Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 389: Glenrothes 24 Year Old 1996 The Barrel Barron

Mark Dermul, Belgian whisky blogger, enjoys a stunning Glenrothes. The new Dutch independent bottler The Barrel Baron has just released his second bottling. ‘I’m proud to say that I was asked to taste it before the cask selection was made and like to think my appraisal had something to do with it’ Mark boasts. The label is also a nice sequel to the previous release’s, which I also enjoyed a lot. This was is equally good! It’s a single cask – a sherry butt – on which the spirit of Glenrothes has slept for just over a quarter century.

https://youtu.be/PNkfZRrykKQ

DISCOVER LAIR UPON LAIR OF FLAVOUR IN ARDBEG SCORCH – THE DISTILLERY’S LATEST LIMITED EDITION 

The Ardbeg Distillery invites its noble fandom to join them for an online extravaganza and uncover the ‘lairs’ of flavour in their latest limited edition.

Held annually on the final Saturday of Islay’s Festival of Music and Malt (Fèis Ìle), Ardbeg Day is a global celebration of all things Ardbeg, which this year will take place entirely online. The Distillery invites smoky malt whisky lovers and fantasy buffs everywhere to join them on Ardbeg.com and social media, as fans come together to uncover the myth and the malt behind their new limited edition, Ardbeg Scorch.

Islay folk have long told tales of the island’s dragon, bravely slain by a heroic warrior many moons ago. And on 5 June 2021, Ardbeggians around the world will celebrate Ardbeg Day with a new whisky created in homage to this ‘true myth’. It is said this fiercely delicious dram is the mouthwatering product of Ardbeg’s own flavour-breathing beast, who dwells in Dunnage Warehouse No. 3, scorching staves and burning barrels…

Ardbeg Scorch has been matured in ex-bourbon American oak casks – heavily charred by the fiery exhale of Warehouse 3’s definitely-real-and-totally-not-made-up dragon*. Intense aromas of soot and smoke lie in wait, while grilled fare and black liquorice mingle with bold notes of medicinal lozenge. This truly is a dram of fantastical proportions.

Colin Gordon, Ardbeg’s Distillery Manager, said: “This year will be my first Ardbeg Day ever: a baptism of fire! It’s a shame we Ardbeggians can’t enjoy it together in person, but the online event is shaping up to be tremendous fun. With a whole virtual world to explore, including fantasy inns, campfire tales, medieval feasts and live tastings, there’s plenty for people to be excited about this year.”

Ardbeg’s Director of Distilling and Whisky Creation, Dr Bill Lumsden, said: “Ardbeg Scorch is our tribute to the legendary dragon of Islay. By using our most heavily charred casks, we’ve created a fire-breathing beast of a dram!”  

Ardbeg Scorch will be available to buy from Ardbeg Embassies, whisky specialists, online retailers and from the Distillery Visitor Centre from 25^th May. For more news on this event and all things Ardbeg, smoky malt whisky fans can join the Ardbeg Committee at Ardbeg.com.

www.ardbeg.com

Follow us on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Ardbeg

Twitter: @Ardbeg

Instagram: @ardbeg

ARDBEG DAY LINE UP:

Ardbeg Day 2021- Saturday 5th June
Time	Event	About
12pm	Dragon Tales	No Ardbeg Day would be complete without a few yarns. Enter into our witch’s lair as Jackie recites some of Islay’s oldest stories… along with a slightly newer tale in the heroic legend of the dog and the dragon.
2pm	The Dog & Dragon Inn	Discover what alchemy our mixology master/innkeeper, Cameron George, has in store at The Dog & Dragon Inn.
3pm	The Feast Master	Fill up your flagons and fetch your forks, the Feast Master, aka DJ BBQ, is hitting the pit to put on the smokiest spread in all the land!
4pm	Stillhouse Tour	A dragon’s eye tour of Ardbeg’s new Stillhouse.
5pm	Chairman’s Study Live Tasting	Join Sir Colin Gordon, our Distillery Manager, as he suits up to sip on some of Ardbeg’s rarest drams. Join in on the live chat, and request your favourite Ardbeg expression for Sir Colin to taste.
7pm	The Scorch Whisky Lair – Live Tasting	Hosted live from the belly of the beast – the Scorch Whisky Lair – Dr Bill, our whisky wizard, will be performing a live tasting of Ardbeg Scorch. Tune in at 7pm (BST) sharp to watch as he ruminates over this fire breathing beast of a dram…

All events will be virtual and hosted on Ardbeg.com and social media – Twitter: @Ardbeg and Instagram: @ardbeg

 ARDBEG SCORCH TASTING NOTES:

 Colour Bright brushed gold

Nose On the nose, frighteningly intense aromas of soot and smoke lie in wait. Hints of aniseed and fragrant patchouli interlace with bold notes of quenched steel and saddle soap. With a drop of water, herbal top notes of briar wood, sage and pine wisp their way to the fore.

Taste Take a sip and experience lair upon lair of flavour. An oily mouthfeel grips the senses. Billowy clouds of sweet smoke and dragon charred oak permeate the palate, while grilled fare and black liquorice weave between notes of medicinal lozenge.

Finish A long and heroic finale, with a subtle tarry aftertaste. A finish that will drag on, well into its happily ever after.

ABV: 46%

NOTES: 

Ardbeg:

Ardbeg prides itself on being The Ultimate Islay Malt Whisky. Established in 1815, Ardbeg is revered by connoisseurs around the world as the peatiest, smokiest and most complex of all the Islay malts. Despite its smokiness, Ardbeg is renowned for its delicious sweetness, a phenomenon that has affectionately become known as ‘the peaty paradox’. During the 1980s and 1990s, Ardbeg suffered from an uncertain future and it was not until the brand was purchased by The Glenmorangie Company in 1997 that the Distillery was saved from extinction. Since then, the Distillery has risen like a phoenix and today Ardbeg is well established as a niche, cult malt, with a passionate following.   

Ardbeg Committee:

The legacy of the whisky was safeguarded in 2000 by the formation of the Ardbeg Committee. The Committee is made up of thousands of Ardbeg followers worldwide who are keen to ensure that “the doors of Ardbeg never close again”. Today there are more than 100,000 members of the Ardbeg Committee in over 130 countries. Committee members are regularly consulted on new bottlings and expressions and are offered exclusive Committee bottlings. Members also receive invitations to special gatherings, tastings and events. The Committee, chaired by Mickey Heads, is free to join at Ardbeg.com. 

Awards:

Ardbeg is the world’s most highly awarded smoky single malt whisky. Since 2008, Ardbeg has won more than 50 gold and double gold medals in key whisky competitions. Ardbeg has twice been awarded ‘World’s Best Single Malt’ at the World Whiskies Awards in 2010, and 2013. At the 2014 Global Icons of Whisky Awards, Mickey Heads was voted ‘Distillery Manager of the Year’. The following year, Ardbeg’s expressions took the top three spots in Whisky Advocate magazine’s review of the best single malt Scotch whiskies under US$100.  Meanwhile, both Ardbeg Corryvreckan and Ardbeg Uigeadail have been awarded gold medals at the 2016 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. In 2019, Dr Bill Lumsden was awarded Master Distiller of the Year for the third time in four years. Ardbeg 10 Years Old also won the Best Single Malt Scotch 10 Year Old at the International Whisky Competition 2019, while the Ardbeg Distillery won the Distillery of the Year 2019.

The Glenmorangie Company:

The Company is one of the most renowned and innovative distillers and marketers of Scotch whisky brands worldwide and is part of Moët Hennessy, the wine and spirits division of Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton. Headquartered in Edinburgh, Scotland, the Company produces Glenmorangie Single Highland Malt whisky and Ardbeg Single Islay Malt.

Responsible Drinking:

Ardbeg and The Glenmorangie Company advocate responsible drinking and suggest that drinkers savour Ardbeg whiskies in moderation and in line with recommended daily guidelines for alcohol consumption.

Evan Williams Bourbon Announces Major Redesign of

Evan Williams 1783 Small Batch

Bourbon returns to original proof with new, premium packaging

BARDSTOWN, Ky. – Evan Williams Bourbon, the second largest selling Bourbon in the world, today announced a major redesign of Evan Williams 1783 Small Batch. Named after the year Evan Williams first opened his distillery on the banks of the Ohio River, the Bourbon’s new, premium package celebrates Kentucky Bourbon’s first licensed endeavor. Returning to the original 90 proof, as denoted on the new bottom face label, the small batch Bourbon is the second highest proof in the Evan Williams Bourbon family.

Evan Williams 1783 Small Batch will be relaunched in a new proprietary glass bottle with the Evan Williams signature blown in across the top. ‘1783’ is prominently displayed in gold foil accent across the top label, as well as ‘small batch’ to signify the Bourbon inside is a mingling of 300 barrels or less. The bottle is crowned by an upgraded capsule finish featuring the same Evan Williams signature repeated in the background. Crafted with Heaven Hill Distillery’s traditional Bourbon mashbill of 78% corn, 12% malted barley, and 10% rye, Evan Williams 1783 also retains an extra-aged quality as it is a marriage of barrels aged six to eight years, providing a smooth, rich, and bold flavor.

“Evan Williams 1783 Small Batch pays homage to some of the earliest years of licensed distilling in Kentucky, and an important year for Bourbon and the Commonwealth’s signature industry,” said Julie Cole, Evan Williams Senior Brand Manager. “With a return to the original 90 proof, the award-winning mashbill of Evan Williams 1783 is full-flavored and works both as a cocktail base and stand-alone sipper. We are excited to bring more focus to what is known as the ‘best kept secret’ in the Evan Williams Bourbon family.”

Evan Williams, who also served as an early Trustee of the City of Louisville, served as wharfmaster, and built the first county clerk’s office and city jail, set up his early distillery in 1783. As the first licensed commercial distiller in Kentucky, Evan Williams laid the initial groundwork of entrepreneurial success for the Kentucky Bourbon industry. The award-winning Evan Williams Bourbon Experience invites hundreds of thousands of visitors to Downtown Louisville each year to walk through the same hand-crafted process Evan Williams began in 1783.

The Evan Williams 1783 Small Batch relaunch will feature a new commercial called “Our Kind of People,” premiering this fall on national broadcast TV and connected TV. New point-of-sale will also feature the tagline, “When you do Bourbon right, people notice,” highlighting recent awards, including the 2019, 2020 and 2021 Consumers’ Choice SIP Award, winning Gold the first year and Double Gold the two consecutive. The brand will also be prominently featured in digital, social media and in-game advertising for the brands Major League Baseball post-season partnership. The new Evan Williams 1783 Small Batch ships nationwide in May with an SRP of $19.99.

ABOUT EVAN WILLIAMS: The flagship Bourbon of Heaven Hill Distillery, Evan Williams is among the leaders in the rapidly growing American Whiskey segment as the world’s second largest-selling Bourbon. Evan Williams is a proud sponsor of Major League Baseball and the World Series, first forming a partnership with the national pastime in 2016. As an American-made and American-owned brand, Evan Williams has recognized true American heroes through their exceptional stories of honor and bravery on special edition American-Made Hero labels for the past seven years, now supported by the American-Made Heroes Foundation Fund. The Evan Williams Bourbon Experience (www.EvanWilliamsBourbonExperience.com) celebrates the legacy of Evan Williams through an immersive visitor’s center experience which brings to life the history and tradition of Kentucky’s native spirit as an official stop on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.

New indie bottlings

WATT WHISKY

New in form but not in spirit, Watt Whisky is the brainchild of whisky industry power couple Mark and Kate Watt – previously of Glenfarclas, Cadenhead’s, Springbank, Duncan Taylor and The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, among others. With a focus on quality over flamboyance, this carefully-curated selection of whiskies showcases some delicious and lesser-known drams.

  SHOP NOW  

James Eadie Whisky

James Eadie was born into a family of brewers and blenders. So when the famed whisky critic Alfred Barnard visited him in 1889, it was no surprise that they bonded over a dram.

The whisky in question was James Eadie’s family blend. Passed down by his father, it was known as James Eadie’s Trade Mark X from 1877, when it was registered as one of the world’s first brands.

 Last bottled in the 1940s, the components of the blend were unknown until Rupert Patrick, James Eadie’s great-great-grandson, made the chance discovery of his 19th-century ledgers.

These records laid bare the spirits that were used to make his family’s celebrated Scotch. Pieced together, they revealed a forgotten blend from a distant era, in which the diverse flavours of every whisky-producing region of Scotland were expertly combined.

Two centuries on, using only whiskies from distilleries which James Eadie himself had purchased from, Norman Mathison, one of Scotland’s finest Master Blenders, was entrusted to revive this ancient Scotch. And so, after a lengthy slumber, James Eadie’s name was brought back to life with a great range of single cask and small batch whiskies.

Have a look at our great range from the latest Independent Bottling company to grace the shelves of the Inverurie Whisky Shop.

Whatever you choose, you won’t be disappointed.

James Eadie Whisky

Welcome to this weeks episode of the show. This week I’ll be taking a look at the Cardrona distillery from New Zealand as it has now launched in the UK.

https://youtu.be/0cHeTAttWFM

 

Douglas Laing Unveils Old Particular “Cheers to Better Days” Series 

Leading independent bottler, Douglas Laing & Co, today reveals their Old Particular “Cheers to Better Days” mini-series; comprising of a Jura 12 Years Old Single Malt, Port Dundas 16 Years Old Single Grain, Linkwood 12 Years Old Single Malt and a Bunnahabhain 12 Years Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky; each from just one Single Cask.

The family firm says its Cheers to Better Days Series has been bottled in “celebration of a brighter future ahead.” All four of the limited edition bottlings are noted to be “bursting with summer time character”. The bottles are visually-led by a “striking” orange label that features a bespoke, hand-drawn illustration which is intended to signify “joy, warmth, health and success.” The set is described as having “distinct, different and divine” flavour profiles; the Jura release with notes of “sea-salt, rich toffee and charred oak”, the Port Dundas revealing a palate of “freshly baked pancakes, toasted nuts and juiced pineapples”, the Linkwood with hints of “tangy green fruits, thick cream and buttery oat biscuits”, and the Bunnahabhain balancing a “melody of zesty citrus juices and sweet spices.”

Bottled at a punchy alcohol strength of 48.4% and proudly offered without colouring or chill-filtration, the collection is said to represent Scotch Whisky “as natural as it gets”.

Cara Laing, Douglas Laing’s Director of Whisky, commented: “The light at the end of the tunnel, that we are all so desperately craving, has been truly and beautifully represented by this mini-series. The vivid orange label design is intended to stand on consumer’s shelves at home as a promising reminder that brighter days are just around the corner. The unique flavours that are encapsulated inside each and every one of these bottlings represent warmth, comfort and vibrancy – a taste of what’s to come.”

All four of these limited editions will be packaged in a premium gift tube. The Old Particular “Cheers to Better Days” Jura 12 Years Old Single Malt and Port Dundas 16 Years Old Single Grain releases are expected to retail at £65/€75.50 and £85/€99 respectively, from good specialist retailers. The Linkwood 12 Years Old Single Malt bottling will retail at £75/€87.50 exclusively on douglaslaing.com and the Bunnahabhain 12 Years Old Single Malt edition is expected to retail at £70/CN¥640 exclusively in Asia.

About Douglas Laing:

www.douglaslaing.com
Facebook: @douglaslaingwhisky
Instagram: @dlaingwhisky

Twitter: @DLaingWhisky

Douglas Laing & Co. is a leading independent Scotch Whisky distiller, blender and bottler specialising in the selection and release of Single Cask Single and Small Batch Malt Scotch Whiskies.

The company was founded by Fred Douglas Laing in 1948 and is still owned and run by the Laing family – Fred Laing Jr and his daughter Cara Laing.

The company philosophy is to bottle the way the distiller intended – at a high strength and without chill-filtration to preserve the robust and unique character of the Whisky. Douglas Laing’s industry reputation and many awards is testament to this ethos.

Douglas Laing’s Remarkable Regional Malts, the Ultimate Distillation of Scotland’s Malt Whisky Regions, encompasses The Epicurean Lowland Malt Scotch Whisky, Timorous Beastie (Highlands), Scallywag (Speyside), The Gauldrons (Campbeltown), Rock Islands (Islands) and Big Peat (Islay). Beyond its Blended Malts expertise, the award-winning Douglas Laing portfolio also includes Provenance, Premier Barrel, Old Particular and Xtra Old Particular, collectively known as the firm’s “Exceptional Single Casks”.

Exceptional Selection of Japanese Whiskies,

Including the Oldest Whisky to be Released by the Karuizawa Distillery

Lead Sotheby’s Sale of Extraordinary Spirits from Asia & Scotland

OPEN FOR BIDDING: 2 – 18 JUNE 2021

LONDON, 2 June 2021 – Bidding opens today on Sotheby’s sale of Rare Whisky & Moutai | Extraordinary Spirits from Asia & Scotland, featuring some of the rarest whiskies ever to come to auction.

An exceptional selection of Japanese whiskies from Yamazaki, Hibiki, Hanyu and Saburomaru are led by a collection of 32 bottles of Karuizawa, all from a single collection known as The Unbeatable Collection of Karuizawa. Most notable is the Karuizawa Cask #5267 1960, formerly the world’s most valuable Japanese whisky when a bottle sold at Sotheby’s in March 2020 for £363,000 ($435,273). This is the first time a bottle from this cask has been seen at auction since that record was set (est. £240,000-450,000).

The Scotch Whisky in the sale is headlined by two outstanding bottles distilled at Bowmore Distillery on Islay. Both were distilled in the 1960s, a key era in the history of production at Bowmore, and one which is revered amongst whisky enthusiasts and collectors.

Bowmore Samaroli Bouquet 1966 is considered to be one of the greatest whiskies of all time. Distilled in 1966 at Bowmore and bottled around 18 years later in 1984 by the late Silvano Samaroli, this bottle has gone on to become a cult classic (est. £35,000-48,000). Sotheby’s currently holds the record for this bottle, setting a price of £72,600 in October 2019.

At the other end of the age spectrum, the Bowmore 50 Year Old Number 1 Vaults 1966 is a long-aged expression from the same vintage (est. £26,000-35,000). Bottled in 2017, only 74 bottles were produced, making it one of the rarest expressions of Bowmore ever released.

Elsewhere in Scotland, the sale offers a number of long-aged expressions from the Speyside region. Highlights include a bottle of Glenlivet Gordon & MacPhail Generations 70 Year Old 1940 (est. £3,000-4,000), the oldest whisky ever upon its release in 2010, as well as 40 year old expressions from The Balvenie and Glenfarclas, and a bottle of Mortlach Gordon & MacPhail 58 Year Old 1954 (est. £1,000-1,300).

Also in Speyside, The Macallan is strongly represented with three expressions aged over 50 years. The Macallan Fine & Rare 53 Year Old 1949 was bottled in 2002 at 53 years old, making it one of the longest aged of all the Fine & Rare series (est. £24,000-35,000). Bottled from cask 136, only 160 bottles of this exceptionally rare whisky were produced.

The Macallan Exceptional Single Cask 2018/ASB-1683/13 1950 was aged in an American Oak Sherry Butt for almost 68 years and was bottled at a remarkable 53.4% abv (est. £30,000-40,000). Released as part of the Exceptional Single Cask series, the packaging is relatively modest in Macallan terms, with a real focus on the quality of the exceptional liquid.

The Macallan The Red Collection 78 Year Old is not only the oldest bottle released from The Macallan, but the oldest age statement whisky ever released (est. £60,000-90,000).

Bidding on the 75-lot sale runs until 18 June. Full catalogue available to browse here.

About Sotheby’s Wine

Established in 1744, Sotheby’s is the world’s premier destination for art and luxury. Sotheby’s promotes access, connoisseurship and preservation of fine art and rare objects through auctions and buy-now channels including private sales, e-commerce and retail. Our trusted global marketplace is supported by an industry-leading technology platform and a network of specialists spanning 40 countries and 50 categories, which include Contemporary Art, Modern and Impressionist Art, Old Masters, Chinese Works of Art, Jewelry, Watches, Wine and Spirits, and Interiors, among many others.

Sotheby’s Wine’s annual worldwide auction sales of wine and spirits totaled an outstanding $92 million in 2020, with over 15,000 lots sold across 41 sales – a nearly 50% increase in the number of auctions held in 2019. Over $60 million of wine and spirits were sold to online bidders in 2020 versus $28 million in 2019, with 85% of all lots offered finding online buyers. Demonstrating continued strength in Asia, Sotheby’s led the market in the region for the third consecutive year, with over 70% of the total bid amount in all Wine and Spirits sales attributed to collectors in Asia.

Sotheby’s Wine’s has had the privilege of auctioning numerous record-breaking wines and spirits in recent years, with 2020 alone witnessing new world auction records for any bottle of Japanese whisky, any bottle of whisky produced by the Dalmore Distillery, as well as any bottle of Cognac. Sotheby’s Wine currently holds the world records for any whisky collection ever sold at auction, any private wine collection ever sold at auction, the most expensive bottle of wine ever sold at auction and the most expensive bottle of spirits ever sold at auction.

In addition to auction, Sotheby’s Wine launched a retail business in 2010. With a retail store located in Sotheby’s New York headquarters and e-commerce at www.sothebyswine.com, Sotheby’s Wine offers a carefully curated selection of wines from the world’s most prestigious producers and important regions. Expertly assembled by our experienced specialists, the selection is built upon lasting relationships with winemakers from across the globe, with bottles that are ready for immediate consumption, in addition to investment-worthy wines from highly sought-after vintages. A second retail location opened in Sotheby’s Hong Kong galleries in 2014.

Malt Messenger No. 122

Ending Our Spring Tastings with a Bang

And Loads of Whisky Arrivals

We needed a bit of a breather after our online-only birthday sale a few weeks back. It was busy, and it took us a while to catch up. If you missed the sale, or are the kind of tactile shopper who just has to shop in-store, I’ve got some good news… we still have a ton of deals!

There are currently about 35 Whiskies ON SALE, with savings between 20 and 35%. You’ll find a PDF linked at the bottom of this email, highlighting a bunch of current deals at KWM… but you can always browse the latest deals  Whisky online!

We have some good news on a number of fronts, including some long-awaited whisky arrivals. Our Elixir Distillers shipment including Single Malts of Scotland, Elements of Islay, Port Askaig, and Islay Violets, has arrived. Not only does this mean we have some cool new whiskies in stock, but also that we can go ahead with some tastings reliant on many of these bottlings…

We are ending the Spring Season with a bang, and have a load of upcoming Virtual Whisky Tastings. The four new ones are:

1. glenFarclas Family Cask Faceoff – June 12

2. Ardbeg D’Eh 2021 – June 24

3. Canada D’Eh: Shelter Point Distillery – June 29

4. Canada D’Eh: Two Brewers Whisky – June 30

In addition, there are five other upcoming tastings that still have spaces available. Two of them were actually sold out, but we have increased capacity to accommodate demand. More details on all nine tastings can be found below and on our KWM Tastings Page.

We have also seen some whiskies return in recent days from Ardbeg, Glenfarclas, and Lismore, most of which we’ve been out of for months. Some of them since January… Once again this is owing to all the complications around shipping. Hopefully, a sign things are catching up.

Finally, everything in this email can be purchased or ordered online. Please place any orders or requests online, as I will be out of the store for the next 36 hours. You’ll be served more quickly, and be less likely to miss out on something…

As always, in the event of a price discrepancy, the point of sale at KWM will be taken as correct.

Sincerely,

Andrew Ferguson

Kensington Wine Market

IN THIS EDITION

1. New KWM Virtual Whisky Tastings

2. Other Up-coming Virtual Whisky Tastings

3. Ardbeg Whiskies Are Back, Just in Time for Ardbeg Day

4. Glenfarclas Core Range Whiskies Are Back in Stock

5. Lismore 18 & 21 Year Are Back In-stock

6. Glenfarclas Family Cask Arrivals!

7. Whiskies Currently on Sale!

NEW KWM VIRTUAL WHISKY TASTINGS

We’ve added a few new events to our KWM virtual tasting schedule…

GlenFarclas Family Cask Face Off

·     Date: Saturday, June 12

·     Time: 5 PM

·     Cost: $100

·     Pick-Up Date: Available Now

We’ve just received a shipment of Glenfarclas Family Casks. Due to Covid-19 and international shipping challenges we’ve been waiting on some of these whiskies for close to 9 months. There are some really cool single casks here, so we’re putting on a tasting with six of them. The NHL playoffs are on, so we’re facing off Family Casks from 2004, 2003, 2001, 1994, and a pair of different casks from 1992. To round things out we’ll also be tasting our lovely Glenfarclas 25 Year KWM “Ferg in Homage to George Grant.” There will be plenty of jokes about the Leafs and Oilers, and we’ve held back a few bottles of the 2004 Family Cask, just for participants in the tasting, as we know it will be sought after! 7x15ml samples. 5 PM Saturday, June 12.

*SAMPLES READY FOR PICK-UP NOW!

Ardbeg D’Eh 2021 with Bry Simpson & KWM’s Own Andrew & Curt

·     Date: Thursday, June 24

·     Time: 7 PM

·     Cost: $35

·     Pick-Up Date: Friday June 4

We’re celebrating Ardbeg Day 2021 with our friend Bry Simpson on Thursday, June 24th. Bry will join KWM’s own Andrew Ferguson and Curt Robinson for a very peaty virtual tasting including 7 Ardbegs: 10 Year, An Oa, Corryvreckan, Uigeadail, Wee Beastie, Blaaack Committee, and the soon-to-be-released Scorch Committee. Samples are 15ml, and will be ready for pick-up on Friday, June 4. Participants in the tasting will be able to put their name in a draw for an opportunity to purchase a bottle of Ardbeg Scorch Committee. We are saving a portion of the bottles as a reward for those who take part in the tasting.

*Please note you must be a valid Ardbeg Committee Member, to put your name in the draw for the Scorch Committee. If you are not an Ardbeg Committee Member, you can join the Ardbeg Committee in 5 minutes, at no cost, on their website!

**SAMPLES WILL BE READY FOR PICK-UP FRIDAY JUNE 4!

Canada D’Eh: Shelter Point Distillery

·     Date: Tuesday, June 29

·     Time: 8 PM

·     Cost: $25

·     Pick-Up Date: ETA June 10

With Canada Day approaching, we thought we’d shine a little extra light on some of our favourite Canadian Distilleries. We’re teaming up with our friends Jacob and Leon at Shelter Point to put on a virtual tasting of some of the finest whisky made in Canada. Our range will include 7 15ml samples of Shelter Point Whisky: The Collective, Smoke Point Batch 2, Double Barrel Batch 5, and The Forbidden, as well as some soon to arrive releases: Smoke and Oak, Ripple Rock & the 3rd and final KWM Rye (Alberta Distillers) Cask!

*SAMPLES READY FOR PICK-JUNE 10! – !!!Estimate!!!

Canada D’Eh: Two Brewers Distillery

·     Date: Wednesday, June 30

·     Time: 8 PM

·     Cost: $25

·     Pick-Up Date: Available June 8

With Canada Day approaching, we thought we’d shine a little extra light on a few of our favourite Canadian Distilleries. We’re teaming up with our friends at Yukon Brewing & Distilling, aka Two Brewers Yukon Single Malt to put on a virtual tasting of some of the finest whisky made in Canada. We’ll be joined by distillery co-founder Bob Baxter for a 7 whisky vertical Two Brewers tasting featuring Releases 16, 19, 20, 21, 23, and 25, as well as the stunning, recently arrived KWM Cask.

*SAMPLES READY FOR PICK-JUNE 8!

UP-COMING VIRTUAL WHISKY TASTINGS

SMWS Canada June 2021 Outturn Tasting

·     Date: Thursday, June 3

·     Time: 8 PM

·     Cost: $45

·     Pick-Up Date: Available Now

Join the KWM whisky team for a virtual tasting of the June 2021 Scotch Malt Whisky Society Canada Outturn. Registration is open to both members and non-members. The tasting will consist of 7 15ml samples from the June 2021 Outturn. The tasting will be hosted on Zoom at 8 PM on Thursday, June 3 at 8 PM. Samples will be available for pickup at KWM on Tuesday, May 25. They can be delivered in Calgary, subject to availability for a $10 fee, but we suggest picking them up in person or at the curbside. A Zoom code will be emailed out approximately 24 hours before the tasting…

*SAMPLES READY FOR PICK-UP NOW!

**Only 6 spots left!

KWM Casks – The First Half of 2021

·     Date: Tuesday, June 8

·     Time: 8 PM

·     Cost: $35

·     Pick-Up Date: Available Now.

We’ve received some very cool single casks this year. Normally we’d offer samples for interested parties in-store, but sadly circumstances have not allowed for that this year. What to do? One of our staff suggested we hold a virtual tasting, highlighting our new KWM exclusive casks. So we’ll be pouring our new casks from Benromach, Old Pulteney, Two Brewers, Tomatin, Teeling (if it gets here in time), Kilchoman and our 25 Year Glenfarclas Cask Strength. In all, we will sample 8 KWM exclusive single casks, carefully selected by your friends at KWM!

*SAMPLES READY FOR PICK-UP NOW!

**Only 6 spots left!

Bourbon Bonanza

·     Date: Tuesday, June 22

·     Time: 8 PM

·     Cost: $40

·     Pick-Up Date: TBC (Target June 1)

Evan is thirsty for good Bourbon and American Whiskey, so it is time for another tasting. Tune out Evan if you must, but sign up for this selection of mostly Bourbon – and perhaps a special Barrel Strength Rye as well! 7 samples in all will be there for you to enjoy trying.

*SAMPLES READY FOR PICK-UP NOW!

**Only 13 spots left!

!!!More Space Has Been Added!!!

Introducing: The Whisky Trail with Julie Hamilton & Celine Tetu

·     Date: Friday, June 25

·     Time: 5 PM

·     Cost: $45

·     Pick-Up Date: TBC (Target June 7)

We will be joined by Elixir Distillers Brand Ambassador Julie Hamilton, and International Sales Manager Celine Tetu, as we introduce a new range of independent bottlings with really cool labels, The Whisky Trail. We are starting out with 7 whiskies from the Retro Cars and Video Games labels. Our range will include single cask bottlings of Ben Nevis 1996, Cambus 1990, Glen Elgin 2007, Glenrothes 1989, Invergordon 1987, and a pair of Ardmores’ from 2009 and 1998. Participants in the tasting will not only be the first people in Canada to sample these whiskies, but they will also have the first opportunity to purchase the bottles. Friday, June 25, 5 PM.

*We will be donating $15 per ticket to the Brenda Stafford Center, a local women’s shelter.

**Only 23 spots left, out of 85!!!

***SAMPLES READY FOR PICK-UP NOW!

!!!NEW DATE & More Spaces Have Been Added!!!!!!

Independents Day: Feis Isle 2021

·     Date: Tuesday, July 27

·     Time: 8 PM

·     Cost: $45

·     Pick-Up Date: TBC (Target July 8)

DATE CHANGE – Please note we have had to postpone this tasting due to the Montreal Port Strike. The items we were counting on are delayed. So we are pushing the tasting from June 15 to July 27!

We have some very cool Islay whiskies arriving soon, which got us thinking, we’re long overdue for a KWM Feis Isle (Islay Festival) Tasting. It will have to be virtual this year, but the range won’t disappoint, including the Port Askaig 12 Year Autumn Release, Elements of Islay Bn8, Cl13 & LP11 as well as the Peats Beast PX Finish & 27 Year. In all we’ll sample 7 whiskies (15ml samples of each) from the Queen of the Hebrides, none of them ever before featured in a KWM tasting! 8PM Thursday, June 15.

ARDBEG WHISKIES AR BACK

JUST IN TIME FOR ARDBEG DAY!

Ardbeg continues to be a hot commodity, and for good reason. The entire core range has been restocked. Grab a bottle or three before they go out of stock once more!

1. Ardbeg Wee Beastie $77 + GST

2. Ardbeg 10 Year $90 + GST

3. Ardbeg An Oa $100 + GST

4. Ardbeg Uigeadail $120 + GST

5. Ardbeg Corryvreckan $130 + GST

 

GLENFARCLAS CORE RANGE WHISKIES

ARE BACK IN-STOCK

Speaking of hot commodities, the Glenfarclas core range is also back in stock. Given the issues we have been seeing with shipping over the past year it might be worth grabbing a bottle or four of these as well if they are among your go-to bottles.

1. Glenfarclas 105 Cask Strength $97 + GST

2. Glenfarclas 12 Year $70 + GST

3. Glenfarclas 15 Year $100 + GST

4. Glenfarclas 17 Year $115 + GST

5. Glenfarclas 21 Year $170 + GST

6. Glenfarclas 25 Year $275 + GST

7. Glenfarclas 25 Year KWM Ferg GG Homage $275 + GST

8. Glenfarclas 30 Year $700 + GST

9. Glenfarclas 40 Year $1300 + GST

LISMORE 18 & 21 YEARS ARE BACK!

Also back in stock are bottles of The Lismore. This company is a bottler of Speyside Single Malt Scotch from unknown/mystery distillery(ies?). The owners of the William Lundie and the Lismore brand are the Grant family of Glenfarclas fame. Perhaps we could call these bottles Glenfarclesque? Or perhaps not…

1. Lismore 18 Year $100 + GST

2. Lismore 21 Year $150 + GST

We have both single cask and small batch bottlings from the single malts of Scotland range arriving soon. Let’s start with the single casks, which are very well priced for the age and quality of the whiskies. We’ve never been let down by the SMOS range!

ELIXIR DISTILLERS 2021

PT.1A – OLD & RARE

HAS FINALLY ARRIVED

We recently receive a boatload of new whiskies from Elixir Distillers. Some have come and gone, but we still have good stock of a great selection! The forty-something Bunnahabhains are cool, but the Islay Violets is the one speaking the most loudly to me!

SMOS Director’s Special Bunnhabhain 43 Year – 41.4% – 1975 – Refill Bourbon Hogshead – Whisky Exchange Note: “A single-cask release of Bunnahabhain from the Single Malts of Scotland, bottled as part of the Director’s Special range. This was distilled back in 1975 and aged for 43 years in a single refill-bourbon hogshead. Over the years, its strength has naturally dropped, concentrating its flavour. The result is a soft and fruity whisky that shows the delicacy of Bunnahabhain’s normally boisterous spirit.” – 89pts Angus @ Whisky Fun & 89.5pts Whisky Base – Limit 1 Per Customer

SMOS Director’s Special Bunnahabhain 44 Year – 42.4% – Whisky Exchange Note: “A 44 Year Old Bunnahabhain single malt from indie bottler Elixir Distillers, matured in a single cask for more than four decades before being bottled as part of its Director’s Special range. Aromas of plum wine, caramel sauce, quince, marshmallows and gingerbread mingle with wildflowers and sweet tea on the nose. The palate offers notes of fresh peppermint, damp oak, tangerine, heather honey, mango and tobacco that linger in the finish.” – $2000 – 91.67pts Whisky Base – Limit 1 Per Customer

Islay Violets 33 Year Islay Single Malt Whisky – 46.2% – Matured in American Oak / Finished in ex-Cognac Casks – Tasting Note by Billy Abbott, The Whisky Exchange: “Nose: Waxy with the expected violet notes, both floral petals and green leaves. Sweet barley sugar and parma violet notes develop, with chamois leather, candied lemon and lavender syrup to follow. Zestiness builds, with singed orange peel joining the lemon, along with burning rosemary twigs. Palate: The classic floral notes lead on the palate, with lavender and sweet violet joined by Love Heart candy, sultanas and a hint of mint. Waxy petal notes develop, along with vanilla toffee, soft spice and a touch of damp earth hiding at the back. Finish: A final burst of violet fades to leave candied lemon, green grass and toffee. Comment: A famously divisive style of Bowmore, and an example that might turn more people to the distillery’s floral side. If you’re on the fence, this is the dram to turn you, with excellent floral and citrus balance, and a gentle undertone of smokiness. It tastes exactly how you’d expect from reading the label…” – $625 – 89.85pts Whisky Base

COMING SOON: NEW WHISKIES FROM ELIXIR DISTILLERS PT.1B –

THE SINGLE MALTS OF SCOTLAND

We have both single cask and small batch bottlings from the single malts of Scotland range arriving soon. Let’s start with the single casks, which are very well priced for the age and quality of the whiskies. We’ve never been let down by the SMOS range!

Single Malts of Scotland (SMOS ) Single Casks:

1. SMOS Glen Elgin 13 Year Cask 9800010 – 56.3% – 2006 – ex-Bourbon Barrel – Whisky Exchange Note: “A 2006 Glen Elgin single malt from indie bottler Elixir Distillers, matured in a single barrel for 13 years before being bottled in October 2019 as part of its Single Malts of Scotland series. Aromas of crunchy apples, Amalfi lemons, tarragon and paprika fill the nose. The palate offers notes of custard cream biscuits, stewed pears, cinnamon swirls and vanilla ice cream that linger in the finish.” – $100 – 87pts Whisky Fun – Limit 1 Per Customer!

2. SMOS Linkwood 12 Year Cask 804457 – 54.5% – 2007 – Hogshead – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Orchard-fruit notes of pears, crabapples and peach eau-de-vie. The cask has allowed plenty of aromatic new-make character to remain, overlaid with elderflower blossoms and churned butter. Palate: Follows nicely from the nose – extraordinarily bright, with tarragon, garden mint, rocket and a glass of crisp white wine. The fruit has transformed into lemon and lime peel, contrasting with fresh malted barley. Finish: Slightly chalky with a vanilla sweetness. Pink grapefruit sorbet and white pepper allow this lively dram to finish on a high note.” – $96 – Limit 1 Per Customer!

3. SMOS Teaninich 12 Year Cask 301262 – 57.5% – 2007 – Refill Sherry Butt – Whisky Exchange Note: “A 2007 Teaninich single malt from indie bottler Elixir Distillers, matured in a single refill butt for 12 years before being bottled in November 2019 as part of its Single Malts of Scotland series. Aromas of magnolia blossoms, dandelion, wild grains and buttermilk pancakes fill the nose. The palate offers notes of homemade vanilla custard, lime zest, green tea and orange.” – $110 – 86.5pts Whisky Base – Limit 1 Per Customer!

COMING SOON: NEW WHISKIES FROM ELIXIR DISTILLERS PT.1C – ISLAY WHISKIES

Elixir Distillers seems to have better access to peated malts than anyone, especially Islay whiskies. They have two ranges of independent bottlings just for Islay whiskies, Elements of Islay and Port Askaig. We have 5 new releases on the way from these brands:

1. Elements Of Islay Bn8 – 58.4% – American Oak & Ex-Sherry Casks – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Dark orange chocolate, under-sugared peach jam and shredded lemon verbena. Rounded out by nutty, mature cheddar. Palate: Smoked paprika and cumin spice marries with tart sweetness: apple drops and slightly burnt pear upside-down-cake. More pepperiness with crunchy ginger-nut biscuits and a drop of star anise oil. Finish: Weathered leather, raw cacao nibs and the prickle of Pimento pepper, toned down with Danish butter cookies.” – $74

2. Elements Of Islay Bw8 – 51.2% – 16 Year – Bourbon Barrels & Sherry Butts – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Grapefruit mixed with brown sugar. A hint of charcoal smoke with baked lemons developing into richer, more pronounced tropical notes of under-ripe mango drizzled with lime juice. Palate: Old-fashioned chocolate limes. Citrus and salt blend together and further richness is delivered by papaya and kiwi. Buttered samphire lends a coastal feel. Finish: A dry, herbaceous finish lingers with wave after wave of kiln smoke.” – $210 – 1 Per Customer

3. Elements Of Islay Cl13 – 54.6% – 9 Year – Hogsheads & Sherry Butts – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Spicy pork on the BBQ with notes of smoked paprika, cracked black pepper and lime juice. Hot chocolate with chilli powder and caramelised hazelnuts, accented by sea-spray freshness. Palate: Slightly oily with spices, green pepper and rustic salt-and-pepper crisps. A sweetness develops, with dusty chocolate and freeze-dried raspberries wrapped in wood smoke. Finish: The spice lingers, accompanied by a dry, salty tang.” – $75 – 1 Per Customer

4. Elements Of Islay Lp11 – 52.2% – 15 Year – ex-Bourbon Barrels – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Tamarind, dates and molasses. Sausages sizzling in the frying pan. Coal smoke with classic medicinal notes – carbolic soap and bandages. Palate: Barbecued coastal notes married with Cox apples, celeriac and chilli spice. Salty maritime brine and homemade tomato sauce on a juicy burger straight from the grill. Finish: Charcoal, charred toast from a farmer’s loaf and stewed orchard fruits.” – $240 – 1 Per Customer

5. Port Askaig 12 Yr Old Autumn Edition 2020 – 45.8% – Refill Bourbon Hogsheads & Sherry Butts – Producer Description & Tasting Note: “This limited edition Port Askaig bottling (9,000 bottles produced) is a tribute to the wonderful flavours of Islay, from a distillery on the north-east coast of Islay, close to the village of Port Askaig. A blend nine refill American oak hogsheads, five Oloroso sherry butts and three solera sherry butts has been used to create this flavourful single malt with a medley of smoky, fruity and coastal notes. To fully showcase its distinct Islay character, this whisky is non chill-filtered and bottled at 45.8%.” – $100

GLENFARCLAS FAMILY CASK ARRIVALS

There is at least 1 bottle of each of the whiskies below, some of them are in a bit bigger quantities, but for most, there are just a handful available. ETA is sometime in May, or early June!

A quick reminder, when Glenfarclas says the cask is a 4th Fill Butt, they don’t necessarily mean 4th fill, rather that they may not know how many times it has been filled. Could be 2nd, 3rd, or 4th Fill! Also, the photos are not all shot by the same source, so the actual colour may vary somewhat.

Also, don’t forget to check out our glenFarclas Family Cask Face Off tasting…

1. Glenfarclas Family Cask 1986 – 47.7% – 32 Year – Summer 2018 – Cask 4775 – Refill Sherry Butt – $1100 – 91.8pts Whisky Base – Only 1 Left

2. Glenfarclas Family Cask 1990 – 55.2% – 29 Year – Summer 2020 – Cask 5122 – Sherry Butt – $1150 – 92.33pts Whisky Base – Only 1 Left

3. Glenfarclas Family Cask 1991 – 56.3% – 29 Year – Summer 2020 – Cask 211 – Sherry Butt – $1050 – 89.67pts Whisky Base

4. Glenfarclas Family Cask 1992 – 55.9% – 27 Year – Summer 2020 – Cask 2904 – Sherry Butt – $650 – 89.67pts Whisky Base

5. Glenfarclas Family Cask 1992 – 53.5% – 26 Year – Winter 2018 – Cask 5984 – 4th Fill Butt – $635 – 89.86pts Whisky Base

6. Glenfarclas Family Cask 1998 – 57.9% – 21 Year – Summer 2020 – Cask 7635 – Sherry Butt – $470 – 89.22pts Whisky Base – Only 1 Left!

7. Glenfarclas Family Cask 2001 – 56.5% – 18 Year – Summer 2020 – Cask 3384 – 4th Fill Butt – $435 – 85.71pts Whisky Base

8. Glenfarclas Family Cask 2003 – 58.3% – 17 Year – Summer 2020 – Cask 102 – Sherry Butt – $415 – 90.66pts Whisky Base

WHISKIES ON SALE

You might notice a pattern emerging here. Certain importers keep putting things on sale, presumably to shift slow-moving inventory. Who are we to turn up a great deal? And you can be sure that we will pass on the savings…

There is a PDF linked below highlighting a few of the best deals. The full sale list of Whiskies on Sale can be browsed online. You can find the highlighted items in the PDF below by searching

BROWSE ITEMS SALE

403-283-8000
888-283-9004

Store Hours
Sunday: 11am – 6pm
Mon – Wed: 10am – 8pm
Thu – Fri: 10am – 9pm
Sat: 10am – 8pm

*All Prices Quoted here are subject to change and do not include GST. In the case of pricing discrepancies, the price at our point of sale will be taken as correct.*

BLANTON’S ORIGINAL SINGLE BARREL

It’s the beginning of a new month and we have some fresh bottles on the shelves here at Loch Fyne. A highlight that a lot of you might be interested in is a restock of Blanton’s – a whisky so popular that it’s limited to one bottle per customer! We have more of the Original Single Barrel or the Gold Edition for you to choose from: be quick to grab one before they go.