Tomorrow is Ardbeg Day, and today is your final opportunity to register for the soccer match, the tasting or both. You can do so by phone 403-283-8000, or online by clicking here! The Ardbeg Day Soccer Match will take place at a booked field by the store. At present there are just a handful of tickets left. $20 will get you a numbered game shirt, a wee Ardbeg glass, and some other swag. The match will take place between 11:30 and 1:30PM. Participants will be emailed directions to the field. Ardbeg Day Festivities will be held at a lovely private venue a few blocks from the store. Once again, participants will be notified of the location by email, as we won’t be selling tickets at the door. Ardbeg Day Festivities will take place from 2-5PM, include a tasting, games and BBQ from Brazen Food Truck. The after party will move to Buchanan’s Chophouse thereafter! All this for just $40!

We have a lot of other great tastings coming up in the months ahead, including our sold out Spring Single Malt Festival, Ancient Malts and Lost in Translation. You can register for these events and see more info on them on our Tasting Page. A slew of exciting new whiskies will be trickling in over the months to come for these and other events. I’ve included a little teaser list of these below!

I don’t want you to get the impression we’ve been resting on our laurels by simply mentioning the future! We’ve had a number of excellent tastings over the last couple of months, and you can read up on them on our Store Blog. There is a write up on everything from Classic Malts, to the Scotch Malt Whisky Society and Glencadam/Tomintoul with tasting notes and links to the products on our site. We try to update it every couple of days so check it out!

Finally, I took a little time last night to write up a few tasting notes, including one on the new Brora 35 Year. It is a stunning dram, and flying off our shelves. I hope you enjoy this Malt Messenger Bulletin.

Slainte!

Andrew Ferguson
Kensington Wine Market

PS- PS – Don’t forget you can follow me on Twitter: twitter.com/scotch_guy and Facebook: facebook.com/scotch.guy.1 
www.fergusonwhiskytours.com

Ardbeg Day 2014

Festivities Kick Off Saturday May 31

As Canada’s first Ardbeg Embassy, Kensington Wine Market is playing host to Ardbeg Day Festivities in Calgary May 31. The distillery’s Ardbeg Day release this year is the Auriverdes, or Green and Gold. This is a nod to the World Cup of Soccer in Brazil, but also to Ardbeg’s iconic green bottle and golden nectar. The theme this year is soccer, and that will be no different here in Calgary. We’re organizing a match of Ardbeg Green vs. Gold soccer at a field near Kensington Wine Market. Participation costs $20, but will include a special t-shirt, some swag and a dram or two. Two teams of 15 will be assembled in the school yard fashion from those who register. Limited to 28 participants. It’s been a wild spring here, and in the Scottish tradition the game will go ahead come bad or worse weather!

Later in the day festivities will to the Kensington Wine Market where we’ll be hosting fun activities between 2 and 5. There Ardbeg range will be available for tasting, along with new Auriverdes and some Ardbeg cocktails. Braizen Meats will be on hand serving up BBQ and there will be fun games. Registration costs $40 and is limited to around 60 participants. You need not register for one to participate in the other. The Kensington event registration includes a cocktail and appetizers at Buchanan’s Chophouse which is hosting the after party, from 5PM on.

Don’t hesitate in purchasing your Ardbeg Day tickets. Events are expected to fill quickly.

1. Ardbeg Day Soccer Match – 11:30-1:30 Saturday May 31 – 5 Spots Left! – $20
2. Ardbeg Day at KWM – 2:00-5:00 Saturday May 31 – Only 15 Spots Left – $40

Call 403-283-8000 to register or do so on our website at https://www.kensingtonwinemarket.com/tastings/register.php.

Tasting Notes on Some Posh New Whiskies

A couple of Cadenheads, Brora, Talisker and the Tomatin 1977

We have been selling the Brora 35 Year at an impressive clip. It doesn’t hurt that it has been very well reviewed by the like of Serge at Whisky Fun, who gave it 95pts. Nor does it hurt that it is selling for nearly double the price around the world. I decided I needed to get some tasting notes off my belt last night, and the following 5 are what I got up to. Tasted in the order presented below they were all great, but the Brora stood out. Who knows if, or when we’ll ever see another official release, and at what price… The Cadenheads are the first of a range of new KWM exclusives. The Talisker is the 2011 edition! Enjoy:

1. Cadenhead Linkwood-Glenlivet 1987 26 Year – 56.8% – Sherry Butts – 972 Bottles – My Tasting Note: “Nose: floral, toasty and citric with a hint of pine; French bakery notes, fruit flan, orange and melon; Palate: lush, coating and toasty with more French baked goods, candied orange and melons; becomes more floral, with white chocolate and juicy oak; the spices develop in layers first candied ginger, then cloves, cinnamon and finally black pepper; Finish: long, coating and toasty with drying oak, floral tones, gentle spice and a return of the hints of pine. – $284.99
2. Cadenhead Auchroisk 1989 24 Year – 57.5% – Sherry Butts – 1140 Bottles – My Tasting Notes: “Nose: leathery and earthy with raisins, dates and figs, roasted nuts and under ripe oranges; rich Oloroso sherry notes and musty old oak; Palate: big-nutty-Oloroso sherry, firm leather, damp tobacco, cloves, black licorice, burnt orange peel and black pepper; burnt raisins, bacon wrapped dates and Christmas cake; Finish: long, rich, nutty and leathery with fading raisins and Christmas cake.” – $190.99
3. Tomintoul 1977 35 Year – 54.9% – Sherry Butt # 3691 – 312 Bottles – ONLY 1 Left! – My Tasting Note: “Nose: starts with soft leather, upon which tropical fruits, deft dark sugars and elegant spices are delicately layered; mango, papaya and pineapple, ginger, cinnamon and cardamom; candied fruits, dried orange and floral honey; Palate: sweet, layered and very fruity; layers of soft tobacco, supple leather and more tropical fruits: more mango, papaya and pineapple; layers of spices: starting with ginger and cinnamon, evolving towards anise and clove; a whisky of enormous depth, there are Demerara and brown sugars, candied fruits and hints of Christmas cake; Finish: long fruity and rich; the layers of the palate slowly and elegantly fade away with more tropical fruits, coating leather and spices. – $849.99
4. Talisker 25 Year 2011 Ed. – 45.8% – 5772 Bottles – My Tasting Note: “Nose: waxy with brown sugar, browning apples, soft earthy smoke, briny coastal notes and hot spices; cantaloupe, mandarin orange and clean smoke; Palate: buttery, creamy, tropical, waxy and smoky with a hint of briny coastal notes; so soft, with such clean smoke, honey comb and clotted cream; the peat is deft with clean smoke; more melon, browning apple, mandarin orange and hot spices like chilli flakes; Finish: long, coating, creamy and subtly smoke with fading salty smoke. – $249.99
5. Brora 35 Year – 49.9% – 1977 – Bottle No. 9 of 2944 – My Tasting Note: “Nose: classic Brora beeswax, subtle smoke and soft tropical fruits: melons, mango and papaya; elegant maritime notes: steamed mussels and pan seared scallops; very creamy and cleanly smoked, this is one elegant older whisky; Palate: sweet, liquid honey, beeswax and mouth-watering fruits: more melons, mangos and papaya, but also candied apple and poached pear; the clean smoke reappears with more sweet pan seared scallops and salty mussels; the peat grows and becomes earthier with a touch of anise; Finish: long and coating with more beeswax, clean smoke and maritime notes; hard to imagine Brora getting much better than this! – $949.99

Whiskies to Keep Your Eyes Open For in the Weeks and Months Ahead!

Cadenhead, Springbank, Nikka, Yamazaki, Bruichladdich & More:

Here’s just a taste:

1. Hazelburn Rundlets & Kilderkins – $103.99
2. Longrow Red Shiraz – $87.99
3. Springbank Gaja Cask – $103.99
4. Adelphi Clynelish 1997 – $110.99
5. Adelphi Macallan 1988 – $199.99
6. Adelphi Miltonduff 1981 – $166.99
7. Adelphi Nightcap 4 – $191.99
8. Benromach 1969 – $1299.99 – KWM Exclusive
9. Bowmore Small Batch Reserve – $51.99
10. Bruichladdich Black Art 4 – $174.99
11. Bruichladdich Octomore 6.1 – $131.99
12. Cadenhead BenRiach 1996 – $111.99 – KWM Exclusive
13. Cadenhead Bladnoch 1992 – $143.99 – KWM Exclusive
14. Cadenhead Bowmore 2001 – $91.99 – KWM Exclusive
15. Cadenhead Deanston 1994 – $129.99 – KWM Exclusive
16. Cadenhead Dufftown 1979 – $401.99 – KWM Exclusive
17. Cadenhead Glen Garioch 1990 – $195.99 – KWM Exclusive
18. Cadenhead Glen Grant 1989 – $209.99 – KWM Exclusive
19. Cadenhead Glenfiddich 1973 – $1099.99 – KWM Exclusive Only 6 Available!
20. Cadenhead North British 1989 – $159.99 – KWM Exclusive
21. Cadenhead Tomatin 1994 – $112.99 – KWM Exclusive
22. Chichibu Port Pipe – $109.99 – KWM Exclusive
23. First Edition Macallan 1993 – $289.99 – KWM Exclusive
24. Nikka Pure Malt Red – $67.99 – KWM Exclusive
25. Nikka Coffey Grain 1999 – $364.99 – KWM Exclusive Only 6 Available!
26. Nikka Coffey Grain – $88.99 – KWM Exclusive
27. Nikka Coffey Malt 1998 – $215.99 – KWM Exclusive
28. Nikka Coffey Malt – $88.99 – KWM Exclusive
29. Yamazaki Bourbon Barrel – $262.99 – KWM Exclusive Only 3 Available!
30. Yamazaki 1993 Private Cask – $1349.99 – KWM Exclusive Only 6 Available!

Ferguson Whisky Tours

Islay September 7-13 2014 or Kentucky October 5-10 2014

Only 2 spots left for Islay in September! Interested in joining me on one of my fantastic whisky adventures? It’s too late to join me in Speyside this May, but not too late to take part in my Islay and Kentucky Tours, departing in September and October respectively. More details on these tours will be available on my website in the coming weeks. www.fergusonwhiskytours.com

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, 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
Manager & Scotchguy
Kensington Wine Market
403-283-8000
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
www.kensingtonwinemarket.com

Owner & Opperator
Ferguson’s Whisky Tours
www.fergusonwhiskytours.com
scotchguide@fergusonwhiskytours.com

Kensington Wine Market
403-283-8000

Full Line-Up Announced For Bushmills Live™ 2014

James Vincent McMorrow, Luke Sital-Singh, Matthew And The Atlas, Rubblebucket, David C. Clements and Levity Breaks Confirmed To Join The 1975 And Tired Pony at the festival of handcrafted whiskey and music 

Bushmills Village: 28th May 2014; The full line-up has been announced for the ‘Bushmills Live 2014’ festival which will take place on June 12 at the Old Bushmills Distillery on Ireland’s spectacular north coast, where the art of distilling whiskey has been perfected over centuries. 

A host of up-and-coming acts from Ireland, UK and America will join headliners THE 1975, along with Gary Lightbody’s supergroup TIRED PONY at the world’s only festival of handcrafted whiskey and music in an Irish Whiskey Distillery. 

Dublin’s JAMES VINCENT MCMORROW is renowned for his incredible live performances and has recently sold out the Sydney Opera House and a string of tour dates in America. The Guardian has described his voice as “rich and soulful” and asserted that his second album Post Tropical (released earlier this year) delivers “moments of magnificence.” 

Joining McMorrow on the line-up is English singer/songwriter LUKE SITAL-SINGH who was nominated for the BBC’s “Sound of 2014”. Luke’s mentor is friend of Bushmills Live and TIRED PONY member Iain Archer. Luke said: “Iain and I shared the occasional Bushmills while making my debut album and he’s always talked about the unique atmosphere at Bushmills Live. I’m very excited to experience it for myself!” 

The winner of last year’s Bushmills Live Legacy Fund – an initiative set-up to help artists’ career progression – DAVID C. CLEMENTS is returning to play the main stage having toured with SNOW PATROL and ED SHEERAN recently. The winner of this year’s Legacy Fund, home-grown Belfast band LEVITY BREAKS, will also perform. 

Two other acclaimed artists – MATTHEW AND THE ATLAS and RUBBLEBUCKET – complete the line-up. MOJO magazine described MATTHEW AND THE ATLAS as being “like a Brit Bon Iver”. The band is fronted by Matthew Hegarty and have been championed by MUMFORD & SONS, while Brooklyn-based RUBBLEBUCKET have won a Boston Music Award for Live Act of the Year. 

Thousands of whiskey and music fans entered an online competition at facebook.com/bushmills to win tickets to ‘Bushmills Live 2014’ and the 700 lucky festival-goers are set to enjoy the perfect mix of handcrafted whiskey and music in the unique surroundings of the distillery. 

Bushmills Irish Whiskey Master Distiller Colum Egan said: “It’s fantastic to have such a rich and varied array of talent coming to play at the distillery – from Brooklyn to Belfast and beyond. 

“Excellent whiskey, enjoyed responsibly, and great melodies are best enjoyed among friends and, with that in mind, we decided that this year’s festival would be curated by the artists themselves. Many of the acts performing already enjoy close bonds and are sure to strike up new ones on what promises to be a brilliant day of music. I can’t wait!” 

Notes 

About Bushmills Live

Bushmills Live is an annual music festival which hosts both iconic and emerging artists for a series of intimate gigs in age-old buildings at the historic Old Bushmills Distillery, where the art of distilling has been perfected over generations. 

Tickets to Bushmills Live are no longer available – tickets were not available for sale but were won via a competition on Facebook. To find out more, visit facebook.com/bushmills.

Keep up with Bushmills Irish Whiskey at: Facebook: facebook.com/bushmills Twitter: @BushmillsGlobal 

About ‘TIRED PONY’ 

TIRED PONY are Gary Lightbody (Snow Patrol), Peter Buck (REM), Iain Archer, Richard Colburn (Belle and Sebastian), Scott McCaughey, Troy Stewart and producer/multi-instrumentalist Garret “Jacknife” Lee. They have released two albums: 2010’s The Place We Ran From and last year’s The Ghost of the Mountain. 

About ‘The 1975’

‘The 1975’ are an English alternative rock/indie band based in Manchester. The group consists of Matthew Healy (vocals/guitar), Adam Hann (guitar), George Daniel (drums) and Ross MacDonald (bass). Their self-titled debut album was released on 2 September 2013 and debuted at No. 1 in the UK Albums Chart. 

About Bushmills Irish Whiskey


Bushmills Irish Whiskey is hand crafted in small batches for a smooth taste at Ireland’s oldest working distillery, in Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland. The Old Bushmills Distillery’s portfolio includes seven award-winning variants: Bushmills, Bushmills Black Bush™, Bushmills 10 Year Old Single Malt, Bushmills 16 Year Old Single Malt, Bushmills 21 Year Old Single Malt, our anniversary edition, Bushmills 1608 and Bushmills Irish Honey Spirit Drink. 

About Diageo


Diageo is the world’s leading premium drinks business with an outstanding collection of beverage alcohol brands across spirits, wines and beer categories. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, J&B, Buchanan’s, Windsor and Bushmills whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Baileys, Captain Morgan, Tanqueray and Guinness.

Diageo is a global company, with its products sold in more than 180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (DGE). For more information about Diageo, its people and its brands, visit http://www.diageo.com/. For Diageo’s global resource that promotes responsible drinking through the sharing of best practice tools, information and initiatives, visit www.DRINKiQ.com.

Competition results: 66 Year Old Whisky

On 13 May 2014 Gordon & MacPhail and Wealth Solutions has launched a limited edition 66-year old whisky from the Glen Grant Distillery. Only 160 numbered decanters have been released for sale. The whisky was officially launched in Polonia Palace Hotel in Warsaw.

The Glen Grant 1948 66 YO whisky is definitely an extraordinary alcoholic beverage and such beverages always taste best in a selected company. For that reason Wealth Solutions decided it to share with a whisky lover who will convince us that he or she can truly appreciate the old Scottish alcoholic beverages and that whisky is their true passion.

All decanters with the 66-year old Glen Grant whisky were sold during the advance sale preceding the official premiere of the spirit. However, Wealth Solutions decided to choose the owner of the last one from among those who witnessed the entire event on-line and took part in a special competition. Its participants were asked to answer just one question: What does whisky mean in your life?

The Grand Prix: the last decanter of Glen Grant 1948 66 YO whisky, number 109 – is awarded to:

Jean-Luc Thiebaut 

The awarded answer:

Whisky, let’s grow old together. Like the highlands and the heather.

We’ve made it this far. From the barrel to the bar.

All the years I was poor. Like the maltings on the floor.

All the friends that we lost. In the warehouse and the dust.

Like the sunset on her hair. The angels took their share.

Whisky, let’s grow old together.

We thank all participants who took part in that extraordinary event and sent their answers. It was a huge challenge to choose the best one. Even the more so we congratulate the winner. Also watch a special movie recapitulating the entire project and showing the world premiere of Glen Grant 1948 66 YO whisky.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGeTNhnUihg&feature=youtu.be

Slainte!

The Wealth Solutions Team

THE SULTAN’S TREASURE CHEST: CLAN CASK ENDS & JUNE PREVIEWS

Open the treasure chest to find your ideal booty – wave good bye to the Whisky Clans with two brilliantly priced Clan Cask End Parcels and say hello to 3 brand new bottlings for June. Be transported by magic carpet to an exotic land of evocative flavours: caramel wafers with barbecued meats in an ‘Autumnal fairground dram’ or fresh apples and herbs ‘Like summer’. Whether you love battling for your rare Clan Parcel or conjuring up seasons past, make sure you get one of these treasures in your chest…

Old & dignified

39.96 The Sultan’s Treasure Chest
The Panel were transported by magic carpet to an exotic land. It was like opening a old cedar treasure chest filled with aromas…
Age: 29
Outturn:131
Cask: Refill ex-bourbon hogshead

BUY £131.10

Lightly peated

66.48 Autumn fairground dram
The nose delivered clean, mild smoke, then woody autumnal notes of coppiced hazel, beech-mast and bonfires. There was peat-smoke on the palate too – but it was also surprisingly sweet…
Age: 11
Outturn: 218
Cask: Refill ex-bourbon barrel

BUY £45.00

Spicy & sweet

G7.6 Like summer
The nose began with fresh, airy notes of apple, glue, and pine (‘a herb garden near a forest’) but like the first drops of summer rain, lumps of sweetness landed…
Age: 21
Outturn:217
Cask: Refill ex-bourbon barrel

BUY £69.80

Browse all bottlings

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 note from the folks at Echlinville Distillery;

Echlinville Distillery is the first licensed Irish whiskey distillery in Northern Ireland in over 125 years. The distillery is set in the magnificent grounds of the Echlinville Estate located within the Ards Peninsula. We are blessed with perfect surroundings & a unique micro climate, making the location perfect for whiskey production.

Our current range of maturing stock will allow us in time to release Pot Still & Malt Irish Whiskeys from August 2016. In the meantime we are lovingly taking care of the barrels we have filled with the finest distillate casked between 63.5% & 70% abv.
 To celebrate the founding of the Echlinville Distillery, we present you with the Patron’s Promise, an inaugural distillation of only 144 casks of the finest Irish Whiskey.

Selectively available to collectors and connoisseurs, each cask of this strictly limited edition distillation will be individually and expertly matured by our distilling team, creating a Single Malt or Pot Still Irish Whiskey uniquely tailored to your individual taste.

To mark this momentous occasion, all purchasers will be cited as distillery ‘Patrons’ & will appear on a commemorative celebratory wall for evermore.
Please find attached a list of current cask options and pricing with more options to become available soon. In order to find out more details please contact Echlinville Distillery at: info@echlinville.com

*For full terms and conditions please visit www.echlinville.com*

The Relaxed Whisky Weekend
5 – 7 September 2014

Helllloooooo very relaxed whisky lovers,

E-Tickets:

Like mentioned in the previous newsletter, Maltstock has E-Tickets now. We will make sure that people who ordered their tickets in the old shop or at Maltstock 2013 will receive a ticket in their mailbox as well. Probably this will happen in June.

Privacy at Maltstock? YES WE CAN!:

As you all know part of the fun is sleeping at the dorms. But we also received some request from people who would love to come, but don’t want to stay at the dorms. The nearest hotel however is a good 4 kilometers away. But this year we have a solution for all those people! Your own private cabin. Yes, privacy at Maltstock!

Your own private cabin at Maltstock 2014, how very relaxed!
The Cabins Camp consists of several wooden cabins and can be rented by a minimum of 2 people per cabin.
The Cabins Camp consists of; 7 wooden cabins, each with 2 bunk beds. Sanitary facilities you can find in the sanitary cabin
The Cabins Camp is right at the Maltstock Venue.
Only 30,- per person with a minimum of 60,- per cabin.For the whole weekend. So when you and your friends, wife or girlfriend would like to have more privacy. The Maltstock Cabin Camp is for you!
When you order a 4 persons cabin with 2 persons, it will cost you 60 euros and the other 2 beds will remain empty. Just to be clear that a cabin only will be shared with the ones you have orderd it with.

First order your Maltstock ticket, then email us at shop@maltstock.com if you are interested in a cabin.

Introduction of the new members:

– Hi we are Stan(ley) and Annette de Goeij, we love Maltstock and are looking forward to it every year! Sharing a weekend with people sharing the same passion and “gezelligheid”. Awesome idea! We are members of the Whisky club in Nijmegen and because a couple of members of the Maltstock organization quite last year. Teun and Bob asked us to assemble a new organizational team. Of course challenging and an enormous amounts of fun!

The first name we thought of was Klaas. Klaas, with his gezelligheid and smooth communicational skills has made many hearts beat faster. Especially the Islay woman are very fond of him. After Klaas said “Yes”, we asked Jeroen for his technical and PR skills. We were hoping that he could make time for Maltstock next to his ITF-Taekwondo tournaments. To our pleasure he choose to quit the tournament lifestyle and choose for Maltstock.
We will do our very best to make Maltstock 2014 as relaxed as possible for you. We hope to see you and let’s drink a dram together in September!

Maltstock promo tour:

Thanks everyone for spotting, photographing, sharing and tagging our Maltstock promo car. We had a very relaxed time at the spirit of Speyside festival. See you next year!!

Spot us at the Dramboree in July:
Dramboree – 4\5\6\July

http://www.dramboree.co.uk 

Reeeelaaaxxxed,
Annette, Bob, Jeroen, Klaas and Teun

Loch Fyne Whiskies gives you the first chance to purchase the highly anticipated new limited editions from GlenGlassaugh. Both expressions have been finished in wine casks sourced from the famous Massandra Winery in Crimea. 

GlenGlassaugh Massandra Sherry Finish 1973 41YO
Dried pineapple, banana and golden sultanas warmed by hints of stem ginger and white pepper spice. Candied peel notes soften to a unique sweet oak character.
A fresh crisp lime zest flows over green apple and pear. Hints of tantalising ripe tropical fruits emerge in the mid palate and combine with delicate cigar box spices and a gentle oiliness, bringing great depth to the long exclusive vintage.

A fantastically vibrant expression for a malt of this vintage, giving a diverse combination of classic fruit and spiced flavours.

Simply click here to buy – £600

GlenGlassaugh Massandra Madeira Finish / 1978 / 35YO
Rounded, creamy notes of cantaloupe melon open to beautiful depths of gentle sweet oak. Waves of a subtle sea air, coastal note balances the rich ripe fruit character.

A fantastic contrast of luscious ripe melon and sharp sour plums softens to boiled sweets and dried apricots with the smallest hint of ripped mint in the background. A gentle dry oak note sweetens to a dusting of icing sugar on the palate giving yet another dimension to the ever changing finish.

Layer upon layer of subtle fruit characters come together with delicate aged oak to give a delicious range of flavours in the unique Glenglassaugh style
only 1320 bottles ever produced.
Bottled at 41.7% cask strength Massandra Madeira Puncheon

Simply click here to buy – £370

• Kavalan King Car Conductor Taiwanese Single Malt Whisky 750ml ($109.99)
  After so much time spent merely reading about the great single malt whiskies from Taiwan’s Kavalan distillery, we can finally get our hands on them here in the states! The first release from Kavalan back in 2008 was their classic King Car Conductor expression that uses ex-sherry, ex-Bourbon, and ex-wine casks of between four and four and a half years of age for the marriage. It’s this whisky that I suggest those who are looking to try out one selection from the Kavalan portfolio begin with. The first thing that strikes you as you taste it is how un-youthful it is. It might as well be a 12 year old malt from the Scottish Highlands, but with an incredible supple-fruited character. It tastes like well-made, mature, Scottish single malt with extra concentration. It’s new and exciting, yet familiar and easy-to-place. There’s a soft, supple, raisined fruit and sweet sherry flavor right on the entry and a long, rich finish that continues to bring tof fee and caramel for minutes. It’s the humid conditions of Kavalan’s warehouse that allows the maturation to take place much faster — and while I’m normally skeptical of such accusations, the proof is in the pudding here. This is real deal whisky from the next big thing. (David Driscoll, K&L Spirits Buyer)

• 1996 Arran 17 Year Old K&L Exclusive Single Sherry Hogshead Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml ($109.99)
  While peat ruled the day in 2009, the current whisky craze is all about sherry — that special wine from Spain whose barrels are used to mature numerous Scottish single malts. Macallan is known for its Oloroso sherry influence, and we’ve had a number of Glendronach casks aged in Pedro Ximenez. That rich, unctuous character is what whisky fans are after right now, which has lead to an increase in pricing on these expressions. While we continue to supply the household names, we’re also keeping a watchful eye on the independents like Arran distillery — an island producer with a penchant for using sherry maturation in some of their higher marks. We recently found a lovely little hogshead recoopered from fresh sherry wood that had spent 17 years in the Arran cellar. At 56.1%, the aromas drift right out of the bottle into a bouquet of raisined fruit and buttery toffee. The palate is surprisingly dry, however, with all the nuances of European oak making the ir way through layers of almond and sandlewood. There’s a bit of earthy rancio on the finish, as more fresh sherry flavor beings to saturate the dry, woody aftertaste. Water really brings out the fruit and opens up a bit of the sweetness. Similarly mature whiskies from Glendronach and Macallan sell for $150 to $200, so at $109.99 we’re pretty happy with the result; especially at cask strength. This one isn’t nearly as sweet as the some of the other sherry bombs we’ve had, and that’s quite nice for a change. (David Driscoll)

• 2002 Bowmore 12 Year Old Signatory K&L Exclusive Single Refill Sherry Hogshead Single Malt Whisky 750ml (Pre-Arrival) ($74.99)
  Bowmore is ALWAYS such a sleeper for us. Each year, we find a cask or two of Bowmore that we absolutely fall in love with. There are so many reasons why Bowmore is special, it’s hard to pinpoint why exactly we love it so much. Is it because they are malting more than 25% of the barley on site? Or perhaps it’s the fact that the distillery’s main warehouse sits below sea level. Maybe it’s the incredible resources and expertise that the distillery has or the peculiarity of the stills. Either way, we are absolutely entranced by most millennial Bowmore. This 2002 was so taught and powerful at full strength that we decided to experiment with bottling at lower proof. When we added water the whisky turned around and smacked us right in the face! What started as a sharp spear of smoky and peat seamed more like a catapult with a flaming ordinance. Not as bracing or angular, the lower proof actually broadens the whisky considerably. It’s smoked seawa ter, strange spices, and wisps of wild dried fruits. Bowmore deserves to be expensive, but this whisky delivers far beyond its price point. Inevitably it will go unnoticed, until you know, someone notices and buys it all. It’s always the same with Bowmore, so get a head of it. (David Girard, K&L Spirits Buyer)

• 1992 Bruichladdich 21/22 Year Old Signatory K&L Exclusive Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml (Pre-Arrival) ($139.99)
  Now that Bruichladdich has been purchased by Remy and the older stocks have become harder to find, we just couldn’t pass up the opportunity to bottle a 20+ year old hogshead of the unpeated Islay distillery — especially for a price this hot! At 53% cask strength the malt is bold enough to offer a bit of a kick, yet reduced enough to allow the more delicate side of the whisky to shine. The salty, supple notes are apparent right on the initial sip, bringing back memories of Bruichladdich’s “Waves” expression, albeit with much more complexity and age. The stonefruits are soft and enticing, with more saline, maritime notes undulated under “waves” of richness and oily textures. If you were ever a fan of Bruichladdich from the old Susan Purnell days here at K&L, then this whisky is like a nostalgic ride down memory lane. This is the flavor that many a K&L customer cut their teeth upon, and at the price we’re selling it for, it’s not all that much more than it cost back then. For all the whiskies we taste in Scotland each year, this is the flavor profile I’ve found most difficult to duplicate — mature Island whisky without smoke. (David Driscoll, K&L Spirits Buyer)

• 1983 Caol Ila 30 Year Old Signatory K&L Exclusive Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml (Pre-Arrival) ($259.99)
  We just can’t stay away from these old Caol Ilas. Maybe it’s because they’re the last old Islays available, but we keep coming across these casks of Caol Ila that are just on fire. Caol Ila (arguably the most unsung Islay distillery) was spared closure in 1983, while its sister distillery Port Ellen was not so lucky. Caol Ila reliably churned out whisky throughout the 80’s whisky slump to provide a smoky base to the big name blends. While collectors the world over search for the final few bottles of Port Ellen left out there, few realize that if they just expanded their horizons slightly, they’ll find equally wonderful old Islay whisky is still available and I might even call it affordable. This spectacular cask from the Signatory warehouses is strickingly different from the 32 year we released last year. Here, we have much less focus on the exotic wood, earth and funk and much more classic Islay in every sense. We can go down the list and describe the expected and clearly evident flavores, smoke, ash, brine, lemon peel, oyster shell, nuts, it’s all there. It takes a slightly herbal turn on the finish with powerful core, but remains above all other things balanced. Of course, that doesn’t tell you anything about how special this whisky actually is. All I can say is that Caol Ila is one of our favorite distilleries and this malt is exactly why.

• 1998 Laphroaig 15 Year Old Signatory K&L Exclusive Single Refill Sherry Butt Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml (Pre-Arrival) ($159.99)
  Des McCagherty is a man of few words, but when he said to us, “You might want to load up on Laphroaig this year,” we listened. Apparently, this is one of the most difficult and costly distillates to purchase on the independent market and stocks are depleting faster than ever from Signatory’s Pitlochry warehouse. A yearly barrel of two of Laphroaig at K&L has become commonplace since we started our barrel program and we don’t want that to change — at least not while we can help it. That’s why we snagged this 16 year old sherry butt of peaty goodness, full of big smoke, cinnamon, tar, and brine, but rounded out by a rich, sherry-laden note that fans of Laphroaig’s PX edition will recognize. That combination of sweet and peat is one of the most popular flavor profiles on the market right now, which always adds a few dollars to the cost. In this case, it’s fully worth it. The sherry adds the perfect raisiny balance to the bold, ashy flavors of the 61% spirit. If you’ve already loaded your cabinet with numerous, collectable bottles from Islay’s iconic distillery, then I won’t say that this bottle will offer anything new to your selection. However, if you’ve been taking mature, full proof, relatively-affordable, single barrel expressions of Laphroaig for granted, you might want to start thinking about snagging a few of these. That’s what we did, at least. (David Driscoll, Spirits Buyer)

K&L Wine Merchants
http://www.klwines.com/
Phone: 877-KLWines (toll free 877-559-4637)
Email: wine@klwines.com
San Francisco, Redwood City, Hollywood CA

BOURBON IS HOT, SO IS SUMMER—EVAN WILLIAMS KENTUCKY SLUSH TO COOL DOWN CONSUMERS IN SELECT TEST MARKETS 

Evan Williams Introduces the Coolest Way for Bourbon Drinkers to Refresh Their Summer 

LOUISVILLE, KY—Heaven Hill Distilleries, producers of Evan Williams, are giving Bourbon lovers in select markets a new way to chill out this summer—Evan Williams Kentucky Slush.  The only Bourbon-based pre-mixed cocktail, Evan Williams Kentucky Slush is made with real Evan Williams Bourbon and the natural flavors of Lemonade, Orange Juice, and Sweet Tea, and can be frozen, poured or blended.  It is best served frozen in the bottle or any personal container, blended with ice for an instant frozen Bourbon Slush, or simply poured straight on the rocks. 

As the Bourbon category grows year after year, now surpassing 16 million cases in the US and topping the $1 billion mark in exports for the first time, traditional seasonal trends, whereby consumers trade in their whiskeys for “white goods”—Gin and Vodka—during the summer months, have largely gone by the wayside. In fact, share of Bourbon consumption is now as high in July and August as January and February.  Given this trend, and given the dynamic growth of Evan Williams Bourbon, named both an Impact “Hot Brand” and a Beverage Information Group “Growth Brand” this year, Heaven Hill is test marketing Evan Williams Kentucky Slush in 11 markets this summer. Test markets will include Colorado, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia. 

Evan Williams Kentucky Slush will be shipping mid to late May, and is to be available in market at off-premise accounts from June until August in a 1.75 liter PET bottle suitable for storage in the freezer.  Strongly branded with the Evan Williams logo and graphic theme, Evan Williams Kentucky Slush is intended to be merchandised and displayed within the Bourbon aisle using the POS materials made available, either on the shelf or as part of an impactful floor display.  All marketing materials, from case cards to posters and bottle neckers, use the tagline “For Seriously Refreshing Bourbon…Just Chill.”  Evan Williams Kentucky Slush is bottled at 25 proof or 12.5% alc./vol, which is a higher proof than other similar slush-type products, with an average national suggested retail price for the 1.75 liter bottle of $14.99. 

“As the Evan Williams brand franchise grows, we have identified additional usage opportunities, and one of these is clearly to expand Bourbon as a refresher during the hot summer months,” said Susan Wahl, Senior Brand manager, Whiskeys, at Heaven Hill.  “We know through both research and anecdotal evidence that many of our newer Evan Williams consumers look for different, more refreshing ways to drink Bourbon in the summer, whether at backyard cookouts, at the lake, or other summer gatherings.  We feel that we have a great taste profile, and with the flexibility to freeze it straight in the bottle, blend it with ice, or simply pour it on the rocks, we look for great results in our 11 test markets.”    

Founded in 1934, Bardstown,KY-based Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc. (www.heavenhill.com) is the nation’s largest independent, family-owned and operated spirits producer and marketer and the world’s second-largest holder of Kentucky Bourbon. Heaven Hill’s diversified portfolio of brands includes Evan Williams Bourbon; Burnett’s Vodkas and Gin; Admiral Nelson’s and Blackheart Rums; HPNOTIQ Liqueur; The Christian Brothers Brandies; PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur; Lunazul Tequila; Cinerator Hot Cinnamon Flavored Whiskey and Rittenhouse Rye Whiskey.  Heaven Hill reminds you to “Think Wisely. Drink Wisely.”

A DRAM FOR ALL DADS

If you’re looking for the perfect gift this Father’s Day, then look no further than our handpicked selection of award-winning single malt whisky… 

The Macallan Gold

Why not treat your Dad to a bottle of The Macallan Gold, the first expression in the innovative 1824 Series, which showcases this single malt’s natural colour and is matured in 100% sherry seasoned oak casks. The Macallan Gold has notes of vanilla followed by dark chocolate, with lingering floral and light oak notes. The Macallan Gold is available in multiple retailers including Tesco, Waitrose, Sainsbury’s, Asda and Morrisons (RRP £35.99). www.themacallan.co.uk  

Highland Park 12 Year Old 

Highland Park 12 Year Old is the perfect gift for Dad’s who are fans of flavour. This single malt whisky boasts a honey sweetness, followed by fruity notes with a hint of gentle smoke and a flavour that just keeps on delivering. Highland Park 12 Year Old is available at multiple retailers including Tesco, Waitrose, Sainsbury’s, Asda, Morrisons and Co-op (RRP £34.04). www.highlandpark.co.uk. 

Laphroaig 10 Year Old 

The classic 10 Year Old Laphroaig offers a bold smoky taste followed by a hint of seaweed and a surprising sweetness. This is the foundation of the iconic Laphroaig range and makes the perfect Father’s Day gift for fans of the unique peaty character offered in any of Laphroaig’s signature expressions. Laphroaig 10 Year Old is available in all major multiples including Tesco, Waitrose, Sainsbury’s, Asda (RRP £35.10). www.laphroaig.com 

Ardmore Traditional Cask 

Ardmore Traditional Cask is the perfect whisky for a Dad who appreciates time honoured craftsmanship. Ardmore has continued to adhere to their traditional ways of distilling since 1898, when the distillery was first founded. This single malt whisky offers a full and rich taste, with unique and rare highland peat-smoke tones, followed by a smooth, subtle sweetness. Ardmore Traditional Cask is available in selected major multiples including Asda and all good whisky shops (RRP £32). www.ardmorewhisky.com