Join the world's finest malt whisky club, The Scotch Malt Whisky Society. Find your nearest branch

Welcome to WhiskyIntelligence.com where we'll be gathering information on the whisky industry and scotch whisky news in the form of press releases, newsletters, events, tasting notes and comments.

Please submit your press releases, newsletters, events, tasting notes or comments.

Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 212: Yamazaki Limited Edition 2017 – Japanese Whisky News

MarkNew

Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 212: Yamazaki Limited Edition 2017

Mark Dermul, Belgian whiskyblogger, tastes the coveted Yamazaki Limited Edition 2017. It is Suntory’s yearly returning NAS-whisky that showcases what Japanese whisky is all about. Beautifully layered, mouth coating and flavorsome, it is a liquid delight. Tasting it in the ancient French city of Avignon only adds to the experience.

https://youtu.be/sfBq0hRwp8I

SPIRITED PERFORMANCE AS CHIVAS BROTHERS FACE PERNOD RICARD CHINA IN INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL FRIENDLY – Scotch Whisky News

Chivas-Brothers-Logo 

SPIRITED PERFORMANCE AS CHIVAS BROTHERS FACE PERNOD RICARD CHINA IN INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL FRIENDLY

World-leading Scotch whisky producer, Chivas Brothers yesterday battled it out on the football pitch with sister company Pernod Ricard China in what was arguably the second most important tournament of the summer.

Teams from the two businesses went head to head at Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC’s Stadium, overseen by none other than Douglas Ross MP – an accomplished referee who has previously officiated in the Scottish Cup Final and Champions League.

With 44 footballers making up four teams, the players came from all areas of the business – from warehouse operations to marketers and distillers to site engineers. The chance to play on a Scottish Premiership pitch fired up both teams, with 10 goals scored in four games, in what was a fun and relaxed afternoon. The final score was a draw, with Team Scotland presenting its guests with the coveted tournament trophy.

The match was an important part of an itinerary of activities arranged as more than 750 Chinese guests from Pernod Ricard China visited Scotland for an immersive Scotch whisky experience. The visitors have also enjoyed several Speyside distillery tours, internal conferences and a traditional Highland dinner, all designed to build an even stronger working relationship between the two affiliates.

Alex Robertson, Whisky Ambassador and Education Manager at Chivas Brothers, said: “Scotland and China unfortunately didn’t qualify for the World Cup, and so we took matters in our own hands by organising a friendly tournament during our guests’ stay.  I would like to thank Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.C. for hosting us at their club.

“Over the last few days we’ve had a wonderful time entertaining our colleagues and showing them everything that Scotland has to offer. The trip has been hugely rewarding for both parties and has helped cement our already strong working relationship, something we’ll continue to benefit from long into the future.”

Douglas Ross, MP for Moray and referee of the match, said: “I was delighted to referee yesterday’s tournament, all teams were very sporting and seemed to have a lot of fun – what better way to build bonds across the business than play in a few friendlies? It has been encouraging to welcome such a large delegation of guests to our country and this visit is testimony to the global nature of the Scotch whisky industry and its significance to the Scottish economy.”

Team Scotland member Graeme Gardiner said: “The match was certainly very spirited, and it was great fun for everyone involved – it’s not every day you get to play a friendly international at a Scottish Championship Club! Football may not have come home for England, but today the spirit of the game was certainly alive in Scotland!”

 

Build an advantaged route to consumer: China Premium scotch brands leading the way to consumers in South China – Scotch Whisky News

Build an advantaged route to consumer: China Premium scotch brands leading the way to consumers in South China

China

We want spirits consumers in China to choose our premium and super premium scotch brands. To achieve this, we identified two provinces in China, Guangdong and Fujian, to further build our route to consumer capabilities in liquor stores.

Guangdong and Fujian have the highest penetration of foreign spirits consumption in China. Focusing on Johnnie Walker Blue Label, The Singleton and our malts portfolio, we trained our sales team and worked with local distributors and liquor outlets to set minimum activation standards for our premium scotch brands. Using data and insights, the sales team is now able to make real-time decisions to ensure we are reaching the right consumers with the right products and that our brands are presented at their best at point of sale. During sales calls, our team is able to take images of displays. Our system logs the images and our central team is able to evaluate and better determine the best sales drivers.

Additionally, during occasions such as the Mid-Autumn Festival and Chinese New Year, we are recruiting and re-recruiting Johnnie Walker Blue Label customers through personalisation and gifting.

This year, we have seen sales of scotch in mainland China grow strong double digit driven by Johnnie Walker and The Singleton.

Isle of Arran Distillers claim four top prizes at international competition – Scotch Whisky News

 Isle of Arran 10 yo single malt

Isle of Arran Distillers claim four top prizes at international competition

The team at the Isle of Arran Distillers is celebrating four coveted awards at this year’s International Wine & Spirits Competition. The independent whisky maker picked up two gold medals for its Arran 10 and 18-year-old Single Malts. The Bothy Quarter Cask and Lochranza Reserve claimed silver outstanding medals.

The International Wine & Spirits Competition is now in its 49th year and sets the international benchmark for quality. Entries are received from nearly 90 countries and each product is sampled by the judging panel, which consists of over 400 global experts.

The gold medal for the 10-year-old Single Malt at the International Wine & Spirits Competition is another in a long list of sought-after accolades that the classic expression of Arran has received. Earlier this year the dram collected the Double Gold accreditation at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, a Gold medal at the World Whiskies Awards and an impressive 91 points out of 100 at the Ultimate Spirits Challenge, where it also received a cocktail commendation for the ‘Rob Roy’ cocktail.

Expert judges from across the world have been impressed with the 10-year-old’s initial rush of rich vanilla sweetness that gives way to a touch of cinnamon that adds a spicy edge to the soft and sweet texture. The citrus notes have rounded with age and reveal new depths of character against a background of sweet oak.

The 18-year-old Single Malt, that claimed a gold award at the International Wine & Spirits Competition, following a Gold Medal at the World Whiskies Awards earlier this year, is a favourite among whisky lovers for its renowned depth of character. Caramelised citrus and tropical notes on a background of toasted oak have created an intense, well rounded dram with charm and personality. This Single Malt also utilises a balanced mix of the finest aged ex-Sherry and ex-Bourbon casks to offer a full and unique maturation of the classic expression of Arran.

Speaking about the awards, Euan Mitchell, Managing Director of Isle of Arran Distillers, said: “It’s always exciting to see our whiskies perform so well on the international stage, and there aren’t many more prestigious than the International Wine & Spirits Competition.

“Our whisky represents much more than just a great taste, they also characterise the heritage of our island. The local water, microclimate and air quality all influence the spirit as it’s distilled and matured. The whisky we create couldn’t come from anywhere else but the Isle of Arran. Everything we make reflects a range of regional influences yet achieves a rare and unique personality all of its own.

“We look forward to the next stage of the company’s growth with the opening of our Lagg Distillery in Spring next year. The whisky produced at Lagg will be a heavily peated Single Malt in contrast to the unpeated style produced at Lochranza and it will remain true to our ethos as an independent whisky maker. It will continue exploring the incomparable characteristics of our home island that has seen our whisky acclaimed across the world.”

The most recent milestone for the Lagg Distillery is the completion of the steelworks. With the structure now in place, the Distillery has begun to take on its distinctive shape, overlooking the south coast of Arran and the Firth of Clyde. The new distillery has been positioned next to fields of barley that provide a portion of the malt currently used in distillation at Lochranza.

Come this autumn the copper pot stills will be installed, followed in early 2019 by the first production run of the new heavily-peated (50ppm) spirit that will become, in time, the flagship Lagg Single Malt Scotch Whisky.

The Isle of Arran Distillers has released 700 of the first casks of this whisky for purchase. Each of casks, priced at £6,000, will remain at the distillery for a minimum of ten years of maturation under the careful eye of the Lagg Distillery team. The casks owners will then have the opportunity to bottle the spirit, complete with a limited-edition Lagg Cask society label, or pay an annual fee to continue the maturation process until the desired age is attained. It is expected that the casks will be laid down in early 2019. No further casks will be made available for sale to the public during the first ten years of production at Lagg.

Notes:

For more information visit www.arranwhisky.com and www.laggwhisky.com 

Accolades for Isle of Arran Distillery include Winner for: Best New Exporter (2004), Queen’s Award for International Trade (2005), Scottish Distiller of the Year (2007) and Scottish Drinks Producer of the Year (2007)

Scottish Field Visitor Experience of the Year 2014 & 2015

Drinks Business Best Contribution to Wine and Spirits Tourism (2017)

Best Brewery/Distillery Tour – Scottish Outdoor Leisure Awards (2017)

Product Awards include:

Arran 10 year -old: San Francisco World Spirits Competition Double Gold Medal (2018). International Wine & Spirits Competition Gold Medal (2018). Category Winner and Gold Medal ‘Best Scotch Under

12 Years’ Islands Non-Islay at the World Whiskies Awards (2018). International Spirits Challenge Silver Medal (2018). Ultimate Spirits Challenge 91 points (2018). Ultimate Spirits Challenge Cocktail Commendation for the Rob Roy (2018). Double Gold Medal China Wine & Spirits Best Value Awards (2014)

Arran 18 year-old: International Wine & Spirits Competition Gold Medal (2018) Category Winner & Gold Medal ‘Best Scotch 13-20 Years – Islands (Non- Islay) World Whiskies Awards (2018). International Spirits Challenge Silver Medal (2018)

Quarter Cask ‘The Bothy: Category Winner & Gold Medal ‘No Age Statement Single Malt’ for The Bothy Batch 3 World Whiskies Awards (2018). International Wine & Spirits Competition Silver Outstanding Medal (2018). International Spirits Challenge Silver Medal (2018)

Arran Lochranza Reserve: International Wine & Spirits Competition Silver Outstanding Medal (2018), International Spirits Challenge Silver Medal (2018)

WHISKY AUCTIONEER AUGUST 2018 AUCTION LIVE! – Scotch Whisky News

WA1

AUGUST 2018 AUCTION LIVE!

2

Port Ellen 12 Year Old / Queen’s Visit 1980

Thought to be the only official bottling of Port Ellen released while the distillery was active, this expression was produced to commemorate the visit of Queen Elizabeth II to the island on 9th August 1980. We are honoured to present at auction one of the most iconic whiskies ever produced.

3

Macallan 50 Year Old 2018 Release 75cl / US Import

Like all the great Macallan before it, this 50 year old was matured in only the finest handcrafted, hand-selected, sherry-seasoned European oak casks, all the way from the bodegas of Spain.  Allowed to interact for five decades with this wood, it is sure to have an incredible rich and full flavour.

4

Bowmore 1964 ‘Black Bowmore’ Trilogy

An icon of the whisky world, it’s hard to fathom where whisky collecting would be today without the Black Bowmore. This month we have each of the three releases of the renowned series combined as one lot. What a great chance to own some of the most important spirit to ever grace our beloved industry.

5

Karuizawa Single Casks

Karuizawa produced outstanding whiskies, many of which have received international acclaim. They have released almost 300 single casks which are becoming increasingly rarer and rarer as demand soars. This month we have a fantastic selection of some of their best bottlings.

6

Macallan Genesis

Genesis is a special and highly limited release from the recently revamped Macallan distillery. Released in August 2018, the special edition bottling commemorates the unveiling of the brand new Macallan distillery just two months prior

7

A.H. Hirsch 1974 Reserve 16 Year Old Bourbon

This month we feature two special lots which are the same spirit bottled under different owners at different times. The blue wax seal indicates the original bottling in the early nineties by Julian Van Winkle III. The other is a Buffalo Trace bottling done in 2003.

8

Teeling Celebratory Single Pot Still Exclusive Auction

WEB_PAGE_BLOCKIMG

Islay Defibrillator Charitable Fundraiser

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society “Say hello to the Peat Faerie” – Scotch Whisky News

SMWS Peat 1

A SPRINKLING OF FAERIE DUST

The wait is finally over! We’re continuing our month of bold discoveries with a new release from our collection of blended malts, and it’s a little piece of magic, for members only. Our journey into blended malt started with two batches of Exotic Cargo and, after resounding approval from you, we’ve arrived at a new flavour frontier of peat and smoke with our latest bottling, Peat Faerie.

SMWS Peat 2

A harmonious marriage between first-fill Speyside casks and a collection of hand-selected Islay casks, Peat Faerie showcases a perfect balance of earthy peat smoke, farmyard muscle and coastal freshness. Spirits manager Euan Campbell produced separate regional recipes before combining them in different proportions and strengths and putting them all in front of the Society’s Tasting Panel. The Panel assessed the samples blind and we bottled the highest scoring recipe, reduced to 50% abv to achieve the perfect drinking strength.

We’ve created only 2,948 bottles of this special blend, so intrepid whisky explorers should grab one fast, before they’re all gone (maximum two per member).

Peat Faerie
£50.00
 

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

SMWS LOGO 2017 NEW

From Speyside to Shimamoto at The Whisky Shop – Scotch Whisky News

tws13

From Speyside to Shimamoto!

Scotland is known as the home of whisky, and Speyside has to be its heart with more than half of the distilleries in the country found there. Of course the Scots are fiercly proud of their national drink – and rightly so! – but on the other side of the globe, a nation is beginning to mount a challenge to the dominance of Scotch in the whisky world.

Japanese whisky is still a relatively new category, with the first distillery founded in the 1920s, but the Land of the Rising Sun is home to multi-award winning brands from Suntory and Nikka, not to mention younger up and coming distilleries like Chichibu.

Fortunately, whether you favour Scotch or Japanese, you can enjoy some delicious whisky from both camps at The Whisky Shop!

Next day UK delivery available
International shipping

Yamazaki 12 Year Old

TWS1

£129 Buy Now

Hibiki 17 Year Old

TWS2

£495 Buy Now

The Macallan 18 Year Old
Sherry Oak 2018

TWS3

£325 Buy Now

TWS Logo

Milroys September / October Tastings – Whisky & Whiskey News

aa-milroys1

MILROYS TASTING EVENTS

SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 

Milroy’s public tasting events are held every Monday evening at 6.30pm until approximately 8pm.
Women’s Whisky Night is held the first Tuesday evening of every month.

Book a ticket to come and learn something new about a favourite distillery, try a few drams from somewhere unfamiliar, or just because the nights are always a fine time!

Head over to our website to keep an eye out for current future events.

Current Tasting Events

IN PURSUIT OF THE GRAIN

Milroys 1

Book Now

WOMEN’S WHISKY NIGHT

Milroys 2

Book Now

PERNOD RICARD IRISH RANGE

 Milroys 3

Book Now

PAUL JOHN

 Milroys 4

Book Now

NIKKA

Milroys 5

Book Now

MICHTER’S

 Milroys 6

Book Now

 GLENFIDDICH

Milroys 7

Book Now

BRUICHLADDICH

Milroys 8

Book Now

GLENDALOUGH

Milroys 9

Book Now

Tastings and Tickets

Our mailing address is:

Milroy’s of Soho

3 Greek Street

London, EnglandW1D 4NX

United Kingdom

COMPASS BOX WHISKY CO. ANNOUNCES THE WINNER OF ITS INAUGURAL GLOBAL BARTENDER COMPETITION, THE CIRCLE – Scotch Whisky News

Compass Box 1

COMPASS BOX WHISKY CO. ANNOUNCES THE WINNER OF ITS INAUGURAL GLOBAL BARTENDER COMPETITION, THE CIRCLE 

Rosey Mitchell was revealed as the winner of The Circle after competing against
5 leading bartenders in a three-day final.
 

London, Thursday 16 August 2018. Compass Box, the Scotch whisky blending house announced Rosey Mitchell as the winner of The Circle at a reveal party in London last night.

The Circle launched earlier this year and encouraged the most inventive bartenders from around the world to compete for a one-of-a-kind opportunity – a place to work side-by-side with Founder and Whiskymaker, John Glaser to create a Compass Box Limited Edition blend, which will be sold internationally.

THE CIRCLE FINALISTS

Bartenders from Argentina, France, USA, Spain and the UK competed in regional heats, which saw the following six leading bartenders secure a spot in the final. 

  1. Adriano Marcellino | BrukBar, Buenos Aires
  2. Baptiste Etcheverry | Fairmont Rey Juan Carlos, Barcelona
  3. Charlotte Pederson | Little Red Door, Paris
  4. Max Venning | Three Sheets, London
  5. Meredith Barry | Vol 39, Chicago
  6. Rosey Mitchell | Three Sheets, London 

THE FINAL  

The three-day final was designed to encourage the bartenders to cross-boundaries with a series of blending, cocktail and design challenges.

The finalists worked closely with Compass Box Whiskymakers John Glaser and Jill Boyd, experimenting with different aromas and flavours before creating their own bespoke blend.

The bartenders got creative behind the bar, building their own signature serves inspired by their home city and bespoke highball serves featuring their very own blend.

The programme of challenges culminated in a final pitch, which was presented to and judged by a panel of experts including Ryan Chetiyawardana of Super Lyan, Matt Whiley of Scout, Sandrae Lawrence of The Cocktail Lovers, Ivan Dixon of Enotria & Coe and Compass Box’s John Glaser.

Compass Box 3

THE WINNER

The final pitch saw the bartenders present their blend and signature highball serve as well as a design inspiration for their whisky, with Rosey receiving top-marks and the title of The Circle winner 2018.

Rosey Mitchell from Three Sheets, commented of her win: “It’s been an incredible couple of days, something I am so excited to be a part of. I have never been in a competition quite like it, John Glaser and everyone involved have truly changed the game and I can’t wait to start blending and see where the future holds.”

Commenting on Rosey’s win John Glaser, said: “I’d like to congratulate Rosey and welcome her to the Compass Box circle. The Circle is all about finding like-minded creators who aren’t afraid to do things differently, if it means doing things better, and we’ve certainly found that in all our finalists. Rosey created a blend and serve that I would be proud to put a Compass Box label on, and I’m excited about what we can create together.” 

The Circle judge and Founder of Super Lyan, Ryan Chetiyawardana said: “This was such a personal competition and it covered so many different aspects of the craft; all the bartenders should be incredibly proud. Rosey did an amazing job and I’m super excited to see what she will create with John. Compass Box has always been a brand close to my heart, and it’s great to see that The Circle competition is a fittingly progressive challenge to bartender’s passion and creativity.”

The Compass Box Limited Edition blend, created in collaboration with Rosey will be available worldwide from Spring 2019, coinciding with the launch next year’s competition.

www.compassboxwhisky.com

About Compass Box

Compass Box is a leading independent Scotch whisky blending house, which is kind of a workshop for whisky. Its whiskies span the flavour spectrum of Scotch, including blended malt whiskies, blended grain whiskies and blended Scotch whiskies. They are not bound by one single style of Scotch and the only limit is their imagination.

In 2000, John Glaser set up Compass Box from his kitchen with the idea to explore where others wouldn’t, to create flavours that others weren’t. John wanted to push Scotch forward rather than maintaining the status quo and fifteen years later he’s still doing the same thing with no plans to change. 

Compass Box is six-time Whisky Magazine Innovator of the Year and in 2015, John Glaser was named by Whisky Advocate as one of the most influential figures in the history of Whisky – and one of only three still alive today.

Compass Box 2

The Circle

The Circle is the Compass Box global bartender competition, which launched in 2018. The competition encourages the most inventive bartenders from around the world to compete for a chance to create a limited edition Compass Box blend with Founder and Whiskymaker, John Glaser.

The Circle is made up of like-mined creators, boundary crossers and experimenters.

Kensington Malt Messenger No. 89 by Andrew Ferguson – Whisky News

KWM0

Malt Messenger No. 89

It has been a little over a month since the last Malt Messenger, and if like me you are living in the West, it has been a little like living in a Malt Kiln, but not in a good way. I generally prefer my smoke and peat during the winter months, and those aren’t that far away, so we’ll continue to make the best of it!

Our summer tasting schedule is winding down, not with a whimper, but a bang. You might recall an archive release of Yoichi and Miyagikyo Japanese single malts we received a couple of months back… we held on to a bottle of each of them, and we are featuring them in a special Lost in Translation tasting tomorrow night. It is the sort of Japanese tasting we won’t likely be able to do again anytime soon, and certainly not at the price we are charging. Details below.

Lots of new whiskies to tell you about, including a range of 11 new Cadenhead Small Batch whiskies, from Batch 20. There are some curiosities in there, including a peated Tobermory, Ledaig, a 1991 Cadenhead Creations Blended Malt, and some excellent value older whiskies. But before we can make room for the new Cadenheads, we need to clear out some of the old ones… We have identified 12 Cadenhead whiskies to blow out at between 15 and 25%. The sale list, as well as the list of new Cadenhead Batch 20 whiskies can be found below.

We have received a small amount of older Glenfarclas, 30 Year, 40 Year and the 1979 Family Cask. The 30 Year sold on arrival, we are hoping to get a few more bottles in the fall. The 40 Year is nearly all gone, and we won’t be seeing it again until next summer. We have a few bottles of the 1979 Family Cask in. We took the opportunity to stock up ahead of time, as it is an important vintage for anyone turning 40 next year!

Also on the aged/mature front, are a trio of Bruichladdichs. The Bruichladdich Rare Cask Series is composed of 1984, 1985 and 1986 vintage whiskies. I will be receiving just 6 bottles of each, and a number have already sold. We only have 2 of the 1986 left, which we are holding back for someone who wants a full set. The 1984 got a fantastic review from Whisky Fun, 90pts. Details below.

Two popular Japanese whiskies have been discontinued. Like the White before them, the Nikka Pure Malts Red and Black, $75 each, are no longer being produced. We have stocked up on them, but they won’t last long…

Our best selling peated whisky, The Ileach Cask Strength is back! This feisty, young, sherried, mystery malt, from the hamlet of Lagavulin on Islay, is a steal at just $80. If you are a fan of peated malts, do yourself a favour and pop into the shop for a taste. We dare you not to take a bottle home!

We have some very cool new Cooper’s Choice bottlings trickling into the shop. From a possibly Macallan (or Glenfarclas depending on who you speak to) to a 35 year old Blended Grain, there are more than a few curiosities.

All this and more in this edition of the Malt Messenger.

I hope that Malt Messenger No. 89 finds you well. If you have any comments, questions or requests don’t hesitate to send me an email.

Slàinte!

Andrew

In This Edition

  1. Lost in Translation Whiskies of Future Past: Yoichi & Miyagikyo
  2. Blow Out Pricing on WM Cadenhead
  3. NEW Cadenhead Small Batch: Release 20
  4. Old Glenfarclas Going Fast
  5. Introducing Bruichladdich Rare Vintage Series
  6. Nikka Pure Malts Discontinued
  7. The Ileach Cask Strength is Back
  8. New Cooper’s Choice Bottlings
  9. Balvenie 21 Year Port Wood Available
  10. Glenfiddich 21 Year Winter Storm is Back!

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

KWM1

Blow Out Pricing on WM Cadenhead 

SAVE 15-25% on 12 Cadenhead Small Batch Whiskies

We have 11 new Cadenhead Small Batch whiskies (next section), but before we can bring them all in, we need to clear out some of the old ones first. We have identified 12 Cadenhead Small Batch releases to blow out. They are on sale for 15-25% off.

Here is the list, descriptions and tastings notes are on the KWM Web site:

  1. Cadenhead Small Batch Strathclyde 1989 – $230 – SAVE 25% – 3 Left
  2. Cadenhead Small Batch Tullibardine 1993 – $215 – SAVE 25% – 3 Left
  3. Cadenhead Small Batch Linkwood 1992 – $225 – SAVE 25% – 2 Left
  4. Cadenhead Small Batch Port Dundas 1988 – $230 – SAVE 20%
  5. Cadenhead Small Batch Strathisla 1997 – $170 – SAVE 20% – 4 Left
  6. Cadenhead Small Batch Glen Grant 1992 – $225 – SAVE 20% – 1 Left
  7. Cadenhead Small Batch Glendullan 1996 – $175 – SAVE 20%
  8. 8Cadenhead Small Batch Speyside 1991 – $225 – SAVE 20%
  9. Cadenhead Small Batch North British 1985 – $260 – SAVE 20%
  10. Cadenhead Small Batch Caledonian 1987 – $365 – SAVE 15%
  11. Cadenhead Small Batch Glenrothes 2002 – $130 – SAVE 15% – 5 Left
  12. Cadenhead Small Batch Burnside 1987 – $320 – SAVE 15% – 4 Left

KWM2

11 New Cadenhead Small Batch Whiskies: Release 20 

8 Single Malts, a Single Grain and a Cadenhead Creation!

There are some interesting whiskies in this release. The Ledaig isn’t likely to last long. Nor is the Cadenhead Creations Blend as we have just 6 bottles of each. They are limited to 1 per person. The colour on the Glenrothes is superb, and it is far from over-sherried. I am very much looking forward to trying the Benrinnes and Glen Spey… Springbank Society Members Save 10% on Cadenhead whiskies at KWM.

Here are the notes from Cadenhead on Release 20:

“So what should you look for this season? Simple, it’s all about taste, be it 11 years old or 20+ years each whisky is outstanding. After dinner whisky is most definitely the Glen Spey 22 57.9% and for those who want a more all-rounder might like to try the new vintage from Dailuaine 13 years old 46%. The Glenrothes 20 is possibly one of the most elegant sherry cask so far this year, If you missed our other outstanding sherry casks it might be worth checking the web shop for a few more options such the Glen Grant 22 or the stunning Speyside 21 and the sublime Mortlach 29! This Glenrothes compliments the range perfectly.”

KWM3

  1. Cadenhead Creations Vatted Malt 1991 – 43.8% – 26 Year – Hogshead – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: heather, brown sugar, banana loaf, mint, cocktail cherries, tropical fruiits. Palate: peach, raisins, pan fried pineapple, tinned pears, dark chocolate. Finish: custard cream, plums, parma ham. – $225 – Only 6 bottles, 1 per person!
  2. Cadenhead Small Batch Aultmore 1997 – 51.8% – 20 Year – 2 Hogsheads – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: ginger, peaches and cream, freshly cut grass, tarragon, bung cloth. Palate: lemon zest, coriander, black pepper. ball spice, golden syrup, honey then some citrus notes.” – $184
  3. Cadenhead Small Batch Benrinnes 1997 – 54% – 20 Year – 3 Ex-Bourbon Barrels – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Kiwi fruits, icing sugar and Brazil nuts. Palate: Slight earthy and dunnage notes, dark chocolate and green apples. Finish: Cajun spice, paprika and a fruitiness with pears and more apples.”- $205
  4. Cadenhead Small Batch Dailuaine 2004 – 46% – 13 Year – Hogshead – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Grassy, light floral, caramelised sugar, sticky toffee and slightly woody. Palate: fruit syrup,  chocolate, creamy, thick, clotted cream, crushed black pepper. Finish: Initial meatiness then caramel, biscuity, almonds,  blueberries and apple peel.” – $110
  5. Cadenhead Small Batch Glenrothes 1997 – 52.6% – 20 Year – 3 Sherry Butts – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Peanut butter, figs and treacle. Palate: Chewy.  Orange zest and juicy sultanas.  Hint of ginger in background. Finish: Nutmeg, paprika with orange peel and brown sugar.” – $180
  6. Cadenhead Small Batch Glen Spey 1995 – 57.9% – 22 Year – 2 Hogsheads – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: grassy notes and porridge move to  vanilla pods. Palate: Quite peppery.  Grassy notes continue before grapefruit comes through.  Finish: Long and zesty with lemongrass.” – $210
  7. Cadenhead Small Batch Ledaig 1997 – 52.8% – 2- Year – Hogshead – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: smoked kippers, role map herring, coastal flavours, crushed sea salt. Palate: peanut butter, apple smoked, tea leaves,  cooked fruits, tannins. Finish: sooty, pebbly, smoked herring, smoked cheese, toasted barley.” – $210 – Only 6 bottles, 1 per person!
  8. Cadenhead Small Batch Linkwood 1997 – 53.7% – 20 Year – 2 Hogsheads – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Lemon curd followed by strawberry jam and apple pie. Palate: Black peppercorn, cinnamon sticks and butterscotch. Finish: More cinnamon with coriander and toasted white bread.” – $188
  9. Cadenhead Small Batch Strathclyde 1989 – 55.8% – 28 Year – 2 Ex-Bourbon Barrels – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: vanilla pods, earthy, mustiness, dunnage, cream cheese, butter scotch. Palate: hard boil sweets, biscuity, honey oats, nutty,  caramac. Finish: shortbread,  vanilla ice cream, fruit pastil.” – $234
  10. Cadenhead Small Batch Teaninich 2006 – 55.2% – 11 Year – 2 Hogsheads – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Very sweet, buttered popcorn followed by a hint of citrus and fresh green apples. Palate: Toffee ice cream, barley sugars and cereals. Finish: Burnt sugar, coffee beans and icing sugar.” – $120
  11. Cadenhead Small Batch Tullibardine 1993 – 43.6% – 24 Year – 2 Hogsheads – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: coconut oil, pear drops, butter scotch, milk chocolatey mice, cubed pineapple. Palate: syrupy, dried  bananas, apricots,  oranges, ginger. Finish: shortbread, caramel, milk chocolate, rice pudding, white grapes.” – $225

KWM5

Old Glenfarclas 

30 Year, 40 Year and the 1979 Family Cask

We have received a small quantity of older Glenfarclas, 30 Year, 40 Year and the most recent Family Cask release of the 1979 vintage. If past years are any indication, the 1979 will be considerably more expensive next year, if it is available at all. If you know anyone turning 40 in 2019, you might want to snag one now, while you can. We have just 3 bottles each of the 30 and 40 year olds. We won’t see the 40 year old again until next summer. Both the 30 and 40 year old Glenfarclas are limited to 1 per customer. We are receiving just 6 of the 1979 Glenfarclas Family Cask.

  1. Glenfarclas 30 Year– 43% – Distiller’s Tasting Note: “Nose: Full complex aromas with fruit and full sherried malty tones. Palate: With Sherry, cognac, brandy, fruit, nuts, marzipan (and even icing), this is a wonderfully indulgent Christmas cake, in a glass! Finish: A whisky you never want to end and it very nearly doesn’t. The finish is exquisite with a real taste of burnt chocolate at the back of your mouth.” – $625
  2.  Glenfarclas 40 Year – 43% – Distiller’s Tasting Note: “Nose: Antique leather, walnuts and chocolate covered raisins. Palate: A sweet initial taste, orange segments, chocolate. Then a lovely flavour of burnt brown sugar. Finished: The dry finish oozes big tannins and more rich dark cocoa beans. Let the whisky breathe a little or add a drop or two of water to fully open up the dram.” – $1200
  3. Glenfarclas 1979 Family Cask – 47.9% – 38 Year – Cask 8797 – 4th Fill Hogshead – 220 Bottles – $1004 – Just 6 bottles available!

KWM6

Introducing the Bruichladdich Rare Vintages 

Some of the Last Bruichladdich Casks from 1984, 1985 and 1986

These whiskies are reputed to from some of the Distillery’s last casks of whisky from 1984, 1985 and 1986. The whiskies were identified by Jim McEwan during his time at Bruichladdich and set aside for further maturation. Only a couple of cases of each are coming to Canada, and Kensington Wine Market is receiving just 6 cases of each. They are sold out at the distillery.

Head distiller Adam Hannett has released a series of three very old Bruichladdich whiskies that he describes as ‘The last of their kind”.  The final three parcels of casks from distillations in 1984, 1985 and 1986 have now been bottled here at the distillery and are making their way to exclusive retailers of premium spirits around the globe. The 1986 is the same vintage as the legendary “Blacker Still”, and is said to be from the same parcel of casks!

From Bruichladdich:

Adam Hannett says: “These rare, old single malts are a direct link to our past, to the men who made truly special spirit here while facing very different circumstances to those which we enjoy today. Testament to their skill and hard work it was laid down to mature by the shores of Loch Indaal, unaware of what the future might bring. Three generations of distillers have watched over it, each of us helping to shape the final concept. It has been my privilege to decide that the treasures we have nurtured are now ready to be brought to the world. These whiskies when tasted leave me speechless. They are in their prime, the last of their kind and can never be repeated, never recreated. Nothing quite like them will ever be seen again.”

The 1984 is drawn from just 12 casks of classic Bourbon-aged Bruichladdich, a style Adam considers to be: “the ultimate expression of our spirit. The fruit, the faint salt tang, the signature elegance is all there with layer upon layer of vanilla/butterscotch complexity.”

The 1985 comes from the final 22 casks of legacy stock originally filled into gentle third fill bourbon casks that lay untouched until 2012 when it was re-casked into fresh Bourbon before a final coup de grace in French oak from one of the greatest French chateaux.

Ultra-rare, the 1986 is derived from just seven casks of delicate, floral Bruichladdich that have been subject to intense, full-term sherry maturation. First filled into oloroso butts in 1986, this spirit lay untouched in our loch-side warehouses until 2012 when our then master distiller Jim McEwan decided to introduce it to a privileged parcel of Pedro Ximinez butts from winemaker Jan Pettersen at Bodega Fernando de Castilla in Jerez, Spain.

“They are some of the most symbolic whiskies I have worked with and they are profoundly important to me.” says Adam. “They are as old as I am. They reflect my life and experience, those moments that mean so much to us all. The moments that define us; when we marry, when we become parents and when we achieve our dreams and are recognised for our achievements. These are the moments that deserve to be celebrated with something extraordinary. In a poignant footnote to the bottlings leaving Islay, the distiller acknowledged that: “There is a tinge of sadness associated with seeing these great casks and the iconic whiskies they contain leaving our warehouses, even though memories of them will echo round these walls forever.”

  1. Bruichladdich Rare Cask 1984 – 43.7% – 32 Year – Finished in 12 First-Fill Ex-Bourbon Barrels – Distiller’s Tasting Note: “Aroma: Gorgeous.. Classic old school Bruichladdich.. Coconut, warm muscovado sugar, vanilla custard, grapefruit, mango, baked ginger biscuits, marzipan. After a while notes of date syrup and sultana. Taste: Soft and gentle texture, a delicate dram. Crème brulee, buttercup and orange zest. Gently warming the palate, it opens to reveal a touch of leather, toasted oak and praline. Sweet citrus and mango come through later. Finish: So gentle but a lovely finish of warm scones and dried fruit, candied orange, lemon peel and apricot jam. Character: There is a quiet feel to this dram, delicate yet assured of its identity.” – $1250 – 90pts WhiskyFun.org: “This 1984 is an ode to refill wood, good distillate and time all working together to create a fresh, vivid, evocative and delicious old whisky. I love just how riddled with distillery identity this one is.”
  2.  Bruichladdich Rare Cask 1985 – 48.7% – 32 Year – Matured in 3rd Fill Ex-Bourbon / Finished in First Fill Ex-Bourbon – Distiller’s Tasting Note: “Aroma: An amazing array of notes. Blood orange, nectarines, banana bread, desiccated coconut, vanilla custard, then more floral and nutty tones, geranium, marzipan, walnut, heather honey. Taste: Tremendous presence on the palate, the texture is wondrously soft and syrupy. The short ACE in the wine casks has given a warm, nutmeg hint and a layer of fruity notes, raspberry, blackcurrant jam and ripe plum, all perfectly balanced by years in American oak – cinder toffee, lemon meringue and coconut – bounty bar sweet. It opens continually to reveal layer upon layer of complexity. Finish: Long and gentle, the oak influence is strong with waves of soft vanilla wafer, toffee and sandalwood. Then lemon barley sugars, a hint of salted caramel and apricot syrup. Character: Attempting to describe the feeling and style of this whisky will fall woefully short of doing it justice. This is a vintage that will not be forgotten and it is my pleasure to be able to release it to the world.” $1250 – 86pts WhiskyFun.org: “Another fine old Bruichladdich.”
  3. Bruichladdich Rare Cask 1986 – 44.6% – 30 Year – Matured in Oloroso Sherry / Finished in PX Sherry – Distiller’s Tasting Note: “Aroma: Dried fruit – raisins, fig syrup, prunes and Christmas cake. Muscovado sugar, a hint of hot sand and candied peel, dried tea leaves, pipe tobacco and leather rolled in PX. Taste: The aroma is truly astounding. On the palate the experience raises the bar still further with sweet PX notes, raisins, dried figs, dates, grape sugar. Leather, cigar boxes and Christmas cake. Everything a Sherry matured whisky should be and more. The complexity and balance is retained as the marine freshness and fruity notes of apricot and apple come through from the Bruichladdich DNA. Finish: Never-ending. Sweet fruit, PX, salted caramel, cinder toffee and a hint of smoke. Character: BANG! The mic is dropped…” – $1250 – 85pts WhiskyFun.org:

“A fine old sherried Bruichladdich.”

Milroys 5

Nikka Pure Malts Discontinued 

Two Staple Japanese Whiskies Set to Disappear

After more than a decade of being one of the best value propositions on the shelf in Canada and around the world, word has come down from on high that the Nikka Pure Malt Red and Black have been discontinued. We have scooped up a little stock before they disappear, but we don’t expect them to last long!

  1. Nikka Pure Malt Red – 43% – Primarily Composed of Miyagikyo and Yoichi single malts. – Producer Description: “Fruity and soft, this whisky is a blend of casks selected primarily from the Miyagikyo distillery, combined with just enough Yoichi malts to add a touch of spice and very light peat on the finish.” Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: ample, marked by orange and preserved fruity notes. Once exposed to air, it develops herbal notes. Palate: fine and unctuous, it moves from fruitiness to slightly smoky malt barley and honey. Finish: long, it develops malty and floral notes. On the whole, it is remarkably balanced and very fresh.” – $75
  2.  Nikka Pure Malt Black – 43% – Primarily Composed of Miyagikyo and Yoichi single malts. – Producer Description: “With its subtle balance of fruit and refined peat notes, the Nikka Pure Malt Black offers a rare complexity. Its aromatic depth is the result of a selection of very different malt whiskies, combining the fruity elegance of Miyagikyo, and the smokier notes and strong character typical of Yoichi. – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: full yet refined, with plenty of spices (pepper), ripe fruit (mirabelle, peach) and citrus zest evolving on smoke and black chocolate notes. Palate: lively, very spicy. Sweet fruit jam (plum). Liquorice notes slowly give way to the refined bitterness of the peat. Finish: long. Revealing notes of honey, heather and sweet spices. A pleasant vegetal freshness (chlorophyll) leads to subtle ash flavours.” – $75

KWM7

The Ileach Cask Strength is Back! 

Our Best Selling and Best Value Exclusive Peated Single Malt Whisky

It is back and exclusive to KWM in Calgary again! Bottled at 58%, and it is enormously darker! This is new and exciting! The Ileach Cask Strength is a mystery malt from Islay. In other words, the distillery of origin is a mystery but, look closely at the label, and you’ll see a couple of clues: the distillery has its own bay, presumably passable on only the one side; it’s water-front has a distinct appearance; and could that be the ruins of the Dunyvaig Castle on the far right?

 The Ileach Cask Strength – 58% – (Lagavulin) – My Tasting Note: Nose: pungent, this is classic Islay, maritime, smoky, salty and medicinal; lots of brine and chewy malt, some dark fruits, chocolate, leather and earthy tones; underneath a base of vanilla and toasty oak. Palate: still maritime, smoky, tarry and medicinal, the whisky is earthy, leathery and malty; it is also big and rich, there is leather, tobacco and chocolate with loads of spices too. Finish: tarry, leathery, peaty and chocolaty with salt and oils. Comment: classic sherried Islay single malt with a very prominent sherry cask influence. Is it Lagavulin, Caol Ila, peated Bunnahabhain? We’ll never know, but the whisky’s label has clues!” – $80

KWM8

New Cooper’s Choice Bottlings 

Some Real Curiosities Including a Possibly Glenfarclas or Macallan…

A new shipment of Cooper’s Choice has just landed along with the Ileach Cask Strength. As I’ve indicated before, we have been generally very impressed with the offerings from Cooper’s Choice. The whiskies are either bottled at 46% or cask strength. They are generally very good value when compared to other independent bottlers. We have some very interesting offerings this time around, including some Madeira, Marsala and Port Cask finished whiskies. There is also a 12 year old teaspooned Laphroaig (Williamson), an 18 year old Secret Orkney (Highland Park) and the 35 year old “Golden Grain”, a blended Grain Scotch whisky. Most interesting, perhaps, is the Family Silver 1988. Officially this is a mystery blended malt, unofficially it is teaspooned Macallan. The whisky was matured in Oloroso sherry, and I can’t wait to crack one open. I have high hopes for it, but alas it is limited to 1 bottle per customer, as we are only getting 18!

  1. Cooper’s Choice Miltonduff 2009 – 46% – 8 Year – Madeira Finish – $80
  2. Cooper’s Choice Glentauchers 2009 – 46% – 7 Year – Madeira Finish – $87
  3. Cooper’s Choice Family Silver 1988 – 50% – 29 Year – Oloroso Sherry Cask – Teaspooned Macallan – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: rich sherry notes. Malty toffee, stewed fruits and a hint of tobacco. Palate: Christmas cake, Sherry and fruit. Exceptionally smooth. Light, smoky spice. Finish: more spice and rich sherry. Long and lingering.” – $300 – Limit 1 per customer!
  4. Cooper’s Choice Golden Grain 1982 – 50% – 35 Year – Bourbon Cask Matured – Blended Grain Scotch Whisky- $250
  5. Cooper’s Choice North British 1987 – 47.5% – 30 Year – Bourbon Cask Matured – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: coconut and vanilla. Bourbon notes. Fruity. Palate: sweet spices with more vanilla. Stewed fruits and toasted nuts. Finish: medium long. More Bourbon and fruit. – $185
  6. Cooper’s Choice Port Dundas 1999 – 53% – 19 Year – Marsala Cask Finish – $120
  7. Cooper’s Choice Ardmore 2008 – 46% – 8 Year – Port Cask Finish – $82
  8. Cooper’s Choice Secret Islay Williamson 2005 – 12 Year – 56.5% – Teaspooned Laphroaig – $225
  9. Cooper’s Choice Secret Orkney Skara Brae 1999 – 52% – 18 Year –  Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: yellow apples and light heathery smoke. Hint of sea spray. Palate: salty apples and light peppery spices. Touch of liquid honey and sea salt. Finish: long, gentle smoke with a salty edge.” – $140

KWM9

Balvenie 21 Year Port Wood is Back…

In Very Limited Quantities!

This stalwart whisky has all of a sudden become quite hard to come by. We have 9 bottles coming, and expect that is it for the rest of the year.

Balvenie 21 Year Port Wood

  – 47.6% – Finished in Port Pipes – Distiller’s Tasting Note: “Nose: A perfume of fruity and ripe raisin notes, backed by a nutty dryness. Taste: Refined with remarkable character, it is creamy and silky with fruit, honey and spice notes. Finish: Long, gentle, nutty.” – $350

91pts Whisky Advocate: “This is the ultimate PortWood expression from Balvenie and has been finished in 30 year old port pipes. A more vibrant and textured Travel Retail variant is non-chill filtered and bottled at 47.6%. Soft, red grape notes, vanilla, and milk chocolate on the nutty nose. Very discreet smoke. Rich plum flavors in the mouth, dark berries covered in cream, and spicy honey. The finish is long and elegantly drying.”

KWM10

Glenfiddich 21 Year Winter Storm is Back! 

The Most Interesting Glenfiddich in a Long While

We’ve just received another shipment of the Glenfiddich Winter Storm, quite unexpectedly, I might add. This 21 year old icewine finished Glenfiddich is one of my favourite recent releases from the distillery. This limited edition 21 year old Glenfiddich was finished for 6 months in Ex-Peller Estate Icewine casks. Limited to 2 bottle per person.

Glenfiddich Winter Storm – 43% – Finished for six months in Peller Estate Icewine casks – My Tasting Note: “Nose: big, honeyed and grapey; lots of sugars, creamed heather honey, icewine and a touch of soft leather; Scottish tablet and molten brown sugar; exotic fruits: honeydew melon, pineapple and guava; waxy oranges and beeswax candles. Palate: sweet, rich and fruity; much more spicy and earthy than the nose let on; though the earthy tones and soft and delicate, as are the spices; more exotic fruits: melon, pineapple and guava are joined by some mango and kiwi; still thick with creamed honey, beeswax candles and grapey-icewine tones; the palate is big, but round, smooth and very layered. Finish: medium-long, waxy and coating with lots of fruit, honey and cream; very layered even the delicate spices and earthy tones make a reappearance. Comment: this whisky is no gimmick; it is pretty, fruity, honeyed and layered!” – $300 – Limit 2 per customer!

______________________________

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

Kensington Wine Market


Powered by WordPress