New Release

Bunnahabhain Ceobanach

Bunnahabhain Ceòbanach (meaning “smoky mist”) is a small batch peated expression from one of Islay’s few (typically) unpeated distilleries. This latest release is matured in ex-bourbon casks and bottled non chill-filtered. Intensely pungent and phenolic on the nose, with smoke, light tar, oak and seaweed. The palate brings sweet maltiness, tangy smoke and vanilla. Mellow and smooth, white pepper, bitter orange, liquorice and sea salt emerge, before sweet smoke and oatcakes in the finish.

£55 Buy Now

Bunnahabhain Moine Oloroso

This limited edition from Islay’s Bunnahabhain distillery takes its name from the Scots Gaelic for peat, Moine, and the seven Oloroso sherry casks in which it was matured. Revealing a side of the distillery not often seen, this rich and complex single malt is presented non chill-filtered at a cask strength of 60.1% abv. The nose is rich in raisins, sultanas and toffee before a peppery smoke. The palate is rounded with sweet sherry and dried fruit, salted toffee and a syrupy feel developing into smoke layered over oak and citrus. Sweet smoke lingers in the finish.

£74.99 Buy Now Last remaining bottles

Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 159: Bowmore Small Batch

Mark Dermul, Belgian whisky blogger, tries an NAS Bowmore. A couple of years ago, Bowmore released the Small Batch, a bourbon matured entry level malt. Not as smoky as most of its Islay brothers, this Small Batch is almost tropical with a salty edge and a lovely encounter for newcomers and aficionados alike.

https://youtu.be/i0I3B28eX2Y

Exel Wines of Perth; Gordon & MacPhail whisky tasting

Friends of ours Exel once again held a whisky tasting, a private tasting after hours here in Perth, in fact, just a 4 minute walk from where I live. A 6.30 start, but as usual for me, I turned up at 6.15 and had a wee chat with Kevin Cairns who took the tasting. He has been with G&M 18 months or so, been around a bit in the wine industry also. I was missing my “night at the museum” tonight with the Mad Ferrets! They w…ere performing at Perth museum. Och well. A wee group of 14 “slavoured” over the whiskies in front of us, personally I couldnee wait for the first dram;

CC DAILUAINE Single Malt Scotch Whisky 2004 46% VOL 70CL – an 11 yo dram, 1st refill sherry bottled in 2015. Strong, wee burn but nice dram. Cask strength, what I would call a “ZZ Top” dram (afterburner). Nutty, powerfull on the lips, good start Kevin.

We followed this with SPEYMALT FROM MACALLAN DISTILLERY Malt Scotch Whisky 2007 43% VOL 70CL – one from a range set up by pal Derek (see below), a 9 yo bottling, a longer after taste but personally I found this a boring dram. Maybe I have tried too many?

MACPHAILS COLLECTION GLENTURRET Single Malt Scotch Whisky 2004 43% VOL 70CL – 1st fill sherry, 12 yo bottled September 2016. Good legs, good nose, toffee caramel fudge, Christmas cake, used in the famous Grouse, best so far.

MACPHAILS COLLECTION BUNNAHABHAIN Malt Scotch Whisky PEATED 8YO 43% VOL 70CL – Islay immediately! Mary’s peat farm, light on colour, I tell you, for under 32 quid it’s a belter!

ARDMORE Single Malt Scotch Whisky 2002 57.5% VO 70CL – oh bliss! Oh bliss! Cask strength 14 yo, I didnee add water and it was sublime, rich, grand nose, reminded me of my visit to the distillery with Ingvar, a refill sherry hoggie, super smooth, toffee, wee touch of peat/smoke, best of the night, I went home happy with a full bottle @ under 60 quid! Should have bought a case.

CAOL ILA Single Malt Scotch Whisky 2005 57.3% VOL 70CL – final dram, 11 yo, 1st fill sherry butt, apples and perfume, at cask strength, great dram aye, but cannee beat the Ardmore.

A good tasting from a superb company. I know a few folks up in Elgin at G&M (another contact now), plus our pal Derek Hancock. Derek who spent over 40 years as a senior executive responsible for Single Malt Scotch Whisky exports and became a Keeper of the Quaich in 2001. Derek is passionate about whisky, as we are at MCLEANSCOTLAND. Derek works with us up in Speyside driving/guiding some of our tours. So I knew we would be in good hands tonight, G&M do not employ numpties.

Many thanks to the two lovely ladies at Exel for hosting this evening, and yes, it was worth missing the mad boys for this! For whisky collectors, drinkers and beginners – try out Exel for your whisky (and wines & beers by the way, plus all gins etc). Am I on a fee for this? No, just like to spread the word about good whisky joints. Put me on the list for the next one Keron!

Paul  www.mcleanscotland.com/   www.whiskytours.scot

Whisky casks – all you need to know

It’s agreed that whisky gets much of its flavour from the wood it’s aged in. Many different types are used, but what do they add? This was the subject of a recent shop tasting hosted by senior assistant manager Chris Bolton. Here the key points about whisky maturation:

• the number of times the cask has been used – the more times, the less flavour will be imparted,
• the size of the cask – the greater the surface-area-to-volume ratio, the more flavour the whisky will get,
• the length of time in the cask – more time means more flavour extraction,
• the intensity of the spirit – a lighter style will get more influence from the wood than a heavier one.

We tasted six whiskies, each aged in a different type of cask

COMMON types of whisky cask

Bourbon

Bourbon barrels are the most common cask used for Scotch whisky. Why? It’s all down to supply and demand. By law bourbon must be aged in new casks, meaning that after their first use they are generally surplus to requirements. They are also cheap compared with other types of cask, which leads to high demand from Scotland (and other distilleries around the world). The example used for the tasting was our exclusive Balblair 1997 from Gordon & MacPhail, which showed the classic sweet, fruity style that bourbon casks impart along with the trademark notes of coconut and vanilla.

Sherry

Sherry casks (usually around 500 litres) are very popular, but are very expensive (up to 10 times the cost of a bourbon barrel), so many distilleries choose not to (or cannot afford to) use them on a regular basis. Casks used for all the main styles of sherry are used for ageing whisky, with the sweet Pedro Ximénez and rich oloroso the most common. We tried two sherried whiskies on the night: a refill butt from Signatory of Clynelish 1995 and Lagavulin 1995 Distillers Edition, which is finished in Pedro Ximénez (PX) sherry casks. Theses added notes of chocolate, orange and dried fruits, with the smokiness of the Lagavulin adding an extra dimension.

Port

The most common port casks used for whisky used to hold ruby port, although tawny or white are also used, the latter adding both richness and a refreshing dryness. Casks used for the red styles of port add notes of strawberry and raspberry. The example we tried was Benriach 21 Year Old Tawny Port Finish, from one of Chris’ favourite distilleries. It showed wonderful balance between dry spicy flavours – clove and nutmeg – and red fruits.

Rum

A lesser-seen type (and very rarely seen for full maturation), rum casks add a whack of tropical fruit and lots of sweetness to whisky. We were treated to Glenfiddich 21 Year Old, finished for around four months. This has proved a very popular release since its relaunch at the start of the decade, and with exceptional complexity and enticing notes of green apple, pear, mango, fudge and crème brûlée, it’s easy to see why.

Wine

Wine casks vary from dry to sweet, with both red and white used. Sauternes casks add sweetness and notes honeyed fruit, whereas dry white wine, especially Chardonnay casks, will add butteriness and a mouth-coating texture. Due to the tannin in red wine, these casks impart dryness and fruity notes. We tasted Glen Garioch 1998, aged for 15 years in red-Bordeaux casks. This displayed lovely integration between the red fruit (cherry and strawberry) and dry, earthy, smoke, with an underlying notes of grape.

Wine barriques are one of the many types of cask used to age whisky

Other casks USED TO AGE WHISKY

Madeira

A fortified wine from the eponymous island, these casks add extra spice and dark-fruit notes, along with dryness or sweetness depending on the style of Madeira. This year has seen a prominent release with the eighth edition of Glenmorangie’s Private Edition series: Bacalta, which was finished in sweet Malmsey Madeira casks.

Marsala

Ongoing releases of Marsala-matured whiskies are rare, in fact we only have one in stock, the limited-edition Ledaig 19 Year Old. This rich, fortified wine from Sicily can be dry or sweet, in both cases adding extra complexity and extra spice.

New (virgin) oak

Very seldom used for full maturation, as it imparts powerful, spicy flavours which can overwhelm the spirit, it is useful for finishing, where the extra toast can add a layer of complexity, especially to longer-aged whiskies. An example of this is the newly release Bladnoch Talia 25 Year Old.

Cognac

One of the rarer cask types, Cognac casks are made from French Limouisin oak and add aromatics and perfumed fruit. One example of this is Bruichladdich’s excellent Cuvée 640 Eroica.

Many other cask types are used for ageing whisky. Some of them work – the recently launched Glenfiddich Experimental Series IPA Cask was finished in beer casks, resulting in a deliciously floral and fruity whisky – and some should never be tried again. I like a salty tang to my whisky, but Fishky, finished in herring casks, was the worst whisky I’ve ever tasted! Why not try a range of whiskies aged in different casks for yourself and see which style suits you?

Ralfy visits the special-edition Distillery bottles with Ralfy Review 639 – Aberlour Distillery Only Cask 2303

Launching -“Find Rare Whisky”  at the Nth 2017 Experience. The online portal to purchase Legendary bottles of Whisky and an unequalled choice of the finest, rarest and collectible Whiskies in the World.

www.findrarewhisky.com

Malt Messenger No. 73 – Spring Tasting Schedule & Exciting New Whiskies

This edition of the Malt Messenger has some exciting new whisky releases included in it, but the even bigger news is that our full Spring Tasting Schedule is now out, and open for registration! I have provided detailed descriptions of all of our Spring 2017 whisky and spirits tastings below. You can register in store, by phone 403-283-8000 or online!

Hunter’s Classic Malts  tasting on the 11th is almost sold out, but there is much more in store this month. The nine oldest whiskies of the Glendronach Batch 14 Vertical will be sampled on April 13, and we have a very cool Chateau Montifaud Cognac tasting coming up on Thursday the 20th with Sophie Cabanes from the distillery. It has been a while since we’ve shown some love to Asian whiskies, and so we have planned an East of Scotland tasting scheduled for Tuesday April 25. That tasting will feature some rare new single malts from Kavalan and Amrut, as well as some cool Japanese and Australian whiskies. And that is just April…

May and June are loaded with even more great whisky and spirits events to help us mark our 25th Anniversary. On Friday May 26th George Grant will be in store for a pair of back to back Glenfarclas Tastings. In June we are welcoming John Glaser of Compass Box to KWM for a pair of tastings to launch our Compass Box KWM Collaboration Blend! There are more details on all of the above events and many more below. Don’t hesitate too long to book your tickets for the Spring Single Malt Festival,Thursday June 8, it always sells out early!

In other whisky event news, Kensington Wine Market and the Scotch Malt Whisky Society have paired with Ghost River Theater for a unique tasting opportunity on Tuesday May 2 at Last Best Brewery. This Multi-Sensory Scotch Whisky Tasting will include 5 Scotch Malt Whisky Society single malts in a one of a kind tasting experience. Tickets are $150 with all proceeds going to Ghost River Theater. Tickets for Tasting Scotch are available online! KWM’s last collaboration tasting with Ghost River was a hit and we expect this event will be too. More details below.

Our own Evan Eckersley will be at Phil & Sebastian’s Marda Loop pouring Scotch Whisky and a unique KWM cocktail at The Night Cap Club on Thursday April 6. A picture of his range and more details can be found below.

On the new whisky side of things, there is a lot to tell you about. First and foremost we have two new exclusive blends, selected by yours truly and bottled by Berry Bros & Rudd for our 25th Anniversary. The first is very unusual, a Berry’s 25 Year KWM Single Barrel Blend, bottled at 46% and very well priced at $200. This was one of at least 6 casks Berry’s had acquired of whisky blended and then forgotten in barrel. A very serendipitous opportunity as the whisky in the casks was on the verge of turning 25 years old. The second blend is an oldie, but a goodie, Berry’s 40 Year KWM 25th Anniversary Blend, 46%, $430. This is almost certainly the least expensive 40 year old whisky you are likely to ever see again, and it is excellent! More details on both whiskies are below, and they are open for sampling in the shop. So don’t be shy, pop into the store for a taste!

But, as the old advertising slogan goes, that is not all… we have a lot of other exciting new whiskies to tell you about in this Malt Messenger from Macallan, Laphroaig, Teeling, Adelphi, Amrut and Glenrothes.

Truly lots to whet your palate and appetite. I hope you enjoy this Malt Messenger!

Slàinte!

In This Edition

1. 2017 Spring Tasting Schedule is Now Online!
2. Ghost River Theater Multi-Sensory Whisky Tasting Experience
3. Join Evan at Phil & Sebastian’s Marda Loop This Thursday
4. Introducing 2 New KWM 25th Anniversary Blends
5. Introducing Macallan 12 Year Double Cask
6. Introducing Laphroaig 25 Year 2015
7. Two New Old Teeling Single Malts
8. New Whiskies from Adelphi
9. New Whiskies from Amrut
10. A Trio of New Glenrothes

Andrew Ferguson

Kensington Wine Market

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

@scotch_guy, Instagram: @thescotch_guy/

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

2017 Spring Tasting Schedule Is Now Online 

Lots of great events to ring in our 25th Anniversary!

2017 is our 25th Anniversary, and we are celebrating with an incredible range of wine, whisky, beer and spirits tastings. You can view all of our tastings online! Here are the Spring Schedule whisky and spirits tastings:

1. Classic Malts – Tuesday April 11 – Our introduction to the world of Single Malt Scotch whisky. You’ll learn about different styles and regions while enjoying a fine range of drams. – $35
2. Glendronach Batch 14 – Thursday April 13 – The 9 oldest whiskies from Glendronach’s 14th release of single casks. You’ll be in sherry-bomb heaven as we sample vintages 1985 and 1990 through to 1996. – $150
3. Chateau Montifaud Cognacs – Thursday April 20 – Welcome our first exclusive bottling of this 1992 Cognac to mark our 25th Anniversary!  Please join us for a master class directed by Sophie Cabanes from Chateau Montifaud. – $35
4. East of Scotland – Tuesday April 25 – While the Japanese have been making world class whisky for nearly 100 years, India, Taiwan and Australia are recent arrivals to the game and deservedly gaining an international reputation too! – $100
5. Hidden Gems of the Highlands – Thursday April 27 – Blair Athol, Glenturret, Aberfeldy and Royal Brackla are but a few of the stalwart, little known, Highland distilleries we’ll feature shedding light on some lesser known distilleries. – $60
6. Cinco de Mayo – Thursday May 4 – Join us for a fiesta celebrating Mexican independence and their national drinks, tequila and mezcal! We’ll sample a range of Blanco, Reposado and Anejo tequilas. – $40
7. American Whiskey – Thursday May 11 – There is more to American whiskey than just Bourbon. We’ll explore a range of American whiskies along with some exciting new craft spirits. – $35
8. 25th Anniversary Special Tasting – Friday May 19 – Join us for a unique tasting to celebrate KWM’s exclusive 25^th Anniversary bottlings: Port, Whisky, Cognac and Armagnac, all bottled just for us. Special one night only discount of 25% on 25^th Anniversary purchases (in store only)! Stand up format, includes a glass; drop in between 6 and 9, there may be cake! – $25
9. Glenfarclas with George Grant – Friday May 26 4PM or 7PM – George Grant is coming to town to help us celebrate our 25^th Anniversary and we’ll have a stellar range of whiskies to mark the occasion, including some old Family Cask bottlings. Anniversary tasting glass included. – $50
10. Rare Malts 1992 Vintage Edition – Tuesday May 30 – KWM opened its doors in 1992! To help celebrate 25 fabulous years, we’ll be sampling a range of 1992 vintage single malts. – $80
11. Ardbeg Day 2017 – Saturday June 3 1PM or 3PM – Help us celebrate Ardbeg Day 2017 at KWM, as we mark the launch of the new Ardbeg Kelpie. This tasting will be a one hour Master Class featuring 6 whiskies including Dark Cove and Perpetuum. – $20
12. Spring Single Malt Festival – Thursday June 8 – Our annual festival of all things malt whisky will feature at least 100 single malts more Scotland and around the world. It sells out quickly, so don’t hesitate. 25^th Anniversary tasting glass included. – $60
13. Compass Box KWM Blend Launch – Tuesday June 13 5PM or 8PM – It has been a few years since John Glaser of Compass Box has been in Calgary. He’s coming to town to help us launch an exclusive collaboration blend marking our 25^th Anniversary. – $30
14. Master Malt 25 Year Old Edition – Friday June 23 – To celebrate Kensington Wine Market’s 25 years in business we’ll be sampling a range of 7 25 year old single malts. – $100
15. The Spirit of Canada – Thursday June 29 – Canadian whisky has caught the world’s attention in the last few years, just as a surge of craft Canadian whiskies are about to hit the market. We’ll feature some of the best new releases! – $35

Call 403-283-8000 to register, or register online!

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Ghost River Theater Multi-Sensory Whisky Tasting Experience 

In Partnership with the Scotch Malt Whisky Society Canada and Kensington Wine Market 

Kensington Wine Market and the Scotch Malt Whisky Society Canada have partnered with Ghost River Theater to put on a special multi-sensory whisky tasting at Last Best Brewery. The event, a fundraiser for Ghost River Theater will take place at 6:30 on Tuesday May 2nd. Tickets are $150 and very limited. For more information and to buy tickets to go to Brown Paper Tickets! 

Register Now!

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Join Evan at Phil & Sebastian’s Marda Loop This Thursday! 

For The Night Cap Club Scotch Whisky Tasting

We are thrilled to be participating in our third Phil & Sebastian Night Cap Club Tasting this Thursday at the Marda Loop location. Evan will be pouring a range of Scotch whiskies and mixing up a custom KWM cocktail. Evan is working on a unique example of the Penicillin, based around Ardbeg Perpetuum. Call Josie to register at 403.437.2944 or email: josie@philsebastian.com .  Register Now!

Introducing Two New KWM 25th Anniversary Blends 

A 25 Year Single Cask Blend and an Amazing Value 40 Year Old

While visiting Berry Bros. & Rudd in London last year, I was presented with a couple of very unique opportunities. Berry Bros., in addition to being England’s oldest wine merchants (they have been in business since the 1600s), also owns the Glenrothes brand, and is an independent bottler. I was there sampling potential exclusive single malt bottlings and single casks options for KWM when I was presented with a rare opportunity. Berry’s had acquired six single casks of Blended Scotch Whisky. Little was known of the provenance of the casks, only that they were approaching 25 years of age. Given Berry’s relationship with the Edrington Group there is a good chance they contain Macallan, Glenrothes and Glenturret, perhaps even a little Highland Park.

As Kensington Wine Market was fast approaching its 25th Anniversary

(May 2017), they thought I might be interested in bottling my own 25 year old single cask Blended Scotch whisky; they were right. Single barrel blends are very unusual, and the samples I reviewed did not disappoint. And so I selected the best of the six available casks to be bottled for KWM as a 25th Anniversary exclusive. But that was not the only surprise they had in store for me, they also had a small parcel of well-priced 40 year old Blended Scotch Whisky, bottled at 46%, that they were also happy to offer us. How could we resist? And so this is how it came to pass that Kensington Wine Market has had bottled exclusively two exclusive Blended Scotch Whiskies to mark our 25th Anniversary. As always with our single casks, it should go without saying that they are both excellent, but you don’t take my word for it, pop into the shop for a taste!

1.  Berry’s 25 Year KWM Single Barrel Blend – 46% –  Just 220 Bottles! – Andrew’s 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 mouth-feel. 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, and one we are proud to put our name on!” – $200
2.  Berry’s 40 Year KWM 25th Anniversary Blend – 46% – Just 120 Bottles! – Andrew’s Tasting Note: “Nose: Christmas cake, new leather sofas, old Armagnac and paring dark chocolate with Cuban cigars; on top of the candied fruits there is some bright orange and more delicate tropical tones: mango and papaya; silky caramel and creamy vanillas emerge later with some light but crisp spices. Palate: big, rich, fruity and spicy; huge Christmas cake notes merge into espresso beans and more soft but crisp spices; the second sip settles down into tobacco, dark bakers chocolate and loads of fruit: some candied, dried dark fruits and the more delicate tropical ones from the nose; more hints of old Armagnac, there also notes of jujubes soaked in nutty Oloroso sherry. Finish: long, coating, fruity and spicy; dark chocolate, sherry, tobacco and oranges mingle and fade into the distance with the faintest whiff of smoke! Comment: this is a beautiful old whisky in the vein of 25+ year old Glendronachs, the long lost Gordon Macphail Strathisla 40 Year and sherried old Glenfarclas… we can only begin to speculate on the component whiskies, who doesn’t love a little mystery?!” – $430

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Introducing Laphroaig 25 Year 2015 

The latest release in the ever popular franchise!

The 2015 edition has just landed, bottled at 46.8% after maturing in a mix of Oloroso Sherry and American Oak casks. I am looking for reviews of the 2015 Edition, there are not many out there; hope to give the whisky my own soon!

Laphroaig 25 Year 2015 – 46.8% – Sherry & Bourbon – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: At bottling strength the aroma seems quite closed giving only a rich, sweet scent but a touch of water releases all the multitude of different flavours. The initial sweet, sherry sweetness is quickly followed by the time-honoured Islay peat tang. After this opening burst of flavour there is a smooth fruit ripeness that complements the tang of salt in the background. Body: Rich round and full. Palate: The burst of peat that fills the mouth is quickly restrained by a sherry sweetness that slowly develops into spicy apple fruitiness. Finish: Very long and warming leaving a distinct tang of Islay.” – $650

Call 403-283-8000 to register, or register online!

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Introducing Macallan 12 Year Double Cask

Save $5 by Ordering Before April 13

The first new Macallan bottled with an age statement is due in store tomorrow, and there is a special price on it for the first two weeks. The importer is offering a special price and so we are passing it on to our customers. The regular retail price will be $95.99+GST, but while supplies last we are happy to offer it at $90.99+GST. The price is in effect until April 13 or while supplies last! 40% abv.

90pts Whisky Advocate (Spring 2017): “This straddles the existing Sherry Oak and Fine Oak ranges by being a mix of spirit matured in both European and American oak sherry casks. Earthy sherry and old leather on the nose, with toffee, polished oak, and cherry blossom. Medium to full-bodied, with sherry, orange, cocoa, nutty vanilla, and developing wood spices on the honeyed palate. The finish is creamy, with insistent spices, cocoa, and tangy oak.” – $91+GST Introductory Price!

From the Producer: “An exciting new age statement expression from Macallan that’s matured in a combination of American and European Sherry Oak for a minimum of 12 years. The best of two worlds and a new take on the signature style of Macallan. It is often said that when two worlds come together, they create something magical, or simply extraordinary.  For Macallan, this is the absolute truth behind their new 12 year old single malt; The Macallan Double Cask.  This is a single malt which tells the story of a journey; a story which brings together different worlds.  To create Double Cask, they bring new oak from America across thousands of miles to Spain, where oak casks are crafted and sherry seasoned before travelling to their distillery on Speyside to mature for 12 years.  These whiskies are then harmoniously united with those aged in the very best sherry seasoned European oak casks.  This union reveals an unmatched investment in time and extraordinary commitment to mastery for which The Macallan has been known since 1824.  Exclusively sherry seasoned, he Macallan Double Cask 12 Year Old delivers a distinct American oak style, reflecting a perfect harmony of flavors and nature colour.  The delicate flavour of American oak – vanilla, citrus and light oak – rises in prominence as the traditional Macallan character of rich fruit, sherry and wood spice affords a familiar back drop.  This is a flavour combination which is guaranteed until he very last drop.”

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Two New Old Teeling Single Malts 

Both Very Limited, 24 and 33 Year Olds

Only a couple of bottles of the 33 year old, and at most a couple dozen of the 24 year old have come to Alberta! The 1983 must be from Bushmills, the whisky pre-dates the opening of the Cooley Distillery (1989) by more than half a decade! Both whiskies are very rare, the 24 Year Old was the Best Irish Single Malt at the 2016 World Whiskies Awards!

1. Teeling 24 Year – 46% – 5000 Bottles Produced – 1991 Vintage – Matured in Ex-Bourbon – Finished in Sauternes – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Aromas of white grapes, cut grass, apricots and white chocolate. Taste: Silky smooth, with flavours of fig jam, honey, apricots, white chocolate and crisp saltiness at the end to balance the sweetness off. Finish: Long and mellow.” – $510
2. Teeling 33 Year – 42.9% – 275 Total Bottles – 1983 Vintage – Matured in 2 Ex-Bourbon Barrels – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Vanilla, cream, orange, toast, jam. Taste: Light and fresh, well balanced sweetness blends into notes of vanilla, sandalwood, allspice, and orchard fruits. Finish: Deep and inviting as the spice comes back and then goes away again.” – $4999.99

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New Whiskies from Adelphi 

8 New Releases Including Some Very Unusual Ones!

Adelphi is one of the most consistent independent bottlers we deal with and one of the most innovative. We love the fusion whiskies they’ve produced like the Scotch/Japanese  hybrid The Glover and the new Scotch/Indian hybrid The Kincardine. We have some cellar releases from Adelphi this time around too, including a 1978 Glenlivet and 1980 Inchgower, both bottled nearly a decade ago! Most exciting is the new release of Ardnamurchan spirit, an innovative not quite whisky from one of Scotland’s newest distilleries. Don’t let the age get you down, it is very interesting stuff!

1. Ardnamurchan Spirit 2016 AD – 53% – Not yet whisky… – Only 2500 bottles were released world-wide, far outstripping the distillery’s supply. 36 of these are coming to KWM. 29 First Fill Oloroso and Pedro Ximenez Sherry octaves (80L casks) filled in June 2015 and October 2014 containing both peated and unpeated spirit were married and further matured for 3 months in Ex-Pedro Ximenez Butts before bottling at 53%. It is not quite whisky yet, but it looks and sounds tasty! Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: It has a dense, sweet nose of Acacia honey and salted caramel. Palate: A mouth filling texture of minty toffee and a maritime, smoky richness with a kick of chili pepper. Finish: Licorice and eucalyptus combine with vivid peat smoke, from a working malt kiln, on the finish.” – $95 – Only 30 bottles!
2. Adelphi Caol Ila 2003 – 59.8% – 13 Year –  Sherry Hogshead – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Definitely Caol Ila: footbaths and carbolic soap, coal tar, smoked cheddar, spearmint and industrial cleaner; then the sweet notes arrive with Garibaldi biscuits, and extra icing sugar. Smokey bacon is also in evidence. Palate: On the palate, the smokey bacon is now coated in chocolate, with coal ash, cocoa, seaside fire embers, and a decent kick of chilli pepper. The maritme notes increase, becoming almost edible with Nori seaweed. Finish: Bags of sweet smoke in the long finish, with dark chocolate and cherries and plenty of bonfires. Powerful stuff. – $145
3. Adelphi Clynelish 1996 – 53.4% – 19 Year – Cask 11455 – My Tasting Note: “Nose: honeyed, beeswax, rose petals and loads of fruit: melons, citrus and dried apricots; decadent sugars, white chocolate and caramel chews. Palate: big, creamy, fruity and spicy; toasty, very decadent, lots of layers; creamed honey, more beeswax, floral tones and sweet spices; still floral, more rose petals and sliced ginger. Finish: long, coating, honeyed and spicy; stays sweet and fruity. Comment: classic late teens Clynelish… fruity with lots of layers.” – $205
4. Adelphi Glenborrodale Batch 3 – 46% – 8 Year – Producer’s Tasting Note: “Citrus zest with rum and raisin fudge from Mrs Miggins Fudge Emporium; squares of after dinner chocolates with the slightest wisp of smoke from the log fire.” – $95
5. Adelphi Glenlivet 1978 – 52.1% – 29 Year – Producer Tasting Note: “A fresh nose, with Speyside pear-drops. Marshmallows behind and mellow soft fruits, brown apples, desiccated coconut and marzipan. Eve’s pudding? Surprisingly lively for its age at natural strength, although more wood-notes emerge when water is added: varnished wood, the inside of an old desk drawer. After a while the fruitiness returns in the form of apple-flavoured Chewitts. ‘A warm summer’s day among whin bushes’. The taste is much sweeter than the nose suggests, with tablet (Strathavon Toffee), grated coconut and boat varnish, but also fresh and tingling. Mellow but vibrant.” – $460 – Only 8 bottles, 4 left!
6. Adelphi Inchgower 1980 – 59.8% – 26 Year – Sherry Cask – Producer Tasting Note: “What an incredible colour! Molasses with magenta lights; Coke and crimson… The first-fill ex-sherry butt has done the business, and only yielded 223 bottles. Concentrated nectar. The nose is cherries covered in dark chocolate and treacle toffee, but dry overall, and nose-drying. The taste at natural strength is big and sweet, with traces of brimstone and a long bitter-chocolate finish. Curiously mentholated and mouth-cooling as well. Water raises sulphur initially, but this soon blows off, leaving a roasting tin, de-glazed with red wine and redcurrant jelly after over-cooking a rib of beef or a haunch of venison. The taste at reduced strength holds up well, with a big mouth-feel, tannic dryness, a very long finish and a lingering taste of dark chocolate. A massive whisky, and one to savour long into the night!” – $610 – Only 4 bottles, SOLD OUT!
7. Adelphi Kincardine 7 Year – 52.9% – 7 Year –  A Marriage of Glen Elgin, Macallan & Amrut – My Tasting Note: “Nose: doughy, creamy and toasty; wine gums, melon, new leather, crisp citrus and powdered sugar; loads of spice: curried and decadent; almond brittle and macadamia nut butter. Palate: creamy, decadent, vanilla, honeyed and very spicy, hot in fact: chili oils and cayenne pepper; wet leaf litter, earthy tones, musty oak and coffee grounds; more wine gums, citrus and juicy malt. Finish: long, coating, decadent and spicy; fruity and more hot chili oils. Comment: rich, fruity, juicy and spicy, this is a lovely malt, with character well beyond its years! – $210 – Only 20 bottles.
8. Adelphi Liddesdale 10 Year – 46% – 21 Year – Producer’s Tasting Note: “Distillery: A box of assorted chocolates by the fire; orange, grapefruit and pineapple with a dusting of cocoa; honeycomb and hazelnut to follow finishing with the surprise strawberry ganache and a grind of pepper.” – $180 – Only 12 bottles.

______________________________

New Whiskies from Amrut 

Two Very Different and Limited Releases!

A pair of new releases from Amrut are here. They are very rare and will be in high demand. We are only getting a handful of each. The prices are high, but are a reflection of the rarity and demand for these whiskies. To be fair to everyone they are limited to 1 per customer!

1.  Amrut Single Malt Double Cask – 46% – A marriage of old Indian whisky from 1 Ex-Bourbon and 1 Ex-Sherry cask – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Chocolate, cigarettes, ash, sunflowers, currant, raisins. Taste: Ash, peach, brown sugar, raisin, malt. Finish: Ginger, raisin, plum, salt, chocolate, brown sugar, sugared lemon peel.” – $240
2. Amrut Single Malt Rye – 50% – European Rye & New American Oak – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: pineapple bread, Mango cake, stewed guava, papaya chutney. The balance between the tropical fruits and the rye’s breadiness. Taste: Imparting tropical flavours, lavender and aniseeds with hint of medicinal flavours. Finish: Bready flavours and lotus seeds.” – $240           

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A Trio of New Glenrothes 

A 1976 Single Cask and 2nd Editions of 1992 and 1988

These three malts are the first new Glenrothes vintage release we’ve seen in a few years. There are 2nd editions of the 1988 and 1992 vintages. Most interestingly there is a single cask 1976 vintage. The 1976 and 1988 bottlings are both very limited. Just 4 and 5 bottles of each are available!

1. Glenrothes 1992 2nd Edition – 44.3% – 21 Year – Refill Sherry Butts & American Oak Hogsheads – Producer Tasting Notes: “Nose: Fruity citrus notes, vanilla and a hint of lychee. Palate: Sweet, vanilla and lemon peel with a touch of creamed coconut. Finish: Long and lingering.” – $180
2. Glenrothes 1988 2nd Edition – 44.1% – 27 Year – First Fill American Oak Sherry & Refill Sherry Butts – Producer Tasting Notes: “Nose: Nutmeg, fruit cake, nuts and dark honey. Palate: As above and rich, creamy vanilla. Finish: Full, lingering dried fruits and spice.” – $550
3. Glenrothes 1976 – 43.6% – 38 Year – 227 Bottles – 2nd Fill American Oak Hogshead — Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: vanilla, floral, fruity. Palate: cloves, slightly oak, almonds and marzipan. Finish: lemon peel, vanilla, cedar wood!” – $1100

 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

http://www.kensingtonwinemarket.com.

Kensington Wine Market

403-283-8000

We have new stuff!
New bottles at Park Ave.

What’s new?

Our bottles are being rearranged to accommodate new arrivals. Instead of looking at the shelves with wonder and asking Marlon to climb the ladder ~ we thought we’d share them with you in the comfort of an email blast.

Happy Spring to you all!
Please contact us with any questions.

PS: Our huge Passover selection is now on display 🙂

Cheers!
Jonathan, Eric & Marlon
The Park Avenue Liquor Shop
270 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10016
212-685-2442
jonathan@parkaveliquor.com
eric@parkaveliquor.com
whiskyconn@gmail.com (Marlon)
www.parkaveliquor.com

~ Brooklyn Small Batch Co. ~
‘New York State Bourbon’

This Single Barrel newcomer is aged in virgin American oak barrels before spending an additional 16 months in Port casks. This first batch has been selling very steadily here at the store for good reason.  “A heady nose redolent of nutty aromas, American oak, roastd peanut shells & searing corn syrup, gives way to a finish of toffee & Port dipped cookies.”  BTW: It’s Gluten-Free and Kosher certified. PRICE: $24 for 375ml bottle

 

~ Rampur Distillery ~
Vintage Select Casks

“Rampur Distillery was the original name for Radico Khaitan, India’s fourth largest spirits company. It has been making whisky for more than half a century, and started producing malted barley for its blends in 1990, but only launched its first single malt for export in 2016. This is a creamy and malty whisky with notes of vanilla, apricot and apple.” PRICE: $62/btl

~ Black Dirt Bourbon ~
Single Barrel, NY

Distilled in the heart of the Black Dirt region of New York, each barrel of their bourbon is crafted from distinct mash bills. The whiskey is aged a minimum of two years in new charred oak, and hand-selected for its own unique flavor. PRICE: $26 for 375ml bottle

~ Tomintoul ~
14 Year Old
(Kosher)

We’ll let the 2012 Whisky Bible tell you about this new item.  “Just how many variations on a honeyed theme can you get? Here I count at least five, each wave coming in after the other; medium length but sheer quality all the way. Bird’s custard mixing dreamily with drier, playfully spiced, oaky vanillas… not a single weakness. Just magnificent whisky bottled the way it is meant to be.” ~ Jim Murray (95 points)  PRICE: $65/btl ON SALE

~ Boondocks 8 Yr Old Bourbon ~
Port Cask Finish

This is Park Ave’s first statement from Boondocks ~ and what a statement it is!  The 8 year old brings candied apricots, a bunch of tropical fruit basket and sultanas to the nose. On the palate – a soft heat delivers maraschino cherries, ‘Big-Red gum’ and some all-spice into a satisfying finish.  PRICE: $55/btl

Due to ever-changing inventory, we cannot guarantee bottle availability. We are not responsible for any typographical errors or the petition to make MLB Opening Day a National Holiday (though it SHOULD be!). Please contact the store with any questions.

 The Park Avenue Liquor Shop

| 212-685-2442 | 212-689-6247 | parkaveliquor.com

They’ve always called me, the Piano Man………Nah, not really. Welcome everyone! This week we’re taking a look at the Glenmornagie Bacalta! I know there have been a few reviews of this already, but i thought i’d share my two cents worth. Finished in Malmsey Madeira casks for an extra sweet and luxurious finish, this whisky has elements of creamed toffee, mint, honey and all the dried stone fruit that the world has to offer. Check out the video, leave some feedback and have a great day! Enjoy

https://youtu.be/Y0RbbDYLdsY

Whisky Reviews every Wednesday
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