We often talk of Orkney’s temperate climate but it doesn’t seem particularly mild at the moment. Mind you, the whole of the UK appears to have been snowbound at some stage or other over the last couple of weeks.

Dr Tosh prescribes wrapping up warm and enjoying a dram of Highland Park.

With this in mind, I would like to bring to your attention some Highland Park merchandise that will keep you toasty. All our clothing and accessories are made with the same quality and attention to detail as our whisky.

Alpaca hat
Fancy something a little different? You don’t often find beautiful woollen hats like these in distilleries; stylish, warm, comfortable and featuring the Highland Park logo on the earflap. £15.00

Jacket
Attractive and durable, the new Highland Park jacket is windproof and waterproof, with adjustable cuffs and a Velcro-fastened storm flap. Wear it when scraping ice off your windscreen. £25.00

Fleece
Equally at home in the pub or on Hobbister Moor, the lined Highland Park fleece will keep you warm wherever you are. £15.00

Leather hip flask with cups
This aged brown leather flask comes with four metal cups so you can enjoy a drop of Highland Park with friends after an energetic snowball fight. £30.00

Whisky!
From our website you can purchase a miniature of Highland Park 12 year old (£4) or a bottle of the Orcadian Series 1964 Vintage (£3,750) – and everything in between. Delivery restricted to the UK.

Visit our secure on-line shop at www.highlandpark.co.uk

 

 

Gerry
Whisky Brand Ambassador of the Year, 2010

See press release below regarding the upcoming Canadian Mist Whisky “Hunt for Double Gold” contest. Monica Frazier will have the opportunity to win the value of over $700,000 in gold bars in this unique contest.

For Immediate Release
Contact: Svend Jansen

Public Relations Manager

Brown-Forman Corporation

502-774-7825

OHIO WOMAN TO HUNT FOR “DOUBLE GOLD” IN SAN FRANCISCO

Monica Frazier of Bradford, OH Will Have Opportunity to win over $700,000 in Gold Bars

Louisville, Ky. (January 19, 2010) – Monica Frazier of Bradford, OH has been selected as the winner of the Canadian Mist Whisky “Hunt for Double Gold” contest. Frazier, 31, was randomly chosen out of over 150,000 entries for a chance to win two gold bars that could change her life forever. She will travel to San Francisco’s Marina Green for an opportunity to take home over $700,000 in gold bars.

On Friday, February 5, Frazier will be taken to Marina Green near downtown San Francisco where she will have one hour to search for up to 100 gold-colored coins numbered 1-100 which will have been randomly hidden around the park. After the search, she will select 10 coins from all the coins she find. If the two numbers randomly drawn before the search match the numbers on two of Frazier’s selected coins, she will win the value of two gold bars worth over $700,000.

“Everyone with Canadian Mist is thrilled to have Monica as our sweepstakes winner and we look forward to her hunt ending up with two gold bars,” said Alan George, Brand Director for Canadian Mist Whisky. “Hopefully this weekend will be an experience that Monica will never forget.”

Frazier will be flown along with a guest to San Francisco for an all-expense paid trip. She will spend three nights in downtown San Francisco beginning on Thursday, February 4 through Sunday, February 7, with the actual “Hunt for Double Gold” occurring on Friday afternoon. 

“I want to thank Canadian Mist for giving me this once in a lifetime opportunity to have the chance to win the two gold bars,” said Frazier. “I am really looking forward to spending the day in the park and searching for the coins!”

 At the 2009 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, Canadian Mist was the only Canadian whisky to bring home the coveted Double Gold Medal. It marked the third time in five years in which Canadian Mist received the Gold Medal distinction, previously honored in 2005 and 2008 at the same competition.

About Canadian Mist

Canadian Mist is an award-winning whisky distilled in Collingwood, Ontario with water from the pristine Georgian Bay, North America’s largest pure water source. Brown-Forman Corporation is a diversified producer and marketer of fine quality consumer products, including Jack Daniel’s, Canadian Mist, Southern Comfort, Finlandia Vodka, Early Times, Old Forester, Fetzer Wine and Korbel California Champagnes. For more information, visit www.canadianmist.com.

###

_________________________________________________________

Enjoy Life. Drink Mist Responsibly.

Imported and Bottled by Brown-Forman Beverages, Canadian Whisky, A Blend, 40% Alc. by Volume, Louisville, KY ©2010 CANADIAN MIST is a registered trademark.

Svend Jansen

PR Manager – Woodford Reserve, Canadian Mist, Early Times & Old Forester

Brown-Forman

850 Dixie Highway

Louisville, KY 40210

Office, (502) 774-7825

Mobile, (502) 744-0462

svend_jansen@b-f.com

Malt Messenger No. 36

Dear Malt Messenger Subscribers,

It’s the New Year, and far from restive the store and the scotch industry are buzzing with activity. Our latest Springbank cask hit the floor just before Christmas and has been a huge success ever since. We’ve sold through nearly 1/6th of the cask. The Bowmore Tempest has been flying too. This cask strength Bowmore, which is exclusive to the Kensington Wine Market, was a massive hit in November and December; we sold through close to 300 bottles of it. There are some new releases on the way, like Glendronach 15Yr and 18Yr as well as the Auchentoshan 1978 (see below). Further the Glenmorangie Signet and Quarter Century bottlings will also within a week return into stock. Finally, but most importantly, the wait is almost over… our eagerly anticipated and exceptional 1994 BenRiach Madeira finished cask is also expected to arrive in the next couple of weeks.

In the mean time the Burns Supper (our 5th annual) is less than a week away, and if you haven’t already committed, you’ve only two days remaining in which to buy tickets. We have to give Fort Calgary our numbers first thing Friday morning. At present only 20 or so tickets remain available for what promises to be another great event. More details below.

I am also in the early stages of planning some May tours to the motherland of whisky. As many of you are aware I take small groups of no more than 7 or 8 participants on weeklong premium distillery tours in Scotland. These tours take you to Scotland’s finest distilleries, whisky shops and other attractions. With my industry connections I am able to get the participants the sort of distillery tour experiences not available to the general public or larger coach tours. I have to date conducted 5 such tours, and look to do at least 2 more in May. At the moment I have some keen interest in a tour of the Orkney Islands and Northern Highlands, and will also do a tour of either the Speyside or Islay and the West Coast depending on interest. Please send me an e-mail if you would like some more information on the tours. I will have more specific details in the next Malt Messenger.

Finally, this Friday, Saturday and Sunday Kensington Wine Market is having its yearend inventory clearance, the Super Sale. There will be incredible deals on wine and of course single malts. All single malts will be at least 5% off with others marked down, 7%, 10%, 15% and as much as 20%. For more details on the sale, see below.

I hope you enjoy this issue of the Malt Messenger.

Slainte!

Andrew Ferguson

In This Issue

1.       Only Two Days Left To Buy Tickets to the Robbie Burns Supper

2.       Springbank 1996 KWM Oloroso Sherry Cask

3.       Auchentoshan 1978

4.       KWM’s Annual Super Sale

5.       New Products

6.       Returned Whiskies

Only Two Days Left To Buy Tickets to the Robbie Burns Supper – Monday January 25th – $99

There are still about 20 tickets left for our 5th Annual Kensington Wine Market Burns Supper, and the deadline to purchase them in buying near.  We will have to cut off registration for the event at 5PM on Thursday January 21st. In case you missed them last week, here are the event’s details:

Scots Wha Hae!”, Kensinton Wine Market’s 5th Annual Burns Supper  will be taking place Monday January 25th (Burns Day Proper) at Fort Calgary 750 9th Avenue SE, at 7PM. Tickets are $99 and include full dinner, entertainment and a tasting of six whiskies including the following six expressions of Bowmore: 12YR, 15Yr Darkest, 18Yr, 25Yr, 1992 16Yr Wine Cask Matured and the new 10Yr Tempest Cask Strength (which is exclusive to the Kensington Wine Market).

It’s the most fun you can have with your Sporran on!

Springbank 1996 KWM Oloroso Cask – $109.99

Springbank is Scotland’s oldest family owned distillery, having been in the possession of the Wright/Mitchell family since its inception in 1828. It is also Scotland’s most traditional distillery, and accordingly, probably it’s finest. It is the only distillery in Scotland to malt 100% of its barley and is one of a very few that bottles its whisky on site. This gives the distiller more control over quality than any other in the country, and also means that it employs more people. Even though Springbank’s production is relatively small, it employs 10 times as many people as most distilleries 4 to 5 times its size.

Springbank is located in the Victorian town of Campbeltown near the mull of the Kintyre peninsula. At one point, in the late 19th and early 20th C, the town of Campbeltown was the heart of the Scottish whisky industry, supplying whisky to the burgeoning American and world market. Its bountiful distilleries (32) were only outnumbered by its churches. Distilleries wary of the temperance movement kept empty churches open to keep the movement at bay. In the late 1800’s the town was one of the most prosperous centers in the UK with the highest average income. Unfortunately, prohibition, two world wars, the Great Deppresion and a move towards quantity over quality killed the Golden Goose. Today there are only 3 distilleries in Campbeltown: Springbank, Glen Scotia and Glengyle. But traces of Campbeltown’s greatness can still be seen, the town is full of converted churches, the stone mansions built by the whisky barons and the walls of the distillery warehouses.

The Springbank 1996 KWMO Oloroso cask is our second from the distillery, matured in a single Oloroso sherry butt. It was selected from a sample of 6 casks by the customers of the Kensington Wine Market. 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. Our cask was bottled at a cask strength of 55.8% and there are 642 bottles available.

My Tasting Note:

Nose: sweet and malty, rich, dark fruits like figs and raisins; traces of smoke and brittle sea salt; woody sherry oak, freshly cracked walnuts, and treacle sauce; Palate: sweet, spicy and invigorating; it has some grip but is softer and less nutty than the Manzanilla cask;  cinnamon and clove, date squares and chocolate covered raisins; salt water taffy; Finish: long, drying and oak, some traces of sweet dark fruit and clean smoke.

The new Springbank hit the shelves 4 days before Christmas and has been a huge success. In the last 3 weeks we’ve sold 100 bottle, almost 1/6 of the cask! Feel free to drop by the store for a taste…

Auchentoshan 1978 – 30 Year Old Limited Edition – $543.99

Auchentoshan distillery produces the only full time triple distilled whisky in Scotland. The distillery, often refered to as Glasgow’s distillery, is located at the foot of the Kilpatrick hills on the outskirts of Glasgow. This 1978 vintage release of Auchentoshan is a 30 year old whisky matured in Bourbon Casks that has been bottled at cask strength of 53.5%. Only 480 bottles have been produced with a unique pewter label.

Distillery Tasting Note:

“Colour: Summer barley. Nose: All butter shortbread, brazil nuts with a hint of tangerine zest.  Then comes the cooling eucalyptus fresh bracken and tobacco leaf. Taste: The palate is filled with malty, buttery notes at first which are complimented by the fresh zing of citrus and the Auchentoshan mint and tobacco leaf on the rear of the palate.”

A limited number of bottles of Auchentoshan 1978 are currently available for $543.99

KWM’s Annual Super Sale

Every year we hold a yearend inventory clearance sale, the “Super Sale”. I won’t be here for it this year; I will be in Victoria at the Victoria Whisky Festival. However there will still be some great deals on single malts, all of which will be at least 5% off with many at 7% and 10% off a select few for !5% and 20%. The sale is on only in stock items, no orders will be taken over the phone. Purchases can be made on our website www.kensingtonwinemarket.com and in store. Here is a list of some of the items on sale. The regular price of the items is that shown.

Save 20%

1.       G&M KWM Glen Grant 1966 – $499.99

Save 15%

1.       Glenfiddich 50Yr 50ml – $1390.99

2.       Bruichladdich Legacy V – $410.49

3.       Bruichladdich Legacy VI – $397.49

4.       Brechin 28Yr – $293.99

Save 10%

1.       Jack Daniel’s KWM Single Barrel – $49.99

2.       Cadenhead Laphroaig Cask Demerara Rum – $83.99

3.       Cadenhead Panama Green Label 8Yr – $73.49

4.       Balblair 1979 – $234.49

5.       BenRiach Arumaticus Fumosus 12Yr – $71.99

6.       BenRiach Heredotus Fumosus 12Yr – $71.99

7.       BenRiach Importanticus Fumosus 12Yr – $71.99

8.       Benromach Latitude 53 Second Release – $128.99

9.       Benromach Organic Special Edition – $84.99

10.   Big Peat – $79.99

11.   Bowmore Tempest 10Yr Cask Strength – $81.99

12.   Ledaig 10Yr – $73.99

13.   Oban 14Yr – $99.99

14.   Oban Distillers Edition – $143.49

15.   OMC KWM Port Ellen 25Yr – $249.99

16.   Springbank 1996 KMW Oloroso Cask – $109.99

17.   The Ballechin (Peated Edradour) – $105.99

18.   The Spirit of Don Manuel Reposado Tequila – $76.99

19.   Johnnie Walker Swing – $46.99

Save 7%

1.       Basil Hayden 8Yr – $57.72

2.       Bulleit Bourbon Frontier Whiskey – $36.49

3.       Pappy Van Winkle 23Yr – $324.99

4.       El Dorado Single Barrel EHP – $94.99

5.       El Dorado Single Barrel ICBU – $94.99

6.       El Dorado Single Barrel PM – $94.99

7.       Amrut Fusion – $75.99

8.       Arran 100 Proof – $53.99

9.       Auchentoshan 21Yr – $126.49

10.   Bruichladdich Octomore – $152.49

11.   Bunnahabhain 12Yr – 71.49

12.   Dewar Rattray Ben Nevis 11Yr – $93.49

13.   Dewar Rattray Royal Lochnagar 10Yr – $99.99

14.   Dewar Rattray Strathmill 31Yr – $211.99

15.   Glenfiddich 12Yr – $44.49

16.   Glenlivet 12Yr – $47.99

17.   Glenmorangie Lasanta – $67.99

18.   Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban – $70.49

19.   Isle of Jura 10Yr  – $42.99

20.   Lagavulin 12Yr – $97.99

21.   Lagavulin 16Yr – $143.49

22.   Suntory Yamazaki 12Yr – $55.49

23.   Tullibardine 1993 – $59.99

24.   Johnnie Walker Gold Label – $91.49

ALL OTHER SINGLE MALTS 5% OFF!!!!

New Products

1.       Springbank 1996 KWM Oloroso Cask – Our second cask of Springbank, filled the same day in 1996 as our previous Manzanilla cask and bottled after almost a further year of maturation. This Oloroso sherry cask was bottled at 55.8% and is a little softer than the previous cask. Really spicy and sweet, candied fruits, drying oak and some salty smoke. – $109.99

2.       Duthies Clynelish 14Yr – Easily my favourite of the 6 new Duthies bottlings. A perfect balance of sherry, dried fruits, chocolate orange and marmalade. Very smooth with a dry finish. – $91.99

3.       Duthies Laphroaig 11Yr – This Laphroaig is non-chillfiltered, has no added colouring and has been bottled at 46%. Oily rich, peat smoke, dry burning embers. A lingering dry smokey finish. – $98.99

4.       Springbank 2001 Small Casks – This vintage Springbank may only be 8 years of age, but it has plenty of character to spare. Matured in small casks this whisky is rich and creamy, with honey, vanilla and butterscotch. – $85.99

5.       Macallan Fine Oak 25Yr – Matured in a mix of Ex-Sherry European and American oak casks as well as ex-Bourbon casks. Coconut, vanilla, lemon, sultanas and peat. – $TBA

6.       Amrut Fusion – Jim Murray’s 2010 No.3 Whisky of the Year! I have been a little slower than most to warm to the delights of Amrut distillery. I was previously a big fan of their Cask Strength bottling, but there is no doubt that the new Fusion is a terrific whisky, and among last year’s best new releases. – $75.99

7.       Dewar Rattray Clynelish 1996 – This whisky is from a single Refill Sherry cask, it produced 577 bottles at 59.7%. Light summer fruits, melon and strawberry jam. – $113.49

8.       Dewar Rattray Ben Nevis 11Yr – This whisky is from a single Refill Sherry Butt from which 430 bottles were filled at a cask strength of 56.8%. Cinnamon, cloves, honey and oats. – $93.49

9.       Dewar Rattray Arran 1996 – This whisky is from a single Puncheon and yielded 656 bottles at a cask strength of 55.7%. Sweet, spiced malt, mocha and a hint of malt. – $106.49

Returned Whiskies

1.       Glenmorangie Quarter Century – One of the nicest, most subtle and complex 25 year olds you will ever have the opportunity to sample. Beautifully packaged in an elegant bottle and flashy presentation case this whisky would look great on any bar, where it wouldn’t last long! – $402.99

2.       Glenmorangie Signet – One of the most exceptional and unusual new releases last year. Made from chocolate malts and old sherried whiskies this dram is like no other. If you haven’t tried it, you’ve no idea what your missing! – $199.49

3.       Macallan Fine Oak 30Yr – Matured in European and American oak casks this whisky is a softer more refined Macallan, with big oak notes, sweet honeycomb, and burnt fudge. 91pts Jim Murray – $896.99

4.       The Big Peat – This Blended Malt is made up of four Islay whiskies: Bowmore, Ardbeg, Caol Ila and Port Ellen. If ever there were a true peat monster from Islay, this is it!  – $79.99

5.       Cadenhead Classic Islay – A whisky so like Laphroaig 10Yr it begs the question, what distillery or distilleries is it from? Cadenhead isn’t telling, all we know is that its 50%, and a damn good dram! – $76.99

6.       Springbank 11Yr Madeira Wood – This limited edition Springbank was matured 11 years in Madeira casks and bottled at cask strength before Whisky Magazine gave it a Gold Medal and their top recommendation. The first delivery sold out in weeks! – $87.99

———————

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

Like most of the country we have been affected by the winter weather. Here on the Isle of Lewis ferries were cancelled and roads treacherous with ice and snow; But forever optimistic and to welcome 2010, we decided to warm everyone up with news of the release of ‘The Spirit of Lewis’ New Spirit! 

We apologise for being late, but we want to ensure our stock is available for our Single Malt in 2011, that was our priority and we knew that you would agree.  Our philosophy has always been ‘Make sure you’ve made it, before you sell it!’  So we are going to release a limited amount of sample bottles that will be available via registering on the website, that means, for some, you won’t have to come to Lewis to get one! As this is a limited release we will only allow one bottle per person, so please don’t ask for more.

The launch date, registration form and cost of a bottle will be published in two weeks time via the newsletter.  Please fill in the special registration form if you would like one of these historic bottles. Filling in the form cannot guarantee you a bottle, but we will try our best. If you don’t fill in the form we can guarantee you won’t get a bottle unless you visit us!

We are releasing special 500ml New Spirit, sample bottles that will carry the bottle number as well as the cask number, and Marko’s signature of authenticity. They will be the first legal bottles of spirit to be made on our island in almost 160 years!

We have also (at your request) altered our Whisky Experience, it is no longer a requirement to take a cask and participants can go home with a bottle instead, thus reducing the overall cost of the course.  Due to the current financial squeeze we are also offering a course for those on a tight budget, check out our website for what’s on offer.

If you want to get tongues wagging and questions asked why not sport one of our new T Shirts? We are offering a range of stylish quality clothing depicting the Abhainn Dearg Distillery logo and The Spirit of Lewis label. At the moment these items are, like our Spirit, as rare as hen’s teeth so don’t miss out!

Remember to look out for our next newsletter if you want to get your hands on a bottle of ‘The Spirit of Lewis’! 

http://www.abhainndearg.co.uk/

“Scots wha hae?”

Dear Malt Messenger Subscribers,

It is nearly that time of year again, when we unite to celebrate the life of Scotland’s favourite son, Robert Burns. Can you believe this is the 5th annual Kensington Wine Market Burns Supper? We started off small 5 years ago in the tasting room of the store with 20 participants, a haggis, a piper and very little experience. I’d never been to a Burns Supper myself, and wasn’t entirely sure how to conduct one. By good fortune a past President of the Calgary Burns Club just happened to be in attendance, and he took it upon himself to entertain the assembled guests—especially the lasses—with poetry and song. The next year the event grew to over 100 participants, and we’ve never looked back. What started out in a small room in the Kensington Wine Market has grown into one of Calgary’s most respected Burns nights with bag pipes, haggis, poetry, song and of course some excellent whisky.

Each of the last three years our Burns Supper has had a special guest from the whisky industry. First it was the passionate and charming Richard Patterson of Whyte and MacKay who put on a performance that still hasn’t been matched. He is an old fashioned showman, with a larger than life personality that almost overshadowed the brands he represents: Isle of Jura, Dalmore and Whyte and MacKay. Next it was Bruichladdich’s Andrew Gray who is well known to Calgary whisky connoisseurs. Andrew had a more gentlemanly style, and entertained the crowd with anecdotes from Islay’s most eccentric distillery. And last year it was Peter Curry of Springbank, Scotland’s oldest family owned and most traditional distillery. He was here to celebrate the launch of our first Springbank cask. This year we are welcoming Jamie MacKenzie, brand ambassador for Morrison Bowmore Distillers. Jamie will be leading us through a tasting of whiskies from Bowmore, and will be giving a rookie performance of the “Address to a Haggis”. The address is no small undertaking, it is 16 eight line versus of ancient Scottish English accompanied by the appropriate gestures and emotion. He’s been studying hard, and I know he’ll do an excellent job.

There are still plenty of tickets for this year’s Kensinton Wine Market Burns Supper, “Scots Wha Hae!” The event will be taking place Monday January 25th (Burns Day Proper) at Fort Calgary 750 9th Avenue SE, at 7PM. Tickets are $99 and include full dinner, entertainment and a tasting of six whiskies including the following six expressions of Bowmore: 12YR, 15Yr Darkest, 18Yr, 25Yr, 1992 16Yr Wine Cask Matured and the new 10Yr Tempest Cask Strength (which is exclusive to the Kensington Wine Market). The event is a lot of fun and unlike some others is open to both men and women. What good is bawdy and romantic 17th Century verse if there are no lasses around to hear it?

Kensington will be selling tickets to the 5th Annual Burns Supper until noon on Friday January 22nd. Tickets can be purchased in store, over the phone 403-283-8000 or on the web at www.kensingtonwinemarket.com..

Robert Burns – The Man

Robert Burns–AKA Rabbie Burns, Robbie Burns, the Ploughman Poet, Bard of Ayrshire and to Scots, simply The Bard–was born on January 25th 1759 in Alloway, Ayrshire, Scotland. Widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland, he is without doubt Scotland’s favorite son. Every year the date of his birth is celebrated in Scotland and around the world in the Scottish Diaspora; which incidentally includes all native Scots, descendants of Scots, and those who wish they were!

Poor and little-known during his life time, Robert Burn’s fame has grown steadily since his death. His poetry and other writings are every bit as evocative and relevant today as they were in the late 1700’s. He gave voice to the common man, where there was none before, and was one of the pioneers of the Romantic Movement.

2009 was the 250th Anniversary of Burn’s birth, and was celebrated in Scotland as “Homecoming 2009”.

The Burns Supper

Celebrated for more than 2 centuries, the Burns Supper has changed little since his death in 1796. The dinner opens with a general welcome, followed by the Selkirk Grace. The piping signals the entrance of the Haggis which is ceremonially cut open to the reading of Burns’ famous ode, “Address to a Haggis”. The Immortal memory, a recounting of the life of Robert Burns is given and then a couple of toasts. The dinner concludes with the singing of “Auld Lang Syne”.

But that’s not enough for the KWM Burns Supper. We blend a whisky tasting into the evenings events, along with some traditional highland dancing from the Springbank School of Dance. This even will appeal to both novice and seasoned Burns Supper attendees. And one need not love whisky to attend, but it doesn’t hurt!

Bowmore Distillery

Bowmore is one of Scotland’s oldest and most traditional distilleries. It was established in 1779 in the heart of the island of Islay, along the shores of Loch Indaal. Of Islay’s eight active distilleries Bowmore is the oldest and one of the most iconic. Along with little more than a handful of other distilleries in Scotland, Bowmore still malts by hand approximately 40% of its own barley requirements. I am always struck with a warm feeling when I arrive in town to the sight and smell of peat smoke rising from the distillery’s pagoda roofs. Bowmore’s salty-peaty whiskies are world renowned, and it’s No. 1 Vaults (warehouse)—which sits precariously below sea level along Loch Indaal—is held by many whisky enthusiasts, myself included, to be among the holiest of sites in the world of whisky.

Bowmore distillery was founded in 1779 by John Simpson in the purpose built town of Bowmore. The Laird of Islay, Daniel Campbell the younger, was unhappy with the old town which was obstructing the view of Loch Indall from his manor. So he had it demolished and in 1770 had the people re-settled in the new town of Bowmore (Big Reef). The town was built with unusually wide streets, the main one of which lead down to the water from the only slightly older Kilarrow Parish Church. The church was built round so that there would be no corners in which for the devil to hide.

The second owner of Bowmore was an unusual chap; James Mutter (of German descent) who acquired the distillery in 1837. Mr. Mutter in addition to owning some farming interests was the vice consul of Portugal, Brazil and the Ottoman Empire in Glasgow. Mr. Mutter also had his own iron steamship built to supply the distillery with coal and barley from the mainland and which would then return filled with whisky.

The distillery changed hands a total of six times in its history. It was mothballed during both World Wars, and served as a host to the RAF Coastal Command in WWII. RAF flying boats were operated from Bowmore on Loch Indaal. They were principally employed on anti-submarine warfare missions. The distillery was bought by Stanley Morrison and James Howat in 1951 who formed Stanley P. Morrison Distillers, 12 years later this was changed to Morrison Bowmore Distillers which would eventually come to own Auchentoshan and Glen Garioch distilleries as well. The company has changed little since even though it is now a subsidiary of Suntory Group of Japan. Suntory is a Japanese drinks giant that itself has a 90 plus year history of distilling. It is widely recognized that Suntory’s involvement with Morrison Bowmore has greatly benefited its distilleries which are better capitalized than before while still retain their traditional practices and management.

Bowmore’s core range of whiskies consists of:

Bowmore Legend – The baby in the family, less than 10 years of age it is zesty with notes of lemon, smoke and honey. – $42.99
Bowmore 12Yr – This is the baseline of Bowmore, dark chocolate and peat smoke. – $51.47
Bowmore 15Yr Darkest – This is the rich one, cedar, toffee and treacle with soft peat smoke. – $83.49
Bowmore 18Yr – Soft fruit, more chocolate and light smoke, this whisky is more refined and complex than its younger siblings. – $105.49
Bowmore 25Yr – This is a big, rich, elegant whisky with notes of toffee and hazelnut mingling with sweet peat smoke. – $307.49

There are also some limited special edition bottlings available at the moment including:

Bowmore Tempest 10Yr Cask Strength – Exclusive to Kensington Wine Market in Canada, this new cask strength 10 year old in matured in only 1st fill American oak bourbon barrels giving it a creamy, soft palate with loads of vanilla and tropical fruits balanced by clean peat smoke. – $81.99

Bowmore 1992 16Yr Wine Cask Matured – Matured 9 years in Bordeaux casks after starting out in ex-Bourbon this whisky is huge, big dark chocolate peat, leathery earth and salty smoke. – $98.49

Black Bowmore 1964 42Yr – Hands down my all-time favourite bottling of Bowmore, and easily one of the three best whiskies I’ve ever tasted. Big, chewy and round, soft chocolaty peat that is drowing in sweet, soft tropical fruits. Only a handful left in Canada! 97pts John Hansel Malt Advocate. – $4099.99

White Bowmore 1964 43Yr – Surprisingly this whisky matured only in ex-Bourbon casks has maintained the same tropical fruit notes as its younger brother which matured in Oloroso sherry. The white is creamy with soft vanilla, white chocolate and shades of the same tropical fruits found in the black. 94pts John Hansel Malt Advocate – $4389.99

Gold Bowmore 1964 44Yr – This is the only of the three bottles in the 1964 trilogy, and I have yet to sample it. It was matured in a mix of Sherry and Bourbon casks. John Hansel of Malt Advocate gave it a 96pt score, rating it just below the Black which he felt was more robust and vibrant. – $4389.99

A note on this Bowmore Trilogy: Kensington Wine Market is selling the Gold Bowmore 1964 for $4389.99 and is listing the complete Bowmore 1964 Trilogy for $12,878.97 + GST. This may sound like a lot, but the same trilogy of whiskies recently sold at Christies Auctions in New York for USD $21,600.00. Whisky investors take note!

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

January 2010

Diageo launches the next batch of their first-ever single-cask collection of Single Malt Scotch Whiskies.

Following the first batch launched in September, Diageo have announced that the second batch of their single-cask collection of Single Malt Scotch Whiskies has arrived.

The project encompasses all 27 of Diageo’s Single Malts  –  the first time that Scotland’s biggest estate of Single Malt distilleries has issued a comprehensive series of single-cask bottlings. Labelled The Managers’ Choice, each distillery is represented by a very restricted bottling of its Single Malt Whisky drawn from one single cask, selected after a careful examination of distillery stocks.

The rare limited-edition series is aimed at collectors and connoisseurs who will enjoy owning and exploring an unusual expression of their favourite Single Malt or even a whole anthology of highly individual Single Malts, chosen to represent a unique take on each of the 27 distilleries’ distinctive distillery character.

The releases are being staged in four batches over several months. September 2009 saw the first release of six malts: Cardhu™ (1997), Glen Elgin™ (1998), Linkwood™ (1996), Mortlach™ (1997), Oban™ (2000) and Teaninich™ (1996).

This second release comprises:

Blair Athol™
Cragganmore™
Dalwhinnie™
Dufftown™
Glen Spey™
Strathmill™
Talisker™

For each Malt, the cask was nosed, tasted, discussed and finally chosen as a highly distinctive expression of that distillery’s Single Malts by a judging panel of acknowledged experts, including leading maturation experts and the distillery managers themselves.

In many cases, unusual cask woods will have had their influence on the final result. Perfect maturation and spirit quality have been the criteria, resulting in a bottling that delights with original and sometimes unexpected flavours whilst allowing the distillery character to still shine through.

Depending on the size of the cask and the rate of evaporation over the years since it was filled, the volume of bottles obtained can vary between approximately 600 and as little as 200.These are, consequently, extremely rare and distinctive whiskies.

Each cask is bottled at its natural cask strength.   This means that the liquid the connoisseur pours into his or her glass is exactly as it emerged directly from the cask when it was hand-picked a few months earlier by the experts – it’s as good as a dram drawn from the cask in the warehouse itself.

Classic Malts Selection spokesperson Nick Morgan said: “As we said last year when the first batch of The Managers’ Choice was launched, this is the most extensive collection we’ve ever released of single cask malt whisky bottlings, from all 27 of our operational malt distilleries. 

“Our announcement last September provoked a great deal of interest and comment. The release was a huge success, with a number of customers asking for more allocation. It met all our commercial expectations: in some territories, these bottlings turned out to be the fastest-selling limited-edition single malt whisky bottlings we have ever launched. We expect the second batch, which like before offers both celebrated and lesser-known single malt whiskies, will also be very well received.”

Full details, including tasting notes, will displayed on the Classic Malts Selection™ website www.malts.com. The updated website content includes the story of The Managers’ Choice and the selection process, a “Meet the Managers” page where they talk about The Managers Choice collection & questions related to the world of whisky, whisky tasting notes & audio, Q&A with a Sensory Expert, and details of where to buy the whiskies. Whisky enthusiasts registered as Friends of the Classic Malts™ have been given advance notice of the launch.

ENDS

NOTES

Release dates

Stocks of the new releases are now available in UK specialist retailers. Retailers in Northern European markets (Germany, Switzerland and the Netherland) will be receiving stock in the course of January.
Release details – second release

MALT CASK FILLED NO. OF BOTTLES  WOOD

Blair Athol™ November 1995 570 Bodega Sherry European Oak
BRIEF TASTING NOTE Butter scotch nose, with sweet, deep burnt flavours.

Cragganmore™ May 1997 246 Bodega Sherry European Oak
 An oaky fruity aroma with a warm dry finish,

Dalwhinnie™ February 1992 270 Refill American Oak
 Orange marmalade aromas with smooth bitter notes.

Dufftown™ May 1997 282 Rejuvenated American Oak
 Warm fruit cake aromas with a gentler smooth taste.

Glen Spey™ January 1996 276 New American Oak
 Toasted almonds with a warm finish.

Strathmill™ December 1996 300 New American Oak
 Fresh springtime aromas with caramel on the palette.

Talisker™ December 1994 582 Bodega Sherry European Oak
 Soft peat smoke, with lots of apple sweetness.

Pack shots are available – contact Pat Roberts on +44 (0)7774 424 410 or pat@cognispr.net

Prices

The UK RRP are as follows:

Blair Athol £200
Cragganmore £250
Dalwhinnie £250
Dufftown £200
Glen Spey £200
Strathmill £200
Talisker £300

Website

See www.malts.com for full details of the release, including interviews with many of those involved in the selection process Diageo’s distilleries.

Diageo has 28 operational single malt whisky distilleries, but spirit distilled at Diageo’s new distillery at Roseisle is not available yet.

Craig Wallace

Full interview with Craig Wallace, and other details of the first The Managers’ Choice releases, can be downloaded from: ResponseSource: http://tinyurl.com/lawdxf

Distribution

The Managers’ Choice bottlings are available from specialist retailers in the United Kingdom, Germany, Switzerland and the Netherlands only.

About Diageo

Diageo is the world’s leading premium drinks business with an outstanding collection of beverage alcohol brands across spirits, wines, and beer categories. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Guinness, Smirnoff, J&B, Baileys, Cuervo, Tanqueray, Captain Morgan, Crown Royal, Beaulieu Vineyard and Sterling Vineyards wines.

Diageo is a global company, trading in more than 180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (DGE). For more information about Diageo, its people, brands, and performance, visit us at Diageo.com. For our global resource that promotes responsible drinking through the sharing of best practice tools, information and initiatives, visit DRINKiQ.com.

Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.

 The Classic Malts, The Classic Malts Selection, Blair Athol, Cardhu, Cragganmore, Dalwhinnie, Dufftown, Glen Elgin, Glen Spey, Linkwood, Mortlach, Oban, Strathmill, Talisker and Teaninich words and associated logos are trade marks. © 2009

Toast the Bard into the Wee Sma’ Hours!
– Society Joins up with Lennoxlove to Celebrate Burns –

The world’s leading authority on single cask, single malt whisky has joined forces with one of the country’s finest historic homes, Lennoxlove House, for a special 2010 toast to Scotland’s most famous Bard.

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society and Lennoxlove are offering guests an exclusive opportunity to stay at the famous 14th Century home of the Duke of Hamilton, as well as the chance to taste a rare selection of single cask, single malt whiskies.

The Society offers the world’s widest selection of single cask, single malt whiskies, with private Members’ Rooms in Edinburgh and London.

Lennoxlove, in East Lothian, has recently been restored to its former splendour and is considered one of the UK’s finest exclusive use properties. Each of the 11 rooms is luxuriously appointed and blends fine period features and state-of-the-art facilities.

As part of the special celebratory weekend, guests will be invited to make Lennoxlove House their home over 22 – 24 January. A champagne reception will be held at The Society’s Georgian Members’ Room at 28 Queen Street in Edinburgh.  A single malt tasting and dinner will follow, with Burns Karaoke for the more adventurous lads and lassies.

Visitors will receive a special insight into the life of the Burns’ family, with a visit to the nearby home of the Bard, as well as a recital of music and verse performed by the renowned Grants Brae Society.

A formal dinner dance in the Great Hall at Lennoxlove will complete the weekend’s activities. Toasts will be led by a Society Ambassador, while whisky tasting sessions will be available at the ‘Society Whisky bar’ into the wee sma’ hours!

Whiskies for the occasion have been selected from the Society’s unrivalled range of single cask, single malts, all of which have passed the rigours of the Society’s uncompromising Tasting Panel. 

Paul Miles, managing director of The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, said: “Burns is a highlight in our annual calendar and we are delighted to be celebrating the Bard in partnership with a location of such historical significance. Guests will not only be able to sample some of the world’s finest single malt whiskies, but also sit back and toast Burns in a truly unique setting.”

For further information or to book please call: 01620 828 619 or
email: ken-buchanan@lennoxlove.com

For more information about The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, visit www.smws.co.uk.

Ends         12 January 2010

Issued on behalf of The Scotch Malt Whisky Society by Weber Shandwick. For more information on or to request images contact:

Jenny McMahon    Stephanie Robertson
0131 556 6649     0131 556 6649
07770 886925    07809 665773
jmcmahon@webershandwick.com srobertson@webershandwick.com

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society has over 26,000 members worldwide with Members’ Rooms, in Edinburgh and London. The Society bottles single casks from a range of over 125 malt whisky distilleries. Only the very best single cask, single malt whisky is selected, having been approved by the Society’s Tasting Panel

Winter approaches and I trust your thoughts are turning, as always, to Highland Park.

I am really excited about our latest release which, as a high-strength whisky that is bursting with flavour, is perfect for this time of year and will warm you on the chilliest of days.

Earl Magnus is a 15 year old Highland Park with the addition of some casks from the early 1990s to add even greater depth and a firmer structure. It takes its name from the most famous of the Viking Earls of Orkney, in whose memory the stunning cathedral in Kirkwall was built (less than a mile from the distillery) and stands as a testament to the craftsmanship of medieval master masons.

The Highland Park archive is home to many venerable bottles; one in particular, dating from the late 19th century, fits perfectly as an inspiration for celebrating the life of Earl Magnus, featuring an image of the saint taken from an ancient stained glass window.

The whisky has been created by Max MacFarlane, Whisky Maker, and is bottled at 52.6%. He has supplied the following tasting note for Earl Magnus:

Appearance: Golden honey, clear and bright.
Nose: Cedarwood and lemon. Mango chunks with hints of ginger and cinnamon bark.
Palate: Vanilla, balanced smokiness, milk chocolate and crystallized ginger.
Finish: Medium sweet with lingering spiciness.

Earl Magnus costs £85 per bottle and will be available in the UK, Canada, Cyprus, the Netherlands, Russia, Scandinavia and Switzerland. This bottling is a limit release of only 5976 bottles.

For more information on the Best Spirit in the World, please visit www.highlandpark.co.uk

 

 

Gerry
Whisky Brand Ambassador of the Year, 2010

Well after a hectic last few days before Christmas we were all looking forward to a Christmas break which started mildly enough in Portsoy with the snow which had fallen just before Christmas totally disappeared by the 25th. However by the time New Year came we had our share of cold weather and snow which got worse in the first week of January. Some of the team couldn’t make it in due to the roads being closed and so with threats of the gas supplies possibly being shut-off we have delayed start-up for a week. We should now be ready to start next week by which time I will be in Canada heading for the Victoria Whisky Festival.

For those of you who have been following my ramblings during last year, you will remember that we produced a small amount of peated spirit at the end of the year. While we are still awaiting the analyses of the spirit and the measured phenol levels, both Graham and I were pleased with the taste of the spirit and are sure that this will produce excellent whisky in future years. Later this year we will make available a very small amount of bottles of the peated new make spirit and more details of the unique way in which we will sell this product will be available shortly.

Finally although we have had some snow, I know that many of you have fared worse than us and indeed some of other Scotch Whisky companies have suffered considerably with warehouse roof collapses. To date we have not been affected by this and I can only hope that the thaw, when it comes, does not do too much damage.

Slange

Stuart

 

 

 

 

PRESS RELEASE: Jan 12 2010

PIONEERING SPIRITS…

A UNIQUE COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE HOTEL DU VIN/MALMAISON GROUP AND THE SCOTCH MALT WHISKY SOCIETY BRINGS EXCLUSIVE MALT WHISKIES TO ALL

The Hotel du Vin / Malmaison Group and The Scotch Malt Whisky Society are announcing an exciting new collaboration to provide Society members and non-members the opportunity to sample and enjoy some of the world’s rarest malt whiskies in the superb environment of Hotel du Vin and Malmaison hotels.

Until now members have been able to enjoy the Society’s single cask, single malt whiskies in its three members-only venues throughout the UK; two in Edinburgh and one in London.  This unique partnership will now enable the Society’s 26,000 worldwide members to enjoy its limited edition bottlings, Society members’ events and luxurious ‘Society Suite’ hotel rooms in three new properties as from the end of January 2010.  

Aberdeen’s Malmaison, Birmingham’s Hotel du Vin and Brighton’s Hotel du Vin will all open their doors later this month with a special Society snug – the ‘Whisky Snuggle’; dedicated lounges and bar areas where Society members and hotel guests can discover a range of different Society bottlings in unique and inspiring atmospheres.

Commenting on the partnership, Robert B.Cook, Chief Executive Officer, Hotel du Vin and Malmaison, says: “We are always looking at ways in which to innovate and bring something very special and unique to our customers.  The Hotel du Vin and Malmaison Group together with The Scotch Malt Whisky Society share the same passion for excellence and I believe it is a natural business fit for us.   We are confident that this collaboration will be a success.

Paul Miles, Managing Director of The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, commented: “This partnership will allow members, prospective members and their guests to truly immerse themselves in the relaxed atmosphere that the Society is renowned for now in the luxurious surroundings of the Hotel du Vin & Malmaison Group hotels.  We look forward to offering an increasing number of members of The Scotch Malt Whisky Society the opportunity to sample Society malts on their door step with members’ dram prices and special offers on dinner and rooms while non-members will be able to sample Society whiskies and learn about the benefits of Society membership.”

Launch Opening Dates:

Aberdeen Malmaison: January 22 2010

Birmingham Hotel du Vin: January 29 2010

Brighton Hotel du Vin: February 5 2010

– Ends-

Media Contacts:

Issued on behalf of Hotel du Vin/Malmaison Group and The Scotch Malt Whisky Society by The Big Partnership.  Contacts:

The Big Partnership: Kelly Kilner or Linda Edstrand on 0131 555 5522

Kelly.Kilner@bigpartnership.co.uk or  Linda.Edstrand@bigpartnership.co.uk

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society: Mark van der Vijver on 0131 555 2266

Mark@smws.com

Notes to Editor

HOTEL DU VIN AND MALMAISON GROUP

Malmaison and Hotel du Vin are recognised as the UK’s leading lifestyle hotel group with 1,900 bedrooms across the UK.  Recipient of the following awards:

2009

Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year – Scottish Restaurant Awards 2009

2008

Conde Nast Gold List

Travel and Leisure top 500

Travel and Leisure Food & Wine Go-list winners

Catering in Scotland – Hotel of the Year

Scottish Hotel of the Year Awards – Glasgow Hotel of the Year

Scottish Hotel of the Year Awards – Chef of the Year

Bistro accredited with 3AA Rosettes

Best small traditional Venue – Scottish Event Awards 2008

THE SCOTCH MALT WHISKY SOCIETY

Membership of the Society provides the following

The opportunity to sample and buy from the world’s widest selection of single cask, single malt whiskies. The Society bottles over 200 single casks every year from 126 distilleries.

Attend a range of whisky tastings and events around the UK and at our three venues.

Use the Members’ Rooms bars and restaurant in Edinburgh, Leith and London.

Receive the award winning quarterly magazine Unfiltered and have full access to the website at www.smws.co.uk

New members also receive the Society’s beautiful membership pack, which includes four different 10cl bottles of single cask, single malt whisky together with their Members’ Handbook and membership card

Individual Membership costs from £100 for the first year. Annual renewal thereafter costs from £49.50.

Membership information:

To join please apply online at www.smws.co.uk or call (+44) 131 555 2929 (Mon-Fri 9am-4.45pm)