Laphroaig 25yo (40%, OB, +/-2008)

“Farven Justeret Med Karamel” Oh, c’mon! Really?? It’s not necessary. “the most richly flavoured of all scotch whiskies. Part matured in the finest Oloroso sherry casks’ Oh really, then why the need for the KARAMEL?

 In any case the nose is gently peated with hints of tinned fruit in syrup and loads of unsweetened cocoa. The peat smoke is restrained and very good, it’s very seductive, a really good combination of cocoa and peat smoke. The taste is gentle at first and slightly dry but the flavour rises after a moment or two and then plateaus and becomes almost fizzy like. It’s very gentle, the 40% has really not helped but it’s still a very tasty whisky. The best moment is right after the first swallow which leads to another. There are even hints of some maritime and the hospital gauze so loved by many in other Laphroaig.  The finish is quite dry followed by the peat smoke but once again it is very gentle but still good but not brilliant. After a minute or so there is some good malt intermingled with the peat smoke which is gamely hanging on. After a few moments all that remains are peat and malt and some good dryness.

A restrained Laphroaig but still very, very good, not sure where the Oloroso got to however. Some what a kissing cousin of the Laphroaig 15yo in the box (not the tube) from many years ago. Both are some what restrained but still Laphroaig and still good.

C$700 in one Canadian market or £299 at the Whisky Exchange

Score 88 points

(Many thanks to Al & Maggie for this sample)

HEAVEN HILL DISTILLERIES FILLS MILESTONE 6 MILLIONTH BARREL OF KENTUCKY STRAIGHT BOURBON WHISKEY

Company Only the Second Continuously Operated Distillery to Reach Historic Number

BARDSTOWN, Ky. – Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc., the nation’s largest independent family-owned distilled spirits producer and the world’s second-largest holder of aging Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, today celebrated the filling of Bourbon barrel number six million.  Heaven Hill is only the second continuously operating Bourbon producer to reach the historic benchmark. And in an historic coincidence, the filling of barrel number six million took place on the exact same day, 75 years later, that Heaven Hill filled their first barrel of Bourbon in 1935.

“It is indeed a proud day for our company and our extended Heaven Hill family,” said Heaven Hill Distilleries President Max L. Shapira.  “That the filling of this historic barrel fell on the 75th anniversary of the day that my father and his four brothers filled Heaven Hill’s very first Bourbon barrel makes this day monumentally important for us.  And it is made all the more special that it is personally overseen by two generations of my family and two generations of the family of our Master Distillers Parker and Craig Beam.”

No one could foresee the many changes and tremendous growth that lay ahead for both Heaven Hill and the American Whiskey industry in between the filling of their first barrel— ironically on Friday, December 13th, 1935—and their latest milestone barrel, but the company remains true to its original mission as a family-owned and operated independent Kentucky company, the last remaining in the Bourbon business today. Heaven Hill now has over 900,000 aging barrels of Kentucky Bourbon in their inventory, and their flagship Evan Williams brand is the second largest selling Bourbon in the United States and the world. 

The 6 millionth barrel was “bunged off” by sixth- and seventh-generation father and son Master Distillers Parker and Craig Beam in a brief ceremony at Heaven Hill’s cistern room attended by company executives and local dignitaries.  Congressman Brett Guthrie, Bardstown Mayor J. Richard Heaton and Mayor Elect Bill Sheckles, State Rep. David Floyd and Nelson County Judge Executive Dean Watts attended the brief ceremony and offered congratulations to the company on their latest accomplishment.  The barrel was then moved to Rickhouse “Y” where it will rest alongside the other Heaven Hill milestone barrels in a special display where visitors to Heaven Hill’s Bourbon Heritage Center may view them.

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 The Christian Brothers Brandies; Evan Williams and Elijah Craig Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskeys; Burnett’s Vodkas and Gin; Hpnotiq Liqueur; PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur; Lunazul and Two Fingers Tequilas, and Dubonnet Aperitif.

Heaven Hill reminds you to “Think Wisely. Drink Wisely.”

The Christmas season is upon us and I can’t believe how quickly 2010 has gone by. It’s a time for family and friends and a time to toast the health of those near and far with a wee dram of our beloved malt. It’s also a time to unwind, to switch off and re-charge batteries that have been well and truly run down after such a busy year!

This Christmas, we have a lovely offer open to all of you as a special thank you for joining us and being part of our community. We’re offering one lucky Diurach and 7 of their nearest and dearest the chance to start 2011 in style at the Jura Lodge. It truly is the perfect Scottish getaway and the ideal base to enjoy and explore our wonderful island.

To be in with a chance of a stay in the best setting on earth (once you’ve been, I just know you’ll agree) all you have to do is tell us why you would like to enjoy a break on Jura in 50 words or less. To give yourself the best chance of winning, get your friends and relatives to enter too. One of them may win and decide to take you along! The more the merrier as they say. Click here to enter.

All that remains for me to say is that I wish you all the very best and I look forward to seeing you in 2011. Have a wonderful Christmas and a happy New Year from all of us on Jura.

Slainte

Willie Cochrane
Jura Distillery Manager

Whoa! It seems that Chris Bunitng of Nonjatta is NOT leaving the Malt Maniacs and he’ll soon be publishing a book about Japanese alcohol.

You can visit Nonjatta at http://nonjatta.blogspot.com/

Kindred Spirits
December 2010
 
Merry Christmas

It’s that time of the year again when the first snow has dropped in Speyside and changed the landscape around The Glenrothes. Everyone at The Glenrothes would like to wish you, our friends, kindred spirits, like-minded people – in fact all of you who have ever enjoyed a glass of Glenrothes – a fun-filled festive season: wherever you are and with whom you choose to share a dram at this time of year.

The Glenrothes has always been a malt for sharing with those people with whom we want to spend time – savouring a new vintage perhaps while righting the world’s wrongs, or just in a calm moment of companionable silence. Whatever suits you, we trust the spirit of The Glenrothes will be with you.

For the chance to stock up on your favourite Glenrothes or purchase a bottle for someone special this Christmas please visit www.bbr.com/spirits and see what special offers are available. 

UK SHIPPING £6.99 UP TO 12 BOTTLES
 
With only 7 days to go until Christmas and with weather conditions forecast to deteriorate here in the North East of Scotland, please get your Christmas orders into us as early as you can. 

We would like to wish all of our customers a “Very Happy Christmas and a Peaceful New Year”, and we would like to say thank you for your very valued custom during 2010. We are really proud of our level of service, the team have worked tirelesly this year. We have increased our product selection and more importantly kept our prices at the lowest possible to benefit our customers.
 
Very best regards and the “Season’s Greetings” to you all.

Best Sellers This Christmas

Aberlour A’Bunadh SPECIAL OFFER: Now £36.99 Save £3.00
An Cnoc 12yo & FREE Glass SPECIAL OFFER: Now £24.99 Save £4.00
Ardmore Traditional SPECIAL OFFER: Now £21.98 Save £10.00
Balvenie 12yo Doublewood SPECIAL OFFER: Now £26.99 Save £6.00
Dalmore 12yo SPECIAL OFFER: Now £32.99 Save £5.99
Glenlivet 12 Year Old SPECIAL OFFER: Now £24.99 Save £5.99
Glenmorangie 10yo SPECIAL OFFER: Now £24.99 Save £5.99
Isle of Jura 10 Year Old SPECIAL OFFER: Now £19.99 Save £10.00
Macallan 10 Year Old Original SPECIAL OFFER: Now £22.98 Save £5.01
Miltonduff 10yo SPECIAL OFFER: Now £17.99 Save £5.01
Strathisla 12yo SPECIAL OFFER: Now £24.99 Save £3.00

Visit Single Malts Direct at www.singlemaltsdirect.com

Dear Malt Messenger Subscribers,

This is a friendly reminder regarding the drop in Kilchoman and Duthies tasting on Saturday afternoon, and the Three Hour Whisky Mini-Sale! From 2-5 PM Mountain Time we will be sampling whiskies from Kilchoman Distillery (including our exceptional single cask and the summer 2010 release), the Duthies line of independently bottled whiskies (which are exclusive to the Kensington Wine Market) our Springbank 1996 and Glen Gran 1966 casks. For three hours all these whiskies will be on sale (both in store and online) and available for sampling (in store only).

There are only 8 full shopping days left until Christmas. This is the perfect opportunity to pick a special gift for the whisky lover on your list or to stock the bar for the holidays!

Don’t miss it!

Slainté!

Andrew Ferguson

KILCHOMAN/DUTHIES DROP IN TASTING – SATURDAY DECEMBER 18TH 2-5PM – FREE

KWM was very fortunate to receive its own cask of Kilchoman this year. Kilchoman is the first new distillery on Islay in over 100 years, and its whisky, though young, is getting rave reviews and has swiftly developed a cult following. The distillery has only released 4 official bottlings, all of which have sold out. This makes our cask, which is the only one of its kind in Canada, and one of only two in North America a rarity indeed.  With our full bill of tastings at the store this fall it has been difficult to find a time to formally introduce it to our customers. So Andy Dunn (Kilchoman’s agent), and I have decided to hold a free drop in tasting of our Kilchoman and the Duthies range (which he also represents and are exclusive to Kensington Wine Market) between 2 and 5 PM on Saturday December 18th. Some of the whiskies you will be able to sample:

1.       Kilchoman KWM Fresh Bourbon Cask

2.       Kilchoman Summer 2010 Release

3.       Duthies Auchroisk 20 Year

4.       Duthies Bowmore 17 Year

5.       Duthies Caol Ila 13 Year

6.       Duthies Clynelish 14 Year

7.       Duthies Cragganmore 15 Year

8.       Duthies Glen Scotia 17 Year

9.       Duthies Hazelburn 8 Year

10.   Duthies Laphroaig 11 Year

11.   Duthies Ledaig 13 Year

12.   Duthies Longmorn 19 YEar

This free drop in tasting will give you the opportunity to sample our Kilchoman cask, the current release Summer 2010 and the Duthies range which consists of 10 different single malts representing most of Scotland’s whisky regions and styles. Between these hours we will also be offering special pricing on all these whiskies, 10% off and 20% off our Springbank cask! No registration required. See you then and there!

THREE HOUR WHISKY MINI SALE – Saturday December 18th 2010 – 2-5PM

·         No phone orders accepted.

·         Bottles can be purchased in-store, on the web (www.kensingtonwinemarket.com) and by e-mail (scotchguy@kensingtonwinemarket.com).

·         Sale is from 2PM to 5PM on Saturday December 18th only!

·         Sale applies only to the below listed items:

1.     G&M KWM Glen Grant 1966 Our 1966 private bottling of Glen Grant was matured 41 years and 10 months in a Refill Sherry Hogshead and has been bottled at a cask strength of 49.4% Less than 30 of 134 numbered bottles remain… Regular $449.99 SAVE 20%

2.     Springbank 1996 KWM Oloroso Cask We’ve bottled two casks of Springbank , the first, a Manzanilla cask was a huge hit! The second was distilled the same day but filled into an Oloroso cask almost a year later. Selected with the help of our customers at a special blind tasting it is rich and spicy with caramelized fruit and salty smoke.  Regular $109.99 SAVE 20 %

3.     Kilchoman KWM Fresh Bourbon Cask KWM is the first store in Canada and one of only 2 in North America to be given the privilege of bottling our own cask of Kilchoman, Islay’s newest and most exciting single malt. Only 264 numbered bottles! Regular $114.99 SAVE 10%

4.     Kilchoman Summer 2010 Release The Summer 2010 release has been matured in a mix of first fill and refill Bourbon barrels. It has been bottled at 46% after maturing for 3 years! Big salt, smoke peat and crisp vanilla/Bourbon notes! All three previous releases have sold out!  Regular $89.99 SAVE 10%

5.     Duthies Auchroisk 20 Year Founded in 1974 Auchroisk is one of Scotland’s more obscure distilleries. Its owner’s Diageo dedicate all of its production to Blended whisky. Very fruity with soft vanilla notes. EXCLUSIVE to KWM! Regular $96.99 SAVE 10%

6.     Duthies Bowmore 17 Year Could this please fans of the long lost distillery bottling of Bowmore 17? Perhaps! But it is a cracken whisky on its own. Sweet with notes of coffee, smoke and vanilla. EXCLUSIVE to KWM.  Regular $90.99 SAVE 10%

7.     Duthies Caol Ila 13 Year Nose: Smoked mussels; malty; dry burning kindling; smoked ham; kelp. Palate: Extremely dry with an excellent balance of malt, peat and smoke and some zesty notes. A dry lingering finish. 46%  Regular $87.49 SAVE 10%

8.     Duthies Cragganmore 15 Year Nose: Highland toffee; fruity; milk chocolate. Hints of cinnamon and fudge. Palate: Powerful; dried fruits/oranges; fudge and caramel. A perfect body with sweet lingering notes. 46% Regular $94.99 SAVE 10%

9.     Duthies Glen Scotia 17 Year Nose: Vanilla yogurt, creme caramel, and pears with hints of white rum. Palate: Fruity (peaches and pears), malty, marzipan and very smooth. Caramelised walnuts & dried fruits. 46% Regular $101.99 SAVE 10%

10.   Duthies Hazelburn 9 Year Hazelburn is one of only two triple distilled whiskies made in Scotland. Very small quantities are distilled by the Springbank distillery in Campbeltown. A recent Gold Medal winner and EXCLUSIVE to KWM! Regular $84.99 SAVE 10%

11.   Duthies Laphroaig 11 Year A non-chillfiltered bottling of the most identifiable whisky in Scotland. Nose: Peat, smoke, iodine. Oily and warming. Palate: Oily rich, peat smoke, dry burning embers. A lingering dry smokey finish. Regular $98.99 SAVE 10%

12.   Duthies Longmorn 19 Year Longmorn has long been considered a first rate malt whisky, but it is the single largest component of the Chivas 18 year old blend, and it is almost never bottled as a single malt! Exclusive to KWM! Regular $96.99 SAVE 10%

13.   Duthies Ledaig 13 Year Tobermory, established 1798 on the island of Mull, is one of the oldest distilleries in Scotland. Its heavily peated whisky is called Ledaig (pronounce Le-Cheg). Sweet and grassy with medicinal smoky notes. Regular $79.99 SAVE 10%

——————–

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 

The Macallan HOSTS PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION INSPIRED BY Albert Watson edition of The Masters of Photography

Inspired by the launch of the Albert Watson edition of The Masters of Photography and his visual interpretation of the journey of The Macallan’s exceptional oak casks, the Speyside single malt has launched the first Macallan Masterclass photography competition.

The competition invites the public to upload their finest photographs that celebrate the theme of “great journeys”. It could be from travels or a special moment showing a passage of time from one stage to another.

The top ten photographs, as voted for by the public, will then be judged by Albert Watson, winner of the prestigious Royal Photographic Society’s 2010 Centenary Medal, who will choose a first, second, third and a highly commended entry. Prizes include the ultimate trip of Scotland, Nikon digital camera equipment and a 12 month subscription to Digital Camera magazine. Entry to the competition and voting is at www.themastersofphotography.com. Closing date is 29th April 2011.

Edinburgh-born world leading photographer, Albert Watson, unveiled his latest works of art undertaken in partnership with The Macallan single malt whisky earlier this month. Interpreting the story of The Macallan’s exceptional oak casks, Watson visually documented his journey which began in the forests of Spain and ended at The Macallan’s spiritual home in Speyside.

To create his black and white photographic series, Watson embarked upon a journey of 12 days covering 600 miles and encountered some of the most breathtaking scenery. From the entrancing forests of Northern Spain, where the mighty Spanish oaks grow, to the traditional cooperage in Jerez, Watson began a journey of discovery, culminating in the alchemy and passion of The Macallan Distillery in Scotland. The photographic odyssey took place in 3 parts, the romantic tale of a couple’s road trip, a series of images expanding on this particular journey and finally the creation of fine art platinum prints.

The outcome is a stunning anthology which captures the genuine emotional connection between the photographer and his subjects: the striking landscapes, beautiful settings and the spectacular weather patterns. Watson’s photographic prints exude an air of drama and romance, trailing a stylish couple taking a voyage to unearth the key secret behind The Macallan. These are coupled with intimate shots of the time served master craftsmen of the cooperage and dramatic stills of the surrounding wilderness.

A limited collection of 1,000 unique The Macallan Sherry Oak 20 year old bottles is available for purchase throughout the world, each with a specially commissioned label by Watson and a set of 10 portfolio prints unique to this edition. A further 36 individually customised bottles of The Macallan 1946 whisky, the date Watson first met his wife Elizabeth, with a signed one-off collectible platinum print can also be purchased, once they have completed their world exhibition tour, with a reserve price of £10,000.

The Macallan Masters of Photography Albert Watson Edition can be purchased at luxury spirits retailers or via www.themacallan.com for an RRP of £700. 

To enter the Macallan Masters competition, go to www.themastersofphotography.com.

www.drinkaware.com

Notes

Tasting notes – The Macallan Sherry Oak 20 year old

NOSE – Dark chocolate orange, cloves, ginger and dried fruit, accented by polished oak

TASTE – Robust spine of blood orange and exotic spices, with an abundance of sun ripened raisins, dates and sultanas

FINISH – Tantalisingly long, oak, allspice, stem ginger with sustained fruitiness

COLOUR – Lacquered rosewood

The Macallan Sherry Oak 20 year old bottles will be available for purchase in the UK from luxury retailers for the RRP £700.

The Macallan 1946 bottle can also be purchased in the UK at luxury retailers at a starting price of £10,000

The first Macallan Masters of Photography was launched in 2008 with Rankin.  Rankin produced 1,000 individual black and white images captured on Polaroid.  Each limited edition bottle of rare 30 year old Macallan Fine Oak single malt displayed a bespoke label featuring one of Rankin’s images, accompanied by the original Polaroid.  The array of images featured artistic nude studies of Tuuli, Rankin’s muse and wife, contrasted by shots of the dedicated craftspeople of the distillery, and still life images of the surrounding flora and fauna at Easter Elchies Estate.

The Macallan is ranked number two by value* among the world’s top selling single malts and is recognised as being a leader within the Scotch Whisky industry when it comes to innovation.

*IWSR figures ending December 2006

www.themacallan.com

Albert Watson – photographer

Born in Scotland, Albert Watson is one of the world’s most successful photographers of the past four decades.  His striking images have appeared on over 240 covers of Vogue and Rolling Stone – some of the most iconic portraits of a generation including Alfred Hitchcock, Mick Jagger and Kate Moss.

As well as directing over 300 TV commercials for global brands including Gap, Chanel and Revlon, Albert is also the creative genius behind some of the most well recognised movie posters of our time, namely Memoirs of a Geisha and Kill Bill.

In recognition of his work Albert was named one of the 20 most influential photographers of all time by industry bible, Photo District News.  In 2010 he was awarded the ultimate accolade – the Centenary Medal from the Royal Photographic Society.

Albert Watson is a master of his art who greatly enriches our perception with his unique photographic view.  A single minded commitment to perfection has made Albert Watson one of the world’s most sought-after photographers. 

www.albertwatson.net

The timeless reputation of The Macallan is founded upon Six Pillars:

The Spiritual Home

Easter Elchies House proudly watches over The Macallan distillery in Speyside, Scotland. Built in 1700, this Jacobean manor house is The Macallan’s spiritual home.

Curiously Small Stills

The Macallan’s curiously small and uniquely shaped copper stills help to concentrate the flavour of the ‘new make’ spirit.

The Finest Cut

The ‘cut’ is the amount of distilled spirit collected from the stills as ‘new make’ spirit. The Macallan takes one of the finest ‘cuts’ of any distillery in Scotland; typically just 16% goes forward to fill or our casks. 

Exceptional Oak Casks

The Macallan’s unfaltering obsession with selecting exceptional oak casks brings an unsurpassed, timeless quality to The Macallan.

Natural Colour

The Macallan insists upon Natural Colour. It is the interaction of spirit and wood alone which delivers the rich variety of colour, aroma and taste evident through out the range.

Peerless Spirit

The Macallan remains the single malt against which all others must be judged. It is celebrated far and wide by experts and discerning drinkers as the world’s most precious whisky.

Dalwhinnie 18yo 1991/2008 (43%, OB, ‘Distillers Edition’, D. SP. 312)

A ‘double matured’ Dalwhinnie from the Classic Malts range. It’s always nice to see another Dalwhinnie…

The nose is slightly herbaceous at first followed by some green malt that struggles to emerge from beneath a blanket of sherry from the extra maturation in Oloroso casks. After some time in the glass the sherry takes over however the green malt is still lurking in the back ground along with the herbs and some vaguely rose water aromas. It’s pleasant. The taste is sherried (once again) along with some oak spice notes (cold unsweetened tea, old furniture cabinets – slightly dusty) but the extra maturation in the sherry casks has really worked a treat. The finish is much the same as previously described but now there is some sensational strawberry jam quickly followed by dry sherry and the rich cake along with some really good malt at the very end.

A bottling for those that really like sherry and some excellent casks were used to add another dimension to this excellent malt.

C$103

Score 88 points

High Tech or Hand Crafted?

The Balvenie Holiday Survey Reveals Men Want It All

 With just days until Santa arrives, The Balvenie Single Malt Holiday Survey conducted by Leger Marketing asked 1,200 Canadian men, “What are you buying this year?” 

• Canadian men are into the true holiday spirit and showing their gentler side selecting “time with family” as number one on their wish list (32.9%); followed by “travel” (22.4%) and “peace and quiet” (12.3%).

• Thirty-four per cent of Canadian men identified electronics stores as their primary spending target this Christmas, ahead of clothes, toys and restaurants.  The liquor store ranks in the top five “spending destinations” at eight per cent, beating out jewellery (6%), cosmetics (2%) and furniture stores (1%).   

• Forty per cent of Canadian men pick single malt scotch, such as The Balvenie, as the special gift they would buy for their best friend – beating out a hand-built watch (23.6%), bespoke clothing (23.3%), or hand-rolled cigars (12.9%).

• And they give with heart. Ninety-one per cent of Canadian men say they would feel pride in giving a gift like handcrafted single malt scotch – the highest “pride” rating of any premium gift. 

• Tradition reigns in mens’ shopping style. The majority of Canadian men (85%) will make their Christmas purchases at good old fashioned “Bricks and Mortar” stores.

• Canadian men plan to spend an average of $638 each on gifts this year. Married males will spend considerably more ($732) than single males ($347).

• Credit continues to fuel the Canadian consumer: a large majority of Canadian males (59%) will be using their credit cards to make their Christmas season purchases. Twenty-eight percent will use debit and the remaining 13% will use cash.