Malt Messenger Bulletin – Great Tastings & New Whiskies

June is a very busy whisky month at Kensington Wine Market, with a lot going on. The month starts out with the Scotch Malt Whisky Society Outturn tastings, as does every other month. Last night’s was the first of 3 June Outturn tastings, and the whiskies were a hit. Nothing unusual there… there are 1-2 tickets each remaining for 6PM and 8PM seatings tomorrow. The Society tastings are just the warm-up. Tonight, Thursday June 1, I am hosting a Whisky Dinner at the Ranchmen’s Club, which they have opened up to the public. For $155 including taxes and gratuity you’ll enjoy a custom cocktail, six whiskies selected by yours truly and have a great meal. If you are in to smoking cigars, there is an opportunity to do that at the end of the night. If you are interested in attending this event please send me an email.

Saturday is all about Ardbeg, as we launch the new release Ardbeg Kelpie with Master Classes at KWM. The 3PM Master Class is sold out, and there are but 4 spots left in the 1PM seating. Ardbeg Day continues on to the evening in Calgary with PRLR Lounge, also in Kensington, hosting an event from 7-11. June 8th is our Sold Out Spring Single Malt Festival. You need to get in on the Spring Single Malt Festival early, it usually sells out in weeks after we’ve announced the date. The following week we are very excited to welcome John Glaser to KWM, for his first tasting in Calgary in nearly a decade! John is coming to help us launch a very exciting bespoke Compass Box / KWM collaboration Blend! We have two tastings with John on Tuesday May 13, at 5PM and 8PM. There is only 1 spot left at 8PM and there are about a dozen left at 5PM. You won’t want to miss this one!

The week following John Glaser’s tasting we are having a Scotch Malt Whisky Society 5½.25 Festival. Why the oddly named 5½.25 Festival? First it is play on the Society’s unique numbering system for its bottles. But it is also marking two occasions, Kensington Wine Market’s 25th Anniversary and the Scotch Malt Whisky Society’s 5½th Anniversary in Canada. There will be around 80 Scotch Malt Whisky Society whiskies open for sampling, including some long sold out old friends, current releases and previews of a few things yet to come. The SMWS Festival is open to the public for the price of $60, $50 for Members. In the 72 hours since we opened ticket sales to members, half of the tickets have already sold! As an added incentive, at least $10 per ticket will be donated to the Calgary Food Bank!

The night after the SMWS Festival we are having a very special version of our ever popular Master Malts tasting. As 2017 is Kensington Wine Market’s 25th Anniversary we thought it would be fun to pit a range of 7 25 year old whiskies head to head. Master Malts 25 Year Old Edition, Friday, June 23rd, is more than half sold out! And last but not least we will be celebrating Canada’s 150th Birthday at the end of the month with a Spirit of Canada, Canadian whisky tasting on Thursday, June 29th. Details on all of these events can be found on our website. Some of them are highlighted below.

There are a lot of great events to get excited about this month, but also same great whiskies. We are expecting our first KWM exclusive single barrel of Wyoming Whiskey (KWM Cask) next week. At the same time we will also see the first bottles of our Compass Box KWM 25th Anniversary Blend. There are 11 new releases from Hunter Laing, including a new First Edition and 9 excellent value, Old Malt Cask Expressions. There is also an amazing price being offered on the Tomatin 25 Year 375ml, at just $150, two bottles of it are $50 cheaper than a 750ml of the same whisky… We don’t often see small format bottles of older whiskies like this. It is also a discontinued product! And finally there is a new limited edition Highland Park Fire. We have yet to sample the whisky, which is the follow up to last year’s Highland Park Ice. But it did get a 90pt Score from Serge on Whisky Fun. Limit 1 per customer.

I hope this Malt Messenger Bulletin finds you well, and that we will see you at one of the great events we have planned this month in Calgary!

Slainté!

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

In This Edition

1. Ardbeg Day 2017
2. Compass Box with John Glaser & a KWM Blend
3. Scotch Malt Whisky Society 5½.25 Festival
4. New Wyoming Whiskey KWM Cask
5. New Hunter Laing Whiskies
6. Great Deal: Tomatin 25 Year 375ml
7. Introducing Highland Park Fire

Ardbeg Day 2017 

GLENFARCLAS MONTH

Since 1865 Glenfarclas has been owned and managed by just one family, the Grants of Glenfarclas. On the 8th of June 1865 John Grant acquired the tenancy for the Rechlerich Farm and as part of the transaction purchased the Glenfarclas Distillery for £511.19S.0d. To this day Glenfarclas is one of only a few distilleries in Scotland to remain family owned and managed. Now in the hands of the fifth and sixth generation of the family, the Grants remain committed to the vision of creating the best quality Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky, in the traditional Speyside style.

Malt of the Month Glenfarclas 15 

Malt of the month for June is a ‘must try’ and a Milroys top 5 classic Year on Year. Glenfarclas 15. Part of sherry cask hall of fame, this classic was a favourite in the Grants’ household. Dark chocolate and fruit cake with winter spices, rich Berries, marzipan and a long lived finish.  

Web store Discount price throughout June

£47.95

The Arran Malt Single Malt Scotch 18 yr – Arran is 20 years old this year, and this is the third special bottling to celebrate that mile marker. This beautiful 18-year-old malt is aged exclusively in sherry casks. However, they must be second, or likely third fill sherry casks as this whisky is by no means a “sherry bomb”. In fact, if the fact that it is indeed 100% sherry cask aged was not specified, one could easily assume ex-bourbon casks were used initially, and sherry was just a finish. Aromas and flavors of caramel, vanilla, and brown sugar show initially, and then red fruits, berries, and citrus follow. Overall it’s a very nice, balanced, and well-aged Arran malt worthy of any single malt lover.

Compass Box Introduction Collection – For anyone in the know, Compass Box is kind of a big deal in the world of malt whisky. John Glaser produces high end blended malts to rival the great single malt houses of Scotland. If you haven’t had the pleasure of tasting any Compass Box whisky, this is the perfect way to do so.

Suntory Whisky Toki – This is the newest release from Suntory. Toki translates to time, and is a blend of whiskies from Hakushu, Yamazaki, and Chita distilleries. Hakushu malt provides a main component, and is countered by Chito grain whisky. A little Yamazaki rounds it out and adds some depth. Overall it’s a light, young, and easy going whisky of elegance and balance. Think of this as a nice Pinot Grigio of Japanese whisky.

Three Bines Hop Flavored Whiskey – Here’s a neat new whisky. It’s a younger, yet smooth, base of whisky that has been nicely integrated with Simcoe, Cascade, and Amarillo hops. It’s not too bitter, not too sweet, and delightfully drinkable.

Woodford Reserve Chocolate Bitters and Orange Bitters – Barrel aged bitters with flavors perfect for your Manhattan, Old Fashioned, or house styled cocktail!

thepartysource.com

95 Riviera Drive, Bellevue, KY 41073

Royal Salute Creates Ultimate Destination in South Korea for Whisky Connoisseurs with its First Store Launch Globally

22nd May, 2017: Royal Salute, the exceptionally crafted and aged Scotch whisky, has launched its first store in newly developed Paradise City, one of the biggest leisure and entertainment destinations in South Korea. The store offers visitors an opportunity to embrace the brand in a luxurious new setting while providing exclusive access to Royal Salute’s most sought after limited edition releases.

The Royal Salute store has been created to offer affluent consumers shopping in South Korea the ultimate prestige whisky experience. It allows Royal Salute, known as the whisky which starts where all others end – aged for 21 years, to provide not only the best products in its portfolio but also an exclusive environment in which to enjoy them.

Designed to take people on an all-encompassing journey through Royal Salute’s Scottish heritage and world-renowned craftsmanship, the store will feature a maturation and olfactory bar to create a multi-sensory experience and allow guests to indulge in the product’s unique flavours and aromas in a way like never before.

Peter Moore, Prestige Brand Director at Chivas Brothers, commented: “The opening of our first brand store in Paradise City is a strategic move that will give consumers the opportunity to enjoy our exceptional Royal Salute whisky while being educated and inspired by the brand’s unique heritage and values.

“By creating a direct and immersive experience, we will be able to build an even more personal relationship with our customers and remind them what makes Royal Salute such an exclusive brand,” adds Moore.

The Royal Salute store in Paradise City is open to the public and is located beside Pernod Ricard’s Perrier Jouet lounge in the leisure complex.

Notes

About Royal Salute 

Royal Salute is a careful blend of matured malt and grain whiskies – with its youngest whisky matured for a minimum of 21 years. Created to mark the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, which was honoured with a traditional 21 gun salute, Royal Salute is steeped in tradition, while still firmly engaged in the modern world by constantly pushing the art of blending into new, creative and ambitious forms. Royal Salute is deeply involved in polo – the world’s oldest surviving team sport and a game that’s expanding in the modern era. The brand sponsors more than 15 international tournaments from the UK and the USA through Argentina and China to Korea.

www.royalsalute.com/

About Chivas Brothers 

Chivas Brothers is the Scotch whisky and premium gin business of Pernod Ricard, the world’s n°2 in wines and spirits. Chivas Brothers’ award-winning portfolio features some of the world’s most revered Scotch whisky brands including Chivas Regal, the world’s first luxury whisky and the No.1 Scotch whisky in China; Ballantine’s, Europe’s No.1 Scotch whisky; The Glenlivet, the single malt whisky that set the standard; and Royal Salute, the world’s only exclusively prestige Scotch whisky range. The portfolio also includes two of the world’s leading English gins – Beefeater, the world’s most awarded premium gin, and Plymouth gin – plus a selection of highly acclaimed single malt whiskies, including Aberlour, Longmorn, Scapa, Strathisla and Tormore. The range is completed by a collection of blended Scotch whiskies operating in many of the world’s key whisky markets which includes 100 Pipers, Clan Campbell, Something Special and Passport Scotch.

www.chivasspirit.com/

About Pernod Ricard 

Pernod Ricard is the world’s n°2 in wines and spirits with consolidated Sales of € 8,682 million in FY16. Created in 1975 by the merger of Ricard and Pernod, the Group has undergone sustained development, based on both organic growth and acquisitions: Seagram (2001), Allied Domecq (2005) and Vin&Sprit (2008). Pernod Ricard holds one of the most prestigious brand portfolios in the sector: Absolut Vodka, Ricard pastis, Ballantine’s, Chivas Regal, Royal Salute and The Glenlivet Scotch whiskies, Jameson Irish whiskey, Martell cognac, Havana Club rum, Beefeater gin and Malibu, Mumm and PerrierJouët champagnes, as well Jacob’s Creek, Brancott Estate, Campo Viejo and Kenwood wines. Pernod Ricard employs a workforce of 18,500 people and operates through a decentralised organisation, with 6 “Brand Companies” and 85 “Market Companies” established in each key market. Pernod Ricard is strongly committed to a sustainable development policy and encourages responsible consumption. Pernod Ricard’s strategy and ambition are based on 3 key values that guide its expansion: entrepreneurial spirit, mutual trust and a strong sense of ethics.

Pernod Ricard is listed on Euronext (Ticker: RI; ISIN code: FR0000120693) and is part of the CAC 40 index.

Graduate Distiller

Dornoch Distillery is looking for an enthusiastic and hardworking individual to join our team as a graduate distiller. Based in the North Highlands of Scotland, Dornoch Distillery is a small crowdfunded start-up distillery who began production of organic gin and whisky last year.

Dornoch Distillery is a compact, manual and versatile operation which has released 10 experimental batches of gin made entirely in house and is laying down casks of Single Malt Whisky.

Working Week: 40+ hours per week

Location: Dornoch, Sutherland

Duration: Permanent

Job Duties

➔ Learn to distill exact recipes to specification

➔ Learn efficient cleaning, management and usage of distilling and bottling equipment and facilities

➔ Conduct all tasks in a punctual and time efficient manner

➔ Check and sign for relevant deliveries

➔ Take responsibility and maintain the highest quality of product output

➔ Follow Health and Safety regulations in accordance with HACAP folder

➔ Be a good team player and treat all work colleague with respect and professionalism

➔ Be flexible to the needs of the business

➔ Carry out any additional duties as required to the needs of the business

Skills Required

➔ Must be physically fit and able to carry out labour demanding tasks

➔ Have ability to manage own workload and work unsupervised productively

➔ Take first hand responsibility for own development and learning within the role

➔ Work well as part of a team and individually

➔ Follow given instructions correctly

➔ Have a problem solving attitude

Personal Qualities

➔ Genuine interest in making craft spirits

➔ Enthusiasm to learn new skills

➔ Willingness to go the extra mile to get the job done and progress own development within the company.

Qualifications Required

➔ MSC Brewing & Distilling or related degree

This vacancy is to start immediately therefore you must be available to start before applying. The closing date, interview date and start date are subject to change. Applicants must be willing to relocate to the remote highlands. For more information visit our website

www.dornochdistillery.com

The San Jose and San Francisco events were a huge success! Both sold out shows brought over 300 different expressions from which our attendees were able to choose! They sipped and savored, learned about terroir and Speyside, enjoyed fine food and even had a cigar or two! Check out the San Jose and San Francisco Photo Albums on Facebook! Thought tickets are not yet on sale for next year, we are pleased to announce the dates so you can mark your calendars and start making plans! San Jose is scheduled for Thursday, March 22, 2018 and San Francisco is Saturday, March 24, 2018!

San Jose Whisky Dinner

You have been asking for it, so we have brought back the Whiskies of the World Whisky Pairing Dinners! We are partnering with Hayes Mansion, 200 Edenvale Rd, San Jose, on June 15th, to offer you a fine selection of whiskies and food. Tickets are $85 and can be purchased here.  The event is from 6-8pm.

The menu for the evening includes: A chef’s selection of international and domestic cheese; Grilled fois gras on toast with caramelized and smoked pearl onions; A salad of heirloom tomatoes, baby frisee and mache, pistachio, goat cheese crumble with a mango and white balsamic vinaigrette; Charbroiled Mediterranean rubbed lamb chops, accompanied with grilled duo-diver scallops served with fennel and mashed sweet peas, and port wine porcini mushroom sauce and pancetta béarnaise; Chocolate marquise with a sauce made of wild berries. If this were not enough, there will even be an after dinner cigar social! Oh My!

We have these fabulous whiskies to pair with this incredible menu: Do  Good Distillery Cherrywood Smoked Malt Whisky Glengoyne 18 Single Malt Spirit Works Straight Wheat Whiskey Lost Spirits Abomination – Sayers of the Law Malt Redemption Rye Michter’s Small Batch Bourbon Mosswood Sherry Barrel Aged Irish Whiskey

BULLEIT BARREL STRENGTH DEBUTS!

We had a great time at our Hard Water event with Tom Bulleit last night, celebrating the launch of the new barrel strength Bulleit edition. For those of you who couldn’t make it out for the party, you can still secure your bottle here while supplies last!

In what was once only available as a limited edition bottling from the Bulleit Experience at the defunct Stitzel-Weller distillery in Kentucky, Diageo is now bringing Bulleit Barrel Strength to the metropolitan market! Bottled at 62.7% cask strength, this is a punchier, more powerful expression of Bulleit than what we’re used to. At over 120 proof, the whiskey really benefits from a few drops of water that help to coax out the softer vanilla and barrel oak flavors lying underneath all that heat. Drink with care!

Bulleit “Barrel Strength” Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) ($54.99)

Irish Distillers’ Prestige Range of Irish Whiskeys Scoops Ten Top Tasting Awards – including Best Irish, Best Single Pot Still and Best Blended Irish Whiskeys 

The Irish Distillers family of prestige Irish Whiskeys has been awarded 10 gold or above medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and International Spirits Challenge 2017. Top honours were awarded to Redbreast 15, Best Single Pot Still Whiskey and Best Irish Whiskey, and Midleton Very Rare, Best Blended Irish Whiskey, at the prestigious San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

In addition, Redbreast 12 Year Old Cask Strength claimed its third Double Gold medal in a row at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition – a testament to the consistency in quality of Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey craftsmanship at the Midleton Distillery. The array of gold medals, around half of the 22 decorations awarded to Irish Distillers across the two prestigious tastings, cements Redbreast as the most awarded Single Pot Still Whiskey in the world.

Yellow Spot 12 Year Old followed up a near-perfect 99/100 points at the Ultimate Spirits Challenge with a Gold medal at the International Spirits Challenge, whereas Midleton Barry Crockett Legacy was honoured by the same competition with the sixth Gold medal since its release in 2011.

In total, the prestige range from Irish Distillers secured four Double Gold and six Gold medals across the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC) and International Spirits Challenge (ISC):

• Redbreast 15 Year Old: Best Irish Whiskey, Best Pure Pot Still Irish Whiskey and Double Gold medal (SFWSC)
• Redbreast 12 Year Old Cask Strength: Double Gold medal (SFWSC)
• Midleton Very Rare: Best Blended Irish Whiskey and Double Gold medal (SFWSC)
• METHOD AND MADNESS Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey Finished in Chestnut: Double Gold medal (SFWSC)
• Midleton Dair Ghaelach: Gold medal (SFWSC)
• Redbreast 21 Year Old: Gold medals (SFWSC and ISC)
• METHOD AND MADNESS Single Malt Irish Whiskey Enhanced with French Limousin Oak: Gold medal (SFWSC)
• Yellow Spot: Gold medal (ISC)
• Midleton Barry Crockett Legacy: Gold medal (ISC)

Billy Leighton, Head Blender at the Midleton Distillery, County Cork, commented on the awards: “We are delighted with the continued success of Redbreast and the breadth of Midleton’s prestige Irish Whiskey family in global spirit tasting competitions – our whiskeys continue to achieve great things and we are incredibly proud of them. The quality of our whiskeys is testament to the hard work and dedication of the production team at Midleton Distillery, past and present. Lest we forget the skilled distillers and blenders that laid down and observed these whiskeys mature over the years, in the hope that they would be enjoyed years later – it’s great to see that they certainly are being enjoyed!”

Now in its 17^th year, the San Francisco World Spirits Challenge is one of the most influential spirits competitions in the world and is judged by a line-up of esteemed drinks journalists, producers and experts. Run each year in partnership with respected drinks trade bible, Drinks International, the International Spirits Challenge is one of the most authoritative and influential spirits competitions in the world and celebrates its 22^nd anniversary this year.

Notes

About Irish Distillers

Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard is Ireland’s leading supplier of spirits and wines and producer of the world’s most well-known and successful Irish Whiskeys. Led by Jameson, our brands are driving the global renaissance of Irish Whiskey. Jameson is the world’s fastest-growing Irish Whiskey, experiencing 27 years of consecutive growth and hitting sales of 5.7m cases in 2016. Our brands are exported to 130+ markets, with over 60 of those experiencing double- or triple-digit growth.

Irish Distillers was formed in 1966, when a merger took place between John Powers & Son, John Jameson & Son and Cork Distilleries Company. In 1988 Irish Distillers joined Pernod Ricard, gaining access to unprecedented levels of investment and an extensive global distribution network. In 2015, we completed a €220m investment which doubled our production and bottling capacity to meet global demand for our products.

We employ over 600 people across our operations in Cork and Dublin. 

About Pernod Ricard

Pernod Ricard is the world’s n°2 in wines and spirits with consolidated Sales of € 8,682 million in FY16. Created in 1975 by the merger of Ricard and Pernod, the Group has undergone sustained development, based on both organic growth and acquisitions: Seagram (2001), Allied Domecq (2005) and Vin&Sprit (2008). Pernod Ricard holds one of the most prestigious brand portfolios in the sector: Absolut Vodka, Ricard pastis, Ballantine’s, Chivas Regal, Royal Salute and The Glenlivet Scotch whiskies, Jameson Irish Whiskey, Martell cognac, Havana Club rum, Beefeater gin, Kahlúa and Malibu liqueurs, Mumm and Perrier‐ Jouët champagnes, as well Jacob’s Creek, Brancott Estate, Campo Viejo, Graffigna and Kenwood wines. Pernod Ricard employs a workforce of approximately 18,000 people and operates through a decentralised organisation, with 6 “Brand Companies” and 85 “Market Companies” established in each key market. Pernod Ricard is strongly committed to a sustainable development policy and encourages responsible consumption. Pernod Ricard’s strategy and ambition are based on 3 key values that guide its expansion: entrepreneurial spirit, mutual trust and a strong sense of ethics. Pernod Ricard is listed on Euronext (Ticker: RI; ISIN code: FR0000120693) and is part of the CAC 40 index.

www.pernod-ricard.com

Big & Beautifully Balanced

We’ve released four preview bottlings from June Outturn, an opportunity to buy before next month’s First Friday.  Big and beautifully balanced, explore sweet and smoky sensations, layers of dark toffee and chocolate and a realm of tropical fruit salad. Be quick to order, only a limited number of bottles are available ahead of the full Outturn release on Friday 2 June, 9am.

June Outturn Previews

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

https://youtu.be/KzhR6P-vD-k 

I LOVE DAILUAINE!!! I really do, it’s such an underrated distillery. All the balls and elegance of Mortlach, but without the modern pricing…..This, now, old school example of their style is something that I’ve had love and gratitude for, since i bought my first bottle of it about I’ve years ago. I’ve got a few more tucked away for my latter drinking years. It’s got colouring in it, it’s chill-filtered, but as always, when it tastes this good, who cares!

A true showcase of distillery style, from rich and fruit nose, through to spicy and slightly savory/smokey finish. A true icon in my eyes and a few others as well, i imagine. Cheers!

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