www.ralfy.com heads West to Nashville with Whisky Review 385 – Corsair TripleSmoke Whisky

TOP PICKS

• 1994 Benriach 19 Year Old K&L Exclusive Peated Single Bourbon Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml (Pre-Arrival) ($139.99)
  Our 27 year old peated sherry butt for Benriach was one of the smash hits from our 2012 campaign. We were definitely on the hunt for more peated malt this time around, but hopefully something new and exciting at the same time. It only took a few minutes before David and I pounced upon this gem of a barrel. This 19 year old Bourbon barrel had all the smoke we were looking for, but with a different richness from the Bourbon wood. Gone was the rich, decadent, sherry-flavored profile of the 27 year. Instead we were treated to soft vanilla, sweet barley, and soft stonefruit, all mingling in harmony with the peat. We were transfixed. Perhaps most exciting was how closely this whisky resembled the Caol Ila 18 year – another pure Bourbon-aged whisky that was no longer being exported to the U.S. The Benriach was like a single barrel, cask strength version of that whisky- bigger, stronger, and more vibrant. There’s no doubt about it. This new peated cask of Benriach is going to steal the show again this year. The level of peat is strong enough for serious fans of the style, but balanced enough not to overwhelm those who like Talisker or Springbank. The weight and supple character of the malt are simply enchanting and the price is definitely right. What’s not to love? (David Driscoll, K&L Spirits Buyer)
• 1997 Bowmore 15 Year Old Faultline “Palm Tree” Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml (Pre-Arrival) ($89.99)
  This cask, from one of the true historical gems on the Queen of the Hebrides, is the perfect example of why I believe Bowmore should still be considered one of Scotland’s best distilleries. The distillery itself is a working museum and the distillery bottlings are usually very safe and well crafted. After some “difficulty” at the distillery during the 80s and early 90s, speculation is that they were pushing the distillery to hard. Since then the Bowmore distillery has come roaring back producing some of the most consistently delicious juice we’ve tasted over the last several years. It’s not in their nature to take risks or challenge the market place, but it’s certainly in ours. Part of the reason we haven’t been able to sell a Bowmore under the Faultline label yet is that when it’s good, it’s obvious. The bottlers are coveting their stocks and that means that highend product from the 70’s which cost $300 two years ago, is going for $900+ today. We’r e not buying that stuff because there’s just no way we could sell it all. Suppliers see those numbers, look at their young Bowmore stocks and salivate. We were incredibly lucky to find this medium aged Bowmore at this fabulous price. This is full force Bowmore in all its beautiful intensity. It’s powerfully smoky and exotic. The label pays homage to a famous independently bottled Bowmore from the 1960s.
• 1979 Faultline 32 Year Old Single Barrel Cask Strength Blended Scotch Whisky 750ml (Pre-Arrival) ($99.99)
  This is just some sort of ridiculousness. When we stumbled across this absolutely wacky cask in a warehouse in Southern Scotland, we hadn’t even realized it was in the realm of legality to sell this sort of whisky. This is from a lot of whiskies all distilled in 1979. At some point in its  maturation, it was blended and rebarreled in a single sherry hogshead. It’s highly likely that was done relatively recently, but honestly it could have been done two decades ago. We think that this whisky may have come either from a larger blender who was planning to add this to one of their house blends and either lost it in the warehouse or sold it as part of a larger parcel. Otherwise, we think it could have perhaps been a lot owned by a smaller broker which was ultimately consolidated as the whiskies began to evaporate. Either way, this stuff is totally unique. We have no knowledge of another cask strength single cask single vintage blended  whisky being released in this country or any other for that matter. If you know differently please let us know. What’s really important about this whisky is that it’s absolutely delicious. It’s got all the complexity and depth of the best blends and is exceptionally well balanced even at full proof. Plus, the price is uncomfortably low for the age and quality of the whisky. This is truly a unique gem plucked from a dingy warehouse, which ended up polishing up perfectly.
• 1995 Glendronach 18 Year Old K&L Exclusive Single PX Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml (Pre-Arrival) ($134.99)
  Good grief, Glendronach keeps bringing the hits. We’ve been obsessed with Glendronach since our first visit to the distillery in 2011. They’ve revamped this distillery, investing in the highest quality wood, using meticulous warehouse management to get the very most out of old stock and continuing to pump out some of the finest juice in Scotland. This year’s offering was aged in Pedro Ximenez casks and shows a totally different type of sherry influence from last year’s powerfully masculine dry oloroso cask. What we have here is the perfect sweet sherry nose, filled with dense dried plums, spiced pears, subtle flintiness, and a rich creamy core. On the palate, the baking spices really explode fresh clove, nutmeg, and freshly dried stone fruits. This balance between spices, dark exotic oak tones, and powerfully rich fruit is the hallmark of Glendronach. I think this cask will be the best received Glendronach yet.

NEW ARRIVALS

• Aberfeldy 18 Year Old A.D. Rattray Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml – 5 available ($105.99)

• Benriach 23 Year Old A.D. Rattray Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml – 4 available ($115.99)

• Bruichladdich Cuvee 21 Year Old Cuvee 382 La Berenice Single Malt Whisky 750ml – 6 available ($199.99)

• Bruichladdich Cuvee 21 Year Old Cuvee 407 PX Single Malt Whisky 750ml – 6 available ($199.99)

• Bruichladdich Cuvee 21 Year Old Cuvee 640 Eroica Single Malt Whisky 750ml – 6 available ($199.99)

• Bruichladdich Octomore 10 Year Heavily Peated Islay Single Malt Whisky 750ml – 6 available ($259.99)

• Bunnahabhain 23 Year Old A.D. Rattray Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml – 2 available ($139.99)

• Glencadam 22 Year Old A.D. Rattray Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml – 3 available ($105.99)

BACK IN STOCK

• Glendronach 15 year old “Revival” Distillery Bottling Single Malt Whisky 750ml ($79.99)

United States – Bourbon and Rye

• Jefferson’s 21 Year Old Bourbon Whiskey 750ml ($129.99)

K&LWine Merchants

http://www.klwines.com

Phone: 877-KLWines (toll free 877-559-4637)

Email: wine@klwines.com

San Francisco, Redwood City, Hollywood CA

Classic Book Reviews: Scotch Whisky by David Daiches

David Daiches’s book Scotch Whisky: Its Past and Present, first appeared in 1969, and was popular enough that a revised edition appeared in 1976, of which my copy is the paperback. I am not sure where I picked it up – … Continue reading >>

Dear Malt Messenger Readers,

I hope you’re having a wonderful summer! You’ll notice we have a new look for the Malt Messenger, after 8 years it was time we added a little more style to it. We’ve been busy around these parts getting ready for a full and exciting fall, and have some incredible tastings, events and new whiskies in the pipeline which are sure to please and surprise you. Pre-orders of the Whisky Advent Calendar have been brisk with nearly 1/3 already sold, and our new Benromach Casks, and the Glendronach Cask Strength Batch 2 have also been flying off the shelves.

There are a couple of exciting announcements which I’ll be making on Thursday. The plans have already been crafted, but they need a few more days for polishing. For those of you who just can’t wait until then, you’ll find some clues below.

In the meantime we have a couple of great tastings this week. The first is an 8 whisky vertical from Taiwan’s Award Winning Kavalan Distillery. Their whiskies have been taking the world by storm, and we’ll make our way through a range of 8 different bottlings, including single casks from their Solist Sherry, Bourbon, Vinho and FIno lines. While enjoying these drams, we’ll have a gander at some photos I took of the distillery while visiting in May. Then on Friday I’ll be hosting “The Whiskies of Summer” which will highlight some of the newest whiskies in the store. What better way to kick off the weekend than with a sampling of 7 new whiskies, never before opened for a KWM tasting. Info on both the tastings can be found below.

Stay tuned for Thursday’s full Malt Messenger, stay cool this summer, and drink whisky…

Slainte!

Andrew Ferguson
Kensington Wine Market

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

www.kensingtonwinemarket.com
www.fergusonwhiskytours.com

Glenglassaugh 1972 KWM Sherry Cask

ON SALE FOR THE SUMMER!
This single cask bottling of Glenglassaugh was selected by and bottled for our store because it is an exceptional example of a nearly 40 year old whisky…..
$699.99 Regular
$524.99 Special Price
READ MORE

Whisky Advent Calendar

Pre-Order Yours Before They Are All Gone! Behind each of the 24 doors is a different 30ml sample of delicious whisky! Behind one a sample of 50 year old Scotch, the full-sized bottle of which is worth $600! Exclusive to KWM in Canada!
$299.99
READ MORE

Kavalan Whisky Vertical Tasting

Thursday August 15th – 7PM – $60

The Largest Vertical Tasting of Whisky from the Award Winning Taiwanese Distillery in Canada!

Kavalan Distillery has come a long way since it was founded in 2005. When the Taiwanese food giant King Car Group made the decision to build a single malt distillery in Taiwan they spared no expense. They hired Dr. Jim Swann, one of the Scotch Whisky Industry’s most respected experts to consult on its design and operation. Due to the challenges of the Taiwanese climate, they knew time would not be on their side when it came to maturation. Their spirit would have to be flawless. Right out of the gates Kavalan’s 3 year old whiskies began winning awards and earning the respect of whisky connoisseurs world-wide. Join us for a sampling of the Kavalan range that will leave no doubt in your mind why this rising star is no flash in the pan. They make stunning whisky, full stop!

We’ll be sampling:
1. Kavalan No.1 – Their First Whisky – $114.99
2. Kavalan Podium – Matured in New American Oak Casks and Refill Casks – $149.99
3. Kavalan Concertmaster – Matured in Ruby, Tawny and Vintage Port Pipes – $94.99
4. Kavalan King Car Conductor – A specially selected single malt bottled to represent King Car Group. – $174.99
5. Kavalan Solist Bourbon – This single Bourbon cask matured whisky scored 94pts from Whisky Advocate. – $179.99
6. Kavalan Solist Sherry – One of the darkest sherry matured whiskies you’ve ever seen with loads of dark fruits. – $191.99
7. Kavalan Solist Vinho – Matured in American wine casks, with the palate of a sherry bomb. – $189.99
8. Kavalan Solist Fino – Kavalan’s Top Gun, named Asian Whisky of the Year last year – $324.99
To sign up for this tasting please call the store at 403-283-8000 or register online at: https://www.kensingtonwinemarket.com/tastings/register.php

The Whiskies of Summer

Friday August 16th – 7PM – $40

A Cool Tasting of Some of This Summer’s Hottest Whiskies…

Just because the days are longer and the weather’s warm doesn’t mean there aren’t some great new whiskies in the market. We’ll be sampling a range of them including our new KWM Benromach Casks, the anCnoc Peter Arkle Edition 3, BenRiach 1986 Authentic Wine & Spirits Cask, Glendronach Cask Strength Batch 2 and a number of other new whiskies never before sampled at a Kensington Wine Market tasting.

To sign up for this tasting please call the store at 403-283-8000 or register online at: https://www.kensingtonwinemarket.com/tastings/register.php

Preview of the Next Malt Messenger

Some of the Top Stories From the Next Malt Messenger:

1. Bowmore on the Rockies – The Ultimate Bowmore Weekend
2. Kentucky Bourbon Tour Anyone?
3. Coming and Going: Macallan Old & New
4. Bruichladdich Whiskies Soon to be No Longer Available
5. Save the Date(s) for Some Exciting Fall Tastings
6. And Much More…
The next full edition of the Malt Messenger may be out as early as Thursday!

Kensington Wine Market
403-283-8000

A Visit to Pattison, Elder & Co’s Leith and Glenfarclas-Glenlivet Distillery

by Alfred Barnard  (c. 1896) 

A rare survivor.

Alfred Barnard’s booklet on Pattison’s and the Glenfarclas Distillery. Two copies only known. Limited Edition facsimile reprint in edition of 100 copies only, with new Introduction. 150gsm white silk coated paper with 350gsm white silk coated board PUR bound.

Price*: £35 including ‘Signed For’ delivery – UK only £40 International. *For PayPal, £36.50/£42 respectively to cover charges. Request an invoice.

UK vlogger Joe Ellis a.k.a Whisky Wednesday reviews Glenlivet Nadurra 

http://youtu.be/Fy1kB0tSZBM

http://Facebook.com/whiskytube

http://Twitter.com/whiskytube

What’s in a Nose? An Exploration of the Olfactory Epithelium

At the excellent Auchentoshan Taste Experiments show I went to a week or two ago, I had a minor revelation during Rachel Barrie’s chat about how chemistry affects the DNA of whisky. It occurred when I thought I overheard someone … Continue reading >>

A note from Templeton Rye;

“Greetings from Templeton!

We’re excited to announce the introduction of our new community exclusively for Templeton Rye enthusiasts – the Templeton Rye Bootleggers Society.

We would like to extend you this invitation to sign up for free membership.

Please click on the link below to complete your membership profile and be one of the first people to become an honorary citizen of Templeton, Iowa.

http://www.bootleggerssociety.com

We look forward to seeing you!

– Your friends at Templeton Rye”

The Whisky Shop are proud to present some incredible deals on some fantastic products. Only available while stocks last! Simply click on a product to buy – offers are only available online at www.whiskyshop.com

Cragganmore Distillers Edtion
Was £62.99 Save £18.49
Now only £44.50

Lagavulin 12yo 2012 Release
Was £77.99 Save £14.99
Now only £63.00

Johnnie Walker Platinum 18yo
Was £82.99 Save £28.09

Now only £54.90

Dalwhinnie 25 year old
Was £192.99 Save £35.99

Now only £157.00

Talisker 57 degrees North
Was £72.99 Save £22.49

Now only £50.50

Glenkinchie Distillers Edition
Was £62.99 Save £23.49

Now only £39.50

www.ralfy.com heads eastwards with Whisky Review #384 – Kavalan malt whisky Taiwan Like scotch, but not really like scotch.