Can you believe there is just five days until Christmas? Where has the year gone? 2013 is winding down and yet in some ways things are just gearing up. Our exclusive Glendronach and Kilchoman single casks have just arrived in Alberta. The first bottles of our very tasty Glendronach 2002 KWM Cask 708, $104.99, matured in a PX Sherry Puncheon landed in store last week and 120 bottles sold in just 36 hours. More of our Glendronach arrived in the shop on yesterday, along with the first traunche of our very peaty new Kilchoman 2008 KWM Cask 326, $119.99, matured in a First Fill Bourbon. With the mercury having plunged again both of these cask strength drams will be sure to keep you warm and your spirits high over the Holidays. Both whiskies are currently in stock and open for sampling at KWM.
Lots of exciting new whiskies have come through our doors since the Fall Single Malt Festival in Mid-November. There is of course the “That Boutique-y Whisky Company” range of Malts from Master of Malt. We selected seven whiskies from the range to be offered exclusively for sale in our store from the Bowmore, Caol Ila, Clynelish, Glenfarclas, Highland Park, Macallan and Springbank distilleries. Master of Malt has taken a different approach with these whiskies, bottling them in 500ml bottles without age statements and with quirky labels that poke fun at the industry. The whiskies are all very tasty and have been well reviewed. A local whisky blog, All Things Whisky, recently did a write-up on them you can read at: http://www.allthingswhisky.com/?p=2062. More on these whiskies can be found below as can tasting notes on them from the above blog.
Over the last few weeks we’ve also been phasing into our stock a range of whiskies from independent bottler Wilson & Morgan. We’ve had some really interesting whiskies from Wilson & Morgan over the last year including a Port Ellen 30 Year and a North British 50 Year grain whisky. We rolled the dice on the current batch of Wilson & Morgan, buying without sampling them first, and we were handsomely rewarded. Three of the new releases are stunning: the Caol Ila 30 Year, $457.99, is the closest thing to Port Ellen I’ve ever tasted that wasn’t Port Ellen; the MacDuff 32 Year, $409.99, is a brilliant older dram with layers of tropical fruit; and the Bowmore 22 Year, $214.99, finished in a PX Sherry Puncheon is one of the sweetest, richest, and most fruity Bowmores I’ve ever had. It is litterally flying off the shelf, we sold 15 bottles at a tasting in November. Last week we held a tasting with 7 whiskies from the range, and they all showed very well. More on the Wilson & Morgan whiskies can be found below.
Our Winter 2014 tasting schedule is also out, with another tantalizing line up of events. Beginning January 16 with the 3rd Annual MS Calgary Whisky Festival, and winding up with Ancient Malts in March, where we will sample the Glendronach Recherche 1968, $4799.99. January 25th is our 9th Annual Scots Wha Hae: Robbie Burns Supper at Fort Calgary. Our special guest this year is Peter Currie of Duncan Taylor. Other notable events include the Compass Box Whisky Dinner at Buchanans Chop House February 4, where we will sample some new releases including The General and Peat Monster 10th Anniversary. Later in the month we are putting on The Great Macallan Vertical Featruing Macallan ‘M’ on the 13th. The Macallan ‘M’ is a limited edition releases of Macallan bottled in a Lalique crystal decanter, retailing for $3,799.99. And there is much more than that, check out the full Winter 2014 tasting schedule below, or online: https://www.kensingtonwinemarket.com/tastings/register.php.
Last but not least, with Christmas but a five days away, it is time for the Malt Messenger 2014 Christmas Gift Guide. Not sure what to buy the whisky lover in your life for Christmas? Or are you looking for some great options for holiday entertaining? We have a recommendation for you at any price point.
To you and yours on behalf of everyone at the Kensington Wine Market we wish you the very best this Holiday Season. May you have a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanuka, and a Healthy and Prosperous New Year!
Slainte!
Andrew Ferguson
Kensington Wine Market
PS- PS – Don’t forget you can follow me on twitter twitter.com/scotch_guy and Facebook facebook.com/scotch.guy.1 .
In This Edition:
1. The Glendronach has Landed!
2. Our Latest Kilchoman Cask
3. New Master of Malt Whiskies from “That Boutique-y Whisky Company”
4. New Whiskies from Wilson & Morgan
5. Kensington Wine Market 2014 Whisky Tasting Schedule
6. 2014 Malt Messenger Christmas Gift Guide
Malt Whisky Yearbook 2014 Now In Stock!
$29.99
The 9th Edition is revised for 2014 with updated distillery information, new tastings notes and more great articles and insights on the whisky industry.
The best reference on Malt Whisky period!
Click Here For More Info
Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible 2014
$21.99
The 10th Anniversary Edition of Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible. 4,500 whiskies reviewed, including 2,500 single malt Scotch whiskies, 375 blends and 634 American Whiskies.
Click Here for More Info
Membership in the Scotch Malt Whisky Society Canada Is the Gift that Keeps on Giving!
$230 for the First Year
Membership in The Scotch Malt Whisky Society will not only entitle you to The Society’s wonderfully packaged Membership Pack (including four 100 ml bottles of Society whisky (shown here), but also: the ability to purchase Society bottlings: the monthly Outturn (the list of the Society’s latest releases) and Unfiltered (the quarterly award winning whisky magazine). For more information on the Society visit www.smws.ca
Click Here to Buy
MS Calgary Whisky Festival 2014 Tickets Now On Sale!
Thursday January 16 2014 $95
25 stations, more than 40 different distilleries, a dozen brand ambassadors and 150+ whiskies, all for a good cause! We’ll also be announcing shortly a trio of Master Classes which will run concurrent to the event.
Master Class Details to be announced before New Year’s Eve!
Click Here to Register
The Glendronach has Landed!
Our exceptional new Glendronach 2002 KWM Cask 708 is here and available for sale!
Our third cask of Glendronach is a real gem, and the sibling of another award winning cask. The Malt Maniacs, an international collective of whisky boffins, rated the Glendronach 2002 Cask 710
“Best Sherried Whisky Daily Dram” We’re quite proud of ours, and feel it could be just as good if not better! More than 150 bottles have sold since it was released last Wednesday…
Glendronach 2002 KWM Cask 708 – 55.4% – 11 Year – PX Sherry Puncheon – Andrew’s Preliminary Tasting Note: “Nose: chocolate espresso beans, maple syrup and rum raisin bread pudding; earthy oak, new leather jacket and burnt dark fruits; Palate: big, fruity, spicy and chocolaty with more espresso and loads of dark fruit; the dark spices, tobacco and leather come out with earthy oak notes in waves; treacle sauce, licorice and honey soaked dates; Finish: smooth, rich and layered; Comment: this is a sherry bomb that lays off the throttle at just the right moment! – $104.99
Bottles are available in store now, and if we sell out we have another shipment coming on Christmas Eve!
Our Latest Kilchoman Cask
In store on Wednesday our Kilchoman 2008 Cask 326, 1st Fill Bourbon Barrel
Our third Kilchoman cask made its debut at our Happy Hour Kilchoman Tasting during whisky week in November. Selected by myself, Hunter and an unable customer of Irish origin this is our oldest Kilchoman cask to date, from a First Fill Ex-Bourbon barrel. Our previous casks sold out in no time flat, don’t delay in popping by to give it a sample and maybe pickup a bottle or two.
Kilchoman 2008 KWM Cask 326 – 60.1% – 5 Year – First Fill Ex-Bourbon – Andrew’s Tasting Note: “Nose: creamy and toasty, vanilla bean, some agave-like floral notes and barley sugars; Werther’s Caramels, briny smoke, green grasses, lemon drops and heather honey; Palate: a surge of smoke, salt and earthy peat: as the palate adjusts heather honey, dark spices and peat oils emerge; barley sugars, green grasses and barbecued fish; Finish: long and chewy with dark peat and salt lingering the longest as the barley sugars and citrus fade. – $119.99
Bottles available in store now!
That Boutique-y Whisky Company
An exciting range of whiskies exclusive to Kensington Wine Market in Canada from Master of Malt
Each of these exciting new whiskies is bottled with a label unique to the whisky’s batch. All of them are playful jabs and Scotch whisky industry inside jokes. The range is exclusive to Kensington Wine Market in Canada. Only 24 bottles of each whisky came into the market. The tasting notes below are courtesy of Curt Robinson at www.allthingswhisky.com. I didn’t have time to write up my own notes with the Holiday Season in full swing, so Curt let me steal his:
1. Master of Malt Bowmore Batch 2 – 49% – 292 Bottles – Inside Joke on the Label: Bowmore had converted one of its warehouses into the first and only swimming pool on Islay. – Curt Robinson’s Tasting Note: “Nose: Sweet nose with a great composition. Tangy jam note. Peach, orange and lemon. Warm leather and a very inviting salty note (makes the mouth water just inhaling it). A touch of oil. Palate: Smoke and earthy notes. Hay. A mix of green and purple grapes. Walnut. Old school heft and some moderately subtle sherry-like tang. Tart marmalade. – $144.99
2. Master of Malt Caol Ila Batch 1 – 45.8% – 732 Bottles – Inside Joke on the Label: The 6,000 deer of the Island of Jura are invading Islay for its peat across the Sound of Islay as seen from the still room at Caol Ila. Curt Robinson’s Tasting Note: “Nose: Prickly and briny. Peat and smoke. Sweet and citric at the same time. Orange oil. Olives. Candy sweetness. A dusting of salt and pepper. Palate: Very Caol Ila. Some melon with citrus. Toffee and smoke. Oyster with salt, pepper and lemon. Wet rock. Ocean shoreline. oil. There are some notes that make me think of Kilchoman (if that distillery’s malt were a little more mature).” – $151.99
3. Master of Malt Clynelish Batch 2 – 50.6% – 319 Bottles – Inside Joke on the Label: The young cat represents the new distillery and the black cat the old which was renamed Brora for the few short years it remained open. – Curt Robinson’s Tasting Note: “Nose: Lavender and perfume. Some pepper. Nougat and honey. Lemon poppyseed muffins. A little orange juice. Palate: Wow!! Old wax and dunnage warehouse. Just extinguished candle. Oil lamp. Charred oak. Some smoke. Sooooo old school. Cinnamon. Apple juice and skins at the back end. One of the all time great palates. Loved it.” – $152.99
4.Master of Malt Highland Park Batch 1 – 44.7% – 241 Bottles – Inside Joke on the Label: The depiction is of a group that took part in a tasting at Maltstock near Nijmegen. The legend of all the participants can be found on the back. Charlemagne, who had connections to the area is also on the label presiding over the tasting. – Curt Robinson’s Tasting Note: “Nose: Sweet nose with a great composition. Tangy jam note. Peach, orange and lemon. Warm leather and a very inviting salty note (makes the mouth water just inhaling it). A touch of oil. Palate: Smoke and earthy notes. Hay. A mix of green and purple grapes. Walnut. Old school heft and some moderately subtle sherry-like tang. Tart marmalade.” – $170.99
5. Master of Malt Macallan Batch 3 – 43.4% – 245 Bottles – Inside Joke on the Label: Macallan has the smallest stills in Scotland. – Curt Robinson’s Tasting Note: “Nose: Bread dough. Nice spices..and lots of ‘em. Some apple pie, heavy on the cinnamon. Some old library notes. Buttery sauce. A little atypical of Macallan. Palate: Creamy and spicy. A fair bit of dry oak. Over-toasted marshmallow. Grape skins. Bitter chocolate. Fairly tannic. Zippy with spice and very pleasing apple notes.” – $175.49
6. Master of Malt Secret Distillery 1 Batch 1 – 55.4% – 486 Bottles – Inside Joke on the Label: The warehouse depicted can only be Glenfarlcas. The red warehouse door and tracks on the floor as well as the distinct ceiling give it away. – Curt Robinson’s Tasting Note: “Nose: Tobacco and raisins. Cinnamon and fresh scones. Some floral notes. Baking spices. Fudge and caramel macchiato. Honey. Creamy caramel with fruit. Rich, rich, rich. Palate: Surprisingly tart up front. Followed by big, dark intimidating fruitcake notes. Then some apple. Think a’bunadh meets amaretto with a wee splash of Southern comfort. – $151.99
7. Master of Malt Springbank Batch 2 – 53.1% – 450 Bottles – Inside Joke on the Label: Neil and Joel from www.caskstrength.net are opperating Springbank’s antique milling equipment. – Curt Robinson’s Tasting Note: “Nose: Pickle. Dust and pine. A bit of peat, yeah. Flinty. Winter wood fire. Clove and pepper. Pine sap. So odd…so unique…so intriguing. Palate: Now there’s the smoke. Kinda oily. Notes that should only be found in older whisky (wonder how old this actually is). Some great sweetness meets the machine smoke. Some figgy notes with honey. Smoked fruit skins. Pear, apple and currant. – $159.99
New Whiskies from Wilson & Morgan
We have a great new range of whiskies from Wilson & Morgan including a pair of Bowmores, a stunning tropical MacDuff and a Port Ellenesque Caol Ila 30 Year
These whiskies all showed really well at a tasting last week. I’d love to get some tasting notes out on these, but the season being what it is timing did not permit. The Bowmore 22 Year has been a huge hit, and is already half sold out. 10/12 bottles of MacDuff have sold, it is a stunning, creamy, tropical dram. And the Caol Ila is a real curiosity, the most Port Ellenesque single malt I’ve ever sampled, that is not in itself a Port Ellen. Caol Ila’s of this age aren’t particularly common either, making this a rare malt in its own right.
1. Bunnahabhain 2001 Sherry Wood 2nd Edition – 46% – From the Distillery: “In the same style of the previous release, which was as creamy, honeyed and fruity as a single malt can be, this new release of unpeated Bunnahabhain is a treat for whisky lovers with a sweet tooth. Twelve years in fresh oloroso butts have imparted huge character and body to the malt, which is now rich, intense and mouth coating, with a sweetness that would be considered extreme if it weren’t so well balanced by spicy notes of mustard and pepper, and just a touch of winey character. At the nose it has a fragrant profile, rich in aromatic herbs like chamomile and genepy, a trait which is also found in the endless and increasingly peppery aftertaste. A very classically-styled sherry matured malt!” – $78.49
2. Clynelish 1997 Marsala Finish 2nd Edition – 46% – Finished in Marsala Casks – From the Distillery: “Every year our customers seem to enjoy our Marsala finished Clynelish so much, that we run out of stock with every new release in so little time! So, following on the tracks of last years’ edition, we are happy to offer you more of the same delicious specialty that Wilson & Morgan is so proud of. What more can be said about the effect of Marsala casks on Clynelish, other than it’s a brilliant match? At the same time sweet and dry, creamy and nutty, it’s a robust yet delicate malt. The array of contrasting aromas (chestnut honey, wax, mustard, red apples, pears, dried hay) will win your heart at the first sip: have a taste for yourself, and discover why everybody loves our Marsala finish!” – $78.49
3. Bowmore 15 Year Cask 800040 – 61.3% – Distilled 1998 – Finished in a Sherry Butt – From the Distillery: “Quite an extreme Bowmore, and not only for the alcohol level! Compared to the sherry finished Bowmores we bottled in the past two years, this expression is not as influenced by the wine and stays truer to the style of the distillate: sharp as a blade, very citrusy and dry. At the nose, it starts with only a hint of peat, then it strikes with two completely different souls: it’s alternately buttery/biscuity and lemony! On the palate the lemony side dominates, for a pleasantly sour and very salty note: margaritas? Water may make it more gentle, but even so it remains almost tingling in its metallic dryness. The finale is dry and slightly astringent, with the smoke and a touch of leather becoming more evident.” – $139.99
4. Glen Keith 21 Year Cask 89650 – 50% – Matured in a Sherry Butt – Distilled: 1991 – From the Distillery: “As delicate as a single malt whisky can be, a velvety caress… Few whiskies are so rounded, soft and creamy: a rare example of flavour intensity without aggressiveness, with an alcohol content which is almost not perceivable. At the nose it’s characterized by heather and orange blossom honey, a malty fragrance and a hint of smoke. But it’s the mouthfeel that conquers: absolutely delicate, buttery and smooth… and yet with a robust body and an almost syrupy thickness. This is not a lightweight whisky: on the contrary it’s quite flavourful, but it never bites. Extremely long finish on cereals, honey, sugar coated ripe bananas and apples. Very elegant, juicy, biscuity… without ever becoming too overwhelming. A rich and silky malt.”- $182.49
5. Bowmore 22 Year Cask – 46.8% – Distilled: 1990 – Finished in PX Sherry Puncheons – From the Distillery: “While our recent Bowmore 2001 had only a hint of PX, this older expression goes the whole way thanks to a longer period of finishing. It’s obvious from the nose: rhubarb and quina liqueur, cola nut, dried raisins, sweet tea dominate at first… and only after a while organic notes of leather and moderate peat start to emerge. At the palate it shows loads of sugarcane, coffee and once again cola. Then it gradually becomes more balsamic, with restrained medicinal notes of peat and camphor. Its sweetness is huge but never cloying, thanks to a fresh and piquant character. The sweet and spicy character lingers persistently in the mouth, and the finale is reminiscent of aged juicy Demerara rum.” – $215.99
6. MacDuff 32 Year Cask 3609 – 46.9% - Distilled: 1980 – Matured in a Sherry Cask – From the Distillery: “Our Macduff bottled last year from the same vintage (cask #6886) sold out fast, but luckily we had a sister cask in store! Once again, it’s a very rich, deep, intense old malt… only, this time it’s much more wood-driven: the impressive array of tropical fruits (banana, mango, passion fruit, and this time even grapefruit and a hint of green apple at the attack) is still at the forefront, but it’s immediately obvious both at nose and palate that it has to fight hard with equally intense oak, liquorice, strongly brewed black and red tea… and even a hint of unflavoured pipe tobacco. The final result is still very fruity but not as sweet as expected, and particularly spicy, balsamic and very herbal, too. Powerful!” – $409.99
7. Caol Ila 30 Year Cask 1096 – 57.5% – Distilled:1983 – Matured in a Sherry Butt – From the Distillery: “It’s rare to find old an Caol Ila, since most of them are usually appreciated in their teens, when the Islay aromas are bold and fiery and the clean and maritime strikes the palate as smoky yet refreshing. And yet, at times it pays to wait longer… Slowly savour its elegant aromas: mineral, with a slightly citrusy note and just a touch of beeswax and medicinal herbs. So clean after all these years! If at the nose it’s fragrant but comparatively delicate, in the mouth it explodes with vibrant smokiness, and yet it’s not brutal. After 30 years in a refill cask, if you close your eyes it almost reminds of a Port Ellen: so rich and intense, but enveloped in a creamy and velvety caress.” – $457.99
Kensington Wine Market 2014 Whisky Tasting Schedule
Tantalize your taste buds in 2014!
1. Scotch Malt Whisky Society First Fridays – We will be holding SMWS events in January, Feburary and March, Society Members get the details first. www.smws.ca. – $45/35 Members
2. MS Calgary Whisky Festival – Tickets are now on sale for the 2014 MS Calgary Whisky Festival at the Epcor Center on Thursday January 16, 2014 at 6pm. 100% of the proceeds raised are going to the MS Society of Calgary and Southern Alberta. Tickets for this event are only available through the MS Society of Calgary and Kensington Wine Market. Last year’s event featured 25 different exhibitors and more than 150 different whiskies. This year’s event will be even bigger and better! Three Master Classes, to be announced at a later date will be offered before and during the event at an additional cost of $20/each. Master Class tickets will go on sale in December. Physical tickets for the Festival and the Master Classes will be mailed out, or made available for pickup in December. Please note these tickets are NON-REFUNDABLE, and NO Store Credit will be issued on cancellations. If you find you cannot attend, you can give your ticket (s) to someone else. If you wish to purchase a Master Class ticket when available, you must first have a Festival ticket.- $95 (incl GST)
3. Scots Wha Hae – Caledonians Unite! It’s time to celebrate all things Scottish. Duncan Taylor are the featured producers for this 9th annual Robbie Burns Supper, and Peter Currie is our special guest. The first to host the event twice. We’ll have bagpipes, poetry, haggis with neeps and tatties and six amazing whiskies from Duncan Taylor, including some new exclusives to KWM! No previous whisky experience required. Location: Fort Calgary 750 9 Avenue, SE 7:00pm start time. Sat Jan 25 – $99
4. Scotland in 7 Drams – Can you define a country and industry in 7 whiskies? We’ll crisscross the Lowlands, Speyside, Highlands, Islands, Islay and Campbeltown, tasting Scotland in 7 drams. Thr Jan 30 7:00pmb – $40
5. Canada vs. USA: Whisk(e)y Playoffs – Leave your toque or American flag pin at home, all biases will be checked at the door for this blind tasting pitting American and Canadian whiskies against each other… game on! Tue Feb 4 7:00pm – $40
6. Compass Box Whisky Dinner – Join us at Buchanan’s Chophouse 738 3 Avenue SW, for a dinner tasting with Chris Maybin of Compass Box. We’ll be sampling the 10th Anniversary Peat Monster special release, two experimental batches of the Great King Street blend, and more! Tue Feb 4 Start Time 7:00pm – $90
7. Islay: The Whisky Isle – If the Speyside is Scotland’s beating heart, then Islay is its soul! We’ll traverse the isle, sampling some of its finest whiskies. Tue Feb 11 Start Time 7:00pm – $60
8. The Great Macallan Vertical Featuring Macallan ‘M’ – The Macallan 1824 “M” is about to be launched in Alberta. This ultra-premium Macallan has been bottled in a specially designed Lalique Crystal Decanter inspired by the six pillars of the Macallan brand. As soon as we heard about it, we had to open one, so we’ve booked the Southern Alberta Pioneers Hall for a special tasting. We have a grand vertical tasting of Macallans planned, up to and including the “M”. Thr Feb 13, 7PM, $225, 3625 4TH STREET S W – $225
9. Lost In Translation – For nearly 100 years the Japanese have been making whisky in the Scottish style, albeit with their own twist. Their reputation is soaring, as some of their whiskies are among the finest in the world. Tue Feb 18 7:00pm – $40
10. Classic Single Malts – This is our “classic” introduction to the world of single malt Scotch whisky. You’ll discover a little history, how it’s made and sample six distinct styles. Tue Feb 25 Start Time 7:00pm – $30
11. Rare Malts – Only the rarest whiskies, those more than 20 years of age, or from closed distilleries are considered for this very special tasting. Tue Mar 11 Start Time 7:00pm – $80
12. Irish Whiskey Renaissance – The last few years has seen a resurgence of interest in Irish whiskey. During the last two years alone plans for at least 5 new distilleries has been announced. We’ll look at Irish whiskey’s past, present and future while sampling some of its finest whiskies with a glass to Saint Paddy! Mon Mar 17 Start Time 7:00pm – $45
13. Ancient Malts – A tasting so good, we’re doing it twice! We always roll out the big guns for the Ancient Malts tasting, and this one will be no different. We’re opening a bottle of the Glendronach Recherche $4800, the oldest ever bottling of Glendronach. To round out the lineup we’ll sample at least 5 other whiskies between 30 & 40 years old! Register for one or the other! The whiskies will be the same at both tastings. Thr Mar 20 or Fri Mar 21 Start Time 7:00pm – $200
You can register for and view all of our tastings on line at: https://www.kensingtonwinemarket.com/tastings/register.php.
Malt Messenger 2014 Christmas Gift Guide
Let us help you find the perfect gift.
Accessories
1. Glencairn Glass – The classic glass for drinking whisky, specifically single malt Scotch whisky. – $15.99
2. Murray’s Whisky Bible 2014 – The most comprehensive list of tasting notes on world whisky updated annually. – $21.99
3. Malt Whisky Yearbook 2014 – The best annual reference on the world of Malt Whisky, highlighting all Scottish, Irish and Japanese malt whisky distilleries, as well as many of those in the world beyond. My favourite annual whisky book. – $29.99
4. Glencairn Cut Crystal Glass – Take the classic Glencairn glass and make it fancy. This elegant glass is a must for the connoisseur. If only it were available in Ron Burgundy’s day, he would certainly have swapped a tumbler for it. – $49.99
5. Glenfarclas an Independent Distillery – A wonderful book on Scotland second oldest family owned distillery. – $49.99
Gift Packs
1. Auchentoshan Classic Gift Pack – 3x50ml 12Yr, 18Yr & Three Wood.- $21.99
2. Bowmore Collection Gift Pack – 3x50ml 12, 15 & 18 Yrs- $21.99
3. Tomatin Gift Pack – A great introduction to the distillery’s range: 12, 15 & 18 Yrs. – $21.99
4.Glenfarclas Gift Pack – Nice to see a gift pack with some older offerings, 15, 21 & 25 Yrs. – $49.99
5. Benromach Tri Pack – Features 3 200ml bottles of 10 Year, Peat Smoke and Organic. – $74.99
6. Scotch Malt Whisky Society Membership Kit – More than a gift pack, this is your portal to membership in the World’s largest whisky club. For more info visit: www.smws.ca – $230.00.
Whiskies Under $62
1. Aberlour 10 Year – It is hard to believe this whisky can still be had for less than $50. Fruity and spicy on the palate. – $44.99
2. Arran 10 Year - This whisky is a staple, honeyed and malty with good body and a lovely finish for its age and price point. – $53.99
3. Tomatin 12 Year – Matured in Ex-Bourbon and finished for 3 years in Ex-Sherry casks, this is a very well priced, very tasty dram.- $56.99
4. Highland Park 12 Year – A classic for as long as I’ve been selling whisky, almost 12 years. Peatier than the 18, but still showing some lovely honey and chocolate.- $56.99
5. Nikka Pure Malt White – This blended malt of Scottish and Japanese malt whisky is very fruity with a prominent peatiness.- $61.99
Whiskies Under $80
1. Benromach 10 Year – Rich vanilla, deep caramel, rhum agricole, lush fruit, dark chocolate & a grassy/hay note.- $62.99
2. Laphroaig 10 Year – The classic medicinal, peaty, briny Laphroaig. – $64.99
3. Forty Creek Heart of Gold Reserve – A very high rye content Canadian whisky with lovely notes of spice, fruits and creamy oak. Probably the finest new Canadian whisky released this year. – $65.49
4. Auchentoshan Valinch Cask 6 – In simplest terms it is a cask strength unchill filtered version of the Classic, but that comparison does a disservice to this round full flavoured whisky. – $67.99
5. Adelphi Fascadale 4 - A vatting of 5 American oak casks from the Clynelish distillery. – $68.99
Whiskies Under $100
1. Kilchoman 2007 Vintage – A vatting of 6 year old Fresh Bourbon barrels, this is the oldest Kilchoman released to date. Just ranked the Top Islay Single Malt of the Year by Whisky Advocate. -$86.99 due in store Wednesday
2. Glendronach Cask Strength Batch 2 – Only 12 more bottles coming in to KWM, and then it is on to Batch 3 sometime in 2014. One of our top sellers this year. – $84.99
3. Laphroaig Triple Wood – Matured in Bourbon Barrels, Quarter Casks and then finished in Olroso sherry for some added depth. – $89.99
4. BenRiach 17 Year Septendicem – The awkward teenager of the peated BenRiach stable has a lot to offer, especially to fans of peated and Islay whiskies. It is honeyed and ashy. – $93.99
5. Cadenhead Bowmore 1998 14 Year – Like the Master of Malt bottling below, this Bowmore was clearly matured in American oak, making it very floral and creamy. Very similar in style to the first Tempest bottling, though with less smoke, a Bowmore-light, if you will. – $101.99
Whiskies Under $125
1. Springbank 12 Year Gold Medal Marketing Cask – Selected by Andy Dunn and Jen Tuff of Gold Medal Marketing with assistance from Andrew and Hunter at KWM, this single sherry cask of Springbank is available exclusively in Alberta. Rich and spicy with some salty smoke, Gold Medal Marketing is donating $8.25/bottle to local vetrans charities. – $104.99
2. Glendronach 2002 KWM Cask 708 – A muscularly sherried classic Glendronach which sold out very quickly in store last week. If you like Glendronach, Glenfarclas or Macallan, this is the dram for you! – $104.99 more stock due Wednesday.
3. Ardbeg Ardbog – It is fitting that Canada’s first and only Ardbeg retail embassy scooped up the last six cases in the province of this limited edition Ardbeg matured in Bourbon and Manzanilla Sherry. Fruity, tangy and maritime, this is one of our best selling peated whiskies this year. – $119.99
4. Kilchoman 2008 KWM Cask 326 – Our third Kilchoman is a return to American oak in the form of First Fill Bourbon. It showed very well at our Happy Hour Tasting with Anthony Wills in November. -$119.99 due in store Wed Dec 18
5. Glendronach Parliament 21 Year – One of our best sellers, and such excellent value for a sherried whisky of its age and calibre. – $121.49
Whiskies Under $155
1. Master of Malt Bowmore Batch 2 – This is a very creamy and floral Bowmore, with some nice clean smoke and perfumed oils. It has a great label which makes light of the warehouse the distillery converted into Islay’s first and only pool. – $144.99
2. Master of Malt Secret Distillery Batch 1 – The bottler can’t reference the distillery from whence this whisky hales, and if the label depiction of one of the distillery’s distinctive warehouses isn’t clear enough for you, I have no qualms telling all. This is a richly sherried Glenfarclas. It’s a little over $150, but close enough! – $151.99
3. Master of Malt Caol Ila Batch 1 – The deer are invading from Jura on the label while the salt, smoke and fishy notes slip on to your palate! – $151.99
4. Master of Malt Clynelish Batch 2 – An intensely spicy and unique bottling of Clynelish whose label plays homage to the original Clynelish distillery. – $151.99
5. Nikka Miyagikyo 15Year -Lovely fruits and spices mingle in this very smooth and rich Japanese single malt.- $154.99
Whiskies Under $200
1. Kavalan Sherry Oak 46% – I poured this at a Dram Initiative (Calgary Whisky Club) tasting recently where it showed very well. A batch product rather than a single cask like the Solist range, this whisky is very approachable at 46%. – $154.99
2. Master of Malt Macallan Batch 3 – Independent bottlings of Macallan are rare, rarer still are ones such as this with a quirky label highlighting the distillery’s short statured stills. – $175.49
3. Cadenhead Dalmore 1988 – Unlike any Dalmore you will have ever tried this pale looking malt is very creamy and tropical with a long delicate finish. You won’t find any Matusalem Oloroso Finessing in this tasty treat, nor will you find any caramel. It is bottled without colourin g or chill filtering. – $169.99
4. Kavalan Solist Vinho – I poured this blind at a tasting about 6 months ago that was attended by four older Scotsmen. It was by far the most popular whisky, including with said Scotsmen. When I revealed what it was they weren’t surprised, they were angry. This four year old American wine cask matured whisky is like a 20+ year old first fill sherried malt from the Speyside. It is a superb dram! – $179.99
5. OMC Ardbeg 16 Year – Older Ardbegs are rare, and this rum finished one is a gem. Its been kicking around Alberta for a couple of years, and from a single cask I’m frankly stunned it is still available. – $199.99
Whiskies Under $500
1. Nikka Yoichi 20 Year – A sublime older Japanese single malt from one of the world’s finest distilleries. – $329.99
2. Wilson & Morgan MacDuff 32 Year – Only 12 bottles of this very tropical and elegant bottling from Wilson & Morgan have come into Canada, all of them to Kensington Wine Market. Only 3 bottles left! – $409.99
3. Glenglassaugh 1972 KWM Sherry Cask – Originally priced at nearly $700/bottle you can have this whisky now for just under $500. Bottled exclusively for our store it is
4. a fine example of what an older whiskky can be without being over the hill.On sale just until Christmas. – $489.99
5. BenRiach 1977 Casks 1031 – A 36 year old Speysider finished in Moscatel casks which is very fruity, spicy and earthy! – $465.99
6. Wilson & Morgan Caol Ila 30 Year – This whisky is still a steal and the most Port Ellenesque whisky I’ve ever come across, from a distillery other than Port Ellen.You don’t see a lot of older, peated Islay whiskies, making this a gem. – $457.99
Sky’s the Limit $500 & Up
1. Tomatin 40 Year – I’m really impressed with this whisky considering how little know the distillery is. Seemingly expensive, for a distillery bottled 40 year old it is very well priced. – $929.99
2. Benromach 1969 42 Year- Exclusive to KWM, we’ve had 15 bottles over the last few years, and there is just one left. If the Tomatin 40 Year is good value, then the Benromach is even more so. This massively fruity whisky with big tropical fruit notes is bloody close to the Black Bowmore in quality, but at a quarter the price if you could even find a bottle of the latter. – $1169.99
3. Glendronach 1971 Cask 1246 42 Year – We sold out of our six bottles of this whisky on arrival early in the fall, so we were thrilled to find out we were getting six more… These will go quickly, half are already spoken for! Like the Macallan 30 Year Sherry Oak on steroids this single cask is superb! – $1223.00
4. Macallan M – 1750 bottles of this carefully crafted Macallan were put together by Master Distiller Bob Dalgarno to create one of the most complex Macallans ever. Bottled in numbered six faced Lalique crystal decanters inspired by the six pillars of Macallan.- $3,799.99
5. G&M Diamond Jubilee Glen Grant 1956 60 Year – Only 2 bottles of this rare gem have come to Alberta, out of just 85 produced. Launched to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II’s 60th year as monarch, it is a 60 year old Glen Grant filled into cask days before her coronation. – $14,000.00
Thank You for Reading the Malt Messenger!
Contact & Disclaimers
If you have any whisky questions or comments concerning The Malt Messenger please contact me by e-mail, phone, or drop by the store.
All of the products mentioned in THE MALT MESSENGER can be purchased in store, over the phone or from our website at www.kensingtonwinemarket.com. All prices quoted in the Malt Messenger are subject to change, don’t include GST. In the case of discrepancies in pricing, the price in our in store point of sale will be taken as correct.
Thanks for reading the Malt Messenger.
Slainte!
Andrew Ferguson
Manager & Scotchguy
Kensington Wine Market
403-283-8000
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
www.kensingtonwinemarket.com
Owner & Opperator
Ferguson’s Whisky Tours
www.fergusonwhiskytours.com
scotchguide@fergusonwhiskytours.com
Kensington Wine Market
403-283-8000