Malt Messenger Bulletin – 4 Great Deals & Tonight’s Speyside Festival

It has been a busy couple of the weeks since the last Malt Messenger. I won’t have time to put together the next full Malt Messenger until after Easter, but in the meantime I have some timely news to share, so I hope this Malt Messenger Bulletin finds you well!

Firstly, there will be another Malt Messenger Bulletin on Monday March 26th, Announcing our Spring Tasting Schedule. There is a lot to look forward to in the Spring Tasting Schedule, including a pair of whisky festivals and a special Ardbeg 1815 tasting with Brendan McCarron, head of maturing whisky stocks at Glenmorangie and Ardbeg. We will also have a pair of Ancient Malts tastings where we will be cracking some 1968s and a pair of Broras, and there is more… stay tuned!

Secondly, and more pressingly, we have a few available tickets left for tonight’s The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival at KWM. The cost is $50, includes a glass, and the opportunity to sample up to 80 different whiskies! Register online or call 403-283-8000 to register. (WHOA! WI did not receive this int time to publish on the day of the event but keep your eye out for their next festival – they are well worth the visit! ~ WI)

Finally, the main purpose of today’s email, is to promote a couple of time sensitive deals we have. We were offered a price break on the anCnoc 2000 and anCnoc 22 Year to clear out the stock of these two great whiskies. It seems the importer brought in too much, and both products have been discontinued, so they are eager to get rid of them. The anCnoc has dropped in price by $10, from $100+gst to $90+gst. The anCnoc 22 Year has dropped nearly $40, from $192+gst to $155+gst. They are both amazing deals, especially the 22! More details and tasting notes below.

We are also passing on savings on the Auchentoshan 18 Year and Laphroaig Lore. Beam Suntory has put both on sale, and we are passing the savings on, but there is a catch. We can only honour the sale price for bottles of the Auchentoshan 18 (was $118+gst now $108+gst) and Laphroaig Lore (was $190+gst now $175+gst) ordered between today and next Wednesday, March 28… more details below.

I hope you enjoy this Malt Messenger Bulletin. If you have any comments, questions or requests don’t hesitate to send me an email.

Slàinte!

Andrew

In This Edition

1. Spirit of Speyside Festival Tomorrow
2. Save on the anCnoc 2000 and anCnoc 22 Year
3. Save $10 on Auchentoshan 18 Year (Until March 28)
4. Save $15 on Laphroaig Lore (Until March 28)

Andrew Ferguson

Kensington Wine Market

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

KWM’s 2nd The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival 

$50 for 80+ Speyside Whiskies & a Glass – TONIGHT!

We featured Islay and Islayternative malts last month, this time around it is the Speyside’s turn in our 2nd Annual The Spirit of Speyside Festival. Only the whiskies of distilleries in the Speyside region will be featured in this festival style tasting. Think you know the Speyside? With over 80 whiskies to choose from we’ll guarantee you something new!

Tonight… Thursday March 22, 7PM, just $50, including a glass!

Register in-store, by phone at 403-283-8000 or online: kensingtonwinemarket.com

SAVE on anCnoc 2000 & 22 Year 

Blow out specials on two fine Highland Single Malts!

You gotta love it when people bring the deals

to you… Just before Christmas it was the Mackinlay’s Shackleton(only 10 left), and now it is a pair of anCnocs, from the Knockdhu Distillery. We were given a $10 break on the anCnoc 2000 and close to $40 on the anCnoc 22 Year to help clear out the Alberta inventory. Both are great whiskies, but discontinued, and it seems the importer, under previous ownership, bought too much. The whiskies are both lovely.  My tasting notes are below. Both are bottled at 46%, and matured in a mix of Ex-Sherry and Ex-Bourbon. Here are the details:

anCnoc 2000 – 46% – Matured in a mix of Oloroso Sherry & Ex-Bourbon – Andrew’s Tasting Note: “Nose: sweet and fruity with a mix of strawberry and black licorice Twizzlers; the whisky is delicate and floral, there are jujubes, some chewy malt and citrus notes. Palate: creamy with licorice, soft leather, spices and earthy notes; some honey with nutty sherried tones and more strawberry and black licorice Twizzlers; a touch of malt, candied citrus, more jujubes and dark spices: fennel, clove and anise. Finish: long, coating, leathery and spicy with more licorice and candied fruits. Comments: excellent value middle aged vintage whisky.” – Regular $100 – SAVE $10 – Special Price $90+gst

• Producer Description: “anCnoc Vintage 2000 has matured in Spanish oak ex-sherry butts and American oak ex-bourbon barrels and has been bottled in its most natural form, neither chill-filtered nor coloured.  As a result this dram may develop a light haze with the addition of water or if kept at a cold temperature. This haze is a natural characteristic of whisky that is non-chill filtered.”

anCnoc 22 Year – 46% – Matured Ex-Bourbon & Ex-Sherry – Andrew’s Tasting Notes: “Nose: soft damp tobacco in an old leather patch, chocolate shavings on a piping cappuccino; some candied fruits, lemon drops and wine gums; some delicate malty-floral top notes emerge with some soft toasty oak. Palate: rich, fruity and very soft, wow this is really something; lots of chocolate with more soft leather and tobacco; more candied fruit and wine gums with some emerging mango, papaya and honey dew melon. Finish: an absolutely beautiful balance of both sherry and bourbon notes, the finish is long rich and spicy; finishes fruity and floral. Comment: I’m really caught off guard by this, wow it’s good!” – Regular $192 – SAVE $37 – Special Price $155+gst

• Producer Description: “Matured predominantly in American oak, ex-bourbon casks as well as Spanish oak, ex-sherry butts, anCnoc 22 Years Old displays complexity and a wealth of character but its long lasting rich, smoky finish sets this dram apart from the younger offerings.”
• Silver Medal Whisky Magazine – 87 Martin Nouet & 86 Rob Allanson

SAVE $10 on Auchentoshan 18 Year

Regularly $118, Available for $108 through March 28!

Fresh and clean with lots of citrus notes, the Auchentoshan 18 Year is one of the best priced distillery bottled 18 year olds on the market. The importer has put it on sale, so we are passing on the savings through Wednesday March 28. Save $10 on the already low price!

Auchentoshan 18 Year – 43% – Producer Description: “Triple distilled and matured in American bourbon oak for over eighteen years. The result: a refreshing Lowland single malt whisky with the added infusion of ripe citrus and green tea, the warmth of toasted almonds and the signature smooth, delicate, Auchentoshan taste.” – Distiller’s Tasting Note: “Nose: Aroma: Fresh tobacco leaf – then sweet with a hint of caramelized sugars, green tea and toasted almonds. Taste: A floral freshness with sweet barley sugar at first – this gently ebbs to reveal a tangerine zestiness. The palate is left alive and refreshed. Finish: A long, lingering and well-balanced dram that invigorates the mouth.” – Regular $118+gst – SAVE $10, $108+gst Until March 28!

SAVE $15 on Laphroaig Lore 

Regularly $190, Available for $175 Through March 28!

Laphroaig Lore was created by Distillery Manager John Campbell as a testament to 200 years of whisky making at the Islay Distillery. The whisky is composed of components 7 to 27 years of age from a wide variety of cask types including: virgin oak, Ex-Bourbon, 2nd fill Oloroso hogsheads, and refill ex-Laphroaig Quarter Casks.

From the Distillery: “‘Lore’ is a complex marriage of both classical Lahroaig styles and many ages of Laphroaig. The marriage draws from the peaty power of Laphroaig in the same vein as Quarter Cask but with the smoothness of double matured stock finished in European oak hogsheads. To add even further depth and complexity we used our mosy heavily peated whisky matured in ex-Laphroaig barrels along with some fully sherry matured casks. To ensure none of this amazing flavour was lost we bottled Lore at a full 48% ABV and simply barrier filled before bottling. The result is stunningly complex.”

Laphroaig Lore – 48% – Distiller’s Tasting Note: “Nose: Rich and smoky with seaside minerals with a hint of ash and bitter chocolate drops. Vanilla follows with oily unroasted chestnuts and a hint of fudge with a malty sweetness. A drop of water adds a creamy clotted cream note with fruit appearing in the form of unripe citrus in a flan glaze. Palate: Richly peaty with a spicy chilli bite. Finish: Short dry finish and a long sweet aftertaste. – Regular $190+gst – SAVE $15 – $175+gst Until March 28

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
Kensington Wine Market
403-283-8000

Hi folks, that’s us live with the 84th auction! Happy bidding!

This time the link below might actually take you to the current auction!

Happy Bidding!

SPIRIT WORKS DISTILLERY REACHES HUGE CRAFT SPIRITS MILESTONE WITH RELEASE – BOTTLED IN BOND STRAIGHT RYE WHISKEY 

Sebastopol, CA, March 14, 2018 – California grain-to-glass craft spirits leader Spirit Works Distillery announced today that it has released its first ever Bottled in Bond – Straight Rye Whiskey. As an effort towards regulating spirits industry at the time, the US Government passed the Bottled in Bond Act of 1897, dictating a very strict set of quality standards and control of production practices for a spirit to be labeled as such.

Still in place today, but difficult to achieve and even harder to come by, a spirit can only be labelled Bottled in Bond – by U.S. Government Supervision if it is:

1 – Produced from the same class of spirits and same class of materials (Rye berries and Rye Whiskey)

2 – Distilled in the same distilling season (Dec 2013) by the same distiller (Ashby Marshall) at the same distillery (Spirit Works Distillery)

3 – Stored for at least four (4) years  in direct, full contact with wood (53 gal New Charred American Oak Barrels)

4 – Void of any addition, subtraction or modification

5 – Proofed to 100 proof with only pure water

6 – Bottled at 100 proof

In addition to the above, the label on the bottle must also state the location of the distillery and if bottled elsewhere, where it was bottled.

“I am thrilled for Spirit Works Distillery to have reached this milestone as our Bottled in Bond – Straight Rye Whiskey is a beautiful, welcome declaration of a true small batch, high rye whiskey and the very distinction represents genuine quality, consistency, and age.” – Ashby Marshall, Former Head Distiller and Co-owner.

Bottled at 4 years 2 months old and 100 proof, the Rye Whiskey has a nose towards both bright and baked apple followed with coffee and leather. On the palate it brings peppery hints of clove, and nutmeg that mellow into a blend of caramel and toasted coconut. The finish of golden honeycomb rolls down to a long smooth spice.  Bottles can be purchased for $60, as of today, out of the distillery tasting room in Sebastopol and are planned to be in market in due course.

About Spirit Works

Founded in the heart of Sonoma County, California in 2012 by husband and wife team Timo and Ashby Marshall, Spirit Works Distillery is craft spirits producer which handcrafts artisan Vodka, Gin, Sloe Gin, Barrel Gin, Navy Strength Gin, Straight Wheat and Straight Rye Whiskey onsite using the grain-to-glass method of milling, mashing, fermenting and then distilling onsite, allowing the Distillery to create a truly hands on premium product. Spirit Works is also one of the few all-female distilling teams in the US with Lauren Patz as Head Distiller. For more information, click here ashby@spiritworksdistillery.com

Balblair Distillery is one you must visit both physically if you get the chance, and on your palate if you have not yet done so. One of the most visually pleasing distilleries in a wonderful Highland setting. And whisky that is sure to suit the palates of many. But that’s not because its designed to suit the masses. No, it’s simply fantastic whisky. There is a strong sense of tradition at Balblair. Red brick chimney, pagoda roof and dunnage warehouses. And this care, attention and respect for the distillery is reflected in the quality of the whisky. Now, Balblair have released some brand new vintages and we have been lucky enough to sample.

Vintage Whisky

One of the most notable aspect of Balblair whisky is their focus on whisky vintage and not age statement. You still get the indication of age by the vintage year and bottling year but it is about the casks being ready, when they are ready each year. It’s a nice little USP and one which is very well received among the vast swathes of whisky releases. 2018 sees the the release of two brand new expressions:- Balblair 1991 Vintage and Balblair 2000 Vintage. Here at TheWhiskyBarrel.com these added to the already available 2005 Vintage Balblair, making a fantastic trio of whiskies to compare.

Balblair 2005 Vintage 46%

The 2005 vintage Balblair is a lovely whisky. This 1st release was bottled in 2017 making it at least 11 years old. Classic Balblair notes of green apples and a hint of citrus. Definite youth but gives up a nice rawness to the Balblair character here. A touch of water brings out the fruits a touch more too over the notes of bitter tobacco/leather. This is certainly a dram that lets you explore the clear character of this distillery. Quite sharp and to the point. But it is these two older vintages which really let you delve further into the depths of Balblair Whisky, and the warehouse.

Balblair 2000 Vintage 46%

The Balblair 2000 vintage 2nd release bottled 2017. Aged at least 16 years old, this  takes a clear step up. The nose is lovely. Freshly baked warm spiced apple crumble. On the palate it goes a little more tropical with pineapple but with the additional of runny sweet honey and hints of dried coconut. The finish is nice and long, running. Pleasant spices and hints of malted barley. Our recommendation – a definite buy. With a bit of time as well it all opens a little more with all the flavours mellowing in lovely harmony. Sherry and bourbon cask maturation working perfectly.

But there is no ignoring, that the brand new Balblair 1991 vintage is what we are keen to get stuck into.

Balblair 1991 Vintage 3rd Release Bottled 2018 46%

The now gone but not forgotten Balblair 1990 vintage was a firm favourite. This 1991 vintage Balblair whisky aged at least 26 years follows suit.   It has a luxurious mouthfeel. Fantastically balanced influence of each cask type both on the nose and palate. A lovely level of complexity. Time opens it right up and lets it relax even more. Not just a few minutes, but let is sit for 5 or 10 minutes and you will notice the change. Citrus fruits soften into ripe soft fruit with a little kick of liquorice and spice. But it’s so very smooth and creamy on the palate -milk chocolate and a smooth fruit compote. The finish pops up with more spices and a lovely sherried fruit cake dipped in warm luxury milk chocolate. This is fine whisky.

Balblair whisky is one of those distilleries you should not be afraid to recommend to a novice. They are highly likely to enjoy it. But also, if you are a whisky lover, you need to give Balblair whisky a go. In particular, this older 1991 vintage will surely float your whisky boat.

All three are available to buy online now at TheWhiskyBarrel.com

Spring has officially sprung here in Leith, bringing a promise of fresh breezes and lighter nights – great weather for drinking whisky. In celebration of the season, we’re having a Spring Cask Sale as we clear our cupboards to make room for new bottlings.

We’ve hand-picked a selection of casks that zing with flavour and are offering bottles at a special price. Stock up on your favourite whiskies and save up to 20 per cent. Bottles are limited in availability and the offer ends at midnight on Tuesday 27 March – order now online to avoid disappointment.

PLEASE NOTE: We expect high volumes of sale orders, as our thirsty members snap up their favourite bottlings. Deliveries may take up to 14 days, sorry for any inconvenience that this may cause – for more details, please read our terms and conditions online.

SPRING SALE

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

A True Rarity That Scotch Enthusiasts Will Treasure
Carsebridge 40 Year Old “Old Particular” Scotch ($249.99)
“If this were Port Ellen it would be over $3000. But because it’s grain whisky the market is unsure of what to do with it, so the price is absolutely ridiculous by comparison.” – David Driscoll, K&L Assistant Head Buyer

This 40-year edition, distilled in 1976 and bottled for K&L in 2017, represents the holy trinity for Scotch whisky enthusiasts: the combination of price, age, and rarity that historically has sent our customers into a feeding frenzy. Rich and round on the palate with the decadence of four decades in wood, this lively and vanilla-laden Scotch almost comes across like an American Bourbon with its big oak spices and 54% cask-strength proof.Laden with honey notes, the bold proof brings home the flavor for a minute long finish.

1976 Carsebridge 40 Year Old “Old Particular” K&L Exclusive Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Grain Scotch Whisky (750ml) ($249.99)

David Driscoll | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: March 15, 2018

For the K&L whisky faithful these are the moments you live for: those opportunities when we dig out gems from Scotland’s forgotten cellars, 40 years of whisky maturation from a lost distillery at full proof for $250. Grain whisky continues to be undervalued by the market, even when it’s from a closed producer like Carsebridge. If this were Port Ellen it would be over $3000. But because it’s grain whisky the market is unsure of what to do with it, so the price is absolutely ridiculous by comparison. I know what to do with this whisky, however, as I’m assuming all of you do too. Drink it, and savor every last drop of it.

Gary Westby | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: March 15, 2018

The mellow, round, butterscotch nose of this antique whisky is beguiling enough on its own, but the intensely concentrated flavors are even better. After 40 years of reducing, this single cask grain from Carsebridge is a real statement on the potential of this rarely tasted style of Scotch. I found a good splash of water unpacked the layers of complexity in this fantastic dram and didn’t dilute the power at all. What a treat!

Phone: (877) KL-WINES (Toll Free 877.559.4637)

Email: wine@klwines.com
K&L Wine Merchants 3005 El Camino Real Redwood City, CA 94061 USA
San Francisco, Redwood City, Hollywood CA

Saturday, April 7, 2:30 – 5:30 PM

Local Bourbon: Wright and Brown

Anyone curious about craft Bourbon is sure to enjoy this tasting!

Distilled in American-made copper whisky stills, each Wright and Brown release is truly handcrafted. First, the distillers seek out the most flavorful non-GMO grains, working with local organic farms to get the best ingredients. Every step of the whisky process is then done in-house, from milling the grain to mashing, fermenting, distilling, aging, and finally bottling. The result is a decadently flavorful small-batch whiskey, made right here in the Bay Area.

Click Here to RSVP

Blood Oath Series Continues With Release of Pact No. 4

Fourth expression in ultra-premium series debuts with commemorative packaging

(St. Louis) March 12, 2018 – The fourth installment of the acclaimed Blood Oath ultra-premium bourbon series – Pact No. 4 – has launched this month. Blood Oath combines rare, top-notch bourbons, blended and bottled by hand for a distinctively exclusive and unimagined Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey.

Pact No. 4 continues the tradition with a masterful union of three well-bred Kentucky straight bourbons that come together for a unique and complex flavor profile. The first is an extra-aged 12-year bourbon that provides a mellow finish with deep oak undertones, and the second is a rich 10-year bourbon that adds caramel and honey flavors. The third, a nine-year bourbon, rounds out the flavors as it is finished in toasted bourbon barrels – adding deep chocolate, vanilla and spice flavors.

“We finished the nine-year bourbon in a toasted barrel to add an extra layer of flavor. The gentle heating adds more caramel and chocolate accents, as well as a spicier flavor. The toasted barrels, combined with the aging in traditional charred barrels, create a uniquely complex bourbon like no other,” says John Rempe, creator of Blood Oath and head distiller and master blender at Lux Row Distillers. “This bourbon starts off with a strong oak nose and finishes with a robust spice, followed by an ultra-smooth lasting caramel, vanilla and oak.”

This year’s release will also be sold in a commemorative stained wooden box, reminiscent of the toasted barrels used during the finishing process. Like its predecessors, the bottle is topped with a custom, eco-friendly natural cork, sealed and labeled with certificate-style paper stock signed by John Rempe and bottled at 98.6 proof. Pact No. 4 is available nationally in 750ml bottles, with a suggested retail price of $99.99.

Pact No. 4 is limited release, with only 12,000 cases (3-packs) created; this bourbon will never be made again. The Blood Oath series launched in 2015 with Pact No. 1, and will highlight a different variant, or Pact, each year.

Blood Oath Pact No. 4 launches just as Lux Row Distillers – the future home of the Blood Oath series among other bourbon brands – begins production and prepares to open its doors for visitors this spring as a new distillery experience coming to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.

For more information about the distillery, visit www.luxrowdistillers.com. You can also like Lux Row Distillers on Facebook or follow the distillery on Instagram @luxrowdistillers. For more information on Blood Oath, visit www.bloodoathbourbon.com. 

About Luxco
A leading producer, supplier, importer and bottler of beverage alcohol products, Luxco’s mission is to meet the needs and exceed the expectations of consumers, associates and business partners. Founded in St. Louis in 1958, Luxco remains locally owned and operated by the Lux family. Lux Row Distillers is bringing the family’s legacy to the heart of Bourbon Country in Bardstown, Kentucky and is now the home of Luxco’s bourbon portfolio, including Rebel Yell, Blood Oath, David Nicholson, and Ezra Brooks. Luxco has also built a new distillery in the highlands of Jalisco, Mexico – Destiladora González Luxco – where the company’s 100 percent agave tequilas, El Mayor and Exotico, will be produced. Luxco’s innovative and high-quality brand portfolio also includes Everclear Grain Alcohol, Pearl Vodka, Saint Brendan’s Irish Cream, and other well-recognized brands. For more information about the company and its brands, visit www.luxco.com.