Loch Fyne Whiskies News, ‘December 2010 – Deadline & Weather Watch’

ALL despatches including those to SCOTLAND resume on Wednesday 29th.

You may view the latest post at
https://www.lfw.co.uk/blog/2010/12/23/december-2010-%e2%80%93-deadline-weather-watch/

Best regards,
Loch Fyne Whiskies
david@lfw.co.uk

Our  company, “Les Whiskies du Monde” based close to Bordeaux, has been distributing whiskies and spirits for more than 10 years.

We were already the exclusive distributor for the French market of renown distilleries such as Cooley from Ireland, Tomatin, The Speyside and Glen Catrine from Scotland. (Please visit our website www.leswhiskiesdumonde.fr to find our current ranges of exclusives whiskies, rhums, téquilas etc…..)

We are pleased to announce that we have obtained the exclusive distribution for European Market of several Japanese distilleries.

This includes the following whiskies: Akashi Blended Standard, Single Malt 5yo and 12 years old from the White Oak distillery, Isawa Blended Standard, Single Malt 10yo and 25 years old from the distillery Monde Shuzo, Ootori Premium 15 years old from the distillery Mercian and Togouchi 18 years old. Please see these whiskies attached.

We are also proposing our Whiskies from Australia (Bakery Hill) and New-Zealand (Old Hokonui) as well as some whiskies and other alcohols according to the strategy and agreements that we have with our suppliers.

If your company wants to become our exclusive distributor for your market do not hesitate to contact me by mail back or by phone.

We’ll send you prices and conditions.

Best Regards,

Arnaud Pontoizeau

Commercial Director

Les Whiskies du Monde Company

0033 5 56781808

0033 6 61547647

The dawn of a new Dalmore.

The dawn has been worshipped by civilisations for millennia. It is fitting then, that Eos, Titan goddess of the dawn, should lend her name to our 59 year old single malt, an expression to be equally revered.

Sister to Selene, our highly prized 1951 vintage, Eos was selected from the same two outstanding sherry casks. Having been left to slumber for another year, the whiskies are now even more intense and evocative.

Just 20 decanters will ever see the light of day. To find out more about The Dalmore Eos, please visit www.thedalmore.com/eos or email eos@thedalmore.com.

Availability varies by market.

If you’d like to join The Dalmore Custodians, a select group of individuals with an appetite for exceptional single malt, please visit www.thedalmore.com and follow the links.

SOLSTICE AND HORIZON – TWO NEW WINTER WARMERS FROM BENRIACH
 
IT’S the winter solstice today (December 21), so it’s serendipitous that BenRiach is launching two exciting new products bearing these inspirational names.
 
Launched on the shortest day of the year, BenRiach Solstice, with its connotations of re-birth and celebration, is a perfect malt for the midwinter, a 15 year-old heavily-peated port while BenRiach Horizons is a 12 year-old triple-distilled malt – a new and original product line which has never been done before by BenRiach.
 
The bottling strength for both 70cl bottles is 50%. Both are cased in a rigid gift box and a limited quantity is available worldwide.
 
Marketing Manager Kerry White explained: “These are two incredibly exciting new products to be savoured on cold winter nights.
 
“Unusually for a Speyside distillery, we distil whisky from both styles of malted barley, non-peated and peated, enabling us to capture the defining taste and aroma of peat reek in a few special bottlings.
 
“BenRiach Solstice is one such expression. Distilled from heavily-peated malted barley, the whisky has been matured in ex-bourbon barrels before being finished in Aged Tawny Port pipes sourced from Portugal’s Douro region. The overall maturation period, across both styles of wood, is a minimum of 15 years.
 
“Horizons, the 12 year-old triple-distilled BenRiach, is one of the most unique whiskies to be released by the distillery. Traditionally, most single malt whiskies are distilled twice, but during the late 1990s BenRiach experimented with some limited production runs of triple-distilled whisky, and we have allowed the whisky to mature for a minimum of 12 years before giving you the opportunity to sample the fruits of our labour.”
 
Kerry added: “Triple-distilled means the raw spirit produced comes off the still at a higher alcohol strength, and the whisky is more fruity and floral than a traditional double-distilled BenRiach – quite different in character, and certainly a rarity amongst single malt whiskies.
 
“Originally matured in ex-bourbon barrels, the triple-distilled BenRiach has been allowed to finish in Oloroso Sherry casks, and has derived a number of distinctive flavours and aromas specific to the sherry casks.”
 
For more information and stockists, go to www.benriachdistillery.co.uk or contact info@benriachdistillery.co.uk

Maltstock
–
The Ultimate Christmas Gift  
  
Fellow whisky lovers,

What better Christmas gift than something you will remember for a lifetime? Maltstock is just that! A weekend of relaxed whisky fun you will never forget. So treat yourself, your partner, your friend to the perfect Christmas gift: tickets for Maltstock 2011!

Last reminder: 10% discount until end of December
To make it even more perfect you can still enjoy a 10% discount if you buy your Maltstock tickets before the end of this  month. Instead of 175,- you pay just 157,50 euro for an all inclusive whisky weekend. Including two nights accommodation, a full Scottish breakfast by the Highlander Inn, lot’s of whisky to try without having to pay extra, free masterclasses, diner, BBQ, campfire, whisky quiz, beer, softdrinks and more. Please visit our website for more information.

Maltstock banner
Maltstock is a non-commercial event. So we can use all the help we can get to spread the word. We’ve got a Maltstock 2011 banner. If you would like to have it on your website, please send us an e-mail and we will send you the banner.

We wish everybody a terrific Christmas and hope to see you all in 2011!

Arthur, Bob, Eline, Rogier & Teun
www.maltstock.com

December 20, 2010. Today we are exited to have launched an international version of the Swedish whiskyforum, an online community gathering over 3000 whisky enthusiasts.

Whether you’re new or experienced whisky lover – this is the place for you! The idea of www.whiskyforum.org is to create a focal point for all of us who love whisky. All over the world the interest in malt whisky is increasing more and more. At the same time a huge bank of knowledge is built up. Why keep your experiences to yourself, when you can share them to like-minded?

We hope that our concept of a discussion forum, combined with helpful services for those who are interested in whisky, also will be appreciated internationally.

Join the vibrant debate on www.whiskyforum.org

Win a Cask Competition: Winner Update
Back in November we brought you news of our Win a Cask Competition where one lucky member could win the contents of an entire cask – 37 bottles of 48.21.  We now have our winner…

Congratulations to Mr Jay. Henderson,  37 delightful green Society bottles are making their way to you.

                    ’37 bottles, that’s unbelievable, you’ve made my day             
                    (and we’ve just had a new baby, everything is lovely!)’
                    Mr Jay. Henderson on winning

Cask Ends Sale: Every One a Winner
There are no losers in our Cask Ends Wonderland Parcels, every one is a winner at just £92.50 each. Make sure you don’t lose out…order now

        Wonderland Parcel 1: Ex-sherry casks

        Wonderland Parcel 2: Ex-bourbon casks

        Wonderland Parcel 3: Ex-bourbon & ex-sherry cask mix

Sale ends: Fri 31 Dec, midnight
Subject to availability, the final parcel countdown has begun!
Parcel Offers: Available via Mail Order

Whistle-stop venue shops
Don’t forget the Society venues in Leith, Edinburgh and London are open right-up until Christmas Eve – perfect for picking-up gifts this week.  Each venue is running their very own shop-like shops with exclusive venue only bottlings and offers – worth a whistle-stop.

Exclusive 10cl Mighty Mini Membership Offer
Buy Society gift membership at any of our venues from now until Fri 31 Dec and we’ll include an additional 10cl Mighty Mini as a gift for you.   What’s more you’ll still receive your £15 recommend a friend voucher to use on against your winter whiskies online.  Society membership for all!

SMWS Whisky Tasting & Events
Hogmanay at the Society – Queen Street tickets available

Hogmanay Party – Members’ Room – Queen Street, Fri 31 Dec
Hogmanay Party – The Dining Room – Queen Street, Fri 31 De

Visit http://www.smws.co.uk/memberships for your chance to join the Society

The staff of Beverly Corners Liquor Store is pleased to present Cowichan Whisky Experience 2011 with international whisky guru and author of the Whisky Bible, Jim Murray.

Photo Credit Jen Steele

The event details are as follows:

Date: Monday, January 24, 2011

Time: 6 to 10 pm

Place: The Quamichan Inn – 1478 Maple Bay Road

Cost: $75.00

Payment by: Cash, Credit Card and Debit

Tastings will range and include world winners from the 2011 Whisky Bible.

We very much hope to see you on January 24th and wish you the best of the holiday season.

Sincerely,

Jodi

Beverly Corners Liquor Store (250) 715-2025

http://www.bcmpliquorstore.com/

Dear Malt Messenger Subscribers,

As I write this I am contemplating a glass of Peat Monster Reserve (see below) from Compass Box.  I hadn’t intended to write anything further on the Malt Messenger before the New Year, but I’ve some big news, two exclusives we’ve long awaited are finally here, and the word must be spread.  Further, Saturday’s free drop in Kilchoman Duhies Tasting was so successful I’ve decided to put another event together for this coming Thursday. So while the buttery vanilla and soft oily peat roll around my palate like lovers under the covers I’ve found the time to flesh out one final Malt Messenger Bulletin for 2010. 

John Glasser of Compass Box is without doubt one of the world’s finest blenders of Scotch whisky. His whiskies are soft, elegant and complex. Kensington Wine Market has exclusively acquired two of his 10th Anniversary releases as exclusives. The first is a reserve bottling of Peat Monster($154.99) his most famous bottling, in a 1.5L bottle. The whisky is great and the magnum(1.5L) format very cool! The second is called Hedonism Maximus($259.99), an older finer version of the now discontinued Hedonism bottling, and is a Blended Grain Scotch Whisky. Both whiskies are very limited, with only 24 of each coming to Canada exclusive to Kensington Wine Market. These whiskies will be available for sale and sampling as of 5PM on Wednesday, December 22nd. More on both whiskies below!

Thursday December 23rd, between 2 and 7PM Andy Dunn of Gold Medal Marketing and I will be conducting another free drop in tasting and mini sale. Thursday’s focus will be Gordon & MacPhail, Benromach and our exclusive single cask bottlings: Glen Grant 1966, Springbank 1996 Oloroso, Kilchoman KWM Fresh Bourbon Cask, Glendronach 1995 KMW PX Sherry and Jack Daniels KWM Single Barrel. The whiskies will be on sale in store, on the wesb www.kensingtonwinemarket.com and by e-mail scotchguy@kensingtonwinemarket.com during this 5 hour window. So please feel free to drop by for a wee taste or two and some great deals on whisky whether it be for your bar or gift.  More details below!

Thank you for reading the Malt Messenger and once again let me wish you and yours a very merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

 Slainté!

Andrew Ferguson

GORDON & MACPHAIL BENROMACH DROP IN TASTING AND MINI SALE – Thursday December 23rd 2-7PM – Free

Kensington Wine Market brought in 4 new Gordon & MacPhail whiskies this fall, all of them exceptional, and all of them from closed distilleries. We have brought in whiskies from Rosebank, Glen Keith, Convalmore and Imperial, and still have a few bottles of our private cask of Glen Grant 1966. Andy Dunn of Gold Medal Marketing and I will be pouring samples of these and other Gordon & MacPhail bottlings, as well as whiskies from the Benromach distillery and our exclusive Kensington Wine Market bottlings from 2 until 7 PM on Thursday December 23rd. For the duration of this free drop in tasting all of the whiskies on offer will be on sale in store, on the web www.kensingtonwinemarket.com and by e-mail scotchguy@kensingtonwinemarket.com..

The list:

1.       G&M KWM Glen Grant 1966 – Bottled Exclusively for KWM – $449.99 – Save 20%

2.       G&M Cask Strength Rosebank 1993 – Exclusive to KWM – $175.49 – Save 10%

3.       G&M Cask Strength Imperial 1997 – Exclusive to KWM – $114.99 – Save 10%

4.       G&M Conn Choice Glen Keith 1993 – Exclusive to KWM – $87.99 – Save 10%

5.       G&M Conn Choice Convalmore 1984 – Exclusive to KWM – $184.99 – Save 10%

6.       G&M Cask Strength Old Pulteney 1993 – $119.99 – Save 7%

7.       G&M Cask Strength Highland Park 1995 – $111.99 – Save 7%

8.       G&M Cask Strength 1996 – $119.99 – Save 7%

9.       G&M Smith’s Glenlivet 21 Year – $119.49 – Save 7%

10.   Benromach Traditional – $49.49 – Save 7%

11.   Benromach 10 Year -$68.99 – Save 7%

12.   Benromach 21 Year – $129.99 – Save 7%

13.   Benromach Organice Special Edition – $71.49 – Save 7%

14.   Benromach Peat Smoke – $69.49 – Save 7%

15.   Benromach Origins #2 – $83.49

16.   Benromach Origins #3 – $83.49

17.   Springbank 1996 KWM Oloroso Cask – Bottled Exclusively for KWM – $109.99 – Save 20%

18.   Glendronach 1995 KWM PX Sherry Puncheon – Bottled Exclusively for KWM – $114.99 – Save 10%

19.   Kilchoman KWM Fresh Bourbon Cask – Bottled Exclusively for KWM – $114.99 – Save 10%

20.   Jack Daniels KWM SingleBarrel – Bottled Exclusively for KWM – $49.99 – Save 10%

COMPASS BOX PEAT MONSTER RESERVE – $154.99

Only 5,300 magnums (1.5L) bottles of this whisky have been bottled, and for the time being but 24 have come to Canada, all of them to the Kensington Wine Market. When Compass Box launched the original Peat Monster more than 5 years ago it was as the name implied, intended to be a peaty beast. In the years since we’ve seen the likes of Port Charlotte, Octomore, the Big Peat, Supernova and more, all of which make the Peat Monster seem tame. This special bottling has combined whiskies from Caol Ila, Ardmore and Clynelish. In the words of its creator it is “even peatier, smokier, richer and higher strength than the classic version”. Jim Murray scored it 92pts in the Whisky Bible:

The Peat Monster Reserve Towering Over Its Lesser Namesake!

“Nose: comfortable, thickish smoke and a dusting of peppers: complex and well balanced; Taste:silky soft malt oils cleverly disguise the big punchy peat which is to follow; lovely touch of golden syrup here and there, but mainly towards the delivery; Finish: smoky sweetened mocha; Balance: at times a bit of a Sweet Monster… beautiful stuff!” 48.9% – 92pts

I’ll write my own tasting note for the next Malt Messenger.

COMPASS BOX HEDONISM MAXIMUS – $259.99

Hedonism Maximus is a Blended Grain Scotch whisky created by blending select casks of 42 year old invergordon with a smaller quantities of 29 year old Cameronbridge. Cameronbridge is interestingly Scotland oldest continuously operating distillery! The constituent parts, distilled in 1965 and 1979 respectively were matured in first fill American Oak bourbon barrels. It is deeper, sweeter and richer than the original Hedonism bottling hence the designation of “Maximus”. 46%

The whisky’s label is an homage to one of the Scotch industry’s long lost brands, Andrew Usher & Co.s “Old Vatted Glenlivet Whisky”. The label was inspired by an advertisement from OVGW from 1905 found in the National Archive of Scotland. Only 1500 bottles were produced, with but 24 coming to Canada, all of them to the Kensington Wine Market.

An elegant whisky packaged with sophistication!

“Nose: the kind of aroma your nose was invented for: lots of rich bourbon swirls, with butterscotch, liquorice and chocolate-covered honeycomb arriving—big time!—on cue…; oh, and a few gooseberries and greengages tossed in for an extra dimension: it just doesn’t get any better… Taste: the oak is a bit top heavy on arrival, but lush malt cushions its impact to a degree; still juicy tongue-teasing; Finish: retains its overtly bourbon character to the end with massively chewy oak extract, but always enough sweetness in reserve to cope; Balance: Bourbon Maximus…”

As with the Peat Monster Reserve I will include my own tasting note in the next full Malt Messenger.

——————–

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

… Single Malts are not the only options at the Whisky table! Older Blended Scotch’s can educate and engage … with a little prompting from Ralfy at www.ralfy.com Whisky Review 172 – Recommended Older Blended … yummy!