We’re in the dog days of summer and we have some hot little numbers in the August Outturn including treats from a closed distillery and Japan!

Enjoy the brief bottle notes below and visit http://www.smws.ca/ for the full tasting notes:

Cask No. 25.65  The whispered kiss 

22 years old; refill barrel; 50%; Light & delicate

A whispered kiss from a ghost. Delicate peach skins and apple blossom. Honey glaze on dainty cinnamon pastries. Musky perfume departments. Rose petals in a warehouse. Childhood memories evoked by tinned peaches, talcum powder, citronella candle.  A gentle earthy warmth hovered while silky fruit syrup lingered.

Cask No. 44.56  Sweet and sour creative tension

23 years old; refill hogshead; 51.8%; Juicy, oak & vanilla

The nose bursts with honey and vanilla – also barbecued ribs, lemon, wood-sap, grass, leather-bound books and sweet pipe tobacco. The palate intertwines chocolate muffins, crème brûlée, and toffee with stewed fruits, Haribo sours, orange and blueberry; all framed in pleasant wood.

Cask No. 35.119  An Alice in Wonderland dram

16 years old; 1st fill barrel; 57.7%; Spicy & sweet

An explosion of camphor, mint candies and golden syrup.  A crazy teaparty of ham baked in Coke, gingerbreads and then biscotti, macadamia, orange water and buttermilk icing. The panel were exhausted there was so much going on – had they fallen down the rabbit hole?

Cask No. 120.7  Sweet, fragrant and satisfying

14 years old; 1st fill bota corta; 55.5%; Deep, rich & dried fruits

The nose carries fragrant blossom and Pedro Ximenez as well as sweet rolling tobacco.  Espresso with lots of brown sugar was replaced by coffee cream dark chocolates.  To taste, we found kirsch cocktails with burnt orange skin, caraway seeds and teriyaki glaze.  “It has everything!”

Cask No. 23.73  The Vital Spark’s engine room

11 years old; refill barrel; 61.5%; Oily & coastal

A dry beach, then light medicinal scents and salt-water taffy; becomes more smoky with water. A sweet and salty taste with a whiff of smoke.

Cask No. 66.38  An Oriental barbecue

8 years old; refill barrel; 59.2%; Lightly peated

Crispy bacon, maple syrup and charred coal to begin with, then a soldering iron in the ‘everything else’ drawer.  The palate has teriyaki beef, black bean sauce and barbecue smoke.  Aniseed and lemon meringue pie when reduced and subdued sweet smoke.

http://www.smws.ca/

Aberlour, Chivas & Glenlivet Whisky Tasting 20th August

Price: £20.00 Date:  Thursday 20th August 2015 Time: 7:00PM Location: N&P Cellars

Book Tickets Online

Phil Huckle, ambassador from Pernod Ricard is coming to the store’s cellars on Thursday 20th August to present an evening of Scotch whisky! Expect medal winning drams from Aberlour, Chivas and the Glenlivet distilleries, including A Bunadh, Royal Salute, The Glenlivet 15 year old French Oak…and more! Plenty of fun to be had at this one!

For further info, email David Gardener or phone him on 01384 394518. Starts 7:00 pm

WHISKY Michel Couvreur – Burgundy

Hand-crafted boutique whisky company that sources its raw whiskies from various distilleries in Scotland, then ages them in sherry casks in their Burgundian underground cellars. Yearly production is about 50,000 allocated bottles.

Of Belgium origin, the Burgundian wine merchant, Michel Couvreur, arrived in Scotland in 1964. He got involved in the Scotch business and became known for selecting the most ancient strains of cereals and using extremely rare sherry casks for aging. In the 70’s, Michel Couvreur returned to Burgundy where he matures his Scotches in rare Pedro Ximenez and/or Palomino casks to craft exceptional whiskies.

• The Unique | Grain whisky • +503730 • [W] $71.51 – [R] $82.29
• Intravaganz’a | Clearach • +84434 • [W] $88.58 – [R] $100.99
• Overaged Malt | Best European whisky 2013 • +209007 • [W] $98.58 – [R] $111.99
• Pale Single Single | Floral and salty • +514620 • [W] $128 – [R] $143.99
• Candid | Lightly peated and sweet • +775080 • [W] $ 137 – [R] 154.99
• Blossoming Auld Sherried | Elegance and strength • +656074 • Sold out

WHISKY Guillon – Champagne

Founded in 1997 in the Champagne region of France, Guillon Distillery offers a range of single malt whiskies matured in various cask types  selected from famous French vineyards. The barley is sourced locally from a Champagne cooperative. During the fermentation process, Guillon uses champagne yeast (saccharomyces bayanus), which give a more regional character to their products. Double distilled, all the whiskies are then aged for a minimum of five years in white Burgundy barrels before being finished in various barrels for various length of time. All the barrels are stored outside the distillery in a dry shipping container allowing temperature variations throughout the year.  Guillon is the official supplier of L’Élysée  (the Residence of the President of France).

• Guillon 46 (Maury wine barrel finish) • +643239 • [W] $86.61 – [R] $98.79
• Guillon Sauternes wine barrel finish • + 491266 • [W] $108.36 – [R] $122.69
• Guillon Côteau du Layon wine barrel finish • +473447 • [W] $108.36 – [R] $122.69
• Guillon Banyuls wine barrel finish • +624007 • [W] $108.36 – [R] $122.69
• Guillon Puligny Montrachet wine barrel finish • +565101 • [W] $112 – [R] $126.69
• Guillon  Mixed Pack (2x N°46; 2x Puligny; 2x Banyuls) • +583138 •  [W] 582.34 – [R] $661.69 / case

NOTE: Only 1 case left of Guillon 46, Guillon Sauternes, Guillon Côteau du Layon and Guillon Puligny Montrachet. 

WHISKY Pro$hibition – Jura

Nestled in the foothills of the rocky spur of the village of Château Châlon, the Tissot family has a long time established history of wine makers and roving distillers (Bouilleur de Cru in French). Pascal Tissot (11th generation) uses a very unique distillation method of three 1934 French Blavier stills, originally designed and built to distil lavender for the perfume industry. Local ‘Feuillettes’  size barrels, which hold 114 litres – half the size of a Burgundian wine barrel, are then filled with the new spirit and matured for a period of three to four years in the rustic Jurassians cellars. The batches are then bottled independently cask by cask. Only 1,000 bottles of each version are produced every year.

• Pro$hibition Vin de Paille single cask | 90 pts The Whiskey Jug  • +453605 • [W] $113.50 – [R] $128.39
• Pro$hibition Vin Jaune single cask | 91 pts The Whiskey Jug  • +856120 • [W] $113.50 – [R] $128.39
• Pro$hibition Macvin single cask | 92 pts The Whiskey Jug  • +70664 • [W] $113.50 – [R] $128.39

G.Rozelieures – Lorraine

  Established since 1870 in the Lorraine region, the Grallet Dupic family is locally renowned for their fruit brandies and eaux de vie distillation. It was in early 2000, back from a trip from Scotland, that Christophe Dupic decided to batch the first of its kind Whisky de Lorraine using the barley crop (620 acres) the family produced.  The eaux de vie distillation savoir-faire has definitely shaped the identities of their whiskies that are characterized by fruitiness, delicateness, smoothness all along with a touch of masculinity through the use of peat.

• G.Rozelieures Rare Collection  | Lightly peated, soft and fruity • +838938 • [W] $82.26 – [R] $94.09
• G.Rozelieures Fume Collection  | Smoky, smooth and delicate • +392670 •  [W] $94.96 – [R] $107.79

1996 Tobermory 18 Year Old K&L Exclusive Old Particular (Douglas Laing) Single Barrel Single Malt Whisky 750ml ($109.99)

Tobermory is kind of hot right now. While this distillery is often listed as a highlander, it is actually from the majestic and mystical Isle of Mull. There the picturesque hamlet of Tobermory, contains one of the Scotland’s most underappreciated malt producers. Their current flagship 15 year old is now on the market for a staggering $150 a bottle and while it’s a fine malt, we’ve always found it to be slightly over priced. Now this wonderful 18 year old expression from a refill sherry butt, makes a mature version of this fun distillery available to all. Tobermory has a unique character and this expression is no different. The nose is creamy oak and rich vanilla – the sherry notes are very faint – it’s a contemplative malt for sure. When it hits the palate a wonderful herbal rush powers out the sweet oak aromas, this is followed by a strong pepper and then the tiny hint of nutty sherry. On the end a briny note builds, giving depth, but also keeping it lively. The aromas in the glass after that last sip are almost as impressive as the whisky itself. A fun, if not quite different malt, that should definitely be a benchmark for the unusual and interesting distillery.

Olivia Ragni | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: March 27, 2015
This K&L exclusive bottling comes from Tobermory’s unpeated stocks but still shows earthy and savory characteristics. A nose of toffee, salt and nuts combine with a palate of malt, sea salt and herbs makes for one of my favorite whiskies of the year!

David Othenin-Girard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: March 25, 2015
BOOOOOOOOOM! This is definitely my favorite Tobermory to date. This fun and funky little distillery from the gorgeous Isle of Mull, is considered very high quality. That said, the distillery offering, their 15-year-old, sells at close to $140. This is several years older and from one single cask, but also has even more character than the standard offering. Perhaps it’s the fact the half the time the little distillery on Mull is devoted to creating peated whisky, but this definitely has a phenolic background note which makes it very intriguing at first glance. While the distillery is officially in the highlands, this bottling is the epitome of an “Island” whisky. It has a certain sense of place that is just unexplainable. Fruit, salt, malt, and the tiniest hint of smoke – pure joy! The finish has this fabulous earthy gravel note that slowly merges into a dark fudge quality. Probably the most unexpected of this years offerings and the obvious contender for sleeper hit of the year.

Jeffrey Jones | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: March 07, 2015
This is one of the best 18 year old single malts in the store right now. It is a pleasure to drink, offering soft malt flavors with a hint of saltiness. A complex and long finish completes the picture.

David Driscoll | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: March 03, 2015
I was on the fence with this cask when we tasted it in Scotland, but now that it’s here and I’ve gone back to it, I’m not sure what I was originally thinking. It’s awesome whisky; lots of oak spice and sweet vanilla with malty grains and nice texture.

Gary Westby | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: February 20, 2015
After 20 years in the booze business, our spirits team can still surprise me! This 18 year old Tobermory is unlike any other single malt that I have had. The nose is so expressive and sweet, with exotic Chinese herbs along with classic malty aromas. In the mouth the whisky is round and plump, clearly mature but without obvious wood flavors. The best thing about this Old Particular bottling is the finish- it is a real peacocks tail, it swells up and goes on for as long as you care to pay attention. Top notch!!

Macallan 25 Year Old Distillery Bottling Single Malt Whisky 750ml – 6 available ($1,299.99)

Wine Spectator: “An intense candy treat of a whisky that announces itself with rose petal, honey and hard candy on the nose. On the palate this cycles through a number of candied notes-fruity for the most part, with cherry character, but including butterscotch and a slight pine forest flavor. The long finish serves as another tour of the palate, with a nutty element. Sherry casks.” (02/2011) K&L Notes: Extremely Limited! Macallan’s 25 year old sherry casks are a modern classic.

STAGG JR NAMED BEST OF WHISKEY AT

2015 LOS ANGELES INTERNATIONAL WINE & SPIRITS COMPETITION

Buffalo Trace named Best of Category

FRANKFORT, Franklin County, Ky (Aug. 4, 2015) – Buffalo Trace Distillery’s Stagg Jr received highest honors at the 2015 Los Angeles International Wine & Spirits Competition, being named Best of Whiskey. Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon also garnered top praise, winning Best of Category. For demonstrating superior quality and taste, these two bourbons were ranked among 365 other premium spirits that were submitted from a total of 34 countries.

            In addition to these honors, the Distillery won five gold medals, two silver medals and one bronze medal.

Buffalo Trace Distillery whiskies earning medals include:

• Gold Medal
  • Buffalo Trace
  • Eagle Rare Single Barrel
  • Stagg Jr.
  • Sazerac Straight Rye
  • E.H. Taylor Small Batch
• Silver Medal
  • Benchmark
  • Wheatley Vodka
• Bronze Medal
  • Blanton’s Single Barrel

“These honors distinguish us among a range of highly regarded premium spirits,” Master Distiller Harlen Wheatley said. “We couldn’t be more proud of these recognitions.”

The Los Angeles International Wine & Spirits Competition was formed in 2007, with an esteemed panel of judges using a blind-tasting method to award medals to the best distilled spirits from around the world.  The award-winning entries will be displayed during the Los Angeles County Fair, Sept. 4 – 27, in “The Wine, Beer & Spirits Marketplace.”

Complete results of the 2012 LAIWSC are available at http://www.laspiritscomp.com/.

About Buffalo Trace Distillery

Buffalo Trace Distillery is an American family-owned company based in Frankfort, Franklin County, Kentucky. The Distillery’s rich tradition dates back to 1773 and includes such legends as E.H. Taylor, Jr., George T. Stagg, Albert B. Blanton, Orville Schupp, and Elmer T. Lee.  Buffalo Trace Distillery is a fully operational Distillery producing bourbon, rye and vodka on site and is a National Historic Landmark as well as is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Distillery has won 17 distillery titles since 2000 from such notable publications as Whisky Magazine, Whisky Advocate Magazine and Wine Enthusiast Magazine. It was named “Brand Innovator of the Year” by Whisky Magazine at its Icons of Whisky America Awards 2015.  Buffalo Trace Distillery has also garnered more than 300 awards for its wide range of premium whiskies. To learn more about Buffalo Trace Distillery visit http://www.buffalotracedistillery.com/.

Kensington Wine Market is taking pre-orders for its 2015 Kensington Wine Market Whisky Advent Calendar 

Kensington Wine Market’s Whisky Advent Calendar is back! Last year’s calendar, our second and the first one we produced entirely in house, was a huge hit. It sold out  before it hit the shelves. This year’s is even better.  It still includes 24 x 50ml whiskies and a custom Glencairn whisky glass. But, that is not all! We are offering an even wider range of whiskies and we are also including an extra 25th bottle. As a special treat for Christmas morning, there will be a 100ml Scotch Malt Whisky Society single cask bottling. This is a rare treat indeed, and usually only available to Society members. All of this year’s whiskies are different from 2014 and we are really excited about the range. There are 23 single malts from Scotland, Ireland, India and Taiwan, as well as a boutique blend and a boutique blended malt. Whether it is for yourself or to give as a gift, we know it won’t disappoint. Don’t hesitate! This one is sure to sell out fast, and the price goes up September 15!

You can pre-order the 2015 Kensington Wine Market Advent Calendar online, by phone 403-283-8000/888-283-9004 or in store. A $150 deposit will be taken for each calendar requested at the beginning of August. The calendars will be available at the “early bird price” of $375. until September 15th. After September 15th the Calendar’s price will go up to $400. The calendars should be ready for pickup before the end of October.

anCnoc Cutter

Stewart from Whisky Corner shares his tasting notes for our award-winning anCnoc Cutter, the latest expression in our Peaty collection and indeed the peatiest to date.

Nose: Ashy, sweet, medicinal, slight hints of peach and strawberry. Vanilla flavoured ice cream and milk chocolate buttons.

Palate: Sweet, sweet, sweet! Lovely creamy texture tempered with a soft smoke that holds its own beautifully.

Finish: Smoke stays the entirety, the sweetness falls away as the dram disappears.

Overall thoughts: Absolute perfect marriage of highland and peat. Beautiful and finally great to see the actual ppm of the finished product known. No guessing games here, 20.5 is what it says and that’s what you get. Other distilleries should take note.

Read the full Whisky Corner review of anCnoc Cutter

MASTERCLASS PREFERENCE REMINDER

At July-10-2015, we’ve send all Maltstock 2015 guests the Masterclass link to let us know which Masterclasses you prefer to attend. This link is usable till 30th of August 2015.

Please let us know your preferences before 30th August 2015, thank you!

Ps. people who have bought a ticket after July 10th, will or already have received the link as well.

TICKET PAYMENT REMINDER

There are still a couple of tickets left, not much, but there’s still a spot for you. Visit the shop to reserve your ticket to Maltstock 2015 ( maltstock.com )

People who already bought a ticket and still have to pay for the ordered ticket, could you please transfer the costs to the bankaccount found in your email with the subject: Thank you for ordering with us (Maltstock confirmation)

Thank you!

Agenda:
Festival season is over for us. However you still can have a dram with us at one of the Woest Genoegen Club Meetings in Nijmegen www.hetwoestgenoegen.nl for more info.

The Loch Fyne Blend

We’ve spoken with our customers about what they want in a dram and we’ve used this knowledge to craft this smooth, mellow blend from the finest whiskies we could find. We call this the malt drinker’s blend and we’re constantly hearing very good things about it.

Only £24

The Loch Fyne Living Cask

A whisky that’s different every time it’s bottled. This first batch is made up of carefully selected Islay and Speyside single malts, married perfectly together to create the Loch Fyne Living Cask Batch One. Only 3000 bottles of batch one are available.

Only £42

The Loch Fyne Living Cask 1745

The Loch Fyne Living Cask 1745 is at the heart of our Living Cask Batch One. Inspired by Inveraray’s location as the gateway to Islay, this is made up of 100% Islay single malts, rumoured to include whiskies up to 25 years of age, but no-one will let such secrets slip!

Only £75

Personalised Loch Fyne Whiskies

Make your gift a wee bit more special with our personalised engraving service. All you have to do is decide is what to say, and we will ensure that your message is hand engraved onto the bottle and beautifully presented. We offer this service on our own three Loch Fyne products.

From £34