous and growing economy, encourage the creation of new job and economic opportunities, increase revenues to the State and its municipalities, and achieve stable and diversified local economies. Through the use of loans, grants, tax credits and other forms of financial assistance, ESD strives to enhance private business investment and growth to spur job creation and support prosperous communities across New York State. ESD is also the primary administrative agency overseeing Governor Cuomo’s Regional Economic Development Councils and the marketing of “I LOVE NY,” the State’s iconic tourism brand. For more information on Regional Councils and Empire State Development, please visit www.regionalcouncils.ny.gov and www.esd.ny.gov.

About Diageo North America

Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands including Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, Bulleit and Buchanan’s whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Casamigos, Don Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness.

Diageo is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (LSE: DGE) and their products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world. For more information about Diageo, their people, brands, and performance, visit www.diageo.com. Visit Diageo’s global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com, for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice. Follow at Twitter and Instagram for news and information about Diageo North America: @Diageo_NA.

About Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits

Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits is the world’s pre-eminent distributor of beverage alcohol, and proud to be a multi-generational, family-owned company. The Company has operations in 44 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and Canada. Southern Glazer’s urges all retail customers and adult consumers to market, sell, serve, and enjoy its products responsibly. For more information visit www.southernglazers.com. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @sgwinespirits and on Facebook at Facebook.com/SouthernGlazers. 

About NDC

NDC is a national economic development nonprofit that directs capital and financial expertise to local communities, governments, and agencies. NDC supports the development and preservation of affordable housing; creates jobs through small business lending; advances livable communities with social infrastructure investment; and builds capacity through hands-on training and technical assistance in all areas of economic development. Founded in 1969, NDC continues to evolve and innovate to meet the needs of today’s challenges. Find us at ndconline.org @NatlDevCouncil