… whiskyReview 98 – Big Peat (Blended Islay Malt)
at ralfy.com and with number 100 around the corner, big plans for 2010 !
…. ralfy
You may view espisode #98 at www.ralfy.com
Dear Malt Messenger Subscribers,
I thought I was done with the Malt Messenger until the New Year, but with only a week to go until Christmas some long awaited whiskies have finally turned up, and some exciting new rums have also arrived. I couldn’t possibly wait until the middle of January to let you know about these new products. Our Jack Daniel’s cask will be in today and our Springbank cask will be in on Monday! There are other things too, like the Amrut Fusion, two other bottlings of Duthies and some exceptional new rums.
All of these new products are available for tasting, and you can drop in at any time ove the hollidays for a free sample. We will also have Andy Dunn of Gold Medal Marketing in the Kensington Wine Market Wednesday and Thursday of next week from 1-4 PM to sample single malts from his portfolio (Springbank, Duthies, Benromach and more…)
I hope you enjoy this hastily assembled Malt Messenger Bulletin. And once again I hope you and yours have a very Merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous New Year!
Slainte!
Andrew Ferguson
New Whiskies
1. Jack Daniel’s KWM Single Barrel – For the third year in a row we have bottled our own cask of American whiskey. The last two years we bottled Bourbons, Buffalo Trace and Evan Williams respectively. This year we decided to do something a little different, selecting instead a cask of Tennessee Whiskey. What’s the difference you ask? Tennessee Whiskey is filtered through a vat of sugar maple charcoal to mellow the spirit before being aged in oak casks. Our cask of Jack Daniel’s was selected with the help of the customers of the Kensington Wine Market this past summer. You’ll have to wait until January for a formal tasting note, but you can drop by the store to sample it. The Jack Daniel’s cask will be in store later today, Friday December 18th. – $49.99
2. Springbank 1996 KWM Oloroso Cask – This is our second cask from the Springbank distillery, matured in an Oloroso sherry butt. What’s so interesting about this whisky is that it was filled the very same day in 1996 as our previous Manzanilla sherry cask. If you liked our last bottling of Springbank you will love this one too! It isn’t quite as rich as the first one, it is softer and smoother but it is every bit as complex. Springbank is Scotland’s oldest family owned distillery, and also the country’s most traditional, most hands-on distiller. Springbank bottles on site with its own water supply and is the only distillery in Scotland to malt 100% of its own barley on site in traditional floor maltings. Our cask was bottled at a cask strength of 55.8% and there are 642 bottles available. As with the Jack Daniel’s you will have to wait until January for a formal tasting note, but if you would like to try it for yourself drop by the store on Tuesday. Our Springbank cask is expected to arrive Monday December 21st. – $109.99
3. Amrut Fusion – This Indian whisky was recently named the “Third Best Whisky in the World” in Jim Murray’s 2010 Whisky Bible. Jim Murray scored the whisky at 97pts. The Amrut Fusion is made with a mix of Idian and peated Scottish barley, hence the name. It has been bottled at a strength of 50%. John Hansel of Malt Advocate Magazine called it the best Indian whisky he has ever tasted and scored it at 89pts (which is a good score from John). I have quoted his review courtesy of www.maltadvocate.com.. “Balance, complexity and surprising maturity for its age—these are the defining characteristics for what is the best Indian whisky I have ever tasted. Amrut is doing some great things, and this whisky just elevated them to a new level. Combining Indian malt and peated Scottish malt, this whisky shows a sweet side, but is never cloying, with rich caramel, vanilla custard, fruit cocktail in light syrup, balanced by vibrant—almost floral—dried peat smoke, delicate white pepper and a hint of tropical fruit (toasted coconut, pineapple). Soothing, lingering smoke finish. I look forward to more great whiskies from Amrut.” – This is due in Friday December 18th. – $75.99
4. Duthies Laphroaig 11yr – Exclusive to the Kensington Wine Market – Classic big medicinal Laphroaig, bottled at 46% without colouring or chillfiltering. Nose: Peat, smoke, iodine. Oily and warming. Palate: Oily rich, peat smoke, dry burning embers. A lingering dry smokey finish. – $98.99
5. Duthies Clynelish 14Yr – Exclusive to Kensington Wine Market – This one really blew me away when I first tasted it, it is easily my favourite in the Duthies range. This whisky has been bottled at 46% without colouring or chilfilering. Nose: Heathered sweetness; fruit syrup and some vanilla notes with a hint of sweet oakiness. Palate: Buttery pepperiness with a slight hint of peat. A buttercup meadow on a summer’s day. – $91.99
6. English Whisky Company Chapter 3 – This may be the third release from St. Georges distillery in Norfolk County England, but it is the first available in Canada. It is an unpeated single malt not yet whisky! – $61.49
7. English Whisky Company Chapter 4 – This is a lightly peated English single malt not yet whisky from the aforementioned new distillery. Like the above it was bottled at 18 months. – $61.49
8. Springbank 2001 Small Casks – A new vintage bottling from Springbank of single malts matured in small casks which matured the spirit more quickly. Official Tasting Notes: Nose: Malty, summer fruits. Hints of citrus; lemon meringue pie. Buttery toffee, confectionery and just a hint of spice. Palate: Wow! What an excellent burst of flavour. Rich and creamy. Honey, vanilla, butterscotch sauce and tropical fruits. Finish: Smooth with slight hints of smoke and salt. Is this whisky really only eight years old? The small cask maturation has given the whisky a maturity and wisdom well beyond its years. – $85.99
Returned Whiskies
Springbank 11Yr Madeira Wood – A small quantity of this has retruned into stock. It is an exceptional sweet and spicy limited edition bottling of Springbank that was matured in Madeira casks. The whisky won a gold medal from Whisky Magazine earlier in the year. – $91.49
Macallan 30Yr Fine Oak – Those who like it, like it a lot, this 30 year old Macallan was matured in both American and European oak. – $853.99
Glenmorangie Signet – Only 3 bottles left and then this chocolaty gem is gone! – $199.49
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
KWM Scotchguy
403-283-8000
888-283-9004
1257 Kensington Rd. NW
Calgary, AB, Canada
T2N 3P8
scotchguy@kensingtonwinemarket.com
Distilleries have ghosts and secrets, as well as memories that live within those who work the stills, the malting floors, and the warehouses. Ian Macilwain has collected those stories in his new book “Bottled History” and joins us from Aberdeen for this week’s episode. In the news, Bonhams completes a three-continent series of whisky auctions, Highland Park honors an Orkney legend, Brown University researchers look at the cause of hangovers, and the winner of the Fred Noe autographed Knob Creek display bottle.
Listen to Whisky Cast Episode #231 at http://www.whiskycast.com/
New Glengoyne On-line Shop Launched
In the last few weeks we have launched our completely new Glengoyne Shop.
The new shop has been designed to be much easier to use both when exploring our product range and also when it comes to checking out.
You can now set-up your own account when checking out so that if you buy products from us regularly you do not need to enter your address every time.
You can also sign-up in the shop to be the first to be notified of any special offers we are running.
Visit the Glengoyne shop at http://shop.glengoyne.com/
Last minute 2009 Award Winning Whisky…
Best Peated Malt 2009
(Malt Maniacs)
Bowmore 36 Year Old
£273.99 (£238.25 ex VAT)
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Gold Award 13-18 Year Old
(Whisky Magazine)
Glen Scotia 16 Year Old
£54.99 (£47.82 ex VAT)
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Gold Award – Island Malt
(IWSC 2009)
Scapa 16 Year Old
£51.89 (£45.12 ex VAT)
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Overall Winner
(Scottish Field Challenge)
Glengoyne 21 Year Old
£89.99 (£78.25 ex VAT)
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Best Cask Innovation 2009
(Malt Maniacs)
Lagavulin 1991
£54.99 (£47.82 ex VAT)
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Gold Award – Cask Strength
(IWSC 2009)
Benromach Origins Batch 1
£37.49 (£32.60 ex VAT
Visit The Whisky Barrel at http://www.thewhiskybarrel.com/
SOCIETY NEWSLETTER CHRISTMAS 2009
Christmas Greetings to all Society members from the staff of Springbank Distillery.
It doesn’t seem like a year has passed already. Where does the time go?
As we get ready to wind down for the holidays and get our party frocks on, we would like to take this opportunity to thank our Society members for their support over the past year.
What a year this has been for us, we had a visit from the Hairy Bikers and their film crew, and were included in their T.V. programme, we also had our very first open day at Glengyle Distillery, which was a great success and saw us running around like mad people for part of the day until we settled in to enjoy ourselves.
This year also saw a crop of local barley being gathered for future use. We had a few new releases this year, as well as two Society bottles, one thanks to our tasting panel made up of Society members.
We could not have asked for a better end to the year than the two fabulous awards from Whisky Magazine, one for Young Brand Ambassador of the year 2010 and the other for Distiller of the year 2010. Pete and Stuart will be first at the bar at the Christmas party to buy everyone a drink to celebrate their success.
All in all a great year for Springbank.
Next year we hope to continue the practice of selecting a tasting panel for Society Bottles – watch the forum for these announcements. We will also have a competition or two, just to keep everyone invlolved. Hopefully we will have more than two entries for the next competition, although I’m sure the two who entered the poetry competition are delighted there were no more entries as they both won a prize.
We will also be hosting another open day, this time at Springbank Distillery on Thursday 20th May. There will be a cask of Springbank on that day, as well as another cask, yet to be decided. During the day there will be masterclasses by Stuart Robertson and Frank McHardy, ticket prices to be announced later, as well as free distillery tours.
Hopefully we will also have Food from Argyll and music to keep you entertained. Details will be announced in newsletters and on the website nearer the time.
The new releases planned for next year are:
January Springbank 18 y/o and Springbank CV
March Springbank 12 y/o and Springbank Claret
May Kilkerran Work In Progress
Sept Hazelburn 12 y/o
We will of course also have at least two Society bottles.
We also have Glencairn whisky glasses with the Society logo etched on them, for sale to Society members at a cost of £5 per glass, or £25 for a box of six. We did send out a free glass with the last Society bottle as it was approaching Christmas.
All that remains is for us to wish everyone a merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous New Year. We look forward to a busy 2010, so get in touch, keep us on our toes. Give us your ideas for the Society and we’ll try our best to accommodate you.
Merry Christmas from all at Springbank.
Slainte
Janet
For the Springbank Society
J & A Mitchell and Co Ltd, The Tasting Room, 9 Bolgam Street, Campbeltown, Argyll, PA28 6HZ
Registered in Scotland, registration number 3582
Tel : + 44(0) 1586 552009 Fax : + 44(0) 1586 553232 website http://www.springbankwhisky.com
Please contact Janet to join the Springbank Society
Johnnie Walker
Blue Label $159.99
Dewar’s White Label
1.75L $27.99
Canadian Club
1.75L $14.99
Canadian LTD 1.75L
$10.99
Johnnie Walker Black Label
$24.99
LIQUOR GIFT SETS ON SALE WHILE QUANTITIES LAST
Jack Daniels Black
$19.99
Johnnie Walker Black Label
$24.99
Seagram’s Crown Royal
$19.99
Visit Binny’s at http://www.binnys.com/
Shopping
Single Malt Sale featuring the incomparable Speymalt Macallan 37 Y.O.
Ours is older
What a year we’ve had! Now it’s time to give a gift to those have been naughty and nice and while you’re at it, think of something a little special for yourself – because you are.
Whisky Magazine voted us #2 as best retailer in the country. We’re smaller than the others in the running but we try harder because we think you are the best customers.
We worked really hard to come up with the list below of fine malts at every price range. When you spend your dollars for a gift to please, we dont want to just sell you a bottle. We want the person to to enjoy it and think of the you who bought the bottle. It has to be be very special. The whiskies below are.
Speyburn 10 Y.O. $29.99
G & M Tamdhu 8 Y.O. 43% $34.99
G & M Highland Park 8 Y.O. $34.99
Highland Park 12 Y.O. 43% $46.99
Benromach 10 Y.O. 43% $48.99 – A wonderful old style Speyside single malt, with a touch of peat smoke.
Pebble Beach 12 Y.O. Speyside – – Reg. $63.99 Special $53.99 Another gem from Speyside. Sad to say, it will no longer be sold in this state.
Aberlour 16 Y.O. 43% A precious whisky with great balance, and very palatable to the for many tastes. Extreme value!!! $64.99
Scapa 16 Y.O. 40% – An Orkney treat from a less well-known distillery, it took over a year of begging the wholesaler to bring it in. $81.99
Highland Park 18 Y.O. 43% Reg. $104.99 $87.99 – This just took a price increase, we have a little left at the old price. Paul Pacult from The Spirit Journal branded this gem as The Best Spirit in The World!!!!! A Great Value even with the price increase!!
Glenfarclas 17 Y.O. 43% The Grants of Glenfarclas produce wonderful whisky and they sell it a great pricing, all sherry casked whisky and the only distillery working the traditional sherried single malts. One of the few Scottish family owned distilleries left. $99.99
Glenfarclas 21 Y.O. 43% A Great Single malt, the older brother of the 17 Y.O.
$124.99
Benromach 21 Y.O. 43% another elegant single malt with great finesse and very palatable. $129.99
Macallan 18 Y.O 43% Always a great gift. $162.99
Laphroaig 18 Y.O. 48% Replaces the 15 Y.O. … a beauty from Islay. $163.99
Classic of Islay 21 Y.O. A stunning classic … Islay peat with finesse.
Islay in a glass! A real Gem!! $189.99
Blackadder Teaninich 24 Y.O Raw Cask 54.3% A highland distillery not seen enough!! $215.00
Bruichladdich 1973 40.2% A stunning example of a 30 Y.O. Bruichladdich.
….only a few bottles left. $325.00
Glenmorangie Tain l’ Hermitage – 28 Years in oak (24 in American and 4 years in Chapoutier Hermitage casks.)a stunning whisky and a great value.
… the last few bottles. $ 340.00
Speymalt Macallan 37 Y.O. 53.3% – The last of a very very special Macallan, which was not supposed to be in Boston,. But after I tasted it, I knew I had to make sure our customers could get this Macallan. Precious! The distillery’s bottling would cost $3500 to $4000. – Amazing Whisky – Amazing Value Don’t miss it while it’s here!!!!
Reg. $450.00 Special $399.99
Brora 30 Y.O. 55.7% (2007) One of the Best Broras I have tasted ….very little left from this closed cult distillery. $415.00
Port Ellen 8 Release 29 Y.O. 55.3% A treasure from another closed cult distillery. Spectacular The Quality is Outstanding. $415.00
Laphroaig 25 Y.O. 51.2% $ 550.00 If you wanted but did not get a 40 Y.O. Laphroaig , the BEST Whisky that I have tasted from this distillery with many of the same characters of the forty Y.O. but with more strength and depth.
Glenfarclas 1953 54 Y.O. 45.8% A fifty-four Y.O. from one of the finest distilleries.(Talk to Me)
We also have some of the best Bourbons, Cognacs, and Armagnacs and other fine spirits. Call or email if you would like help finding that special gift.
Have a Safe and Happy Holiday Season.
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/
