A Surprise Arrival…

Speaking of surprises, the Hibiki Japanese Harmony, $106, came as a complete surprise to us. This is the first Suntory whisky made available to Canada in over 2 years, and it came without any forewarning. That surprised us, its quality did not. We have been very impressed over the years with the quality of Japanese whisky as a whole! The Harmony is another silky, fruity and very elegant Japanese whisky. And you don’t have to take our word for it, we have an open bottle if you want to come in and sample it! Hopefully it is a sign of more to come to Alberta from the famed Suntory Whisky Company…

Our 2015 KWM Whisky Advent Calendar is also noteworthy at this time. With just under 2 1/2 months until the beginning of Advent, 3/5 of them are already sold. While we might be left kicking ourselves for not producing enough of them, we won’t be quite as disappointed as you if you don’t place your order soon. This year’s calendar is even better than last’s and includes a 100ml Scotch Malt Whisky Society single cask for Christmas Day! More details can be found below.

Finally our Fall Tasting Schedule has been very well received this year. Many of the tastings like our Fall Single Malt Festival are sold out, but rest easy, there are a lot of exciting tastings still available like our BenRiach and Glendronach Casks Release, November 11!

I hope you enjoy this little Malt Messenger bulletin. There is more exciting whisky news to come in the weeks ahead. Stay tuned!

Slainté!

Andrew

In This Edition

1. Whisky Advent 2015 More Than 3/5 Sold
2. Upcoming Tastings
3. New Hibiki Harmony

Andrew Ferguson
Kensington Wine Market

PS- PS – Don’t forget you can follow me on Twitter: twitter.com/scotch_guy and Facebook: facebook.com/scotch.guy.1 .

www.fergusonwhiskytours.com

 2015 KENSINGTON WINE MARKET
WHISKY ADVENT CALENDAR
25 Days of Dram Fine Whisky…

The Kensington Wine Market Whisky Advent Calendar is 3/5 Sold Out!

Kensington Wine Market’s Whisky Advent Calendar is back! Last year’s calendar, our second and the first one we produced entirely in house, was a huge hit. It sold out before it hit the shelves. This year’s is even better. It still includes 24 x 50ml whiskies and a custom Glencarin whisky glass. But, that is not all! We are offering an even wider range of whiskies and we are also including an extra 25th bottle. As a special treat for Christmas morning, there will be a 100ml Scotch Malt Whisky Society single cask bottling. This is a rare treat indeed, and usually only available to Society members. All of this year’s whiskies are different from 2014 and we are really excited about the range. There are 23 single malts from Scotland, Ireland, India and Taiwan, as well as a boutique blend and a boutique blended malt. Whether it is for yourself or to give as a gift, we know it won’t disappoint. Don’t hesitate! This one is sure to sell out fast!

You can pre-order the 2015 Kensington Wine Market Advent Calendar online, by phone 403-283-8000 or in store. A $150 deposit will be taken for each calendar requested. The final price will be $400. The calendars should be ready for pick-up before the end of October.

Pre-Order the 2015 Kensington Wine Market Whisky Advent Calendar $400+GST
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Fall Tasting Schedule – Up Coming Tastings!
Many of them are going fast, and the Festival is SOLD OUT…

Our fall tasting schedule is the best of the best we have to offer all year. There is something for everyone in here, and lots of new and exciting events! I know you’ll find much t salivate over and enjoy!

Many of you will be disappointed that our Fall Single Malt Festival is sold out, but the night before on Wednesday the 11th we have a mini-festival of whiskies from three of our favourite distilleries, Glendronach, BenRiach and Glenglassaugh. We have casks of BenRiach (1996) and Glendronach (2003) coming, so we are throwing a release party. More than 20 whiskies will be available for sampling including the new casks with Brand Ambassador Alisdair Stevenson.

1. Classic Single Malts – Tuesday September 29 – 7pm – This is our “classic” introduction to the world of single malt Scotch whisky. You’ll discover a little history, how it’s made and sample six distinct styles. – $35 – Only 7 spots left!
2. Bourbon Cask Tasting – Tuesday October 13 – 7pm – We have some exciting new American whiskies on the way including exclusive casks from Barton, our own 1792 Ridgemont Reserve cask, and a first in Canada, our own exclusive cask of Bernheim Kentucky Wheat Whiskey from Heaven Hill. – $35 – Only 9 spots left!
3. Classic Single Malts – Friday October 16 – 7pm – This is our “classic” introduction to the world of single malt Scotch whisky. You’ll discover a little history, how it’s made and sample six distinct styles. – $35 – Only 1 spot left!
4. Rare Malts – Tuesday October 20 – 7pm – Only the rarest whiskies, those 20+ years of age, those from closed distilleries and/or the exceptionally rare qualify for this tasting. -$80 – Only 6 spots left!
5. Gordon & MacPhail w/ Richard Urquhart – Sunday November 1 – 4pm – We have an excellent range for this tasting of Benromach and Gordon & MacPhail whiskies which will build to a finale including very rare offerings from Rosebank and Port Ellen. – $100 – Only 11 spots left!
6. Springbank w/ Ranald Watson – Monday November 2 – 7pm – One of our favourite ambassadors Ranald Watson will be in to do a grand tasting of Springbank including a new exclusive Society bottling and the 21 and 25 year olds! – $50
7. Kilchoman w/ Anthony Wills – Tuesday November 3 7pm – Kilchoman is one of our favourite Islay whiskies and our 4th exclusive single cask in here. We’ll sample it against our last bottling as well as at least 4 other big smoky Islay whiskies. – $30 – Only 8 spots left!
8. Old Pulteney, Once in a Lifetime w/ Gordon Stevenson – Thursday November 5, 7pm – KWM is thrilled to be the first store in Canada to obtain our own exclusive cask from this legendary Northern Highland distillery. We be sampling it as well as the whole Old Pulteney Range up to and including the 40 Year priced at $3000. – $150 – Only 9 spots left!
9. BenRiach/Glendronach Cask Launch w/ Alistair Stevenson – Wednesday November 11 – 7pm – To celebrate the launch of our 5th and 6th casks we are throwing a party with Alisdair Stevenson featuring whiskies from BenRiach and Glendronach as well as their sister distillery Glenglassaugh. – $30
10. Master Malt – Tuesday November 24 – 7pm – We pull out all the stops at this tasting featuring whiskies that are very old, very rare and very pricey. This is a tasting that will never be repeated again. – $125
Register for our tastings in store, by phone 403-283-8000 and online!

Introducing the Hibiki Japanese Harmony!
The first Suntory whisky in Canada in over 3 years… $106

The base of the whisky, Japanese single malts and grain, have been matured in American oak casks. The dressing is the more rare and complex Sherry and Mizunara (Japanese oak) notes. The single malts have been sourced from Hakushu and Yamazaki and the grain whiskies from Chita. Altogether more than 10 different whisky styles were used in creating the blend! This is the first Suntory whisky made available in Canada in more than 2 years.

Hibiki Japanese Harmony – 43% – Blended Japanese Whisky – Andrew’s Tasting Note: “Nose: clean, floral and grainy with a touch of juicy malt; delicate fruits, melon and kiwi with lots of vanilla and subtle spices. Palate: juicy, fruity and floral with toasty American oak and rich spices (Mizunara?); lots of fruits here, more melon and kiwi, silky grains and chewy malt mingle with orange peel and vanilla bean. Finish: long, toasty and silky with fading fruits, spices and sugars. Comment: Japanese blends never seem to disappoint, and this one is no exception. It is very elegant and complex. Hopefully we get more than promissed…”

Distiller’s Tasting Note: “Nose: rose, lychee, hint of rosemary, mature woodiness, sandalwood. Palate: honeylike sweetness, candied orange peel, white chocolate. Finish: subtle, tender long finish, with hint of Mizunara (Japanese oak).”
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Thank You for Reading the Malt Messenger!

Contact & Disclaimers

If you have any whisky questions or comments concerning The Malt Messenger please contact me by e-mail, phone, or drop by the store.

All of the products mentioned in THE MALT MESSENGER can be purchased in store, over the phone or from our website at www.kensingtonwinemarket.com. All prices quoted in the Malt Messenger are subject to change, don’t include GST. In the case of discrepancies in pricing, the price in our in store point of sale will be taken as correct.

Thanks for reading the Malt Messenger.

Slainte!

Andrew Ferguson
Manager & Scotchguy
Kensington Wine Market
403-283-8000
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
www.kensingtonwinemarket.com

Owner & Opperator
Ferguson’s Whisky Tours
www.fergusonwhiskytours.com
scotchguide@fergusonwhiskytours.com

Whisky Ramblings Via Video #117

Mark Dermul, Belgian Whiskyblogger, is also a huge Star Wars fan. In 2012 he led the project Save the Lars Homestead, in which his team restored an iconic movie set in the Tunisian desert. To commemorate this event, he bottled a Save Lars Whisky. But Star Wars is a trilogy, so the Lave Lars Whisky should be a trilogy as well. After the Bruichladdich 1990 and the Auchentoshan 1989, now comes the final edition: a Balmenach 14 Year Old 2001 from a single sherry cask at cask strength, again limited to 100 bottles. A wonderful conclusion to the bespoke Save Lars Whisky series. 

https://youtu.be/dzTAJXW-z7A

This week Joe Ellis reviews the Glenfiddich 15 Year Old Solera Reserve.

https://youtu.be/SpyELVNiApE

http://Twitter.com/whiskytube

https://www.facebook.com/whiskytube

KAVALAN Exclusive Canadian release of the Premium Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky [A & M Sherry Cask] 

This Premium release presents two expressions of Kavalan Single Malt whisky: Amontillado & Manzanilla Sherry cask maturation. Casks used, were carefully selected by Kavalan’s chief sommelier Dr. Jim Swan from wineries in Spain.

Flavor profile showcases subtropical fruit characteristics and depth of Sherry personality, classic to Sherry cask maturation.

Limited edition; Only 3,000 bottles were released in year 2014.

Each set contains: Two 500ml crystal decanter bottles, 2 crystal bottle stoppers and 2 crystal whisky glasses.

Tasting notes:

Amontillado Sherry Cask, 56.3% alc./vol.

Color: black walnut color.

Nose: exotic fruit, rich hazelnut and sweet almond notes combined with toffee and light oak flavors.

Flavor: soft and unique, with caramel aroma and Sherry taste profile intertwined with nutty and mild peppery notes create rich and complex flavor profile

Manzanilla Sherry Cask, 57.8% alc.vol.

Color: golden amber.

Nose: classic Sherry aroma, as delicate and fine as Kavalan Solist Fino whisky; cider and ocean fresh air notes; overall toffee and cocoa aroma combined with fresh melon and fruit.

Flavor: perfectly balanced like a good wine, layers of ripe tropical fruit; a combination of vanilla, citrus, watermelon and mint with a touch of salt create a multi-dimensional and complex flavor profile.

Very limited allocation to selected liquor stores in BC and AB.

BC: Legacy Liquor Store

AB: Kensington Wine Market www.kensingtonwinemarket.com , deVine Wines & Spirits www.devinewines.ca, Wine and Beyond www.wineandbeyond.ca.

For full details visit: http://www.fountanabeverage.com/.

Who doesn’t love to save money! We’re having a surprise “back to school”, “how are we going to get through the rest of the pre-election rhetoric”, “what about the price of oil”, “call it what you want”

 SALE

 The savings run from Friday September 18 to Sunday September 20

 Select whisky discounts 10% to 25%

Instore or online only!

FALL TASTING SCHEDULE  NOW ONLINE

!!!Surprise Sale!!!  

Save 10-30% on Select Whiskies This Weekend Only – Sep 18-20, 2015    

This weekend only, now through midnight Sunday September 20, 2015, save 10-30% on the whiskies listed below. You can browse all products on sale online. There is no blanket discount on whisky, but there are a lot of great deals. Sale rules are as follows:

1. Sale is in store and online only. No phone orders please!
2. Payment must be provided at the time of purchase for online and email orders.
3. Sales is on in stock items only, with the exception of KWM exclusives, which we will honour the pricing on if we run out. The items have been bolded.
4. The sale prices will not be extended beyond Sunday September 20, or applied retroactively.
5. In the event of a discrepancy in price the POS will be taken as correct.

Save 10%

1. Ardbeg Perpetuum – Regular $130
2. Arran 18 Year – $120
3. Arran 12 Year Cask Strength – $80
4. Bruichladdich Port Charlotte Islay Barley – $90
5. Cadenhead Small Batch BenRiach 1996 – Regular $150
6. Cadenhead Small Batch Bowmore 2002 – Regular $113
7. Cadenhead Small Batch Cragganmore 1999 – Regular $115
8. Cadenhead Small Batch Glen Garioch 1990 – Regular $195 – Only 2 left!
9. Cadenhead Small Batch Linkwood 1987 – Regular $285
10. Cadenhead Small Batch Miltonduff 1994 – Regular $160
11. Cadenhead Small Batch North Port 1977 – Regular $620
12. Compass Box The Lost Blend – Regular $121
13. G&M Speymalt Macallan 1994 – Regular $186
14. G&M Speymalt Macallan 2005 – Regular $90
15. Kilchoman 2010 KWM Cask 440 – Regular $140
16. Kilkerran Work in Progress 6 Bourbon – Regular $71
17. Kilkerran Work in Progress 6 Sherry – Regular $75

Save 15%

1. Adelphi Bladnoch 1990 – Regular $180
2. AnCnoc 2000 – Regular $980
3. Armorik Classic Breton Single Malt – Regular $70
4. Benromach Chateau Cissac – Regular $100
5. Bernheim Kentucky Straight Wheat – Regular $84
6. Blackadder Raw Cask Auchentoshan 21 Year – Regular $255
7. Blackadder Raw Cask Auchentoshan 23 Year – Regular $290
8. Buffalo Trace – Regular $40
9. Cadenhead Small Batch Auchentoshan 1999 – Regular $120 – Only 2 left!
10. Compass Box Hedonism Quindecimus – Regular $200.99
11. Compass Box Peat Monster Magnum – Regular $166
12. Coopers Choice Ben Nevis 1996 – Regular $135
13. Coopers Choice Caol Ila 1991 –  Regular $190
14. Coopers Choice Longmorn 21 Year – Regular $160
15. Coopers Choice Royal Brackla 1997 – Regular $150
16. G&M Glentauchers 1994 – Regular $120
17. George Dickel No. 12 Tennessee Whiskey – Regular $37
18. George Dickel Rye – Regular $38
19. Glendronach 1993 KWM Cask 1625 20 Year – Regular $200 – Less than 20 left!
20. Glenrothes Sherry Reserve – Regular $75
21. Hammer Head Czech Whisky – Regular $90
22. Hankey Banister 40 Year – Regular $1299
23. Hepburn’s Choice Braeval 12 Year – Regular $88
24. Hepburn’s Choice Glen Grant 10 Year – Regular $82
25. Jura 1995 Boutique Barrels 1995 Sauternes – $160
26. Kavalan Solist Bourbon – Regular $138
27. Samaroli 1997 Isle of Jura – Regular $164
28. Samaroli Sherry 22 Year – Regular $250
29. Samaroli Tormore 18 Year – Regular $220
30. Signatory Dufftown 1997 – Regular $180
31. Signatory Glen Keith 1995 – Regular $120
32. Signatory Imperial 1995 – Regular $175
33. Strathmill 25 Year – Regular $520
34. The Samaroli 33 Year – Regular $365

Save 20%

1. A.D. Rattray Bowmore 1999 – Regular $195
2. BenRiach 1977 Cask 1892 – Regular $409 – Only 1 left!
3. BenRiach 1977 Cask 7114 – Regular $575 – Only 2 left!
4. BenRiach 1977 Cask 1891 – Regular $575 – Only 3 left!
5. BenRiach 1978 Cask 5469 – Regular $525 – Only 1 left!
6. BenRiach 2000 Cask 38131 – Regular $110 – Only 1 left!
7. Cadenhead Small Batch Aberfeldy 1997 – Regular $106
8. Cadenhead Small Batch Auchroisk 1989 – Regular $191
9. Cadenhead Small Batch Auchroisk 2000 – Regular $92
10. Cadenhead Small Batch Tormore 1984 – Regular $345
11. Chichibu The Floor Malted – Regular $190.99
12. Darkness Aberlour 20 Year PX – Regular $160
13. Darkness Aultmore 16 Year Oloroso – Regular $160
14. Darkness Clynelish 16 Year Oloroso – Regular $195
15. Drakness Dailuaine 15 Year PX – Regular $185
16. Darkness Glen Moray 22 Year Oloroso – Regular $250
17. Darkness Tomintoul 18 Year Oloroso – Regular $185
18. Double Barrel Ardbeg Laphroaig- Regular $120
19. Wemyss 1992 Licorice Spiral Glentauchers – Regular $146
20. Wemyss 1998 Pastile Bouquet Mortlach – Regular $149
21. Wemyss The Hive 12 Year – Regular $77

Save 25%

1. English Whisky Company Royal Wedding Decanter – Regular $117
2. Strathmill 25 Year – Regular $520
3. The Samaroli 33 Year – Regular $365

Save 30%

1. G&M Glen Grant 1952 60 Year Diamond Jubilee – Regular $14,000

 Be the first to register for our Fall Tasting events.

 www.kensingtonwinemarket.com
403 283 8000

By Hand and By Heart

Since 1775

Steeped in 240 years of history, Glenturret Distillery is the oldest working distillery in Scotland, and proudly preserves the traditional art of making whisky. Our brand new website is full of hand crafted news and hand crafted views. It’s also a great place to find out more about our range of Glenturret whiskies which we still make in the traditional way….by hand and by heart.

Keep up to date…

Why not sign up to The Glenturret mailing list. You can keep up with all our latest news and you’ll be the first to hear about exclusive and limited edition new releases.  

Let’s get social!

We might be steeped in years of history and tradition but we also like to keep up with the times so you can now find us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Pop over and say hello.

United States – Kentucky

Old Bardstown Black Label Straight Bourbon Whiskey 750ml  $19.99 Buy

Rowan’s Creek Bourbon 750ml $39.99 Buy

Japan

Suntory Hibiki Harmony Japanese Whiskey 750ml $59.99 Buy

Scotland

Glenlivet 15 year old French Oak Reserve Single Malt Whisky 750ml $49.99 Buy

1995 Imperial 18 Year Old Signatory Un-Chillfiltered Single Malt Whisky 750ml $79.99 Buy

Scapa 16 year old “The Orcadian” Isle of Orkney Single Malt Whisky 750ml  $69.99 Buy

K&L Wine Merchants
http://www.klwines.com
Phone: 877-KLWines (toll free 877-559-4637)
Email: wine@klwines.com
San Francisco, Redwood City, Hollywood CA

NEWS AND LAST MINUTE TICKETS

Masterclasses – We have received all your masterclass preferences and are busy (in a relaxed way of course) with filling the classes.
You will receive your Masterclasses very soon.

Best of Whiskies Dj – Dj Nihil$ will be spinning tunes in the Best of Whiskies Midnight Cafe at Friday and Saturday night.

Wemyss Whisky and Food Treats – Inge Lanckacker will be present serving delicious food paired with Wemyss Whisky.

Maltstock last minute tickets – there are still a couple of tickets available. isit our shop at maltstock.com

SUPER RAFFLE PRIZES

As always we have a fantastic raffle for you at Maltstock. With many relaxed prizes to be won. But we also have some briljant Super Raffle Prizes:

Win – Bed and breakfast at famous whisky hotels with legendary whisky bars. Highlander inn, Dornoch Castle and Fiddlers

Win – Warehouse tour at Cadenheads with Mark Watt

Win – the single cask experience at Tomatin distillery

Win – a full weekend at Whisky & Rum + Masterclass + hotel stay and dinner.

www.ralfy.com diversifies into fund-raising whisky-art with Ralfy’s Photo-art Show at Inverarity, Glasgow, September 2015.

This week Joe Ellis reviews the best selling Single Malt Scotch Whisky in the world. The Glenfiddich 12 Year Old.

https://youtu.be/Wzt2zLHDdOQ

http://Twitter.com/whiskytube

https://www.facebook.com/whiskytube