A New Blog post about Father’s Day Whiskies – our favourite top 10.
http://www.thewhiskybarrel.com/blog/post/id/fathers-day-whisky
Kind regards,
Alastair @
The Whisky Barrel
www.thewhiskybarrel.com
Dear Malt Messenger Subscribers,
Father’s Day is coming and KWM is right in the thick of our Spring Whisky Week. The timing couldn’t be better to find that special treat to spoil dad. We have three great events coming up this week and a slew of new products coming in to coincide with our whisky festival and other special events. First up is tonight’s sold out Japanese whisky tasting Lost in Translation. We will be featuring some very rare single cask Japanese whiskies exclusive to our store tonight.
Thursday night is our whisky festival, which is also sold out and has a stellar whisky lineup, 118 whiskies at last count, including new whiskies from Duncan Taylor, Kilchoman, Adelphi, Old Malt Cask, Signatory, Nikka, Diageo and more. Some very rare whiskies will be opened specially for the event like the Glen Garioch 1978, Old & Rare Port Ellen 28 Year, another Port Ellen brought back especially from Scotland for the event and the Glenfarclas 175th Anniversary Chairman’s Reserve.
And finally on Friday, we are hosting the Ultimate Dalmore Tasting, an event which would have cost $500 a person, were it not for the support of the distillery, Authentic Wine & Spirits and some wiggle room in the Kensington Wine Market budget. The tasting will feature a flight of 8 Dalmores: starting with the new Cigar Malt Reserve and Dalmore Castle Leod; we will then work our way through three vintages: 1979 ($661.99), 1978 ($769.49) and 1974 ($1655.49); finishing the event with a walk through three 40+ year old whiskies: the old Dalmore 40 Year ($2645.99), the new 40 Year Astrum ($1886.99) and the 45 Year old Aurora ($3587.99). We are offering this very rare once in a lifetime tasting opportunity for the very reasonable price of $175 + GST. More information on the tasting can be found below, and on our store blog at http://www.kensingtonwinemarket.com/blog/ .
And as a special treat for Father’s Day, please find below my gift guide with some ideas on how to treat your father this weekend.
I hope you enjoy this Malt Messenger Bulletin. Don’t forget you can follow me on Facebook and Twitter. Stay tuned for the next full Malt Messenger, and of course Happy Father’s Day to all the dad’s out there!
Slainté!
Andrew Ferguson
FATHER’S DAY GIFT GUIDE
Gift Ideas Under $50
Gift Ideas Under $75
Gift Ideas Under $100
Gift Ideas Under $150
Gift Ideas Under $250
Gift Ideas Under $500
Gift Ideas $500 and Up
THE ULTIMATE DALMORE TASTING – $175
I’m not sure if any of you are aware, but Dalmore distillery has launched an unprecedented collection of malts this year. They are called the Constellations, and comprise 21 vintage bottles which have been ranging from 19 to 46 years of age, and have been priced at never before seen levels for whiskies of comparable ages. The 19 year old, a 1992 vintage is starting out at CDN$3,300.00 and the 46 year old is topping out the list at CDN$33,000.00. This is as bold statement being made by Whyte & MacKay and either an overreach on their part or a bold wager on where the market for premium and older whiskies is going. That release also serves to highlight the far more reasonable price which we are charging for an epic Dalmore tasting, of whiskies launched before this most recent surge in price for older whiskies.
On Thursday June 15th, at 7PM, the Kensington Wine Market will be hosting The Ultimate Dalmore Tasting, a vertical of 8 different Dalmore expressions. Starting off with the new Cigar Malt Reserve and the Dalmore Castle Leod, we will then sample 3 vintages (1979, 1978 and 1974) before getting on to the older expressions. We will be comparing two different 40 year olds, the Dalmore Astrum 40 Year and the original Dalmore 40 Year before wrapping up with the Dalmore Aurora 45 Year. This epic Dalmore vertical tasting is one we will never be able to repeat and if the pricing of the new Constellation Collection holds this could be the last tasting of older Dalmores we ever have. The price to attend the tasting is $175, a very reasonable sum when you consider the actual cost of this tasting is closer to $500. Thanks to the support of TheDalmore and their Canadian distributors Authentic Wine & Spirits Merchants, as well as some budget at KWM we have been able to more than halve the cost of the event. You can register by phone 403-283-8000 (or toll free 888-283-9004), on the web https://www.kensingtonwinemarket.com/tastings/register.php and in store!
More in formation on the Dalmore bottlings being featured at the Ultimate Dalmore Tasting follow below:
Dalmore Cigar Malt Reserve More heavily sherried than the old Cigar Malt, older and bottled at a beefier 44%. This Dalmore has been matured mostly in bespoke Matusalem Sherry Butts. 92pts Gavin Smith, Malt Advocate: “Back due to popular demand in the U.S., this new incarnation of the Cigar Malt sees the percentage of ex-oloroso ‘Matusalem’ sherry wood ramped up from 60 to 70 percent. Pass the Partagas! Spicy Christmas cake with rich sherry notes on the nose. Fragrant, with figs, cinnamon, ripe oranges, and glacé cherries. Robust sweet toffee and mango flavors, with oloroso sherry, vanilla, and lively spices. Medium to long in the finish, with ginger, treacle, and licorice.” – $116.99 + GST
Dalmore Castle Leod The second bottling in a trilogy highlighting Dalmore’s connection to the MacKenzie clan. Matured in both American and European oak it was finished in Chateau Lafite Premiere Cru Bordeau casks. Exclusive to Kensington Wine Market in Alberta it is bottled at 46% and is unchillfiltered. – $183.99 + GST
Dalmore 1979 This vintage bottling was matured in American Oak before finishing for years in Gonzalez Byas Matusalem sherry casks. This slightly younger 1979 bottling is approximately 1/12th the cost of its new Constellations Collection compatriot! – $661.99 + GST
Dalmore 1978 A great vintage, if for no other reason than its the year I came into the world. That interesting fact aside, this is a really interesting Dalmore, and one of the most cherry heavy whiskies I’ve ever had. The nose was bigtime Halls Cherry and the palate showed both candied and dried cherries. This 1978 vintage release from The Dalmore spent 29 years in American white oak before being transferred into Gonzales Byass ex-Sherry casks for two years of additional maturation. The out-turn is 477 bottles. The new Constellations `1978 is 13x the price! – $769.49 + GST
Dalmore 1974 This is a vintage which has been around for a few years, and which is also know as the Matusalem Sherry Finesse. The malt’s early years were spent in Apostoles Palo Cortado casks, before polishing for the last five years in Matusalem Oloroso sherry butts. 1/5th the price of the Constellations release, though it must be added quite a few years younger too! – $1655.49
Dalmore 40 Year “By far the softest and gentlest of the range, and oh so drinkable. Hard to believe that this whisky is 40 years old, actually, as it shows no sign of excessive oak. Instead, there are soothing layers of caramel and toffee as the whisky’s foundation. Add orange marmalade and other juicy citrus fruits, cinnamon spice, graham cracker, and lightly toasted almond. A gentle, subtly sophisticated Dalmore, and an interesting comparison to the much different, more visceral 50 year old. If I were a rich man, I could drink this whisky every day – it’s so easy-going.” 93pts John Hansel Whisky Advocate – $2800.00 ish…
Dalmore Astrum 40 Year Only 500 bottles of this 1966 vintage have been released at 42% after maturing nearly four decade in American oak and finishing for 18 months in Gonzalez Byass Matusalem Sherry Casks. Astrum is Latin for constellation. Distiller’s Tasting Note: “The shimmering dark golden colour of Astrum is instantly alluring. Its exquisite nose is provocative and pleasing and its flavours enchant and sparkle with an orchestrated display of brilliance. Nuances of honeyed pear, banana and passion fruit stimulate the senses, while unfettered pleasure is drawn from evocative bursts of blood oranges, fleshy peaches, figs and roasted Columbian coffee. Clusters of Black Forest fruits, crushed apples, spicy cinnamon and bitter chocolate crown this heavenly creation.” This 40 year old Dalmore is a steal compared to the old 40 year old ($2800ish) and the new Constellation 1971 at almost $22,000.00 (12 times as much). Your last chance at a 40 year old Dalmore for under $10,000.00?! – $1886.99 + GST
Only 200 bottles released from this 1964 bottling from an Oloroso sherry cask and bottled at 45%. The inspiration for this bottling is said to be the Aurora Borealis. Richard Patterson’s Tasting Note: “”A dynamic fusion of aromas of blood oranges, crushed apples and pear, and hints of Bulgarian roses, jasmine and coriander. A heart of ripe mandarins, kumquats and pineapple is intertwined with highlights of Madagascan vanilla, creamy caramel and darkest Swiss chocolate.” The new Constellations Collection bottling at this age is very nearly 8 times the price. – $3587.99 + GST
PS-Don’t forget to check out my tour blog at http://fergusonwhiskytours.com/?page_id=10 or that you can follow me on twitter at www.twitter.com/scotch_guy .
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If you have any whisky questions or comments concerning The Malt Messenger please contact me by e-mail, phone, or drop by the store. Feel free to forward me any whisky news you feel should be included in a future issue of The Malt Messenger; it might just get included.
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.
Thanks for reading the Malt Messenger.
Slainte!
Andrew Ferguson
Manager & Scotchguy
Kensington Wine Market
403-283-8000
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Owner & Operator
Ferguson’s Whisky Tours
Well, its summer now on Islay, We are all still recovering from the Islay Festival, in May, which was set amidst a heat wave this year, compared to the gales of last year, and everyone had a great time. The remainder of the year won’t be quiet, as as well as my official day job I will be taken to distant shores for our next ‘Distillery Live” show in October. The show is slated to be at a spectacular location – more details soon.
Tradition is also the heart and soul of the distillery at Laphroaig. Generations upon generations have succeeded one another, and fathers have passed down knowledge and craftsmanship to sons and daughters since 1815. Weathered, grainy photos bear evidence to the men long-since passed who have braved seasonal extremes in their effort to create the most richly flavoured of all Scotch whiskies.
The spirit of Father’s Day is best said in Scottish Gaelic:
An uair as làine ‘n cupan,’s ann as dorr’ a ghiùlan
When the cup is fullest it is most difficult to carry
Here’s to all the fathers, past and present, who make this day so special.
“Slàinte mhòr agad!” (SLAHN-tchuh VORR AH-kut!)
“Great health to you!”
Meanwhile, an unspoken Scottish tradition dictates that there are two things dads will want this Father’s Day – one is Scotch whisky…and well, that’s really all that matters! If your Father is perhaps new to Laphroaig may we suggest Laphroaig Quarter Cask or the classic Laphroaig 10 yr of course.
Slàinte,
What Father’s Day whisky gifts to get your dad in 2012 for Father’s Day
Father’s Day is just around the corner for a few countries so I thought I’d share with you some of my favourite whiskies that might serve as inspiration for you as presents for your own dads, grandfathers or just a lucky person out there!
Now obviously I am a little biased when it comes to our Whyte & Mackay, Jura and Dalmore brands, but I do love to try the other whiskies out there so here are few alternative suggestions that I’m hoping my family will buy me this year…
• Auchentoshan Heartwood is a magnificent whisky aged in Olorosso sherry and bourbon casks. I believe its only available in duty free, so this is one is ideal for global travellers who need to do their last minute gift purchasing in the airport.
• Balvenie 1401 Batch 2, retailing at around £275 it’s an expensive dram for dad, but boy this distillery bottling is worth it.
• Black Bull 40 year old Blended Scotch Whisky. Blending is very dear to me, so its only fitting that Black Bull 40 makes it onto my list. Wonderful mix of malts and grains from some of Scotland’s finest distilleries including our very own Invergordon grain.
• Woodford Reserve Double Oaked is a mighty fine twice barrelled bourbon created by Master Distiller Chris Morris over in Kentucky.
• Glenlivet 18 year old is a wonderful after dinner dram due to its skilful balance between age and elegance. A real favourite of mine.
What about you guys out there? What’s the worst Father’s Day gift you’ve had – or the best! I’d love to tell you about mine but my kids (all grown up) read the blog!
Hi all,
Well where has our summer gone folks?! Just when we thought it was getting going, it has gone!
Well never mind, we have some news to warm the cockles for all you whisky-lovers and especially those who have a thirst for knowledge…
WHISKY SCHOOL IS HERE!
We have been working hard to roll out a massively ambitious plan to further bring whisky to the people. The feedback from many of you has been that you have loved our events so far, but that you would like to learn more from the ground up.
Well, rather than disappoint, we have put together an ‘edutainment’ (sorry) package supreme consisting of not one, but two options for yourself or a loved one. We are planning these all over the UK in order to keep as many people happy as possible.
Read on!
Weekend Course – Stage One
Our first option is a weekend course which includes a 2-course lunch each day. You (or your loved one) will benefit from the years of experience and knowledge we have accrued as we talk you though:
– The history of whisky-making
– Whisky production
– World whiskies
– Regionality
– Wood management/maturation
– Blending
…and much more!
The course is designed for those who enjoy whisky but would like to learn all of the in’s and out’s. We aim to demystify and share with you our own enthusiasm and know-how all within the
We are testing this at two venues for now but will be rolling this out UK-wide later in the year. The two venues and dates are:
The Meeting Rooms, Blackfriars, Friar Street, Newcastle Upon Tyne
Saturday & Sunday 4th & 5th August 2012 11am-4pm
Hotel Du Vin, The Mount, York
Saturday & Sunday 11th & 12th August 2012 11am-4pm
The cost per person for these courses is just £99 which includes all samples, a two-course lunch every day, course material, a signed certificate upon completion and a Whisky Lounge Glencairn tasting glass. Phew, you can’t say fairer than that really and what a Father’s Day present! Click on the relevant venue above to go straight to the relevant page on the website.
4-Week Course – Stage One (with Stage Two to follow later in the autumn) book now, click here
For those who would rather do the above course over four weeks, we are offering an evening week-day option. These will take place from the 10th September 2012 and will cover exactly the same ‘curriculum’ but in more locations all over the UK.
Locations are:
Brighton
London
Manchester
Leeds
Newcastle Upon Tyne
York
Liverpool
We are aiming to add even more locations in the near future so watch this space!
That’s all for now but keep an eye out for Liverpool, Manchester, York and Belfast Whisky Fest! news very soon…
Keep well and enjoy any kind of summer we get!
Cheers,
Eddie
Eddie Ludlow
Whisky Evangelist
thewhiskylounge
IWSC Spirit Panel Judge 2009-present
www.thewhiskylounge.com
eddie@thewhiskylounge.com
Single Malt Scotch
Kilchoman Machir Bay Islay Single Malt Whisky 750ml ($53.99) It’s no secret that we’re big fans of Kilchoman distillery here at K&L. Our recent visit to the distillery on Islay really opened our eyes to the incredible job they’re doing. Kilchoman is a tiny operation, producing on one still and malting whatever they can inside their humble barn. Because of their small scale, their cost of production is higher and prices for their whisky have not been inexpensive. But having tasted the new-make spirit right off the still, I can firmly say that, in my opinion, there is no higher quality peated whisky being produced anywhere else. Kilchoman’s hands-on style and attention to detail make a world of difference. Every release has been better than the last, albeit extremely limited in supply. All that said, this small farm is finally introducing a full-time, affordable, house recipe, rather than another pricey single barrel release. The Machir Bay is not only incredibly delicious, it’s a huge victory for a distillery that had to overcome huge obstacles. At $54, this is what Kilchoman fans have been waiting for: incredibly delicate, finely-tuned flavors of soft smoke, sea salt, creamy vanilla and butterscotch. It’s a more subdued version of their high-toned barrel expressions, but it’s still very much Kilchoman. Think Bruichladdich meets Lagavulin. Think possible best whisky of 2012. (David Driscoll, K&L Spirits buyer).
Scotland – Blended Scotch
United States – Bourbon and Rye
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
Federal Wine & Spirits
The Distillery of Dallas DhuFor Father’s Day, One for him, one for you…
375 mL flasks of 28 Year Old Dallas Dhu, distilled 1975
The Dallas Dhu distillery stands tall and proud in Morayshire, Scotland, and draws thousands of tourists to see how an authentic traditional distillery operates. But sadly it is now only a museum, its stills have been silent for 29 years.
Very few barrels of any whisky from this lost Speyside treasure still exist. We have 375 mL (known as pint or half-bottle) flasks of one of the best, a wonderfully “old school” single-malt scotch whisky. It evokes a visit to Scotland, stopping at a pub or maybe a B&B. When they find out that this is your first time over there they insist that you must have a wee dram of something very special. Something like this.
We were examining this Dallas Dhu with a customer with a trusted palate. He quite liked it and, without even knowing the price, ordered 24 bottles. He confirmed the order when he found out.
375 mL flasks, especially with such incredible scotch inside, are very uncommon,. They are perfectly suited to carrying in jacket pockets or giving as gifts. I have a good feeling that your father would find it delicious.
Tasting notes:
The nose is intriguing with hints of pear, apple, salted oatmeal, heather and so much more. The palate is coated with a lush, oily and full texture. Flavors of shortbread, honey, citrus, and floral chamomile eddy around your tongue. It has great depth, exquisite balance, and a finish that feels endless.
We saved this stunning single malt from being lost forever. So few will have a chance to taste it and we are thankful to be able to give our customers the opportunity. This is just another reason why distilleries should never be closed.
Reg. Price $124.99 -Sale Price $ 99.99
SPECIAL Deal Two Bottles for $149.99
Please pass this on to any friends who are scotch enthusiasts.
Joe Howell
Federal Wine & Spirits
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Email: joe@federalwine.com
Phone: 617-367-8605
Web: http://www.federalwine.com/
The latest headlines from The Whisky Shop
Last Week Of Free Postage – 11 June 2012. The Whisky Shop would like to offer all its custom…Please click on the link to read the remainder of the article
The Whisky Shop
www.whiskyshop.com
Father’s Day – Sunday 17th June 2012
This Father’s Day, make it fun for him to remember
Single Malt Whisky with a personalised label.
Select your bottle of Single Malt whisky and then personalise it by adding a photograph of your own choice and using a selection of different backgrounds and a message to the label. Our online label design is fun, quick and produces amazing results at the click of a button.
Click here to go to begin…………….
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Whisky & food pairings: desserts We’ve already spoken here about whisky and starters, whisky and main courses as well as whisky and curries, so it’s time to talk about that part of the dish which most people enjoy the most – pudding! Rich, chocolate, toffee flavour desserts such as crème brulee, chocolate mousse or raspberry soufflé work brilliantly with The Macallan and The Dalmore. I always tell people at my tastings that whisky and chocolate releases a spectrum of delights on the palate but make sure the chocolate is rich and dark: 70-80% cocoa – to really allow you to enjoy the two flavours together. Another whisky which in my opinion is often a bit overlooked for some of the bigger brands is Dalwhinnie. This distillery always meets me when I travel to the North of Scotland and in my opinion it acts as the gateway to the Highlands and all the magical whiskies it has to offer. The floral, buttery vanilla spice notes work well with fish dishes but where it really comes into its own is when its served with good old fashioned desserts such as bread and butter pudding. If you don’t have such a sweet tooth, then cheese is always a great option for the end of a meal and heavily peated whiskies such as Jura Prophecy, Laphriog and Bowmore are perfect partners. Lastly, any great meal should be finished with a coffee, a cigar and a glass of whisky. I recently worked with Jura Coffee to create the perfect Jura Whisky and Jura Coffee partnership so that both the individual palate of coffee and the whisky could be enjoyed without one over powering the other, which is important to remember when you are doing your pairings. In terms of cigars then I would highly recommend a Partagas No2 cigar enjoyed with the new Dalmore Cigar Malt Reserve as its maturation in 30 year old Oloroso sherry buts, American White Oak and premier cru Cabernet Sauvignon wine barriques work in perfect harmony with the cocoa and caramel flavours in the cigar. (Incidentally, if you’re wondering about food and whisky, Will Lyons from The Wall Street Journal Europe has a cracking interview today with top whisky writer Charles MacLean where Charles reveals a few food and whisky tips too.) |
