Malt Messenger No. 82 – The Last Full Malt Messenger of 2017;

It may not feel like it, but Winter is Coming, as is Christmas for that matter. Balmy though it may be out there, we are in fact in the holiday homestretch. There are, in the parlance, but 11 shopping days left until Christmas… Our promised Christmas music moratorium from the last Malt Messenger is over. We are now well into the month, and the speakers are crooning with Bing Crosby, Michael Bubble and yes even Mariah Carey. If you hear non Christmas themed music in the shop it is probably Evan’s fault so feel free to blame (or thank) him.

Lots of new whisky and other spirits to tell you about in the last Full Malt Messenger of 2017. First, an update on the Kensington Wine Market 2017 Whisky Advent Calendar. We did sell out in late November, however, we actually held 2 back in case of a clerical error. So, we have 2 Whisky Advent calendars available, first come, first serve, for $375+gst. I would suggest calling, 403-283-8000 if you would like one of them, rather than ordering online or wandering into the shop. If you haven’t been following along, we have been posting about the Kensington Wine Market 2017 Whisky Advent whiskies every day of advent on our blog.  

I also have an update on the 2018 MS Calgary Whisky Festival. We are just a little over 5 weeks away from the 7th Annual event. Last year’s Festival raised $50,000.00 for the MS Society. This years event is close to 60% sold. It will feature more than 200 whiskies. More details below.

Stuck for a great gift idea? We have been given a very good deal to clear out the inventory of the Mackinlay’s The Journey, Shackleton Whisky 2nd Edition, and we are passing it on to our customers. The whisky, which originally sold for $205 is available for $150 while supplies last. We bought the last 168 bottles, and in just a few days more than 100 of them have already sold! Lots more details and a link to some videos below.

The staff have been impatiently waiting for our latest Kilchoman cask, which finally arrived at the distillery this past Friday. The Kilchoman 2007 KWM 25th Anniversary Cask is our 6th from the small island distillery. It is not only the oldest Kilchoman we’ve ever bottled, but at 10 years of age, it is also the oldest Kilchoman to ever be sold in Canada! It is so savoury and lush. This is the mature Kilchoman that we all knew would emerge someday, and it would seem the future is now! More details below.

Yesterday we received what we expect will be our final exclusive cask of 2017, the Cadenhead Dailuaine 2004 KWM Cask. This 12 year old is just our 2nd ever exclusive cask from Cadenhead, Scotland’s oldest independent bottler, and our first ever exclusive single cask of Dailuaine. It is very fresh, creamy and floral. More details below.

Looking for a quick and easy whisky gift? We have put together the 2017 KWM Wee Whisky Gift Boxes. These ready to gift boxes include a Glencairn glass, and a selection of 50ml whiskies. The 4 bottle box is $45, and a savings of $13. The 8 bottle box is $90 and a savings of $20. More details below.

On the new whiskies front we have a new limited edition Springbank, the Springbank 14 Year Bourbon Wood. There are also two new limited edition Kilchomans: the Kilchoman 2009 Vintage and Red Wine Cask Matured (limit 1 per customer). We are also expecting tomorrow a new vintage of the Gordon Macphail Distillery Label Imperial, 1997.

If you are looking to spend some big bucks, there is a serious new Ardbeg available. The Ardbeg 1815 is the other 200th Anniversary Ardbeg release, a grand total of 400 bottles of which were released in 2015. For the first two years it was exclusive distillery visitor center, it has just been released to us. There is also a very limited 39 year old Benromach 1977 Heritage single cask release. Fewer bottles of each whisky have come to Alberta, than fingers on a single hand. More details below.

There are also new whiskies from Edradour, the Ballechin, Orphan Barrel and Glenmorangie. Lots to digest.

It has I hope you enjoy this full 82nd edition of the Malt Messenger.

Sláinte!

In This Edition

1. Special Offer: Mackinlay’s The Journey (AKA Shackleton Whisky Vol. 2)
2. Introducing Our 1st 10 Year KWM Exclusive Kilchoman Cask
3. Introducing Our Cadenhead Dailuaine 2004 KWM Cask
4. Introducing Our 2nd KWM / Last Best Collaboration Gin
5. Wee Whisky Christmas Gift Boxes
6. SAVE 25% on These 2 KWM 25th Anniversary Favourites!
7. Introducing Springbank Bourbon 14 Year
8. Two New Limited Kilchomans
9. Introducing Gordon Macphail Distillery Label Imperail 1997
10. Introducing: Ardbeg 1815
11. Introducing: Benromach Heritage 1977
12. Two Massive New Edradours
13. Introducing: The Orphan Barrel Entrapment 25 Year
14. Glenmorangie Bacalta is Here!
15. Calgary MS Festival Update

Andrew Ferguson

Kensington Wine Market

PS – Don’t forget you can follow me on Twitter:

@scotch_guy, Instagram: @thescotch_guy/

or @kwmwhisky and Facebook: facebook.com/scotch.guy.1

Special Offer: Mackinlay’s “The Journey” AKA The Shackleton Whisky Vol 2 

SAVE Over 25% on the Original Retail Price 

We have been offered a substantial discount to move the last of this whisky. Orginally priced at $205 it is now $150! 

This is the second batch of the Mackinlay’s Rare Old, also known as the Shackleton Whisky. The original release was exclusive Kensington and one of our best ever selling whiskies. The whisky is a replica of the one Shackleton’s 1907 expedition took to Antarctic. The expedition abandoned some of their whisky under their hut, where it remained undiscovered until 2007.

Three crates of whisky had to be abandoned to the Antarctic winter in 1907. They were discovered a few short years ago, and two of the bottles were given to Whyte and MacKay, owners of the rights to the MacKinlays brand. Their master blender Richard Patterson, known as “nose” – has painstakingly recreated the whiskies by blending together a number of Highland whiskies.

Mackinlay’s “The Journey” – 47.1% – Distiller’s Tasting Note: “Nose: Soft, elegant and refined. Delicate crushed apple, pear and fresh pineapple. Notes of oak shavings and smoke. Hints of vanilla, creamy caramel and nutmeg. Palate: Plenty of impact on the palate; a tantalising array of flavours,harmonious and exhilarating.” – $150

About the Packaging: Box: A unique, stand-out hexagonal “shipping case” with an open “see me” window on the front panel. The raffia-encasing of the product is reminiscent of the original straw-bound bottles discovered in the Antartic. A holographic badge issues authenticity.

The Bottle: A painstaking process was followed to ensure all bubbles and imperfections in the original were replicated. In effect, the glass manufacturer turned off all the modern-day quality controls.

Label Set: All lettering was meticulously drawn by hand to ensure a perfect match to the original. Paperstocks were selected to perform as the original stocks of over a century ago.

Order a bottle here!

 

Introducing Out 1st 10 Year KWM Exclusive Kilchoman Cask 

The First 10 Year Kilchoman to be Sold in Canada! 

Our first exclusive 10-year-old single cask of Kilchoman whisky. It is also the first 10 Year Old Kilchoman to be sold in Canada! Bottled at 56.6% after maturing in an Ex-Bourbon barrel. There are just 212 bottles. This is our 6th exclusive cask from Kilchoman, selected by the whisky team at KWM and bottled to mark our 25th Anniversary!

Kilchoman 2007 KWM 25th Anniversary 10 Year – 56.6% – Ex-Bourbon Barrel – My Tasting Note: “Nose: creamy, decadent and briny with a whiff of smoke from the coals of a smouldering beach fire; classic Kilchoman fresh lemon, goat cheese and Old English Butterscotch; smoked mussels and pan seared scallops. Palate: big, sweet, oily and malty; sweet vanilla and butterscotch morph into tendrils of vanilla, chewy malt and tarry-medicinal-peat; more lemon and goat cheese, firm toasted oak, fennel and Dutch licorice; underneath it all a thick layer of ripe orchard fruits. Finish: bold, long and rich yet smooth and so so salty: more Dutch licorice, juicy malt and tarry-peat; the smouldering beach fire returns with some sweet vanilla, lemon and orchard fruit. Comment: we are honoured that Anthony Wills was willing to share one of these precious early vintage Kilchomans will us; bottled just days past its 10th birthday!” – $200

 

Introducing Cadenhead Deanston 2004 KWM Cask 

Our second ever exclusive cask from Cadenhead, and our first ever Deanston! 

Our 1st ever KWM exclusive single cask of Dailuaine, and our 2nd cask from WM Cadenhead. The whisky has been bottled at 55.9% after maturing 12 year in a very active Refill Hogshead. This whisky was featured on Day 1 of our 2017 Whisky Advent Calendar.

Cadenhead Dailuaine 2004 KWM Cask – 55.9% – 12 Year – Bourbon Hogshead – My Tasting Note:  “Nose: soft fruity and cream; waxy with loads of white chocolate, fresh cut flowers and glazed croissants; notes of melon and apricot with Marcona almonds and a touch of white pepper. Palate: round, creamy and fruity with a hint of salt and building spice; very lush and rich for a refill Hogshead at this age; juicy malt, more melon and apricots, glazed croissants and poached pear with a dab of blue cheese; loads of white chocolate, almonds, honey and toasted oak. Finish: long, fruity and floral with loads of white chocolate, toasted oak spice, fading soft fruits and salt. Comment: this is a rare example of a cask we bottled from a single sample… I think the lads at Cadenhead knew we were going to love it; they were not wrong!” – $120

Wee Whisky Christmas Gift Boxes

A Ready to Go Whisky Gift at Two Price Points 

For the third year in a row we have put together a pair of Wee Whisky gift boxes. Both include a KWM Glencairn Glass and either 4 or 8 50ml whiskies. The Small Wee Whisky Gift Box, with 4 bottles, sells for $45 (a savings of $3), and the Large Wee Whisky Gift Box, with 8 bottles, sells for $90 (a savings of $20).

1. Wee Whisky Gift Box Small – $45
2. Wee Whisky Gift Box Large – $90

*Please note, not suitable for shipping.

 

SAVE On These Two KWM 25th Anniversary Favourites 

Save 25% on our 25th Anniversary Tawny Port and 25 Year Berry’s Blend 

We have two KWM 25th Anniversary Exclusives on special until Christmas, our 20 Year Tawny Port and our Berry’s 25 Year Blend.

1.  Berry’s 25 Year KWM Single Barrel Blend – 46% – Our first exclusive cask of Blended Scotch Whisky, bottled for our 25th Anniversary. Andrew sampled 6 different single casks of 25 year old Blended Scotch Whisky in May of 2016. The whiskies had been blended, put back into barrels to marry, and then forgotten. Andrew selected cask number 46572 to be bottled exclusively for KWM, as a 25th Anniversary bottling. The whisky was acquired by Berry Bros. & Rudd in barrel, and is a mystery. Bottled at 46%. Just 222 bottles. – My Tasting Note: Nose: beeswax, creamy vanilla, white fruits and floral rose petals; marcona almonds, juicy citrus, honeydew melon and Jujubes; silky, soft and smooth. Palate: very silky, creamy and fruity, decadent and rich; then the spices roll in like a wave boldly but evenly breaking all the way down a beach; more Jujubes, tropical fruits, creamy vanilla, beeswax and creamed heather honey; still nutty with bright juicy orange, floral tones, marcona almonds and more honeydew melon; lovely mouthfeel. Finish: long, coating, creamy, decadent and spicy; lush, floral and creamy with fading fruits and decadent tones. Comment: a stunningly beautiful blend, layered, tropical and fruity; a very fitting 25th Anniversary bottling for our shop, but don’t take our word for it, pop in for a taste!” – Regular $200 – Now $150 (Until Christmas)
2. KWM 25th Anniversary 20 Year Tawny Port – 20% – Andrew blended this tawny port with the help of the experts at Taylor Fladgate to be bottled for our 25th Anniversary. his 20 Year Tawny 25th Anniversary celebration Port comes from Taylor Fladgate’s cellars in Vila Nova di Gaia.  The blend was created especially for KWM and the average age of the tawny in the blend is 20 years old.  Approved by the Port Wine Institute, as all things Port must be, we are just tickled port to be able to offer this special bottle to all of our loyal customers. The color is bright and lively amber showing characteristic brown caramel tones on heh rim. The nose offers dry white raisins and stewed prunes with brandied cherries and dark chocolate. The taste is lovely and subtle, good acidity, some nice walnut hues, and picks up on the Christmas cake spice theme. – Regular $70 – Now $52.50 (Until Christmas)

 

Introducing the Springbank 14 Year Bourbon Wood 

Only 9000 Bottles Released with a Tiny Fraction of that  for Alberta 

A new Bourbon matured limited edition release of Springbank. Bottled at 55.8%. 9000 bottles released Worldwide!

Springbank 14 Year Bourbon Wood – 55.8% – Matured in Ex-Bourbon – Distiller’s Tasting Note: “Nose: This unique Campbeltown Malt starts off with cream, vanilla extract and yogurt. Salted popcorn, toffee and marshmallows follow the ever present creaminess. American cream soda, sugar doughnuts, with a heathery influence. Palate: Yogurt and thick cream continue from the nose with an introduction of honey, syrup and liquorice. Gentle notes and sweet apples, almonds and dried bananas. A light dusting of icing sugar and lemon zest. Finish: A touch of smoke and dry peat builds with a gentle sea breeze from Campbeltown Loch. Briny and light mineral flavours complete this excellent dram.” – $122

 

Two New Limited Edition Kilchomans 

Available in Very Limited Quantities 

The two latest limited editions from the tiny Islay distillery of Kilchoman are here. The first, a 2009 vintage of Kilchoman is only the 4th released in recent years, beginning with the 2006. Unlikely the previous vintages it is not a true 2009 vintage as a few older casks from 2008 were also added to give greater depth! Most of the whisky is from first fill and refill Ex-Bourbon, with three Oloroso Sherry Butts also used. 46%. The other is the latest Kilchoman wine cask release, this one from a parcel of Portugese red wine casks. Only 90 of the 7000 bottles released are coming to Alberta!

1.  Kilchoman Red Wine – 50% – Matured in Red Wine Casks – Distiller’s Tasting Note: Nose: Buttery and creamy with peat smoke lingering in the background. Palate: Sweet and rounded with bitter chocolate, licorice and integrated peat smoke. Finish: Clean and sweet with a rich texture and long finish. – $140 – 1 per customer!
2. Kilchoman 2009 – 46% – Ex-Bourbon & Sherry – Distiller’s Tasting Note: “Nose: lemon, citrus and butterscotch notes are prominent with soft peaty aromas in the background. Palate: soft sweetness first and peat smoke and ripe fruit notes following. Finish: long, clean and sweet with peat smoke and soft fruits at the end.” – $118

 

 

Introducing: Gordon Macphail Distillery Label Imperial 1997  

Is Imperial the next closed distillery to suffer Whiskyflation?! 

Imperial is likely to be the next closed distillery whisky to fall victim to out of control Whiskyflation. I am by the way claiming credit for that word… Imperial was closed in 1998 and demolished in 2013 after it was discovered the distillery was not in good enough condition to reopen. The very modern “green distillery” Dalmunach was built in its place!

Gordon Macphail Imperial 1997 – 43% – First Fill & Refill Sherry – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose without Water Sweet Sherry influences with vanilla, red apple, and dried fruit aromas. Plum and chopped walnut notes develop lifted by a touch of lemon peel. Palate without Water Sweet initially followed by cracked black pepper, orange, and hints of chocolate. Liquorice undertones mingle with charred oak on the finish. Nose with Water Aromas of prunes in syrup, raspberry, and cocoa powder combine with brown sugar. A subtle crystallised rose petal note is detected. Palate with Water Sweet and creamy with hints of cinnamon spice, dried cherry, and orange flavours mingle with chocolate on the tongue. A subtle hint of leather leads to oak on the finish. Body Medium. Finish Long and fruity with lingering spice.” – $275

 

Introducing: Ardbeg 1815 

The Other 200th Anniversary Ardbeg Bottling 

It has taken more than 2 years to find their way to Canada, but the Ardbeg 1815 is finally here. KWM has access to just 2 bottles. This whisky was released on Ardbeg Day 2015 to mark the distillery’s 200th Anniversary. Unlike the Perpetuum which was a global release, the 400 bottles produced of the Ardbeg 1815 were initially only available at the distillery. When I asked how many had come to Canada, I was told: “Less than a handful!” by the importer. Details on the whisky are somewhat scarce. It was bottled at 33 years of age and 50.1% after maturing in Ex-Bourbon and Ex-Sherry. The whiskies were distilled in 1974 and 1975 and spent 8 years “marrying” in glass vessels to preserve the spirit.

About the Whisky (From the Producer): “Created from two parcels of stock laid down in during a period when Ardbeg was saved twice from oblivion – the diverse aromas and tastes of Ardbeg 1815 perfectly encapsulate the single malt’s irreplaceable island spirit. A few years after these whisky parcels were distilled, the Distillery entered the most turbulent period in its history closing between 1981-1989.  Ardbeg closed it’s door again in 1996, perhaps forever.  Thankfully, a small number of casks were saved by those who prized the spirit and believed Ardbeg would be resurrected, which it was in 1997. In 2008 the precious whisky held within these casks once again required protection, as Dr Bill Lumsden identified that the casks ‘had reached their best’ and rather than sacrifice the whisky to the angels or to other effects of age, bottled the liquid to preserve its perfection, decanting by hand so not a drop was lost. The whisky has been held at the Distillery ever since, awaiting an occasion worthy of its release.”

Ardbeg 1815 – 50.1% – Matured in Ex-Bourbon 1975 and Ex-Sherry 1975 – Distiller’s Tasting Note: “Nose: A beautiful fragrance of sweet wood smoke to start with, interwoven with a pungent aroma  reminiscent of rum and raisin ice cream. Then comes an array of scents from the bakery, croissants, brioche and freshly baked bread. Befitting a whisky of this vintage, rich notes and dark chocolate truffle are encountered, along with black cherry and aniseed. Taste: A texture which is creamy and smooth carries into a breath-taking spectrum of flavours, jasmine and Lapsang Souchong teas, abundant sweet toffee notes, a cornucopia of spices (cinnamon, star anise, pepper & mixed spice) and juicy ripe Seville oranges. The smoke is almost unbelievably well integrated, persisting through the sumptuous taste experience, yet never overpowering the other myriad and complex flavours. Finish: Long, with an abundance of raisins and dates. A finish as sweet as the memories it leaves behind.” – $8000

 

Introducing Benromach 1977 Heritage 

Only 3 Bottles Coming to Alberta 

Only 3 bottles are coming to Alberta of this limited edition 39 year old whisky! Distilled in 1977 the whisky was matured in a single cask, 1268, a Refill American Oak Hogshead. It maintained an impressive 56% abv!

Benromach 1977 – 56% – Refill American Oak Hogshead 1268 – Producer Tasting Note: “Pour your dram of Benromach 1977, cask number 1268, and prepare your senses to encounter an experience as rare as this gorgeous whisky. First, lift your glass to the light and appreciate the beautiful dark gold hue created by lingering for 39 years in a single Refill American Hogshead as the whisky grew and matured in character. Take a short inhalation, savouring the AROMAS WITHOUT WATER… enjoy the vibrant notes of sweet honey, apricot conserve, orange zest and butterscotch, mingling with developing hints of toasted oak and a delicate menthol edge. Now take a sip. Savour the sweetness leading to a touch of pepper on the tongue followed by notes of ripe banana and luscious passion fruit. Citrus undertones and dried tobacco mingle with toasted oak leading to a fresh menthol finish. Add A FEW DROPS OF WATER and take time to enjoy the nose as it develops… sweet, subtle coconut and exotic fruits combine with ginger and lime aromas. Now lift it to your lips and enjoy a slow sip… a smooth sweetness emerges with warm bursts of white pepper and overtones of pear, kiwi and lime. Finally, dried tobacco and a trace of toasted oak on the finish. Exquisite. Tell us what you think.” – $3000

 

Two Massive New Edradours 

Both “Straight from the Cask”!  

Only 60 bottles each of these enormous new Edradours are coming to Alberta. Both are full term maturations in their respective casks, bottled at cask strength from a single cask and bottle in 500ml bottles. And both whiskies are huge! In the case of the Ballechin (peated Edradour), this is the first time they have ever bottled it in the SFTC line!

Edradour SFTC Sherry 10 Year – 59.4% – Sherry Butt 395 – Distilled: December 2006. Bottled: 11 of September 2017 – 500ml – My Tasting Note: “Nose: wet jujubes, leather and nutty oloroso sherry tones; dark chocolate, tobacco and cooked figs; woody with a hint of espresso. Palate: big, thick, spicy and oily; maple syrup, pecan pie and more cooked (slightly burnt) figs; espresso beans covered in dark chocolate; Jujube-like candied fruits with some fresh California orange. Finish: medium, warming and spicy; the big leathery sherry tones and chocolate espresso are in charge. Comment: very sherried, just on the right side of over the top; perfect for fans of sherry bombs and anyone looking for a proper cigar malt.” – $135

1. The Ballechin SFTC Burgundy 11 Year – 55.2% – Bordeaux Cask #383 – Distilled: December 6 2005 – Bottled: September 11 2017 – 500ml –  Andrew’s Tasting Note: Nose: big, thick, oily and perfumed; firm leather, dried dark fruits and wine tannins; malt and smoke emerge from underneath; red berry fruits and Maroccan marmalade. Palate: big, massive actually, bordering on Octomore territory here; loads of chewy barley and heavy ashy smoke; very spicy with more firm wine tannins and peppery spicy; dried dark and jammy red-berry fruits; firm leather. Finish: ashy smoke lingers long with big leather and spice; long and lasting. Comment: this is a massive whisky, a nuclear bomb in the mouth; get your protective gear on and strap in!” – $135

 

Introducing: The Orphan Barrel Entrapment 25 Year 

The 1st Canadian Whisky in the Orphan Barrel Series

This 25 Year Old Crown Royal is lovely, pricey, but a lovely whisky! This is the 11th release in the Orphan barrel series, but the first to be made of Canadian whisky. It is from a mash of 97% corn and 3% malted barley. If you were ever wondering who much malted barley you need to ferment a mash of mostly corn, now you know. The whisky is from Crown Royal’s distillery in Gimly Manitoba. It was bottled at 41% after maturing 25 years in American oak.

Orphan Barrel Entrapment – 41% – Matured in American Oak – My Tasting Note: “Nose: very decadent, big hits of double caramel corn, silky tendrils of honey and toasted oak; apple crumble with loads of brown sugar and cinnamon; a touch on the oil sie; Aunt Jemima’s Syrup and Werther’s caramels. Palate: soft, still silky with honey and floral tones; light, delicate and layered; overripe plums, prunes and cooked raisins with milk chocolate and some decadent spice; the caramel corn is still there as is the apple crumble with loads of brown sugar. Finish: medium-short, but very pleasant and elegant. Comment: this is a lovely Canadian whisky, the classic corn profile has been filled out nicely with very balanced oak integration.” – $205

 

Introducing: Glenmorangie Private Collection Bacalta 

A Madeira finished extension to the Private Collection series! 

The 8th instalment of Glenmorangie’s annual Private Collection releases is the “Bacalta”, Scots Gaelic for baked. The whisky was matured in Ex-Bourbon and finished in bespoke heavily toasted American oak casks, seasoned in Madeira with “Malmsey – the sweetest and most prized of the Madeira wines.” The whisky is bottled at 46% with natural colouring and without chill-filtering. 91pts Whisky Advocate

 Glenmorangie Bacalta – 46% – Finished in Madeira Casks – Andrew’s Tasting Note: “Nose: butter tarts, ginger-molasses cookies and candied orange chunks; leathery with some tobacco, lemon drops and grapefruit juice. Palate: sweet and creamy with a lush vanilla base, overlayed with crisp decadent spice; candied ginger, fennel, clove and all-spice; loads of orange: candied and lightly burnt orange rind; Demerara sugars with some firm leather and dry tobacco. Finish: medium long it remains creamy, coating and decadent with some firm spice. Comment: the Madeira has given the whisky a very spicy edge; I love the crisp, decadent spice, but this is not IMHO the best of the Private Collections line to date; good but not great!” – $120

91pts Whisky Advocate: “The 8th Private Edition release. This one is finished in sun-baked casks which previously contained Malmsey Madeira. A predominantly sweet and fruity whisky, with caramel, honeyed almonds, peaches in syrup, and orange scone. Soft, soothing finish. Delicious!”

 

2018 MS Calgary Whisky Festival Update 

Tickets more than half sold out!

Calgary’s biggest and best whisky festival is just a little over 5 weeks away, and we have an exciting lineup this year. The event will take place again at Arts Commons, in the Foyer of the Jack Singer Concert Hall on Thursday February 18 2017. We are expecting a sell out crowd of 550 participants, with a range of 250+ whiskies for sampling. There are also Master Classes and a VIP Hour available for a little extra. Last year’s event was a massive success, raising over $50,000.00 for the MS Society.

There are three classes of tickets available.

1. VIP Early Entry – Includes the VIP Hour and Cut Crystal Glencairn Tasting Glass – $175 – Only 51 Left
2. VIP Early Entry with VIP Master Class – Includes the VIP Hour, Cut Crystal Glencairn Tasting Glass & a VIP Master Old Pulteney Master Class (5:00) Including the 35 Year and soon to be Launched 25 Year & 1983 Vintage – $200 – Only 17 Left
3. General Admission – 6:30 Includes a standard Glencarin Tasting Glass – $125

There are also two Master Classes:

Tickets are available exclusively through the MS Society www.calgarywhiskyfestival.ca for more information or click here if you would like to jump straight to purchasing tickets!

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 and 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

Owner & Scotchguy

Kensington Wine Market

403-283-8000

Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Kensington Wine Market

403-283-8000

Sullivans Cove French Oak Cask TD0117

A small number of bottles of this rare malt is now available from our online store.

“This is a classic example of our French Oak style”.  Patrick Maguire, Head Distiller.

Please click on the link below to purchase.

*We do not guarantee delivery by Christmas

PURCHASE NOW

KWM Whisky Advent 2017 Day 19 – Isle of Arran 14 Year

The Isle of Arran Distillery is located – unsurprisingly – on the Isle of Arran. The island lies just east of Campbeltown and well east of Islay and the distillery itself resides on the north of the island at Lochranza. Arran distillery is relatively young by Scottish standards. Having started production in 1995 this is relatively true in the grand scheme of things and given the history boasted by many of Scotland’s other distilleries.

Arran Distillery has been in operation for 21 years and has been successful enough for its private ownership group to work on building a second distillery on the same Island – this one in the south overlooking the cliffs at Lagg. A ground-breaking ceremony at the new site took place on February 16th of this year. The plan is to focus on peated whisky at the new distillery once it is up and running.

Kensington Wine Market has been lucky enough to have a very good relationship with Arran and its representatives for a long time. We just bottled our 9th and 10th single casks with them. Joining our peated 7-year-old single casks are two 20-year-old unpeated malts both aged in separate sherry hogsheads and showing different facets of the Arran house style.

The core range of Arran consists of the 10, the 14 and 18-year-old and a few regular cask finish bottlings such as Port and Amarone. They also release the moderately peated Machrie Moor line and the Robert Burns line of Single Malt and Blended Scotch. Today’s Advent bottle is the Arran 14 year bottled at 46% ABV

Arran 14 Year – 46% – Mautred in Ex-Bourbon & Ex-Sherry – Evan’s Tasting Note: “Nose: Ginger and lime, pineapple, green mango, pear – such a plethora of orchard and tropical fruit. Vanilla, Elderflower, chamomile, buttercream and almonds, Fruit Loops cereal in milk. Everything is bright and fresh. Palate: Creamy entry with ginger heat before fruit and nut notes join the fray. Chili and lime coated almonds, grapefruit, pineapple, chamomile again, pistachios, walnuts, light toasty oak, passion fruit and more mango. Finish: Both creamy and tangy all the way down. The texture is lovely and the green notes and acidity make the front of your tongue tingle. Comments: As a long-time fan of Arran I feel like this is where the rubber meets the road in the regular lineup. The 10 year old is solid notes but this 14 year exhibits my favorite style from the distillery with its burst of tropical fruit and ginger notes plus the amazing creamy texture.” – $80 for 700ml

 

Rare wartime whisky wins gold packaging award

at The Spirits Design Masters 2017

Leading malt whisky specialist Gordon & MacPhail is celebrating winning Gold in the Scotch whisky category of The Spirits Design Masters 2017, one of the most respected and high profile trade competitions in the industry.

The design was conceived for the company’s exceptionally rare wartime single cask bottling which was released as part of the company’s ‘Private Collection’ range.

Every detail of Private Collection Glenlivet 1943 by Gordon & MacPhail alludes to the decades of experience and patience poured into nurturing the whisky to maturation. Launched in October 2017, it is one of the oldest and most exclusive single malt whiskies in the world.

Designed by Gordon & MacPhail, the whisky is presented in a bespoke handcrafted wooden box. The unique closure, a section of the meandering River Spey, represents both the journey through time and the physical journey of the cask from its place of birth at The Glenlivet Distillery to its final resting place in Gordon & MacPhail’s Elgin warehouses.

A four-tier oak wooden base is also dually symbolic. Four elements are used to create the whisky: water, barley, yeast, and wood. Four generations of the Urquhart family, owners of Gordon & MacPhail, nurtured this special cask for seven decades.

Taking centre stage inside the presentation box, atop the wooden base that also serves as an elevated plinth, sits the hand-blown bespoke decanter. Each individually numbered bottle is engraved and infilled with gold. The gold base and stopper have been engraved with the contour lines of the hills and glens surrounding The Glenlivet Distillery.

The inside of the box is lined with a plush lining, also engraved with contours. Nestled within is an eloquent and visually atmospheric commemorative book written by whisky author Jonny McCormick. Opposite lies a traditionally printed certificate of authenticity signed and numbered by Stephen Rankin, director and member of the Urquhart family.

Margaret Ho, Designer at Gordon & MacPhail, said: “We wanted to communicate the rarity and exclusivity of this incredible whisky through the packaging’s touchpoints. We also created an immersive and sensory experience before the consumer took their first long-anticipated taste. From the touch of the engraved contour lines to the sound of the decanter closure releasing the first delicious notes of the whisky inside, the packaging excites the full range of senses.”

Ian Chapman, Director of Marketing for Gordon & MacPhail, said: “This award is testament to the skills and dedication of our in-house design and wider team who worked incredibly hard to capture the unique essence and heritage of this rare single malt whisky.

“Laid down by the first and second generation of the Urquhart family and bottled by the fourth generation, this spirit has an incredible story to tell. Distilled when the world was in the midst of rationing and divided in conflict, whisky today is a wonderfully unifying drink and we wanted the packaging to communicate not only its exclusivity but also its journey through the past seventy years.”

Notes

Gordon & MacPhail

Gordon & MacPhail is a family-owned Scotch whisky specialist which has been based in Elgin, Moray, since 1895. Four generations of the Urquhart family have continued the tradition of maturing the finest and rarest Scotch whiskies.

Since its foundation, Gordon & MacPhail has carefully nurtured relationships with Scottish distillers. These included The Macallan, The Glenlivet, Glen Grant, Linkwood, and Mortlach in Speyside as well as a number of other distilleries from across Scotland. From the beginning, Gordon & MacPhail has carefully matched spirit to the highest quality oak casks. These casks are sent to distilleries throughout Scotland, filled with new-make spirit, and matured either at the distillery of origin or in the firm’s own bonded warehouses in Elgin.

Now one of the world’s leading malt whisky specialists, Gordon & MacPhail exports to more than 60 countries. It offers more than 300 presentations of own-bottled single malts. In 2009, Gordon & MacPhail was awarded the prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade; an honour that was bestowed on the business again in 2013 with a visit from HRH The Princess Royal.

In 1993 Gordon & MacPhail purchased Benromach Distillery and re-equipped it before it was officially opened by HRH Prince Charles in 1998. A four-star visitor centre is open to the public throughout the year for tours and tastings. Benromach distillery is a member of the world-famous malt whisky trail.

The Glenlivet Distillery

George Smith, founder of The Glenlivet Distillery, came from a long line of illicit distillers. In 1817, Smith leased land at Upper Drumin Farm where he continued the family tradition to supplement his crofter’s wage. In 1823, the Excise Act was pushed through Parliament championed by the Duke of Gordon – Smith’s landlord. Gordon not only persuaded Smith to take out the first licence in the parish of Glenlivet but he also contributed to the distillery build at Drumin. This distillery would produce a spirit that defined Speyside whisky of its day.

Due to the success and popularity of the Glenlivet Distillery, several distilleries in the region appended the name Glenlivet to their own. In 1884, a landmark decision ruled that only Smith’s single malt could call itself ‘The Glenlivet’.

Kavalan “Fino Sherry Cask” Cask Strength Single Barrel Taiwanese Single Malt Whisky (750ml) SKU #1165852

The most prized possession in the Kavalan portfolio, the Fino Cask Solist utilizes sherry butts from the most restrained and elegant style of Jerez wine and puts them on the top floor of the Taiwan distillery’s warehouse, where the heat is at its most intense. Known as the “the church”, partly because the vaulted ceiling resembles a cathedral (and partly because miracles seem to happen inside the sherry butts resting in this room), the temperature reached inside this chamber helps to excrete more nutty, almond flavor out of the fino barrel and into the Kavalan single malt resting inside of it. A number of Scottish distilleries have used fino sherry butts in the past, but none were able to capture the essence of the sherry so intensely in their whiskies due to the colder aging conditions in Scotland. Taiwan, on the other hand, with its tropical climate has proved to be holy ground for this type of cask maturation. The Kavalan Fino is indeed heavenly. Rich and malty, with a turn towards salted caramel, toasted almond skins, toffee, and creme brulee, this is a side of sherry-aged whisky that we rarely ever see. Hedonistic and other-worldly, indeed. Bottled at 57% cask strength.

$459.99

KWM Whisky Advent 2017 Day 18 – Ardbeg Corryvreckan

The Ardbeg Corryvreckan has been my favourite whisky in the Ardbeg core range for the last decade, since it was introduced. That was until the Ardbeg An Oa was introduced just a few months ago. Now I’m torn, so here I sit, tasting the Ardbeg Corryvreckan again, to see if it is still my favourite whisky in the core range.

Ardbeg is one of a trio of Islay distilleries to mark their 200th birthdays over the last few years. The iconic Hebridean Island distillery has been on a tear for the last 17 years, and of all the Islay distilleries it has one of the strongest and most loyal cult followings of any distillery in Scotland. Look at the popularity of its annual Ardbeg Day releases (Kelpie, Dark Cove, Perpetuum and so on) if you need proof of this point. Or the sums people are willing to pay for older vintages like the 1974s, recently released Ardbeg 1815 or 17 year old expression. This makes it all the more striking when you consider that the distillery only operated intermittently from from 1981 through 1997, and it could easily have been demolished and lost forever!

Between 1885 and 1887 Alfred Barnard, a beer and whisky historian working for Harper’s Weekly Gazette, travelled across the United Kingdom visiting 162 distilleries (129 in Scotland, 29 in Ireland and 4 in England). He wrote about his experiences and each of the distilleries he visited in his still referenced work, The Whisky Distilleries of the United Kingdom. At the time of Alfred Barnard’s visit Ardbeg was the largest distillery on Islay, producing 1.2 million liters of spirit a year, only slightly less than its annual production today. The distillery first started as most of Scotland’s 18th and 19th century distilleries did as a farm. Although 1812 is the official founding date of the distillery there is some evidence it was operating as far back as 1794.

In 1888 the distillery was acquired by the Hay family in whose hands it would remain for nearly 100 years. In 1973 Hiram Walker acquired the distillery, and Ardbeg’s fortunes turned. The new owners started moving away from barley peated in their own maltings in favour of relying on commercial maltings like the nearby Port Ellen maltings. This shift was most notable in 1974, which is regarded as the benchmark vintage from the distillery. Sadly whiskies from this year are now rarer than hens teeth and commanding huge prices. The onsite maltings closed for good in 1977.

In 1981 Ardbeg was closed. Hiram Walker had a problem, the industry was in crisis, the various whisky companies had vastly overestimated future demand for whisky and there was a glut. Hiram Walker had two Islay disilleries, but they only needed one. That year Ardbeg was closed, while Laphroaig is kept open. In 1989 increasing demand prompted the firm to reopen Ardbeg, but it would only operate intermittently for the next 16 years. In 1996 the distillery is closed again and put up for sale. The next year Ardbeg’s fortunes finally turned for the better. The distillery was bought by Glenmorangie PLC and its iconic 17 Year and Provenance (1974) whiskies are released for the first time. Within a year of reopening the distillery has a visitor center and a new path forward opens up before it. Over the last decade Ardbeg fans have been patiently awaiting the release of older whiskies. It will likely be a few more years before we start seeing expressions like the Ardbeg 17 again, but the future is bright, with a touch of oily peat smoke!

The Ardbeg Corryvreckan is named for the dangerous natural whirlpool between the northern tip of the island of Jura and its neighbour Scarba. The whisky is bottled at a natural cask strength of 57.1% and has been matured predominantly in American oak for at least 10 years. The rest of the recipe is malt thathas been matured in Virgin French Oak Limousin casks. This is what gives the Ardbeg Corryvreckan its spicy profile.

Ardbeg Corryvreckan – 57.1% – Bottled August 21, 2017 – Matured in Ex-Bourbon & Virgin French Oak – Andrew’s Tasting Note: “Nose: thick with honey and cream, Irish soda bread, dried fruits and salted caramel; a touch of powdered sugar, juicy malt, apricot and ashy smoke; sweet marmalade, candied ginger, cardamom and ginger. Palate: big, rich, spicy, sweet and fruity; decadent, earthy and peated; massive spices: fennel, hot ginger, cinnamon and cardamom; juicy malt, firm earthy-oily peat and tar; sea salt, clean beach smoke and layers of fruit: oranges, melon and apricot. Finish: long, savoury, oily and coating; tarry peat and juicy malt linger long with sugars, spice and everything nice. Comment: this is a big peaty, maritime malt; a fine winter warmer, and still my favourite core Ardbeg.” – $120 for 700ml – or – $15 for 50ml

Mark Your Calendars

8th Annual 

Canadian Whisky Awards Banquet

Thursday, January 18, 2018

Hotel Grand Pacific

Victoria, British Columbia

It’s that time of year again. Join your hosts, Heather Leary and I in Victoria B.C. to celebrate the best Canadian whiskies in the world. We would love to have you with us as we announce the top winning whiskies of the year. Tickets for the gala banquet and awards presentation may be purchased for $65 from James Burrough at the Hotel Grand Pacific. Your ticket includes music, entertainment, a gala awards ceremony and a full hot and cold buffet.

Reach James by e-mail at

jburrough@hotelgrandpacific.com

The Canadian Whisky Awards help keep the world talking about the very best Canadian whiskies.

Winners will be announced at the ceremony and through major press across Canada and the U.S.

We hope to see you in Victoria.

Warm Welcome for Canadian Whisky

Second edition 

A whirlwind tour from Montreal to Vancouver to promote the second edition of Canadian whisky: The New Portable Expert made no fewer than 44 stops. Strong attendance at tastings, dinners, media events, a non-fiction literature festival, book stores and book signings confirm what we already know: Canadian whisky is having its moment.

Massive thanks to the whisky brands that made sure we had plenty to pour and talk about at each stop, to all who came out to chat and sip, and to Penguin Random House for ensuring every detail was taken care of.

Escalator Tax Encourages Bootlegging

 

Anecdotal evidence suggests moonshine is making a a comeback in Canada. And it’s not the fun and often tasty white spirit some of Canada’s microdistillers are bottling to help keep the cashflow positive.

My experiences this year point to more and more off-the-grid distillers converting potatoes, apples, even deer feed into alcohol which they share with friends and sell surreptitiously. It’s profitable, and becoming more so as taxes drive the price of legally made spirits ever higher.

In my travels across Canada this fall I have been offered boot-leg spirit in four provinces. Occasional encounters in the past have become a deluge this year.

While I agree that as a luxury, alcoholic beverages should contribute more to the treasury than necessities, research shows that alcohol consumption is not “elastic.” As prices go up, consumption does not decrease, people just seek less expensive alcohol.

This unintended outcome is something legislators should keep in mind when determining how much to tax alcohol. Declining legal sales should not warm the hearts of health authorities or anti-alcohol advocates. They just as likely mean that more people are turning to illegal and unregulated sources. This not only reduces tax revenues, but puts people’s health at risk.

Automatic tax increases are not like automatic pay raises. At some point people are going to find ways to stop paying them.

Strong range of fall releases

Canadian whisky has been attracting a lot of notice this year with Canada 150 special releases. While the scrumptiously flavourful Canadian Club 40 year old and the Northern Border Collection Rare Releases got most of the attention, there have been some stellar new whiskies from other producers as well.

Forty Creek Heritage, the latest in Forty Creek’s tradition of special fall releases is a dazzling throwback to the long-lost and much-lamented Forty Creek Three Grain. It’s rich silky texture brings a broad and carefully balanced range of fruits, flowers, nuts & grains and barrel notes to the long and lusty palate. A must have.

For Crown Royal lovers in Ontario (and collectors around the globe) the world’s best selling Canadian whisky has a special new bottling called Blender’s Select. Well worth a trip to the LCBO, or of you live outside the province, a road trip.

Sour mash just leaps out of the bottle when you open another Ontario exclusive – Collingwood Double Barreled. Breaking the Canadian whisky mould, Double Barreled is made using a typical bourbon mash bill, with all the grains blended and then fermented together. It takes Canadian whisky flavours in a welcome new direction.  Highly recommended.

Wiser’s brilliant master blender, Dr. Don Livermore continues to stand Canadian whisky on its ear with his latest, Wiser’s 15. According to Dr. Don, this whisky reminds him of Wiser’s Deluxe 10 year old, another whisky we’ve long wanted to see revived. Good work, Doc!

And Canada’s microdistillers have joined the ranks of noteworthy new releases with Lohin McKinnon’s Wine Barrel Finished Single Malt, distilled and matured in Vancouver. Add to this Shelter Point Double Barreled Single Malt whisky and it has been a fall of spectacular new Canadian whiskies.

And speaking of whisky books…

The updated Canadian Whisky: The New Portable Expert is now in stores and with on-line sellers. This new, updated edition includes a visitor’s map showing every whisky distillery in Canada (over 40  of them!), over 100 new tasting notes with a birdwatchers’ checklist so you can tick them off as you sample them, coverage of Canada’s burgeoning microdistillery sector, new chapters on whisky flavours and how to taste them, and numerous updates throughout.

An Attention Grabbing, Limited Edition Single Barrel Rye Whistle Pig 10 Year Old “K&L Exclusive” Single Barrel Cask Strength (115.8 proof) Straight Rye Whiskey (750ml) ($89.99)

While I continue to field questions about the Whistle Pig “Boss Hog” 14 year old limited edition—the $500 bottle of rye that has everyone asking “is it really that good?”—I’ve found a few alternatives (four of them, actually) for those of you who like to keep your whiskey indulgences under $100. I’ve got four new single casks of 10 year old Whistle Pig that, in my opinion, are the most exciting single barrels of (North) American whiskey we’ve locked down this year. Hence, I’ve saved the best for last.

Here’s how it’s going to work. I’m only going to release a new cask once the previous one has sold through, so there will never be multiple barrels available at the same time. Each cask is very, very small. For example, the current barrel pictured above yielded less than 140 total bottles. Perhaps that explains the beautiful concentration of flavor in this 115.8 proof cask strength expression. The nose smells like classic rye, but it’s the initial sip that really stands out in this particular whiskey. It’s seductively sweet, not in a supple or viscous way, but rather the same way that a graham cracker is sweet. The sugar excites your tastes buds and perks up your palate, but it’s really just a side show for the wood, oak spices, and peppery rye character to work their collaborative magic. The mid-palate then gives way to Bourbon-like richness, maple notes, and burnt vanilla before finishing quite dry and spicy. If you’ve been jonesing for a new bottle of high proof rye, or a Handy/Kentucky Owl substitute, this will definitely do the trick. It’s a fantastic bottle of whiskey from front to back, destined to impress any serious fanatic, and we’re only on the first cask!

– David Driscoll, K&L Assistant Head Buyer

Whistle Pig 10 Year Old “K&L Exclusive” Single Barrel Cask Strength (115.8 proof) Straight Rye Whiskey (750ml) ($89.99)

David Driscoll | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: December 13, 2017

I think I’m going to look back at this string of Whistle Pig barrels years from now as some of the finest procurements of my spirits buying career. I remember being very excited when first tasting through a number of 10 year selections, but tasting this 115.8 proof barrel again I’m overwhelmed by the concentration of flavor. It’s simply delightful whiskey, in the way that I remember rye and Bourbon tasting ten years ago when I first started: full of sweet oak flavor, nuanced and distinct, of a quality that clearly stands above the standard $20 bottle of Bulleit or Rittenhouse. In a world where Thomas Handy rye is considered the best whiskey in the world by some, I’d make a case for these Whistle Pig cask strength editions. They are older, equally as potent, and simply gorgeous from front to back. This will be the first of four barrels I’ve locked down and once people try this cask I’m expecting all of them to come back for each subsequent release. It’s that good.

KWM Whisky Advent 2017 Day 17 – Bunnahabhain 12 Year 

Words by Evan Eckersley

Bunnahabhain Distillery is the northernmost distillery on Islay – it lays off the beaten path and is somewhat remote even when compared to the rest of the island. Until the 1960s when they finally built a road to the distillery it was only reachable by boat. Bunnahabhain is one of a trio of Scottish Single Malt Distilleries owned by Burn Stewart (Distell Group), who also own Tobermory Distillery on the Isle of Mull and Deanston Distillery in Perthshire. Like it’s siblings, most of the flagship single malts from Bunnahabhain are bottled unchill-filtered and with no added colouring at the the curious but commendable strength of 46.3% ABV.

This Islay distillery was founded in 1881 and started its life making the heavily peated whisky that the region is famous for. For most of its history its whisky was exclusively used in blends, and even today only a fraction of its production is bottled as a single malt. In 1963 production was increased and at the same time the distillery’s style was changed to the lighter, unpeated single malt whisky it is known for today. Since 1997 there have been small amounts heavily peated (35 PPM malt spec) single malt made each year but it is not what the distillery is known for.

The core of Bunnahabhain’s production and lineup is still not all that peaty as they use a malt spec with a maximum phenolic level of 2ppm. This makes it one of the more gently peated Islay single malts available. The distillery and its whisky are sometimes referred to as the “Gentle Giant of Islay!” What it lacks in smoke and peat it typically makes up for in nuanced and complex character and plenty of sherry cask influence. Older Bunnahabhain tends to be a treat if you can track it down but today let’s partake an introduction to the distillery’s finesse with the Bunnahabhain 12 year old. Bottled at 46.3% ABV.

Bunnahabhain 12 Year – 46.3% – Evan’s Tasting Note: “Nose: Christmas cake. Big sherry cask with dried fruits, salted caramels, and new leather coming through. Black pepper, raisins, dates, dark, dark italian panforte with plenty nuts and fruit in the mix, dark chocolate, well-stocked humidor and even hints of coffee grounds and liquorice. Palate: Rich and mouth coating with some spices and saltiness. Dried blueberries, fruit leather, christmas cake, chocolate covered berries and raisins, hints of nutmeg, salty black liquorice, ground black pepper, heavily steeped black tea, and hints of bitter coffee. Finish: It ends how it begins – with christmas cake, black liquorice, salt and mild spice notes. Comment: It has been a while since I have sampled the Bunna 12 year. I love the 18 year but it is good to be reminded of how well put-together this 12 year is – especially given the price.” – $75 for a 700ml – or – $10 for a 50ml

Ralfy tries out a new camera with . ralfy review 705 – Glen Marnoch 29yo single malt @ 40%vol: