Don’t Miss This Truly Unique Find in Peated Scotch Whisky
Arran “Machrie Moor” Cask Strength Peated Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) ($79.99)
“It’s really the perfect summertime peater.” — Andrew Whiteley, K&L Spirits Buyer

NOTE: Our walk-in retail locations are currently closed. We have curbside pickup and low cost (often free) delivery options available in ZIP codes where we can ship lawfully, including anywhere in California. We can also include any new or existing will call orders in your delivery batch. Choose local delivery at checkout to learn if you qualify.

With the sheer number of stellar Scotch whiskies on our shelves and in the market at large, it’s hard to believe how difficult it is to find a single malt that’s a true medium peater—that is, not a full-on campfire yet still enough to satisfy the smoke hounds. This style is highly sought-after but rarely achieved, and Arran’s “Machrie Moor” flat out nails it. At levels of 20 parts per million, this whisky hits all the right notes in the perfect peat register. It’s a thrilling preview of what’s to come from Arran’s brand new distillery at Lagg, where the focus will be on all things peat. The Machrie Moor is bottled at cask strength and without coloring, so the authentic nature of the whisky is free to shine. It is by no means shy on the smoke character, but this feature serves as a steady background to a staggering showcase of aromas and flavors. Ocean brine, sweet citrus, and candied almonds highlight the wide-ranging profile of one of the more unique single malts we’ve come across in a long time. Although it’s a stunner at full cask proof, the Machrie Moor is also extremely receptive to water, so splash away and ride out the dog days of summer with a truly refreshing Scotch, the likes of which you’ll be hard-pressed to find anywhere else.

Arran “Machrie Moor” Cask Strength Peated Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) ($79.99)

Independently owned since its inception in 1995, the folks at Arran have been quietly making some of the very best island-distilled whisky in Scotland for 25 years. Their water source is 100% rainwater coming from Loch Na Davie high above the distillery. The clean water combined with 100% Concerto malt and a careful distillation is the essence of Arran—it’s fresh, barley-forward and shows flavors heavy with citrus, stone fruit, and vanilla pudding. They never color or chill filter any of their whiskies, choosing instead to retain all of the natural beauty they worked so hard to capture. The Machrie Moore is named for a distinct peat bog on the west coast of the island and features a fresh blast of peat that perfectly matches the amazing freshness of the Lochranza distillate. Since 2019 all of the peated production on the Isle of Arran has moved to the new Lagg distillery on the south side of the island. This is the last chance to sock away a few bottles of the cask strength Lochranza-peated whisky before it’s gone forever.

David Othenin-Girard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: August 01, 2020

This fun whisky from Arran is now more or less extinct at least in this package. We are forever in search of a great malt that can properly be described as “somewhat peaty.” Despite what many might believe, there are very few in between malts. Almost everything that’s readily available is either 30+ parts or zero. Yes there are a few exceptions, like Oban, Balvenie, and Dalwhinnie, but in general these don’t really cross the threshold to really feel the peat in a big way (Oban is probably the closest). There’s of course a few exceptions, but the options are extremely limited. So when we came across the Machrie Moor at the very reasonable 20 ppm, we were intrigued. Now add that this small batch is not colored and is bottled at cask strength and that’s a recipe for something special. The color is pale gold. The nose is extremely focused with an obvious ocean quality, but not the Laphroiag slap that some peat lovers might be craving. Instead, the smoke is lingering in the background with salinity and crystalline malt coming through. Clean and gentle, yet not boring by any means. On the palate some smoldering peat and some green earthiness. Green apple skin, crushed oyster shell, and bits of citrus. This is NOT a lightly peated whisky, but it’s a balanced medium peater, which is really very rare in our world. Bottled at cask strength, it’s delicious, but this guy loves water too so don’t be afraid to hit it with a few satisfying splashes of water. It develops some interesting character at the slightly lower proofs, offering more citrus, more fruit and a bit of the salted fish character that we all love so well.

Andrew Whiteley | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: July 29, 2020

The color of dried straw and with a nose of smoldering peat, the cask strength Machrie Moor gives us a brief glimpse into what we might expect from the Lagg distillery in a number of years, albeit on a different set of stills. Rather than being very heavily peated, the Machrie Moor clocks in at 20PPM peat levels, just enough to shine against the light and fruity background of Arran without overwhelming it. It’s really a perfect summer time peater. Fresh and salty with tons of sweet citrus. Dusted in cocoa powder and redolent with caramelized almonds. The peat hangs like the air after a forest fire is put out – warm and heavy.

This could be yours!

You could win a chance to purchase a bottle of Four Roses Single Barrel Barrel Strength – OESK Party Source Pick by doing one simple thing…downloading the new Party Source mobile app (and creating an account). All downloads and registered accounts made by Wednesday, August 26th at 11:59 PM will be entered for a chance to purchase a bottle. Those selected will be notified via email by August 28th.

Download the app below.

If you have already downloaded the app and registered an account, you will be entered.

Take the party on the go with the new Party Source app

Download the new Party Source app for easy ordering and exclusive deals. Available on Apple and Android.

We’ve had fun becoming whisky anoraks this month, getting to know the facts behind the flavours, and exploring the role technology is playing in enjoying whisky. Now’s the chance to put your new knowledge to the test as you delve into a cheeky selection of new mid-month releases, with a wealth of styles and flavour profiles to choose from.

view all new whiskies   view all whiskies

PLEASE NOTE: Depending on the demand of these new bottlings, you may encounter our new queue system in operation. The new system is being tested in response to our recent member survey, as we look to improve your experience online. Thanks!

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, The Vaults, 87 Giles Street, Leith EH6 6BZ

Contact: sales@smws.com or call 0131 555 2929 (Mon-Fri 9am-4.45pm). Visit the Society at here for membership information

This is your chance to join and to take advantage of their great offers!

Spot the SMWS bottles in this amusing You Tube video

Malt Messenger Bulletin

Surprise Summer Sale Starts Now

The tags are up, the banner is hung and the pricing is live, our Surprise Summer Sale is on!

We only have 4 store-wide Sales a year at KWM. The Surprise Summer Sale is usually held earlier in August, but as we delayed our May Birthday Sale to June, we thought it best to push this one back by a few weeks too. So for those of you who thought we’d forgotten or skipped it this year, SURPRISE!

Before we get to the juicy details on the sale, there are a few other exciting tidbits we would like to share with you before it is too late…

Firstly, we have a really exciting pair of new Virtual Whisky Tastings scheduled for Saturdays September 12 & 26. For the Boutique-y Whiskies Double Header we will be joined from the UK by Special Guests Sam Simmons (Head of Whisky) and Dave Worthington (Global Brand Ambassador) for the Boutique-y Whisky Co. Just $80 for two tastings of six whiskies each, including 21 year old Ben Nevis & Clynelish, a 28 Year Cambus and a 24 Year Bourbon… More details below. These tastings are already 2/3 sold… only 35 spots left!

There is a new GlenDronach in town, a 2009 Vintage 10 Year, bottled exclusively for Canada. The whisky staff are all rather impressed with it, something you don’t often here. It has been a rather hot commodity over the last week. Note as a brand new arrival it is not on sale!

We also have an exciting whisky return, the Berry’s Blue Hanger 11th Limited Release is Back! This KWM exclusive has been gone for the shelves for a couple of years. We are doubly excited about its return, as it also dropped in price by $45/bottle… Only about 30 of the 60 bottles which just returned are left!

Now back to the Surprise Summer Sale. The pricing is live online now. As always, we have created PDFs with the best deals on Whisky & Other Spirits as well as Wine, to help you focus your shopping.

Please order through the website if you can, or swing by the store. You are welcome to pop down to the store, but if you do please wear a mask, be patient if there is a line, and respect our other Covid-19 Policies.

If you are looking to have your order packed for pickup please note we already have a healthy waiting list, and it could take up to a week for your order to be ready.

If you are requesting Curb Side pickup, please give us at least 4 hours to pull and process your order. Ideally please wait until you receive the confirmation it is ready.

We are expecting higher than normal demand for delivery in Calgary. Free Delivery for orders over $50 is still available, but again please be patient as we work through all the requests.

Happy Hunting!

Andrew Ferguson

Kensington Wine Market

Andrew Ferguson

Kensington Wine Market

PS – Don’t forget you can follow me on Twitter:

@scotch_guy, Instagram: @thescotch_guy/

or @kwmwhisky and Facebook: facebook.com/scotch.guy.1

New Virtual Whisky Tasting(s) 

The Boutique-y Whiskies Double Header with Sam Simmons & Dave Worthington!

If you’ve been paying attention to my emails over the last little while, you’ll have noted that we had to get creative with virtual tastings on account of not being able to pour samples… Hoping that will change in the near future, but in the interim, we’ve been using available gift packs and 50mls to put on virtual tastings. While scouting the available options I noticed there was a decent amount of last year’s “12 Whiskies of Christmas” from That Boutique-y Whisky Company left in the market.

The set is composed of 12 wax sealed 30ml bottles, and there are some cool whiskies in it: Cambus 28 Year Single Grain, 21 Year Clynelish & Ben Nevis, and a 24 Year Bourbon to name just a few. So we negotiated a deal (they originally sold for $110+gst) and purchased the lot of them with an eye to putting on some tastings. We approached the chaps at That Boutique-y Whisky Company about taking part in the tastings, and they jumped at the opportunity.

We will be splitting the whiskies over a pair of tastings on Saturday September 12th and 26th, at 5PM, to accommodate our friends in London. We will be joined in the tastings by Sam Simmons (Head of Whisky) and Dave Worthington (Global Brand Ambassador). The cost is $80+gst for the samples. We can pack them for out of town pickup. Free Delivery is available within Calgary city-limits. A zoom link and password will be emailed out the day before the tasting.

The people are thirsty, and demand is high, only 35 of the 95 spots for the tasting are still available!

 Boutique-y Whiskies Double Header with Dr. Whisky aka Sam Simmons – Saturday September 12, 5PM & Saturday September 26, 5PM – $80+gst

Register by phone at 403-283-8000 or  online.

Introducing: The Glendronach 2009 10 Year 

A Very Decent Place Holder for the GlenDronach 12 Year…

If you are wondering why we haven’t seen certain releases from the BenRiach and GlenDronach distilleries over the last few years, there is a very good reason for it. The GlenDronach 15 Year Revival has its own reasons for only infrequently being available, mainly owing to a shortage of suitable stocks.

For the rest of the BenRiach Distillery Co. Whiskies, which include BenRiach, GlenDronach and Glenglassaugh, many of the skus are tied up in a dispute between the old importers, and the new one. Until it is resolved -and apparently progress has been stagnant-, many of the products like the GlenDronach 12 and 18 Years won’t be returning to Alberta. In the interim, the distillery has bottled a 2009 10 year old small batch whisky for “Canada” to replace the 12 Year. It arrived in-store on Wednesday, we cracked a bottle and were suitably impressed. My tasting note below.

GlenDronach 2009 10 Year – 43% – Pedro Ximenez Sherry Casks – My Tasting Note: “Nose: nutty with soft leather, raisins, chocolate and syrup; doughy with baking spices, vanilla icing and dry grasses. Palate: rich and nutty its starts slow but builds in to decadent spices, syrup and cooked raisins; sweet and dumpy with black licorice and dark chocolate; candied orange and chewy malt; late vanilla, dunnage warehouses and minty-floral-tones. Finish: medium in length with leather, spices and candied fruit. Comment: released to replace the 12 Year, at least in Alberta; this is quintessentially GlenDronach and a lovely dram; I think it would have been improved at 46%, but I digress; the nose is good and the palate is better; very quaffable stuff!” – $96

Surprise Summer Sale 

The Best Deals & Fine Print!

We last saw this whisky about 2-3 years ago, and were thrilled when we had the opportunity to get it back. Especially when we found out the price was dropping nearly $50. Whisky Advocate Magazine gave this edition of the Blue Hanger Release a rating of 92pts and titled it their 2015 Blended/Blended Malt Whisky of the Year. As with the last time it was here, it is again exclusive to KWM, with only 60 bottles for Canada.

The 11th release is a vatting of a total of 8 casks:  4 hogsheads, 3 sherry butts and 1 puncheon. Amongst these is purportedly both peated and unpeated malt from Bunnahabhain distillery but the rest of the makeup is not known, or cannot be disclosed…

Berry’s Blue Hanger 11th Release – 45.6% – Hogsheads & Sherry Butts/Puncheons – My Tasting Note: “Nose: honey and marzipan mingle with clean smoke and chocolate salted caramel tarts; crisp lemon and orange with loads of creamy vanilla and dried fruits: raisins and apricots. Palate: round and immediately smoky, earthy and chocolaty all laid over a base of silky vanilla and decadent honey; firm spices develop including bright ginger, black licorice and candied fennel; there are dried fruits hinting at a sherry influence balanced out by muddier tones of sweet peaty malt. Finish: big, bold and malty with lovely vanillans, leather, dried fruits and spices; delicate clean salty smoke and gentle earthy peat underneath! Comment: lots going on here though it is not as peaty as some past releases, very layered and complex; a gateway whisky to more heavily peated malts?” – WAS $165 – NOW $120+gst

Whisky Advocate Tasting Note: “It’s the intensity of flavor that just grabbed me by the lapels and spun me round. It harbors intense tangelo juiciness; that unparalleled concentration of deep citrus skillfully mingled with dark vanilla, dried apricots, and gentle smoke. This goes the distance, delivering wave after delicious wave: peach juice, mandarin, pineapple cubes, and lemon zest. A firm, unctuous finish shows a little charred wood and dark sugar cloaked in fine smoke. Tongue pleasing and very special indeed. £90” (Spring 2015) 92pts Reviewed by: Jonny McCormick”

Surprise Summer Sale 

The Best Deals & Fine Print!

Most* in-stock Whisky, Gin, Rum, Brandy and Other Spirits are 10-50% off!

Browse Whisky & Spirits Discounted by 15% or More!

Most* in-stock Wine is at least 15% off, with savings up to 50%!

Browse Wines Discounted 20% or More!

All in-stock Beer is 5-30% off!

Sale Rules & Conditions

Due to Covid-19, we have a few more than usual!

• This Summer Sale is this weekend only: Friday, August 21 through Sunday, August 23, 2020. It will end at 6PM in-store and 11:59PM online.
• Most in-stock Wine is at least 15% off with savings of up to 50%. Excludes some new arrivals.
• Most in-stock Whisky is at least 10% off, with well over 250 products 15-50% off! Excludes some new arrivals.
• All in-stock Spirits, including, Cognac, Gin & Rum, are all at least 10% off, with many discounted 15-30% and a few up to 50% off!
• All in-stock Beer is at least 5% off with others discounted by up to 30%!
• Sale pricing will not be applied retroactively or carried forward from the end of the sale.
• Sale is on in-stock items only, with the exception of KWM exclusives (including SMWS on sale), on which we will honour the discount should we run out (provided we still have stock).
• In the event of a discrepancy in price or discount, the Point of Sale at Kensington Wine Market will be taken as correct.
• No additional discounts or promotions can be applied on top of these discounts. The best discount available will be the only one applied.
• No phone orders please.
• We strongly urge you to consider ordering online.
• Free Delivery and Curb Side Pickup Are Available.
  • Please give us at least 4 hours after placing your order for Curb Side Pickup
  • Deliveries will be arranged on a first come first serve basis next week.
• In-store shopping is limited to 6 customers at a time. Do not come in to the store if you have any Covid-19 symptoms. Please wear a mask, observe a 2 metre social distance with other customers and staff, refrain from picking up products unless you intend to purchase them. Kindly limit the amount of time you spend in-store out of respect to other customers who may be waiting to enter and shop as well. If you are asked to wait before entering please be patient.
• In-store Sale Hours:
  • 10-8 Friday
  • 10-8 Saturday
  • 11-6 Sunday

*Exclusions include some select new items, limited Nikka whiskies and most Scotch Malt Whisky Society whiskies.

Thank You for Reading the Malt Messenger! 

Contact & Disclaimers 

If you have any whisky questions or comments concerning The Malt Messenger please contact me by e-mail, phone, or drop by the store.

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 and don’t include GST. In the case of discrepancies in pricing, the price in our in-store point of sale will be taken as correct.

Thanks for reading the Malt Messenger.

Slainte!

Andrew Ferguson

Owner & Scotchguy

Kensington Wine Market

403-283-8000

Calgary, Alberta, Canada

www.kensingtonwinemarket.com

#ardbeg #untamed #islay #ardbegdistillery

ARDBEG ANNOUNCES THE APPOINTMENT OF A

NEW DISTILLERY MANAGER

<Ardbeg bids ‘farewell’ to Mickey Heads and extends ‘greetings’ to Colin Gordon>

In October of this year, Mickey Heads, Ardbeg’s Distillery Manager will retire after 13 years at the helm – leaving big boots (as well as casks) to fill at the Islay distillery.

Now Ardbeg is happy to announce the appointment of Mickey’s successor – Colin Gordon – who is joining as Distillery Production Manager. Colin will report into Pete Nelson, Operations Director.

Colin brings a wealth of whisky industry experience from his eight years at Diageo. His substantial knowledge of distillery production has been gained through a number of roles at the company. These include a stint as Site Operations Manager at the Port Ellen Maltings, which provides barley to eight of the 10 Islay distilleries. More recently, Colin was based at the Lagavulin Distillery on Islay as the Distillery Manager.

Colin is joining on 1 October 2020. Meanwhile, although Mickey Heads is leaving his post as Distillery Manager, he has agreed to continue in his role as Chair of the Ardbeg Committee, the worldwide army of Ardbeg fans.

Pete Nelson, Operations Director, said: “We’re delighted Colin is joining to lead the team at the Ardbeg Distillery. His knowledge will help take Ardbeg forward and shape the future of the Distillery. We have lots of exciting new expressions in the pipeline and Colin will play a major role in crafting those.”

Mickey Heads said: “I’ve known Colin for a long time and I can’t think of a more worthy successor. He’s joining a brilliant team whom I know will welcome him warmly and make him feel at home. As I continue as Chair of the Committee – and indeed, as just one of a legion of Ardbeg fans – I look forward to enjoying the fruits of his labours for years to come.”

Colin Gordon said: “Ardbeg is an iconic name in whisky with an immense reputation. I’m absolutely delighted to be joining an experienced team producing such an exceptional dram.

“Ardbeg has built a reputation for producing amazing whiskies with Mickey Heads at the helm. He is a huge name in the industry and will be a very hard act to follow. It’s a privilege to be chosen to take over the reins from him. Islay has been our home for five years and to be given the honour of overseeing the running of Ardbeg is very special indeed. I will do my very best to protect and enhance the reputation of the distillery and ensure it keeps producing the world class spirit of Ardbeg.”

www.ardbeg.com

Follow us on:

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Ardbeg_com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ardbeg/

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 was voted ‘Scotch Whisky of the Year’ twice by Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible (2008, 2009) and has twice been awarded ‘World’s Best Single Malt’ at the World Whiskies Awards (2010, 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. In 2020, the International Whisky Competition awarded Ardbeg Corryvreckan first place for Best Single Malt Scotch, Best Single Malt Scotch (No Age Statement), Best cask Strength (Over 57% ABV), Best Peated Scotch and Best Islay Single Malt. Ardbeg Wee Beastie also earned first place for Best Single Malt Scotch Under 10 Year Old and The Ardbeg Distillery achieved another Distillery of the Year award.

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.

Garrison Brothers Distillery Expands West Coast Distribution Partnership with

Republic National Distributing Company/Young’s Market Company to include California and Washington

Austin, TX (August 12, 2020) – Garrison Brothers Distillery is excited to announce an expansion of distribution partnership with Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC) together with Young’s Market Company (Young’s) to include Washington, effective immediately, and California starting September 1, 2020. Since 2015, RNDC/Young’s, has distributed Garrison Brothers throughout Arizona. While Garrison Brothers has been available in parts of California since 2015, this update in partnership will make the award-winning ultra-premium small batch bourbon more readily available across the entire state of California and Washington.

“We are excited to embark on this new chapter of Garrison Brothers’ California and Washington story with RNDC/Young’s. This expanded partnership will give West Coasters the opportunity to experience and enjoy the full line of our handcrafted bourbons, whether it be from the comfort of their own home or at their favorite bars and restaurants,” shares Cole Kephart, Garrison Brothers Western Sales Director.

Established in 2006, Garrison Brothers is the first and oldest legal whiskey distillery in Texas. Located on a beautiful ranch in the Hill Country, Garrison Brothers authentically produces straight bourbon whiskey one barrel at a time. Their expressions, which include Small Batch, Single Barrel, Balmorhea, Cowboy, HoneyDew, and Laguna Madre, have earned a devoted following across the country, with limited-releases regularly selling out. This month, Garrison Brothers released its HoneyDew 2020, a honey-infused expression. In addition to being served in the best bars and restaurants across 30 states in America, Garrison Brothers is available in liquor stores, markets, shops across the West coast as well as online at shop.garrisonbros.com. Bottle prices typically range from $89.99 to $299.99. 

ABOUT GARRISON BROTHERS DISTILLERY

Garrison Brothers Distillery is a small farm and ranch located in the beautiful Texas Hill Country that authentically produces straight bourbon whiskey. Garrison Brothers introduced the first bourbon whiskey legally made in Texas in 2010 and has since developed a rabid fan base. They currently have a waitlist of more than 15,000 just to volunteer on bottling days, and their Cowboy Bourbon™ normally sells out within hours of its release. Garrison Brothers is the first legal bourbon distillery in Texas history and is one of the first distilleries in America outside of Kentucky to produce authentic, handmade bourbon whiskey—and only bourbon whiskey. The business was founded in 2006.

Every expression of Garrison Brothers bourbon is made from a sweet mash bill and barrel-aged in the intense Texas climate. The extreme heat creates multiple aging seasons in a year, resulting in a darker, richer, and fuller bourbon; bolder than almost any other bourbon on the market.

At the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2020, the Garrison Brothers team was awarded a double gold medal for its Balmorhea Twice-Barreled Bourbon, a silver medal for its Single Barrel Bourbon, and a bronze medal for its Small Batch Bourbon. Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible named Garrison Brothers Cowboy Bourbon “American Micro Whiskey of the Year” in 2014 and again in 2017. Whisky Bible awarded the same distinction to Balmorhea Twice-Barreled Bourbon for 2019 and 2020. Garrison Brothers was voted Best Craft Whiskey Distillery in America by readers of USA Today in 2017.

Garrison Brothers is a proud and active member of the communities of Blanco, Fredericksburg, Hye, Johnson City, and Stonewall. The distillery and its barrel barns are open to the public for tours in Hye, Texas. Anyone interested in learning more about Garrison Brothers Bourbon or in taking a tour of the distillery should visit garrisonbros.com or follow @garrisonbros on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

About Republic National Distributing Company  

RNDC, a world-class distributor of fine wines and spirits in North America, has operations in Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia. Young’s Market Company, a partner of RNDC, distributes wines, spirits, and select beverages in the western United States including Alaska, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. Visit www.rndc-usa.com, www.youngsmarket.com, or contact Reace Smith, Vice President, Corporate Communications at reace.smith@rndc-usa.com.

Howard Cai Select releases Grand Islay Peat & Sherry Single Cask range from Bowmore

Distilled in 1998 at Islay’s famous Bowmore Distillery and aged in Sherry Casks for 21 years within the walls of the legendary No. 1 Vaults, these whiskies are exclusively available at Howard Cai Select.

While each of the eight single casks has unique characteristics, they all share a robust peat profile, with complicated Sherry notes, rounded by the Hebridean sea air.

The whisky was then non-chill filtered and bottled keeping the spirits natural rich, deep colour. With a wonderfully long and delightful finish, this range of single casks results in a truly magical experience.

Plus, to celebrate the Year of the Rat, four of the casks were treated with traditional Chinese zodiac imagery.

About Howard Cai 

Established in 2009, Howard Cai Select is China’s first independent Single Malt Whisky bottler. A life member of The Keepers of the Quaich and renowned whisky expert, Howard has made it his mission to broaden people’s appreciation for fine Scotch Whisky in China. Howard successfully pairs these whiskies with Nouveau-Chinese cuisine in his exclusive fine-dining establishments. Each hand-picked cask is aged and bottled in Scotland at its original strength. Then detailed information of when the whisky was distilled and bottled is provided, guaranteeing provenance. Also, the packaging design includes Chinese-cultural elements to help celebrate this combination of East and West. Each batch is a truly unique experience.

For more information about Howard Cai Select Single Cask and the investment opportunity please contact: HowardCaiSelect@gmail.com

Virtual Whisky Show is shaping up to be the best drinks show of 2020! It features the largest tasting line-up of any virtual show, seven days of demos, sessions and seminars, and the opportunity to meet ‘face to face’ with some of the world’s top distillers and industry legends, all accessible wherever you are in the world. Add to that a selection of more than 70 Perfect Measure tasting packs, so that you can taste along with the experts, and your October just got a lot more interesting.

We have much more to tell you over the coming weeks, but in the meantime, you can grab your ticket to Virtual Whisky Show below!

Book now 

VIRTUAL DEMO SESSION

Goodbye Zoom! We’ll be hosting Virtual Whisky Show on a dedicated online show platform: Hopin. Join us for a demo session on 26 August 2020 at 7pm (BST) to take a tour of the home of Virtual Whisky Show, accompanied by some friendly faces. Register below for free – spaces are limited so don’t delay!

REGISTER NOW 

VIRTUAL EXHIBITORS

Virtual Whisky Show will host a dynamic selection of more than 50 exhibitors from around the globe. Exhibitors will soon be releasing their schedules, so you can plan out your dram-packed week well in advance.

SEE VIRTUAL EXHIBITORS 

TASTING PACKS

There will be a whopping selection of more than 70 Perfect Measure tasting packs available to purchase for Virtual Whisky Show. From discovering Scotland and indie bottlers, to getting your geek on, we’ll have something for everyone.

DISCOVER OUR TASTING PACKS 

JOHNNIE WALKER BLENDING SESSIONS

Previously part of our show at Old Billingsgate, this session lets you become an expert blender from the comfort of your own home with the tutelage of Johnnie Walker Scotch whisky ambassador Ali Reynolds.

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VIRTUAL SHOW DETAILS

2-9 October 2020
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The Whisky Exchange is the registered trademark of Speciality Drinks Limited.

Registered in England and Wales (Company No. 4449145).

Registered Office: Elixir House, Whitby Avenue, Park Royal, London NW10 7SF, UK.

ralfy review 839 – Arran 10yo @ 46%vol: