This Thursday the MS Society of Calgary is holding a whisky festival to raise funds for their organization. The MS Society offers self-help groups, counseling, equipment support, family support, seminars, advocacy and funds for research. To support their works the MS Society in collaboration with the Kensington Wine Market and the finest distributors of single malt Scotch and other whiskies in Alberta is putting on a night of whisky, art, music and highland dancing at the Art Gallery of Calgary. Attendees to the event will have the opportunity to sample from more than 125 whiskies (120 Scotch whiskies) in a special glass created specifically for the event. The whiskies are represented by more than 15 Agencies, and have the opportunity to meet 5 Scottish brand ambassadors including: Anthony Wills, James Robertson, Jamie MacKenzie, Michael Urquhart, and Ranald Watson.

There are still tickets available for this worthy event at $95 apiece. In addition to whisky there will be great food, beer, art work, a piper, silent auction items and possibly some highland dancers. All of the proceeds from this event will be going to the MS Society. The event is also an opportunity to meet some principals from the Scotch whisky industry mentioned above and described in detail below. The whiskies and beers are all being donated by the participating agencies.

If you have nothing better to do than stay home and huddle for warmth this Thursday night, why not consider coming down to the Art Gallery of Calgary to warm up with a few drams of uisge beatha, the water of life! I’ve included a few more details on Thursday’s event below to tempt you. You can buy tickets through the Kensington Wine Market at 403-283-8000 or online at https://www.kensingtonwinemarket.com/tastings/register.php  , and through the MS Society of Calgary at http://mssociety.ca/chapters/calgary/whiskey.htm  .

MS Calgary Special Guests

Anthony Wills of Kilchoman Distillery. Kilchoman is one of only six distilleries in Scotland to malt some of its own barley, and is one of an even smaller number that grows some of its own barley on site. Anthony Wills, the distillery’s director and one of its owners was the driving force behind its founding in 2005.

James Robertson of Tullibardine Distillery. Tullibardine was almost an unknown quantity until it was reopened in private hands in 2003. Since then its brand has been skyrocketing thanks in no small part to the efforts of James Robertson.

Jamie MacKenzie of Morrison Bowmore Distillers. Morrison Bowmore owns three Scottish distilleries: Auchentoshan, Glen Garioch and Bowmore which is one of Scotland’s oldest. Jamie is the firms most senior brand ambassador and one of the industry’s most respected ambassadors.

Michael Urquhart Co Managing Director of Gordon & MacPhail and Benromach Distillery. Gordon & MacPhail is Scotland’s most respected independent bottler, and established in 1895, it is one of its oldest. The company bought Benromach distillery in 1993 and has brought it back to life.

Ranald Watson brand ambassador for Springbank and Glengyle Distilleries. Springbank is Scotland’s most traditional distillery; little has changed there in the last 100 years, and it is like stepping back in time. Ranald, a native in Campbeltown is the distillery’s senior brand ambassador.

The Whisky List – In No Particular Order

1.       Glendronach 1972 KWM Cask 711
2.       MacKinlay’s Old & Rare Highland Malt
3.       Nikka Yoichi 10 Year
4.       Nikka Yoichi 15 Year
5.       Berry’s Own Selection Bowmore 1994
6.       Berry’s Own Selection Teaninich 1973
7.       Duthies Ardbeg 16 Year
8.       Duthies Auchentoshan 11 Year
9.       Bruichladdich Sherry Classic
10.   Bruichladdich Laddie 10 Year
11.   Bruichladdich 17 Year Rum Cask
12.   Bruichladdich Islay Barley
13.   Port Charlotte PC 7
14.   Port Charlotte PC Mulitvintage
15.   Benromach Peat Smoke
16.   Benromach Traditional
17.   Benromach Organic
18.   Benromach 10 Year
19.   Smith’s Glenlivet 21 Year
20.   Athol Brose
21.   Tullibardine Aged Oak
22.   Tullibardine 1988
23.   Tullibardine 1er Cru Classe
24.   Tullibardine Port Finish
25.   Tullibardine Sherry Finish
26.   Tullibardine Rum Finish
27.   Hazelburn Sauternes
28.   Springbank CV
29.   Springbank 12 Year Cask Strength
30.   Springbank 15 Year
31.   Springbank 18 Year
32.   Longrow CV
33.   Kilkerran Work in Progress 2
34.   Kilchoman KWM Sherry Cask
35.   Kilchoman Winter
36.   Kilchoman Spring
37.   Kilchoman Summer
38.   Kilchoman 100% Islay
39.   Adelphi Private Stock Blend
40.   Adelphi Liddesdale
41.   Adelphi Fascadale
42.   Adelphi Bowmore 2001
43.   Adelphi Aultmore 1982
44.   Adelphi Night Cap
45.   Cragganmore 12 Year
46.   Dalwhinnie 15 Year
47.   Glen Kinchie 12 Year
48.   Lagavulin 16 Year
49.   Oban 14 Year
50.   Singleton of Glendullan
51.   Talisker 10 Year
52.   Scotch MaltWhisky Society 3.175
53.   Scotch MaltWhisky Society 7.69
54.   Scotch MaltWhisky Society 7.71
55.   Scotch MaltWhisky Society 29.105
56.   Scotch MaltWhisky Society 35.62
57.   Scotch MaltWhisky Society 36.49
58.   Scotch MaltWhisky Society 37.50
59.   Glenfarclas 10 Year
60.   Glenfarclas 12 Year
61.   Glenfarclas 15 Year
62.   Glenfarclas 105 Cask Strength
63.   Glenfarclas 17 Year
64.   Glenfarclas 25 Year
65.   BenRiach Birnie Moss
66.   BenRiach 15 Year Madeira Finish
67.   Glendronach 15 Year Tawny Port
68.   Glendronach 14 Year Virgin Oak Finish
69.   Dalmore Castle Leod
70.   Fettercairn Fior
71.   Whyte & MacKay 21 Year
72.   Black Grouse
73.   Highland Park 12 Year
74.   Highland Park 15 Year
75.   Highland Park 18 Year
76.   Macallan 12 Year
77.   Macallan 18 Year
78.   Macallan Fine Oak 15 Year
79.   Macallan Fine Oak 21 Year
80.   OMC Blair Athol 21 Year
81.   Provenance Braeval Sherry
82.   Big Peat
83.   Big Peat Santa
84.   Double Barrel Macallan-Laphroaig
85.   Double Barrel Ardbeg-Glenrothes
86.   Double Barrel Highland-Park Bowmore
87.   Forty Creek Barrel Select
88.   Forty Creek Double Barrel
89.   Forty Creek Confederation Oak
90.   Forty Creek John’s Private Cask
91.   Auchentoshan Classic
92.   Auchentoshan Valinch
93.   Auchentoshan 3 Wood
94.   Glen Garioch Founder’s Reserve
95.   Glen Garioch 12 Year
96.   Glen Garioch 1994
97.   Glen Garioch 1978
98.   Bowmore Laimrig
99.   Bowmore 12 Year
100. Bowmore 15 Year
101.   Bowmore Tempest III
102. Amrut
103.  Amrut Fusion
104. Amrut Intermediate Sherry
105. Stronachie 12 Year
106. Stronachie 18 Year
107.Rough Stock Single Malt
108.Rough Stoch Cask Strength
109.Cabin Fever Maple Whiskey
110.Arran 10 Year
111.Arran 14 Year
112.Arran Sleeping Warrior
113.Arran Westie
114.Arran Sauternes Cask
115.Finlaggan Cask Strength
116. Glenmorangie Original
117.Glenmorangie Lasanta
118. Glenmorangie Nectar D’Or
119. Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban
120. Ardbeg 10 Year
121. Glenrothes Select Reserve
122. Glenrothes 1994
123. Glenrothes 1988
124. Balvenie 12 Signature
125. Balvenie 14 Caribean Cask
126. Balvenie 15 Year

 ______________________

If you have any whisky questions or comments concerning The Malt Messenger please contact me by e-mail, phone, or drop by the store. Feel free to forward me any whisky news you feel should be included in a future issue of The Malt Messenger; it might just get included.

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!

You can follow me online on Twitter at www.twitter.com/scotch_guy..

Thanks for reading the Malt Messenger!

Slainte!

Andrew Ferguson
KWM Scotchguy

403-283-8000
888-283-9004
1257 Kensington Rd. NW
Calgary, AB, Canada
T2N 3P8

scotchguy@kensingtonwinemarket.com

This wild, untamed release has been matured in new, heavily charred casks of air-seasoned American white oak, imparting additional smoky, spicy, barbecue flavours. Ardbeg Alligator. Charge your glass…
Follow the link to see the Ardbeg Alligator video 

LONG NOSE
Warning signs of cumin and barbecue sauce.
BIG TASTE
Hot and spicy flavours grip you, ginger and chocolate thrash.
FINISH YOU OFF
Slow and long mocha espresso while cigar smoke ebbs

The Whisky Shop
http://www.whiskyshop.com/

Whisky and Chocolate Tasting
Tonight!19th January 2012, 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Milroy’s of Soho, 3 Greek Street, London W1D 4NX
Price per ticket: £45

Be taken through an extravaganza of chocolate and whisky matchings with Paul A Young’s famous chocolates. The evening will leave taste buds tantalised and chocolate lovers satisfied.

To place an order please visit milroys.co.uk, call Elizabeth on 020 7437 2385 or email Elizabeth.Williams@jeroboams.co.uk
 
Our mailing address is:

Milroy’s of Soho
3 Greek Street
London, England W1D 4NX

SOUTHERN COMFORT DONATEs $25,000 TO NATIONAL FALLEN FIREFIGHTERS FOUNDATION  

January, 2012, LOUISVILLE, KY – Southern Comfort has made a donation of $25,000 to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. The NFFF’s mission is to honor and remember America’s fallen fire heroes and to provide resources to assist their survivors in rebuilding their lives.  

As part of their Fiery Pepper product launch, Southern Comfort invited its fans via Facebook to post about a firefighter in their life who they would like to see recognized. The donation was made to the NFFF by Southern Comfort in the name of all firefighters who were posted by friends and family. People logged on from all over the country and shared their thoughts and memories of those lost in the line of duty as well as those still serving today. 

“We are honored to be able to offer our financial support for this worthy foundation,” said John Tichenor, VP, Group Brand Director for Southern Comfort. “Southern Comfort is happy to be able to help the families of those heroes that we have lost.” 

Congress created the NFFF to lead a nationwide effort to honor America’s fallen firefighters. Since 1992, the non-profit Foundation has developed and expanded programs that fulfill that mandate. 

“We appreciate Southern Comfort’s efforts to raise awareness about the NFFF’s mission to honor the fallen, offer support to their families and help reduce firefighter line-of-duty injuries and deaths,” said Ronald J. Siarnicki, executive director of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. “This generous gift from Southern Comfort will help the Foundation provide valuable assistance to the families and coworkers of firefighters who die in the line of duty.” 

Those who wish to make a direct donation to the NFFF may do so by logging on to http://www.firehero.org/. 

About Southern Comfort

Southern Comfort®, a fruit, spice, and whiskey flavored liqueur, was created in New Orleans by bartender M.W. Heron in 1874. Today, it is enjoyed by friends in over 100 countries around the world and continues to grow as an icon brand.  Please visit us at SouthernComfort.com and facebook.com/southerncomfort. 

EXCITING NEW RELEASE
 
Glenfarclas 43y/o Cognac Cask 40.7%

Aged in a Cognac cask for its entire maturation. Limited Edition.

Tasting Notes by George Grant

An amazing whisky from Glenfarclas. Great to taste. Nothing like this has ever been done before and nothing like this will ever be done again.

The nose has wonderful aromas of dried apricots, lovely malty sweetness, with honeycomb candy and light spicy aromas, topped with light white pepper then classic Glenfarclas burnt demerara sugar (just goes to show it does not just come from the Oloroso Sherry Cask) The palate is quite dry, which is good as more whisky is required to moisten the mouth. Dark bitter chocolate, German or Belgian chocolate with high cocoa content. Crushed almonds and a light oakiness to finish with.

On strict allocation. Very limited stock.

FREE 2012 ISLAY MALT WHISKY CALENDAR (WORTH £9.99)

WITH EVERY TWO BOTTLES PURCHASED ON http://www.robbiesdrams.com/

Morrison Bowmore Whisky Tasting

On Wednesday 15th February Phil Nickson will be coming along to present whiskies from three very different distilleries.  Auchentoshan,  Bowmore and Glen Garioch distilleries are all owned by Morrison Bowmore Distillers (a subsidiary of Suntory) but Auchentoshan hails from the Lowlands and is characterised by its light, refined profile, whilst Bowmore is the oldest distillery on Islay and produces a medium peated whisky that has its own fragrantly smoky style and Glen Garioch is from the Highlands and has malty, floral and heathery characteristics.

This is going to be an interesting and diverse whisky tasting, with something for every taste.  A great start to our whisky tasting year so don’t miss out!

See below for all the details and if you have any queries just contact us.

Sláinte!
Fran and Ken
Arkwrights Whisky and Wines
http://www.whiskyandwines.com/

Stanton House

UPCOMING EVENT
Name AUCHENTOSHAN, BOWMORE & GLEN GARIOCH WHISKY TASTING   
Date Wednesday 15th February 2012 
Time 7.00 for 7.30pm
Venue Stanton House Hotel, Stanton Fitzwarren 
Details This tasting with Phil Nickson of Morrison Bowmore is a great chance to compare and contrast three very different styles of single malts.  The Auchentoshan provides a taste of how triple distillation can produce a delicate yet robust whisky, Glen Garioch will let you sample a Highland style malt from one of the oldest distilleries in Scotland and, even if you have shied away from peated whiskies in the past, the smoky yet perfumed Bowmore may help change your mind as it is a great introduction to peaty whisky.

Tickets are £12.50 per person, and this also entitles you to a discount of £3 against a bottle of one of the featured whiskies if bought or ordered on the night of the tasting.  Tickets are very strictly limited, and allocated on a ‘first come, first served’ basis and as they always sell very quickly it is best to book ASAP.  To buy them just log on to http://www.whiskyandwines.com/ and place an order for the number you require, or telephone us on (01793) 765071, or call in and see us at Arkwrights, The Dormers, Highworth, Wiltshire.

Admission to the tasting is by ticket only, and most, if not all, of the whiskies tasted will be available to purchase on the night so come prepared.

January 25th is the birth of Scotland’s, if not the world’s most famous poet, Robbie Burns. Burns was born in Alloway, Ayrshire in 1759 and died at the tender age of 37 in 1796. He was to cram much into his short-life, rising from poor tenant farmer to national celebrity and left behind a rich legacy of work. More than ten thousand people attended his funeral but Burns’ popularity had reached an entirely new level in the years since his passing.

Whisky played a prominent role in the life of Burns and features regularly throughout his work – the Bard was reputed to have said that “Whisky and freedom gang the gither”. Therefore, please raise a glass of whisky and toast the life of an extraordinary Scotsman.

CLICK HERE FOR BURNS NIGHT OFFERS

BUFFALO TRACE DISTILLERY NAMED BRAND INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR FOR 2012 BY WHISKY MAGAZINE

MASTER DISTILLER EMERITUS ELMER T. LEE ALSO NAMED AMBASSADOR OF THE YEAR

FRANKFORT, Franklin County, Ky (Jan. 2012) – Buffalo Trace Distillery capped off 2011 with two prestigious wins from Whisky Magazine at its annual Icons of Whisky America 2012 luncheon held late last year in Louisville, Ky. Buffalo Trace was named “American Whisky Brand Innovator of the Year” for its single oak project, and Elmer T. Lee was named “American Whisky Ambassador of the Year.” The event honored American distilleries and their work over the past year.

The judges named Buffalo Trace Distillery “American Whisky Brand Innovator of the Year” for its single oak project bourbon, which was described as “remarkable…. will eventually give more knowledge about how whiskey and wood interact together over time.” The Single Oak Project is an intensive project undertaken by the Distillery which examines different variables that affect taste, in hopes of creating the “holy grail” of bourbon.

Elmer T. Lee, named the “American Whisky Ambassador of the Year,” was described by the judges from Whisky Magazine as “92 years old, but still going strong, he has spent years promoting bourbon while not seeking the spotlight for himself. Still, he picks the casks personally for the whiskey released under his name.”

Buffalo Trace Distillery will go on to compete in these two categories against distilleries from around the world. The world winners will be announced at Whisky Magazine’s World Whiskies Awards to be held in London, England in March.

For more information on the Icons of the Industry awards visit the Whisky Magazine website at: http://www.whiskymag.com/awards/icons_of_whisky/2012/ For more information on Buffalo Trace’s award-winning Single Oak Project, visit www.singleoakproject.com.

About Buffalo Trace Distillery

Buffalo Trace Distillery is a family-owned company based in Frankfort, Franklin County, Kentucky. The distillery’s rich distilling tradition dates back to 1787 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 listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Distillery has won seven distillery titles since 2000 from such notable publications as Whisky Magazine, Malt Advocate Magazine and Wine Enthusiast Magazine. It was named Whisky Magazine 2010 World Icons of Whisky “Whisky Visitor Attraction of the Year.” Buffalo Trace Distillery has also garnered more than 200 awards for its wide range of premium whiskies. To learn more about Buffalo Trace Distillery visit www.buffalotrace.com.

Ralfy @ www.ralfy.com puts a Scotch Classic under his malty-microscope, whisky review 243 – Johnnie Walker Blue Label.

The latest auction at www.scotchwhiskyauctions.com is now live ….with 300 items available for your bidding pleasure…