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Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 436: Wave Distil 10 Year Old 2011 Fine Spirits ’40 Bottles’ – Belgian Whisky News

Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 436: Wave Distil 10 Year Old 2011 Fine Spirits ’40 Bottles’

Mark Dermul, Belgian whisky blogger, tries a Belgian malt. Patrick Ludwich of Fine Spirits has been working for some time to put Belgian whisky on the map once and for all and this bottle, which appeared together with the book ‘All Belgian Whiskies’ on 6 December 2021, is a wonderful part of that.  Patrick’s intention is to bottle no less than 40 Belgian whiskies at the end of the day. Hence the ’40 Bottles’ on the label. Perhaps a bit confusing, because of this release there are indeed 268 bottles. So you have to know the context. Mark already recommend the book. Hopefully he can do that for this 10-year-old whisky too. It was distilled by Wave Distil, a small distillery in Dinant – hence the Saxophone on the label.

https://youtu.be/M2G2M5doROI

CHIVAS BROTHERS BRINGS HOME A COMPLETE ABERLOUR A’BUNADH COLLECTION – Scotch Whisky News

CHIVAS BROTHERS BRINGS HOME A COMPLETE ABERLOUR A’BUNADH COLLECTION

AND CELEBRATES AN INDUSTRY ICON AT SPIRIT OF SPEYSIDE WHISKY FESTIVAL 2022

Chivas Brothers, the Scotch Whisky business of Pernod Ricard, unveils its line-up of in-person events at this year’s Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival. The events will take place at its world-famous distilleries across the Scotch heartland of Speyside between 27th April – 2nd May 2022.

The Scotch producer is offering festival-goers the first-ever opportunity to taste a flight of the rarest and finest whiskies from the Aberlour A’bunadh (“Original”) collection. A cult classic among whisky fans, a full collection of all 71 Aberlour A’bunadh expressions released to date was recently brought home to Aberlour after being acquired through whisky broker Mark Littler LTD. The only known and available series (outside of the Chivas Brothers archive) will be selectively and exclusively accessible to whisky fans and Scotch enthusiasts at the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival Celebrating 25 Years of A’bunadh’ inaugural tasting session on Thursday 28th April. Inspired by the iconic A’bunadh’s aromatic richness, the evening will include a dining experience in the Fleming Hall, paired with five different expressions of this collectable Speyside single malt.

The full Aberlour A’bunadh collection will then be made available for special tastings at Aberlour distillery until the whisky is gone.

This year’s festival also marks Alan Winchester’s swansong, as the Master Distiller of The Glenlivet prepares to embark on a new chapter in his illustrious 45-year career in the Scotch whisky industry. Fans will get a rare opportunity to delve into Alan’s career, listen to his personal highlights and celebrate his invaluable contribution to whisky-making at the ‘An audience with Alan Winchester’ event, held at The Glenlivet Distillery on Friday 29th April at 5:30pm.

New whisky discoverers and discerning drinkers alike are invited to explore, taste, and learn about the renowned Speyside region in some of Chivas Brothers’ brand homes. Through expertly guided tastings and historical experiences hosted by head distillers and ambassadors at The Glenlivet, Aberlour and Strathisla visitor centres, whisky lovers will be fully immersed in Scotland’s water of life and rich culture, while soaking up Speyside’s beautiful scenery.

In addition to learning about the craftsmanship behind some of Chivas Brothers’ world-renowned whiskies, visitors will be able to purchase their favourite blends and single malts from the shops at each site, including select and unique batches of Aberlour A’bunadh and the Distillery Reserve Collection – a carefully curated selection of 48 new single cask expressions from Chivas Brothers’ 13 single malt distilleries.

Graeme Cruickshank, Aberlour Master Distiller, commented: “We couldn’t be more excited to welcome fans back to our distilleries for the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival 2022 to celebrate Scotland’s national drink. This year’s festival is extra special for us, as we finally get to share the only known full Aberlour A’bunadh collection for Scotch fans to taste and we raise a toast to the man-of-the-hour, Alan Winchester, and his impressive career. We look forward to sharing our rich Scotch heritage over the long weekend, and welcoming visitors to our brand homes to explore, taste and learn more about Speyside.”

For event tickets and more information around the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival 2022 please visit: https://www.spiritofspeyside.com/festivals/whisky

 All distillery exclusive bottlings are also available for purchase at Aberlour, The Glenlivet and Strathisla online stores below:

Aberlour: https://www.aberlour.com/en/distillery-reserve-collection/

The Glenlivet: https://www.theglenlivet.com/en-UK/buy-now

Strathisla: https://www.chivas.com/en-GB/page/strathisla-eshop

The full event line-up includes:

THURSDAY 28 APRIL 2022

Celebrating 25 Years of A’bunadh

Time: 7pm – 10pm

Location: Charlestown of Aberlour, The Fleming Hall

Ticket: £250

Buy tickets here

A must for the A’bunadh fan. Join our Master Distiller, Graeme Cruickshank, in conversation with Chris Brousseau (Archivist), Caris Simpson (Brand Ambassador), and the Visitor Centre team in celebrating the twenty-fifth anniversary of our iconic Aberlour A’bunadh.

The evening, hosted by Caris Simpson, explores A’bunadh from its beginnings. Graeme Cruickshank takes you into the heart of our spirit while Chris Brousseau adds the historical soul.

Celebrating the original Sherry cask bottlings created by our founder, James Fleming, every batch of A’bunadh is unique. His ethos of placing exceptional quality above all else is still upheld by those who continue to craft Aberlour’s spirit. The celebration will be held in the Fleming Hall, built in his memory for use by the community he loved.

The evening includes a flight of our rarest and finest batches. This first-ever sampling is combined with a dining experience inspired by our iconic A’bunadh’s aromatic richness. Each guest will also take away a bottle of the latest A’bunadh batch available in our Visitor Centre.

FRIDAY 29 APRIL 2022

Under Lock and Key

Time: 10:30am – 1pm

Location: The Glenlivet Distillery

Ticket: £200

Buy tickets here

Join our Master Distiller, Alan Winchester, on his swansong at The Glenlivet to discover the truth behind generations of struggles between patrolling excise officers and our distillery team in this wild, rugged landscape.

Along the journey you’ll meet some of Alan’s esteemed colleagues, with over 120 years of whisky experience between them, as we see our infamous sma’ still at work and visit both our original Minmore Still House and 1824 distillery site.

With “dramming” ceased on several occasions, experience first-hand the bold and inventive ways our whisky was smuggled, pilfered, and syphoned, not only in 1824, but up until the late 1970s.

This incredible opportunity includes a tasting of once-in-a-lifetime whiskies and a signed bottle of The Glenlivet 12 Years Old Licensed Dram limited edition to celebrate Alan’s closing hurrah.

(Not suitable for non-walkers)

Sleeping Giants

Time: 2.30pm – 5pm

Location: Strathisla Distillery, Visitor Centre

Ticket: £250

Buy tickets here

Great whiskies have hearts of oak. Character-building, flavour-creating wooden casks racked silently in the shadows and stillness of a bonded warehouse. Each one carefully nurturing new spirit for as long as it takes. You really must experience the atmosphere, so for the first hour of this event, Brand Ambassador, Caris Simpson, will accompany you out from Strathisla to Mulben, where Ross and Duncan, from our North Operations team, will reveal fascinating insights about cask selection and the long maturation process.

On returning to our Visitor Centre Boardroom, you’ll explore the results of this highly skilled craft. Chivas Regal blending expert, Kevin Balmforth, will guide you through tastings of five aged editions from the Distillery Reserve Collection. Then, moving on to the Chivas Cellar in Warehouse No.3, we’ll offer you a farewell dram drawn straight from the cask, together with Strathisla 25 Years Old, a 50cl bottle, to take away with you.

An Audience with Alan Winchester

Time: 5.30pm – 7pm

Location: The Glenlivet Distillery

Ticket: £25

Buy tickets here

Alan Winchester, Master Distiller of The Glenlivet, will soon be leaving us in person, though never in spirit. We’d love you to join us and raise a dram in celebration of his invaluable contribution to whisky-making: mashman, brewer, stillman, distillery manager and master distiller… As we open the big, red book on his 45-years in the industry, providing a unique, never to be repeated experience to delve into his knowledge and stories. So, this is a rare opportunity to hear Alan’s anecdotes, his views on the industry’s past – and future – and ask him those burning questions. Hosted by Director of Blending, Sandy Hyslop, and Alex Robertson, our Head of Heritage, Education and Archives.

High Spirits

Time: 8pm – 10pm

Location:  Aberlour, The Fleming Hall

Ticket: £50

Buy tickets here

Our exhilarating night ‘flight’ around Speyside is prepped for departure, with Ethan Miln heading the cocktail cockpit team.

Day job? Brand Ambassador for Ballantine’s. Highly trained, global outlook, fun to fly with.

Your route? The Glenlivet, Aberlour, Glenburgie, Strathisla. Discover each spirit’s true character through crafted bespoke drinks and in-flight insights from our deep-knowledge crew.

Cocktail service, music and food – all complimentary.

Check-in online – right now.

SATURDAY 30 APRIL 2022

Pioneering Spirit

Time: 1pm – 2pm

Location:  The Glenlivet Distillery

Ticket: Free

Get tickets here

Who doesn’t love a dram? Call it uisge beatha, the water of life, whisky…Scotland’s national drink is known worldwide as a very special part of our culture. But what does it have to do with archaeological digs and the National Trust for Scotland?

Pioneering Spirit is a unique research project led by The National Trust for Scotland in partnership with The Glenlivet that aims to unearth the real history of whisky. Pairing archive research with archaeological digs at the original distillery site of The Glenlivet and National Trust for Scotland locations, the project is uncovering the illicit stills and forgotten bothies that were used to illegally produce and smuggle Scotch whisky across the Highlands in the early 1800s.

Join The Glenlivet’s Brand Ambassador Caris Simpson as she talks with Master Distiller Alan Winchester and The National Trust for Scotland’s Archaeologist about Pioneering Spirit, the impact of illicit whisky distilling on Scottish history and how The Glenlivet’s founder, George Smith, risked life and liberty to produce illicit single malt whisky that came to represent Speyside’s signature style.

THE DEVIL’S KEEP IS BEST SINGLE MALT IN IRELAND (ACROSS ALL CATEGORIES) – Irish Whiskey News

THE DEVIL’S KEEP BY THE CRAFT IRISH WHISKEY CO. 

IS CROWNED BEST SINGLE MALT IN IRELAND ACROSS ALL CATEGORIES

(London – 25 March 2022) The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. has been crowned Best Single Malt in Ireland across all categories at The World Whiskies Awards with its inaugural release The Devil’s Keep.

The industry’s finest gathered together at the Honourable Artillery Company in London on Thursday, 24 March to celebrate the 2022 Whisky Magazine Awards. Returning to London as an in-person event, the global awards ceremony saw the announcement of the World Whiskies Awards and the Icons of Whisky global winners, as well as four new inductees to Whisky Magazine’s renowned Hall of Fame. The Whisky Magazine Awards seek to honour the very best in the industry, across its people, places and products.

The Devil’s Keep beat off stiff competition from five other Irish Single Malt whiskeys across five different categories including Knappogue Castle 12 Years Old in the Single Malt 12 years and under, Teeling Whiskey Brabazon Series 4 in the Single Malt 13-20 year category, Teeling Whiskey 30 Years Old Single Malt in the 21 years and over category, Clonakilty Distillery O’Hara’s Cask Finish Special Limited Edition in the Small Batch Single Malt category and The Irishman 17 Years Old in the Single Cask Single Malt 13-20 years category.

Unfortunately, Ireland missed out on being crowned the World’s Best Single Malt with the title going to England’s winner in the Single Malt no age statement category – The Lakes Distillery The Whiskymaker’s Reserve No.4, who was up against 18 countries from all over the world.

Commenting after being crowned winner of Best Single Malt across all categories in Ireland, Jay Bradley, founder and CEO of The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. said: While we didn’t win the World’s Best I am ecstatic and equally humbled that The Devil’s Keep was crowned Best Single Malt in Ireland, seeing off some fantastic whiskeys including two from the Teeling stable. For the first whiskey that I’ve ever created to go on to be crowned best whiskey to come out of Ireland that year, that’s unheard of and an amazing achievement. It just reinforces to me that what we are doing is working and that the critics and experts are enjoying what we are creating. We have so much more to do and winning this award makes me hungrier than ever to forge on and keep making phenomenal whiskeys.”  

This is the ninth award for The Devil’s Keep, a rare triple distilled, Single Malt whiskey and one of the finest whiskeys that Ireland has ever created. The launch of The Devil’s Keep in November 2020 saw just 333 bottles released. It was the most expensive inaugural first release in history, selling at auction for USD $60,000 (almost £46,000 and €51,000 Euros), and the oldest triple distilled Irish whiskey in existence, only to be topped by The Craft Irish Whiskey Co.’s second release in February 2021 of the 30-year-old The Emerald Isle Collection.

Amongst its other accolades is a Gold award from the world-renowned International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC) 2021 and a Gold from the Global Luxury Spirit Masters 2021.

A second release of The Devil’s Keep is due in the coming months and will only be available to Whiskey & Wealth Club members.

For more information on The Devil’s Keep and other whiskeys from The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. visit www.craftirishwhiskey.com

About The Craft Irish Whiskey Co.

The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. is on a mission to reinvent Irish whiskey, elevating its potential as a luxury product and restoring Ireland’s reputation for crafting the finest whiskeys in the world.

Formed in 2018 by Irish entrepreneur Jay Bradley, The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. was born from a desire to return Irish whiskey to the heights it once enjoyed. To achieve such a goal has taken a complete reimagining of the craft; honouring centuries of tradition but questioning convention and adding scientific understanding to reinvent the maturation of the whiskey. No expense is spared, no corners are cut.

To elevate Irish whiskey’s potential, The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. has looked to the past, revisiting the art of whiskey-making perfected by the country’s master distillers. While the rise of mass production and blends has pushed this art to one side, the company is invested in restoring it by adding scientific knowledge and a willingness to push boundaries. Underfilling the barrels allows maturation to start at once. Adding water before maturation, or before finishing, allows the water and whiskey to marry over time and avoids the need to dilute the single malt before bottling. The whiskeys are bottled at cask strength to preserve the complex flavour profiles and rich viscosity. Using ultra-premium finishing barrels to mature the single malt delivers rich, rounded notes, while a deep understanding of barrel craft ensures the barrels are moved, rotated and the whiskey disgorged into new ones to create a bespoke journey. The whiskeys are accompanied by skilfully designed and scientifically-perfected accessories that deliver a whiskey experience worthy of the liquid.

In 2021, The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. became the most awarded new company of the year amassing a total of seventeen awards across both Taste and Design for four of its ultra-rare whiskey releases.

The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. is the exclusive Michelin Plaque Distribution Partner for The Michelin Guide Star Revelation Great Britain and Ireland 2022.

For more information visit www.craftirishwhiskey.com  

The Devil’s Keep – Tasting Notes 

Colour: 

1.4 Tawny Characterised by its distinctive tawny, amber colour 

Nose: 

The Devil’s Keep opens with a nose of the rich aromas of a traditional Christmas cake and Vermont maple syrup, followed by powerful notes of ripe banana, sherry-soaked raisins and hints of 70% dark chocolate adding depth. 

Palate: 

The sweetness of golden honey combines with Amarone and accents of dark cherries to add a velvet softness balanced beautifully by a dusting of rich dark chocolate to round off the palate. Rich and warming yet fresh and well-balanced, with supple sweetness and a rich texture. 

Finish: 

Beautifully constructed, long and viscous with remanence of maple syrup and chocolate which opens up the liquid to a fine balance of smooth and rich flavours. Rich and oily on the palate, but not overwhelmingly so, and underpinned with a slightly dry finish, providing an indulgent and inimitable taste that will remain on the taste buds.

The Grand Whisky Auction is live! – Whisky Auction News

The Grand Whisky Auction is live!

(Auction Ends April 11th, 2022)

www.thegrandwhiskyauction.com/live-auction

2000+ lots to browse and bid on!

Interested in selling whisky in our next auction?

T. +44 (0)1463 210 427

E.  sales@thegrandwhiskyauction.com

Golds for Corby at International Wine and Spirit Competition – Canadian Whisky News

Golds for Corby at International Wine and Spirit Competition

TORONTO, March 31, 2022 – Corby Spirit and Wine has earned some new decorations for several of its brands.

At the 2022 International Wine and Spirit Competition, gold medals were adorned on Corby’s Lot No. 40 Dark Oak Rye Whisky — called “outstanding” by the judges — Lot No. 40 Rye Whisky and Polar Ice Vodka. Corby was also awarded two silver medals and three bronzes at the annual awards that set the international benchmark for quality.

“We take great pride in crafting premium whiskies across our family of brands, and these IWSC medals are reflective of the hard work and innovation that goes into each and every batch we create,” says Dr. Don Livermore, Master Blender at the Hiram Walker and Sons distillery in Windsor, where Corby’s spirits are produced. “That we have also placed two Polar Ice Vodka products on the podium is a testament to the quality and diversity from the Corby Spirit and Wine roster. All of our medal winners have secured scores that can only be considered as excellent. We are extremely proud of that.”

The IWSC is the beverage alcohol industry’s most innovative awards program, consistently pioneering new categories that are emerging onto the drinks scene. It is also the most commercially conscious drinks competition, able to leverage is international reach on behalf of its winners.

The 2022 competition was the largest in the IWSC’s history, with more than 4,000 submissions in 21 categories, representing more than 90 countries. All spirits were tasted by the IWSC’s carefully curated panels of industry experts, led by members of its Spirits Judging Committee.

CORBY GOLD MEDALLISTS

  • Lot No. 40 Dark Oak Rye Whisky

Category: Worldwide rye whisky, unpeated

Score: 96

Judges’ Tasting Notes: Expressive aromas of caramel and raw cocoa. Palate carries sweetness of fudge, butter toffee with a hint of bittersweet cherry in a very elegant manner. Creaminess of rye allows smooth dry finish with a long aftertaste. Outstanding.

  • Lot No. 40 Rye Whisky

Category: Worldwide rye whisky, unpeated

Score: 95

Judges’ Tasting Notes: Faint aromas with a gentle hint of caramel develop a complex palate bursting with layers of confected sugar and jammy purple fruits, developing into notes of cinnamon and cherry. Well balanced with richness and elegance allowing a spiced dry finish.

CORBY SILVER MEDALLISTS

  • P. Wiser’s 10-Year-Old Canadian Whisky

Category: Worldwide whisky, blended, unpeated

Score: 90

Judges’ Tasting Notes: A blend of fresh fruit salad, honey, vanilla and ginger on the nose. A beautifully warming palate of maple pecan and coffee delights with a sweet, lingering finish.

NOTE: Currently only available in EU export markets, it will be launching in the United States this summer and in Canada in the fall.

  • P. Wiser’s Red Letter 15-Year-Old Canadian Whisky

Category: Worldwide whisky, blended, unpeated

Score: 93

Judges’ Tasting Notes: Fresh citrus and white pepper layer with soft vanilla aromas enhanced with juicy tropical undertones towards a candied orange finish.

CORBY BRONZE MEDALLISTS

  • Pike Creek 10-Year-Old Canadian Whisky

Category: Worldwide whisky, blended, unpeated, cask finish)

Score: 89

Judges’ Tasting Notes: A bold whisky with maple and vanilla richness that lifted by a spiced sweetness on the palate.

  • Lot No. 40 Rye Explorations No. 1 Peated Quarter Cask Whisky

Category: Worldwide rye whisky, unpeated

Score: 89

Judges’ Tasting Notes: Gently peaty nose belies depth of flavours on palate where smoke leads the way to pepper heat and attitude.

About Corby Spirit and Wine
Corby Spirit and Wine Limited is a leading Canadian manufacturer, marketer and distributor of spirits and wines. Corby’s portfolio of owned-brands includes some of the most renowned brands in Canada, including J.P. Wiser’s®, Lot 40®, and Pike Creek® Canadian whiskies, Lamb’s® rum, Polar Ice® vodka, McGuinness® liqueurs, Ungava® gin, Cabot Trail® maple-based liqueurs and Chic Choc® Spiced rum, and Foreign Affair® wines. Through its affiliation with Pernod Ricard S.A., a global leader in the spirits and wine industry, Corby also represents leading international brands such as ABSOLUT® vodka, Chivas Regal®, The Glenlivet® and Ballantine’s® Scotch whiskies, Jameson® Irish whiskey, Beefeater® gin, Malibu® rum, Kahlúa® liqueur, Mumm® champagne, and Jacob’s Creek®, Wyndham Estate®, Stoneleigh®, Campo Viejo®, and Kenwood® wines. Corby is a publicly traded company based in Toronto, Ontario, and listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the trading symbols CSW.A and CSW.B.

For further information, please visit our website or follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, or Twitter.

Scotch Whisky Auctions ‘UK Collections April 2022’ – Whisky Auction News

Please see below our collection schedule for April 2022.

Please note home collections are available to those customers sending 10+ bottles or bottles to the value of £1000 and above in towns and cities where we do not offer a collection point.

Please get in touch if your area is not listed below but you would like a home collection. We will do our best to accommodate all requests.

To register your interest please complete the form which can be found HERE

Location Date Request Deadline
Inverness Tuesday 12th April 2022
From 11am by appointment
Monday 11th April 2022 at 12 noon
Elgin Tuesday 12th April 2022
from 1.30pm by appointment only
Monday 11th April 2022 at 12 noon
Aberdeen Wednesday 13th April 2022 – from 1.30pm by appointment only Monday 11th April 2022 at 12 noon
Ayrshire Tuesday 19th April 2022
Home Collections
Monday 11th April 2022 at 12 noon
Dumfries Monday 18th/Tuesday 19th April 2022
Home Collections
Monday 11th April 2022 at 12 noon
 Fife & Kinross Thursday 21st April 2022 Home Collections Monday 11th April 2022 at 12 noon
Stirlingshire Thursday 21st April 2022 Home Collections Monday 11th April 2022 at 12 noon
Perth   Thursday 21st April 2022 Home Collections Monday 11th April 2022 at 12 noon
Islay Thursday 21st April 2022
From 6.30pm by appointment only
Monday 11th April 2022 at 12 noon
Campbeltown Friday 22nd April 2022
Home Collections
Monday 11th April 2022 at 12 noon
Edinburgh Monday 25th April 2022
Home Collections
Monday 11th April 2022 at 12 noon
England
Manchester Wednesday 13th April 2022 from 6.30pm by appointment only Monday 11th April 2022 at 12 noon
England
Home Collections
Thursday 15th April 2022 – Monday 18th April 2022 Monday 11th April 2022 at 12 noon
London E16 Sunday 17th April 2022 from 10am by appointment only Monday 11th April 2022 at 12 noon
London SW16 Sunday 17th April 2022 from 10am by appointment only Monday 11th April 2022 at 12 noon
London NW2 Sunday 10th April 2022
&
Sunday 17th April from 10am by appointment only
Thursday 7th April 2022 at 12 noon
London W14 Sunday 17th April 2022 from 10am by appointment only Monday 11th April 2022 at 12 noon

Collections are limited and by appointment only. If you would like to attend please complete the form which can be found here. Please note deadlines apply for collection requests. It would be appreciated if bottles could be packed for uplift. In addition a submission form and label should be completed. Submission forms can now be completed via your main accounts page.

A winner in our auction? We are now offering a delivery (to collection point) service to customers who are dropping bottles off for a future auction. This service is charged at £12 (inc VAT), optional loss and breakage cover is available.

Submission Form & Label

The Good Dram Show – Episode 456 ‘House of Macduff – Golden Cask’ – Golden Cask Whisky News

Welcome to this weeks episode of the show in which I’ll be taking a look at the latest releases from the House of Macduff in their Golden Cask range.

https://youtu.be/q27IGPbShWA

CRAIGELLACHIE LAUNCHES CASK FINISHING COLLECTION INSPIRED BY ITS ‘WORM TUBS’ – Scotch Whisky News

CRAIGELLACHIE® LAUNCHES CASK FINISHING COLLECTION INSPIRED BY ITS ‘WORM TUBS’

31st March 2022 – John Dewar & Sons announces the first expression to be released in the Craigellachie  Cask Collection, Craigellachie 13 Years Old Armagnac Cask Finish.

To curate the new series, Craigellachie – inspired by the distillery’s use of old-fashioned *worm tub condensers – have sourced casks for finishing from producers of oak-aged spirits, who also stick to traditional methods, and like the muscular Speysider, use a ‘worm tub’ to create their liquid wares.

Using casks from distilleries who make a ‘heavier’ style of spirit, which can stand up to the Single Malt’s distinct character, Craigellachie’s Malt Master, Stephanie Macleod is able to demonstrate her expertise and skill in the art of maturation and wood management. Carefully hand-picking casks based on personal experience, and prior knowledge of working with certain types and styles.

Stephanie Macleod comments: “Craigellachie is a distinctly bold and brooding malt; full-bodied and meaty so we are using these cask types to complement and elevate the signature character of the distillery, not mask it, to add an extra dimension of flavour and intrigue.”

For the inaugural edition in the Cask Collection, the award-winning 13-year-old Craigellachie Single Malt, initially matured in American Oak – a combination of re-fill and re-char Bourbon barrels – has been laid to rest in Bas-Armagnac casks sourced from the northernmost part of Gascony, in France, for just over a year, to undergo a second period of maturation.

Often overshadowed by Cognac, Armagnac is a far older and more distinctive French brandy with its very own customary production process. Distilled just once through a specially made continuous still and in most cases, a traditionally constructed Alembic Armagnaçaise; a portable wood-fired still designed to be transported to the small farms who produce Armagnac. Unlike most spirits, makers of Armagnac don’t take cuts throughout distillation retaining volatile elements that are usually removed, giving the spirit more character and complexity. Rougher at first, a young Armagnac tastes of fire and earth. But after ageing in French oak, often for decades, the spirit is tamed and softened, becoming marvellously nuanced.

Finishing in former French Bas Armagnac barrels has softly rounded Craigellachie’s weighty style with warming notes of baked apples, dusted with heady cinnamon. Rich flavours of caramel shortcake are offset by signature syrupy pineapples and fiery bonfire night aromas.

Craigellachie 13 Years Old Armagnac Cask, is bottled at 46% ABV and has a RRP of: £52.99 / €49.99 / $65USD. The expression will initially be available in the UK, Germany and France from April, before being rolled out in the US and Taiwan later in the year.

ABOUT CRAIGELLACHIE SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY:

CRAIGELLACHIE began production in 1891, built by Peter Mackie and Alexander Edward high on the craggy rock upon which the village of Craigellachie stands, above the confluence of two great rivers in the very heart of Speyside.

Described as “old-fashioned” even in 1891, staying true to traditions the distillery still uses worm tubs to cool the sprit, bestowing extra flavour and creating a distinctive muscular character to rival whisky twice its age. CRAIGELLACHIE is famously robust and challenging in style.

The brand’s core portfolio is comprised of CRAIGELLACHIE 13 Years Old, CRAIGELLACHIE 17 Years Old and CRAIGELLACHIE 23 Years Old.

The single malt brand of CRAIGELLACHIE is part of the portfolio of Bacardi Limited, headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda. Bacardi Limited refers to the Bacardi group of companies, including Bacardi International Limited. 

*WHAT IS A WORM TUB?

Worm tubs are a type of condenser, also known as coil condensers. A ‘Worm’ is the old English term for serpent, the original name for the coiled tube. A traditional way of turning spirit vapour back into liquid. The lyne arm at the top of the still is connected to a long, coiled copper pipe (worm) that sits in a huge vat of cold water (tub). These long copper tubes snake back and forth, gradually getting narrower. As the vapour travels down the worm, it condenses back into liquid form.

There are only a handful of distilleries that still use this old-fashioned method to condense their spirits, with most now preferring the more modern and efficient ‘shell and tube’ approach. They are much more expensive to maintain than modern condensers, but as their long tubes provide less copper contact than modern condensers, which would otherwise reduce the distillate’s sulphur content, they bestow the spirit with extra flavour, creating a new-make with a distinctive, muscular (sulphuric) character. 

WHAT IS ARMAGNAC?

Armagnac is made in the Gascony region of France to the south of Bordeaux (split into three areas: Bas Armagnac, Tenareze and Haut Armagnac). The Bas-Armagnac area has 57% of vineyards and is said to produce the best Armagnacs. Armagnac is a grape Brandy produced primarily from four grape varieties (Ugni Blanc, Folle Blanche, Baco 22a And Colombard), although 10 are permitted. Distilled just once through a specially made continuous still and in most cases, a traditionally constructed Alembic Armagnaçaise; a portable wood fired still designed to be transported round villages to the small farms who produce Armagnac. A fuller-bodied (some would say rustic) style of brandy when compared to Cognac, like whisky it is often aged in oak for many years (decades in some cases) and makes an excellent digestif.

Malt Messenger No. 136 by Andrew Ferguson – Lots of Cool New Stuff to Fill You In On! – Lots of Cool Whisky News

We’ve got a good-sized Malt Messenger for you here, but perhaps not as big as it could have been. It is also a little later than hoped, but that couldn’t be avoided. Things have been busy at the ol’ KWM homestead, mostly with some behind the scenes projects that will help to streamline our growing business as we transition into the post-Covid era and the long promised “new normal.”

I’m sure a lot of you are wondering about in-store tastings, and when they might resume. Originally we had hoped to start rolling out some events after Easter, but that was before the Dodge Ramming of our front entrance, and the complications that have come from it. They say never say never, and while it is possible that we may be able to offer a limited number of sit down tastings in May or June, we can’t be sure of that right now.

One thing that is for sure, is we have a 30th Anniversary coming up in 5 short weeks and regardless of the upheaval, we are going to celebrate. We are planning a month of events, both ticketed and drop in, including some Wine and Whisky Festivals. More to come on that and our 30th Anniversary in general, in the next Malt Messenger.

There are lots of cool new things in-store, and even more arriving soon. We have new whiskies from Archives, Two Brewers, High Coast, Doc Swinson’s Bourbon Collection, and James Eadie. We also have some returned and ballot bottles from Glengoyne and GlenDronach.

The list of soon-to-arrive whiskies below from Benromach and Gordon & MacPhail is just the tip of the iceberg. It has been a quiet couple of months on the ‘new whiskies’ front, but that is about to change. We are also expecting a shipment of Signatory and Edradour whiskies in the next couple of weeks.

In addition to loads of new whiskies, we are eagerly anticipating a number of new KWM Exclusive Casks from Benromach, Bruichladdich, Daftmill, GlenAllachie, and Tomatin. We also have a stunning bespoke new Compass Box 30th Anniversary Blended Malt, which we created with James Saxon and John Glaser. More on these exciting new exclusives in future Malt Messengers.

As always, in the event of a discrepancy in price, the point of sale at KWM will be taken as correct. Please don’t hesitate to email me with any questions, comments, or requests (but online ordering works too, in fact, it might be faster…).

Sincerely,

Andrew Ferguson

Kensington Wine Market

1. New Archives and Whiskybase Whiskies

2. Two Brewers Release 31

3. New Whiskies from High Coast Distillery

4. Introducing: Doc Swinson’s Collection Bourbons

5. Glengoyne 21 & 25 Years Are Back

6. GlenDronach 12 & 15 Year Are Back

7. Coming Soon from Benromach

8. Coming Soon from Gordon & MacPhail

9. Introducing: James Eadie Trade Mark X

10.                Upcoming Tastings

11.                On Sale

New Archives & Whiskybase Whiskies

Archives is an independent bottling range from Whiskybase, famous for its bottlings featuring old illustrations of fish, snakes, and other animals. There is some really cool stuff here, and it is very limited. Don’t be surprised if more than a few of these end up in future tastings.

1. Archives Balcones 2017 – This 3 year old American single malt was distilled at the Balcones Distillery in Texas in 2017, was matured in a first-fill American oak barrel, before bottling in 2021 at 62.9%. Bottled under the Venomous Snakes range, the label features an Elaps Corallinus “drawn by L.J. Fitzinger in 1867 and published over 150 years ago in “Naturgeschichte der Wirbelthiere.” 87.7pts Whiskybase – $165 – SOLD OUT

2. Archives Benrinnes 1997 – Distilled in 1997, matured in a Hogshead cask, and bottled in 2021 after 23 years at 56%, under the Fishes of Samoa range. The image on the label is a Pterois Radiata “drawn by Hamburg L. Friederichsen and published in 1873 in “Journal des Museum Godeffroy.” 90pts Whiskybase – $350

3. Archives Burnside 1996 – Bottled under the Brittish Dragonflies series, this 25 year old “Blended Malt” was distilled in 1996, matured in a Hogshead and bottled in 2021 at 54.7%. Burnside is usually a euphemism for teaspooned Balvenie. So Balvenie with a dash of Glenfiddich perhaps? The label features a Uropetala Carovei “drawn by G.V. Hudson and published over 100 years ago in “An elementary manuel of New Zealand entomology.” 89.59pts Whisky Base. – $295

4. Archives Caol Ila 2007 – Distilled in 2007, this 12 year old Caol Ila matured in a Hogshead before bottling at 57.4%. Bottled under the Fishes of Samoa series the fish on the label is a Diodon Hystrix “published over 200 years ago in Unterhaltungen aus der Naturgeschichte: Der Fische.” 85.89pts Whiskybase – $190

5. Archives Glen Moray 2007 – Bottled under the Fishes of Samoa series, this 13 year old Glen Moray was distilled in 2007, matured in an ex-Bourbon barrel, and bottled in 2021 at 58.8%. The label features Chactodon Aureus “published in 1813 in The naturalist’s miscellany, or Coloured figures of natural objects.” 87pts Whiskybase – $150

6. Whiskybase Glentauchers – Bottled to celebrate the Whiskybase database hitting 180,000 bottles. Distilled in 1996, matured in an ex-Bourbon barrel, and bottled in 2021 at 46.8%. 88.68pts Whiskybase – $370

7. Archives Glentauchers 1989 – This 31 year old Glentauchers was distilled in 1989, matured in an ex-Bourbon Barrel, and bottled in 2021 at 43.7%. Bottled under “The Fishes of Samoa” the label features a Pterois Volitans “drawn by P.A.J. Drapier and published in 1853 in “Dictionaire classique des sciences naturelles.” 90pts Whiskybase – $585

8. Archives Irish Single Malt 1990 – This 31 year old Irish Single Malt Whiskey was distilled in 1990, matured in an ex-Bourbon Barrel and bottled in 2021 at 52.9%. Bottled under “The Fishes of Samoa” the label features a Acarauna Major Pinnis Crmutus “drawn by Mark Catesby and published in 1771 in “Histoire naturelle de la Caroline, de la Floride, et des Isles e Bahama.” – $740

9. Archives Linkwood 2008 – Bottled under “The Fishes of Samoa” this 13 year was distilled in 2008 and filled into a Hogshead cask before bottling in 2021 at 56.3%. The label features a “Zeus Faber drawn by Kruger JR and published in 1785 in “Histoire naturelle, generale et particuliere des poissons.” 86.67pts Whisky Base – $165

10. Archives Secret Speyside 1998 – Distilled in 1998 at “a Speyside Distillery,” this 21 year old single malt was bottled at 54% under the Fishes of Samoa series after maturing in a Hogshead cask. The label features a Pennant coralfish “drawn by P. Blecker and published over 100 years aog in “Blecker Atlas ichthyologique.” 87.83pts Whiskybase – $262

11. Archives Speyside 1990 – Distilled in 1990, the whisky matured 30 years in a Hogshead cask before bottling at 50.2% under the Echinoderms from Australia series. The label features an Asterias Rubens “drawn by Ernst Haeckel and published over 100 years ago in Kunstformen der Natur.” 88.86pts Whiskybase – $425

12.  Archives Staoisha 2013 – Distilled in 2013, this peated Bunnahabhain (Staoisha) was filled into an ex-Bourbon Barrel, before bottling in 2021 at 59.1%. Bottled under the Fishes of Samoa series, the label features a Herniochus monoceros “drawn by G. H Ford and published in 1873 in Journal de Museum Godeffroy. – $148

New Two Brewers Release 31

The 31st release of Yukon Single Malt Whisky by Two Brewers is a Classic profile whisky, composed of a number of different mashes, including a sour mash (7%), standard mashes (40%), priming batches (23%) and “not tails” batches (30%). More info on this can be found on our website. Matured in first and second fill casks as well as virgin oak.

Two Brewers Yukon Single Malt Release 31 – 46% – Producer Tasting Note: “Earthy underpinnings support a bright nose, nutty cereal and dark berries. Creamy clover honey tracks from entry, centered as tones of green tea and cedar encompass the palate. Dry grains and oak emerge for the finish, touched by the enduring honey.” – $105

New Whiskies from High Coast Distillery

We have three new whiskies from Sweden’s High Coast Distillery coming in. One is a general release, the two others are Truth Malters bottlings

1. High Coast Solera Single Malt Whisky – 56% – 500ml – ex-Bourbon & Swedish Oak Solera – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Oak, nutmeg, vanilla, coconut, ripe pear. Palate: Honey, clove, anis seeds, fudge, green apples. Finish: Vanilla, black pepper.” – $195

2. High Coast Cigar CLASS Series 02 Peated Bourbon – 60.9% – 6 Years 9.75 Months – Peated to 55ppm – 500ml – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Beautiful rich peat notes – iodine, vanilla, fresh tangy apples, floral notes, wet wood, petrichor. Palate: Sweeter than most would expect. Honey and soft florals timely intermingle with herbal notes bursting on the palate. Finish: Gentle and long with welcomed floral and wood notes and a soft palate oiliness.” $185

3. High Coast Sherry CLASS Series 02 Oloroso Sherry – 62.7% – 6 Years 3 Months – Oloroso Sherry – 500ml – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose:  A rich auburn Oloroso Sherry bomb. Maple taffy, creamy butter, sweet dark cherries, sticky figs, vanilla, and cherry candy. Classic notes of golden raisins, nuts and cloves play in the background. Palate: Less sweet than the nose and an immediate flavour rush on your tongue. Zesty cinnamon, dried apricots, raisins, vanilla, baking spices, sauna wood, and a hint of orange marmalade. Finish: Long and mouth forward – drying on the tongue but juicy behind your lips and around the cheeks. Crawls on the glass with serious legs and character. $192

Introducing: Doc Swinson’s Collection Bourbon

With warehousing and blending done in Ferndale, Washington, Doc Swinson’s is an NDP (Non-Distiller Producer) that specializes in sourcing Bourbon and Rye Whiskies that are then blended into small (sometimes very small) batches and released under one of three ranges. The bottlings are categorized under Doc Swinson’s Flagship, Exploratory, or Rare Release range. Like many independent bottlers of American Whiskey, the venerable MGP Distillery of Indiana seems to be a key component in many of Doc Swinson’s releases.

1. Doc Swinson’s Alter Ego Bourbon – THREE different cask types are used in finishing this Bourbon. Each batch in Doc Swinson’s Alter Ego Bourbon series thus far has used MGP Distillery’s 75% Corn, 21% Rye, 4% Malted Barley mash bill that is aged then finished in a combination of PX Sherry, Oloroso Sherry, and Cognac casks. After finishing the batch is married together in ex-Cognac Foeders before being bottled at 47.9%. – $108

2. Doc Swinson’s Alter Ego Solera Rye – Made from MGP Distillery Rye – and that is a good thing! Doc Swinson’s has started with the exceptional MGP 95% Rye mash bill and blended it together with MGP’s 51% Rye mash bill. Both components are at least five years old before being married into the top row of the Solera system made from casks that previously held rum. The result is a unique take on an American Rye that went south to get a tan and enjoy a Planter’s Punch or three! – $77

3. Doc Swinson’s Blender’s Cut Bourbon – This high-proof Bourbon from Doc Swinson’s is a blend of two high-rye mash bills originally distilled at MGP Distillery of Indiana. The mash bills in question contain 21% and 36% Rye, respectively. The whiskey made is aged for five years before being bottled at a very respectable 57.5%. – $85

4. Doc Swinson’s El Cuerpo Bourbon – Made from barrels of at least 5-year-old Bourbon sourced from MGP Distillery of Indiana before being finished in PX Sherry Butts. The resulting whiskey is bottled at 57% and released in very small batches. – $130

Glengoyne 21 & 25 Year Are Back

But Limited!

I remember a few years back when we could have almost as much of these as we wanted. The secret is out on Glengoyne it seems, with both the 21 and 25 year olds expected to be in short supply in the years ahead. The 21 year is available for purchase, 1 per customer. The 25 year is available by ballot, details below.

1. Glengoyne 21 Year – Formerly the oldest whisky in the distillery’s core range, it is heavily influenced by sherry, matured entirely in first and refill European oak seasoned with sherry. Big, rich and sophisticated malt, bottled at 43%. – $240 – Limit 1 Per Customer!

2. Glengoyne 25 Year – The price has gone up, albeit only a little, especially when compared with the 25 year olds of other distilleries. Bottled at 48%, the whisky is 100% Sherry Oak Matured! – $535 – Available by Ballot

Enter the Ballot Glengoyne 25 &GlenDronach 15

GlenDronach 12 & 15 Year Are Back

But Limited!

It has been at least two years since we last saw the GlenDronach 12 in Alberta. It seems the legal dispute that was tying it up has finally been resolved. We have been getting small allocations of the GlenDronach 15, but they have been limited. The last time we had some we required purchasers to also buy another BenRiach or GlenDronach whisky along with it. We won’t be doing that this time, however, demand will almost certainly exceed supply, so like the Glengoyne 25 year, it will be available by ballot.

1. GlenDronach Original 12 Year – 43% – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Sweet, creamy vanilla, with hints of ginger. Spiced mulled wine and pear. Palate: Rich, creamy, silky-smooth. Warm, rich oak and sherry sweetness, full mouth feel, raisins and soft fruits. Spicy with medium length and a dry finish. Conclusion: Long, full and firm, slightly nutty.” – $105 – Limit 1 Per Customer

2. GlenDronach Revival 15 Year – 46% – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: An intoxicating burst of maraschino cherry, ripe bramble and dark chocolate mint with hints of orange bitters and walnut liqueur. Palate: Honey-glazed apricot and ripe fig with a crescendo of black cherry, angelica and muscovado. Long and enveloping finish with dark manuka honey, herbal bitters and dark chocolate.” – $155 – Available by Ballot!

Enter the Ballot Glengoyne 25 & GlenDronach 15

Coming Soon from Benromach

We have a trio of new releases from Benromach, all of them limited, and accordingly restricted to 1 per customer. ETA is 1-2 weeks!

1. Benromach Contrasts Peat Smoke Sherry Matured 2012 – 46% – Producer Tasting Note: “Aromas: Appealing cinnamon and ginger aromas with rich dark chocolate giving way to soft demerara sugar. Seville orange peel with sweet smoke. Palate: Cocoa powder and sweet, creamy honeycomb accompany stewed red berries. Subtle vanilla and cracked black pepper lead to toasted almonds. Finish: A full finish with Morello cherry, peat smoke and sweetness.” – $95.99 – Limit 1 Per Customer!

2. Benromach Heritage 1977 – We are trying to confirm exactly which one, as there are at least 2 different releases. Regardless, this is a bit of a special treat, as it has been sold out for years, and was discovered by chance in a warehouse… – $2750 – Only 1 Bottle!

3. Benromach Aged 40 Years – 57.1% – First Fill Oloroso Sherry – Producer Tasting Note: “Aromas: Vibrant citrus aromas with ginger, stewed fruits & cinnamon and subtle dark fudge aromas. Rich beeswax polish notes develop with a touch of aged oak. Palate: Intense Seville orange flavours give way to red apple with underlying spices. Demerara sugar and a soft herbal flavour lead to charred oak. Finish: Medium-bodied, citrus zest and oak.” – $2850 – Limit 1 Per Customer!

Coming Soon from Gordon & MacPhail

There are a lot of cool new offerings from Gordon McPhail, including the first two, both Glenlivet released to celebrate the launch of the Generations Glenlivet 80 Year, which we will be rolling out later this month…

There are a few more Glenlivet in the so called “Runway” range, but we are holding a few of them back for a future event.

We have 9 other new releases from the Connoisseurs Choice and Private Collection ranges. All are cask strength with the exception of the “Wood Finished” Caol Ila.

Quantities are limited with just 3-6 bottles of most coming to KWM. Accordingly, many are limited to 1 per customer, and are indicated as such below!

1. G&M CC Runway Glenlivet 2004 – 46% – 16 Year – Refill Bourbon Barrel – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Vibrant tropical fruit and ripe green apples give way to bitter orange. Honeysuckle come to the fore alongside cocoa powder and subtle white pepper. Taste: Rich pineapple and mango accompany flambeed banana. Poached pears develop alongside rich watermelon and toasted oak. Finish: A medium finish with lingering marzipan and citrus”- $199

2. G&M CC Runway Glenlivet 2003 – 46% – 17 Year Refill Bourbon Barrel – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Pineapple and Seville orange zest give way to subtle nuts. Undertones of lemon peel develop accompanied by baked apples and honeycomb. Taste: Smooth, sweet pears lead to grapefruit and soft white pepper. Subtle white chocolate notes transform into a faint herbal edge and charred oak. Finish: A full finish with long lasting vanilla pod and citrus. – $240

3. G&M CC Runway Glenlivet 1993 – 53.1% – 28 Year – Refill American Hogshead #71580 – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Rich honey aromas combine with lime peel and roasted nuts. Taste: Flavours of black pepper lead to tropical fruit and butterscotch. Finish: A medium-bodied finish with lingering citrus. – $479.99 – 89.33pts Whiskybase

4. G&M CC Wood Finish Caol Ila 2007 Hermitage – 45% – 13 Year – Matured in Refill Bourbon / Finished 3 Years in Hermitage Casks – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Fruitcake and cherry aromas combine with sweet smoke. Taste: Cured meat flavours are balanced by summer berries and almond. Finish: A medium bodied finish with lingering bonfire embers.” – $158

5. G&M CC Caol Ila 1997 – 59.9% – 23 Year – First Fill Sherry Butt – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Cured meat aromas lead to baked apple and stewed raisins. Festive spices develop alongside brown sugar and soft lemon peel. Taste: Smooth and smoke; black pepper gives way to mixed nuts and cocoa powder. Subtle citrus notes combine with toasted almonds and red berries. Finish: A long and ashy finish with lingering bonfire embers. “- $335

6. G&M CC Highland Park 1988 – 52.8% – 32 Year – Refill American Oak Hogshead – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Crystalized violets and soft coconut give way to hints of cured meat. White chocolate comes to the fore, followed by subtle notes of bonfire embers. Taste: Sweet and smooth flavours of red apple and malted biscuit. Rich vanilla develops alongside dried banana pieces and light citrus zest. Finish: A medium-bodied finish with lingering soft fruit and smoke.” – $1300 – Limit 1 Per Customer!

7. G&M CC Linkwood 1988 – 55% – 32 Year – First Fill Sherry Butt – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Rich stewed fruit aromas combine with fresh ginger leading to a hint of beeswax polish. Taste: Blackcurrant and raspberry flavours give way to soft dried tobacco notes and mature oak. Finish: A medium-bodied finish with lingering spice and grapefruit zest. – $1319 – 91.71pts Whiskybase

8. G&M CC Mortlach 1989 – 54.2% – Refill Sherry Butt Cask 5304 – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Rich brown sugar and stewed apples lead to glacé cherries and raisins alongside a subtle touch of honey and ginger. Taste: Dark honey and almond flavours lead to raisins, warm ginger and lingering fruit loaf. Finish: A light and delicate finish with soft cherries and toasted almonds.” – $1300 – Limit 1 Per Customer

9. G&M Private Collection Convalmore 1975 – 47.9% – 45 Year – Hogshead – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Citrus aromas, lemon and lime compliment sweet desiccated coconut. White chocolate notes develop alongside soft dark honey and nougat. Taste: Sweet honeycomb flavours combine with soft apple crumble. Finish: Vibrant fruity pears and peaches give way to mature oak and lingering toasted hazelnuts.” – $2900 – Limit 1 Per Customer – 93.5pts Whiskybase

10. G&M Private Collection Glentauchers 1979 – 56.6% – 41 Year – Refill American Hogshead – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Sweet toffee and candied orange aromas with silky white chocolate and sugared violets. Tropical fruit notes come to the fore with hints of coconut and ripe banana. A nutty note lingers in the background. Taste: Intense sweetness to begin then fading to reveal herbal aniseed and peppery notes. Dried tropical fruit; pineapple, lime, and coconut flavours complement madagascan vanilla pod. Finish: Rounded, with lingering vanilla tones with an herbal edge.” – $1850 – 90.67pts Whiskybase

11.  G&M Private Collection Pulteney 1982 – 57.1% – 38 Year – Refill American Hogshead – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: S Rich honey aromas combine with sweet lime zest and vanilla. Taste: Subtle apple notes lead to a hint of fudge. Sweet flavours of honeydew melon and lemon are accompanied by soft white pepper. Finish: Medium bodied finish, smooth with toasted oak.” – $1840

Introducing: James Eaddie Tade Mark X

Trade Mark X is a Blended Scotch Whisky, created by Rupert Patrick, James Eadie’s great-great grandson, based on the recipe in old ledgers and in comparison with a surviving bottle from the 1940s. The blend includes among other things, whisky from two closed distilleries Littlemill and Cambus. The blend is also composed of whiskies from Talisker, Caol Ila, Lagavulin, Aberlour, and Glendronach.

James Eadie Trade Mark X II – 45.6% – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: At first, sweet notes of icing sugar and raisins are present, before oily, lightly peated qualities emerge; soot, soft earth and freshly cut hay. Over time, a combination of dark chocolate, sultanas, prunes, marzipan and subtle hints of chili and salt come to the fore. Palate: Spicy flavours of mint chocolate blend in with syrup, plums, prunes and roasted coffee beans. Gentle peat and soft smoke linger in the background, which introduce a delicious juicy quality. Water brings out thick, rich cream and ripe dark cherries. Finish: The finish is long, syrupy and gently spicy, gradually softening to leave subtle, distinctive stone fruit flavours.” – $72

Upcoming Tastings

Note: we just got word that William H Macy will be a special guest at our Woody Creek tasting on April 5… which is tonight… only 4 sample sets left!

WOODY CREEK DISTILLERY TASTING

·     Date: Tuesday, April 5

·     Time: 8 PM

·     Cost: $25

·     Pick-Up Date: Ready Now!

What’s the deal with Woody Creek Distillery? Besides being plugged shamelessly by the star of Shameless himself – William H. Macy (who will make an appearance during the tasting) – they also make some darn good whiskey! Join us for a run through their lineup including a gin, two Rye and three Bourbon samples from this Colorado Distillery. See what all the hype is about for only 25 bucks!

NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK: SCOTCH EDITION

·     Date: Thursday, April 14

·     Time: 7 PM

·     Cost: $40

·     Pick-Up Date: Ready Now!

The Scotch Whisky industry has gone through something of a baby boom over the last decade. Step by Step, the whiskies from these new kids on the block are coming of age. Though young, the whiskies from these small independents are Hangin’ Tough in a market dominated by big multinationals. We’ll sample whiskies from Ardnamurchan, Daftmill, Glasgow, Inchdairnie, Isle of Raasay, Lindores Abbey, and Wolfburn. Thursday, April 24, 2022, 7PM.

G&M Distillery Labels with Richard Urquhart

·     Date: Friday, May 6

·     Time: 5 PM

·     Cost: $45

·     Pick-Up Date: Ready Now!

·     Only 15 Spots Left!

The Gordon & MacPhail Distillery Labels range celebrates the ancient relationships it has nurtured with distilleries all over Scotland. It is also a testament to its ongoing practice of purchasing new make spirit from distilleries, rather than mature whisky, and maturing it in its own casks. Richard Urquhart, a 4th generation member of the Urquhart family who own G&M, will guide us through a range of 7 distilleries label bottlings from Ardmore, Glenburgie, Glentauchers, Linkwood and Morltach, including a few 21 and 25 year olds. Friday May 6, 5PM.

Rethinking Whisky: The Lowlands

·     Date: Friday, May 6

·     Time: 5 PM

·     Cost: $45

·     Pick-Up Date: Ready Now!

While we couldn’t convince Andrew to pop the top on a rare old Rosebank for this one, we’re still pretty confident this will be the coolest Lowlands tasting this side of the pond. And if you’re one of those folks still of the opinion that the Lowlands are all flowers and lemons and triple distillation – oh, my! – then we have just the range to shatter your preconceptions. Join Curt and Harmony for a night of ‘out there’ whiskies and an awful lot of chat, as we try to dispel some outdated myths and showcase some of the bottles that have lit us up over the last few months. Participants will sample whiskies up to 35 years of age from Auchentoshan, Bladnoch, Daftmill, Glenkinchie, Inchdairnie, Lindores Abbey and North British. Thursday May 26, 7PM.

!!!On Sale!!!

Deals, deals, deals… especially on Waterford, and more than what I have highlighted below too… you can browse the full sale list online!

1. Waterford Single Farm Hook Head 1.1 – 50% – Complex young Irish single malt produced from barley grown on a single farm, matured in a mix of cask types. – Was $101.99 – Save 20% – Now $76.49

2. Waterford Single Farm Lakefield 1.1 – 50% – Complex young Irish single malt produced from barley grown on a single farm, matured in a mix of cask types. – Was $102.99 – Save 20% – Now $77.24

3. Compass Box Peat Monster – 46% – The Peat Monster combines extremely smoky malt whisky from Islay with medium-peated Highland whiskies to create a balanced and approachable monster, but a monster, nonetheless. Enjoy! – Was $79.99 – Save 25% – Now $55.99

4. Smokehead Rum Rebel Islay Single Malt – 46% – This undisclosed Islay Single Malt is rumoured to come from Ardbeg, and has been finished in rum casks. – Was $92 – Save 20% – Now $72.79

5. Smokehead Sherry Bomb Islay Single Malt – This undisclosed Islay Single Malt is rumoured to come from Ardbeg, and has been finished in sherry casks. – Was $115 – Save 20% – Now $91.99

6. Lismore The Legend 21 Year – 43% – Undisclosed Speyside single malt, from the owners of Glenfarclas, with a soft sherried character. – Was $165 – Save 20% – Now $131.99

7. Jura Seven Wood42% – Not content with double wood or triple wood, Jura has gone right to SEVEN WOOD with this bottling. – Was $121.99 – Save 35% – Now $79.29

8. Port Askaig 8 Year – 45.8% – Young, but lovely Caol Ila at a great every day price… even better on SALE. – Was $68.99 – Save 20% – Now $55.19

9. Cragganmore Distillers Edition – 40% (boo) Diageo is still playing catch up, so this is still on sale. – Was $107.99 – Save 25% – Now $80.99

10.    Cragganmore Flavour Led – 55.7% – Old NAS Cragganmore with good reviews that is a lot more palatable on sale than at full price! – Was $1199.99 – Save 30% – Now $839.99

FREE DELIVERY

We are proud to offer Free City Wide Delivery on all orders over $100 Monday-Friday!

Orders under $100 are subject to a flat rate $10 delivery fee.

Note we likely cannot offer delivery before Christmas at this point!

CURBSIDE PICKUP

Physical distancing is made easy with curbside pickup.

Order online or by phone, wait for confirmation your order is ready then call us when you are parked in the back or out front.

Be sure to let us know what your vehicle looks like!

403-283-8000

888-283-9004

Regular Store Hours

Mon – Wed 10AM – 8PM

Thurs & Fri 10AM – 9PM

Sat 10AM – 8 PM

Sun 11PM to 6PM

*All Prices Quoted here are subject to change and do not include GST. In the case of pricing discrepancies, the price at our point of sale will be taken as correct.*

 

40% Off a Luxury Collector’s Trophy Single Malt Whisky – Taiwanese Whisky News

40% Off a Collector’s Trophy Whisky from Kavalan
Kavalan Solist “Moscatel” Cask Strength Single Barrel Taiwanese Single Malt Whisky (750ml) (Previously $500) ($299.99)
“The recent release of single casks from the King Car Distillery are without a doubt some of the most special bottlings that have ever come to market.”
— David Othenin-Girard, K&L Spirits Buyer

We’ve seen some truly incredible single casks from Kavalan come through our doors over the past several years, but few (if any) of them stack up next to this most recent series of releases. The port pipes, ex-bourbon casks, and sherry butts have always been splendid as expected, but none have actually surprised our spirits team as much as this highly unusual and unique Moscatel cask. Far from an overblown, blousy, floral bomb, there is the typical Kavalan poise and grace that has won this iconic distillery its countless accolades and awards over the years, including the 2021 Distillery of the Year at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. As David Othenin-Girard describes this 2021 SFWSC double Gold Medal winner, “I find a host of outrageous dried and fresh fruit flavors condensed into one of the most precise and delineated deliveries I’ve ever seen.” The truly astounding feature here is the incredible 40%-off pricing that outdoes the market by a long shot. Collectible whiskies like this very rarely come up at such discounted pricing, so any savvy collector looking to maximize their purchasing power should beat a quick path and secure their bottles today.

Kavalan Solist “Moscatel” Cask Strength Single Barrel Taiwanese Single Malt Whisky (750ml) (Previously $500) ($299.99)

93 points Whisky Advocate: “Rich and intense nose, with paradise cake, honey, dried apple, plum, and crème dabricot. The mouthfeel is dry, nutty, and fruity, with a silky consistency. The cask strength is more noticeable here, but as it dissipates, there is some late complexity of plum skin and coffee bean with wave after effortless wave of flavor lasting for minutes on end. Finish is hot and nutty, with moist coffee grains. (JM)” (04/2017)

David Othenin-Girard | K&L Spirits Buyer | Review Date: April 04, 2022

The recent release of single casks from the King Car Distillery are without a doubt some of the most special bottlings that have ever come to market. The Moscatel is easily the most approachable and decadent of the new special single casks from Kavalan. I was worried we’d get too much floral, perfumed quality out of this cask, but instead, I find a host of outrageous dried and fresh fruit flavors condensed into one of the most precise and delineated deliveries I’ve ever seen. Expect an intensly concentrated orchard of of figs, plums, guavas, and peaches on your palate. No wonder this whisky won double gold at the SF World Spirits Competition.

Email: wine@klwines.com
Phone: (877) KL-WINES (Toll Free 877.559.4637)
K&L Wine Merchants 3005 El Camino Real Redwood City, CA 94061 USA
San Francisco, Redwood City, Hollywood CA


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