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
