Malt Messenger No. 116 by Andrew Ferguson – The Massive Pre-Christmas Edition – Christmas Whisky News

Malt Messenger No. 116

The Massive Pre-Christmas Edition

Welllllll… the Whisky Calendars are out the door, most of them anyway, and we are opening up Advent door #3 today. My how the time has flown by this year. On the one hand this has been “the longest year ever…” but on the other, it’s hard to believe its almost over.

The Wine, Whisky & Beer Elves at KMW have been working very hard over the last few weeks to catch up, and stay on top of things. Seasonal demand combined with people staying home due to Covid-19 has certainly kicked things in to a different gear for us. My sales, web, gifting and delivery staff and I are all working as hard as we can to serve everyone as quickly and professionally as we can. So if it takes a few hours for us to confirm your web or e-mail order, or return a call, we would be grateful for your continued patience.

A lot has transpired over the last few weeks, and there is almost too much to catch you all up on, not least of which is a veritable ton of new exclusive whiskies and more than a handful of new exclusive KWM Casks… You’ll also notice that the format of the Malt Messenger has changed. This is not by design, but because the old one is no longer supported. We welcome feedback.

The writing to complete this edition of the Malt Messenger has taken well over a week to complete. It keeps growing and consuming more and more time and energy. At first I thought of breaking it in to 2-3 chunks, but the reality is there are more new products due later this year and early next, and perhaps its best to just get this huge release over and done with. I’ve tried to keep some of these whiskies quiet until I could announce them all at once, but we all know what they say about the best laid plans of mice and men.

So to say there is some interesting stuff in here, would be putting it mildly… long story short, if you worry for your pocket book, don’t keep reading. You have been warned.

Six new KWM exclusive single casks (and bottlings) have just arrived or are just about to land in-store. A few of you may have already caught wind of some of them, but I hope the others still come as a pleasant surprise. Our Shelter Point Rye KWM Cask #2 and Signatory Clynelish 2008 KWM Cask have been here for about two weeks now, about the length of time this Malt Messenger has been a work in progress. You may have seen them in-store or on Social Media. Some of you have also divined that our 3^rd Imperial Cask is also imminent… it actually arrived yesterday. The SMOS Imperial 1995 KWM Cask #7850 is expected to sell out quickly, and we are strictly limiting it to 1 bottle per customer. We will also be donating $15 from each bottle of this single cask sold, to the Calgary Food Bank.

The Elements of Islay Peat & Sherry KWM Cask 47 likely wasn’t on most of your radars, but that doesn’t mean you won’t desire it. This Blended Malt Islay Scotch Whisky was blended at birth and matured in a single, very active Sherry Hogshead. It is a heavily peated sherry bomb, and will be here tomorrow! And staying in the peated category, I have previously mentioned our new Kilchoman 12 Year KWM Cask, and I am happy to report that it to has since arrived in-store. It is the oldest Kilchoman yet to come to Canada.

The last exclusive bottling is not a single cask, but rather our 6^th exclusive Glenfarclas, and is the third in what has become known as the “Ferg Series”. I’ll leave you to read all about and be amused/shocked by the Glenfarclas 25 Year KWM “Ferg in Homage to George Grant” below!

The above in its own right would be a very exciting list of new whiskies all on its own, but there is more, much, much more… We have a half dozen new whiskies from Signatory and a new bottler, Dumangin. From Signatory we have a couple of very sherried Ileachs, an old Cameronbridge and some 20-Something Speysides. From Dumangin we have an assortment of World Whiskies finished in Ratafia Champenois Casks… and they are very good!

There are also a pair of new 20^th Anniversary Releases from Compass Box, a new Laphroaig 25 Year (2019) and some new whiskies from Hunter Laing. We have some new Canadian whiskies too, including Two Brewers Release 23 and a trio of new releases from our boys at Shelter Point Distillery. We have new sherry finished whiskies from both Glencadam and Tomintoul.

Last but not least even more Diageo whiskies have gone on sale, this time some of the higher priced single malts. Most curious are probably the 25 year olds of Pittyvaich and Strathmill.

Lots to digest in this Malt Messenger, likely one of the last newsletters of the year… Stay tuned next week for the Annual Malt Messenger Christmas Gift Guide!

As always, please let me know if you have any comments, questions or requests. In the event of a discrepancy in price, the Point of Sale at KWM will be taken as correct.

Sincerely,

Andrew Ferguson

Kensington Wine Market

In this Edition

1. Introducing: Shelter Point KWM Rye #2
2. Introducing: Signatory Clynelish 2008 KWM Cask
3. Introducing: Elements of Islay Peat & Sherry KWM Cask
4. Introducing: SMOS Imperial 1995 KWM Cask #7850
5. Our Kilchoman 12 Year KWM Cask #338 is Finally Here!
6. Coming Soon: Glenfarclas 25 Year KWM “Ferg in Homage to George Grant”
7. New Whiskies from Signatory
8. Introducing: Dumangin Whisky
9. Compass Box 20^thAnniversary Releases
10. Introducing: Laphroaig 25 Year 2019
11. New Whiskies from Hunter Laing
12. New Whiskies from Shelter Point
13. Introducing: Two Brewers Yukon Single Malt Release 23
14. New Sherried Whiskies from Glencadam & Tomintoul
15. That Boutique-y Whisky Co. Greatest Hits Collection Vol.1
16. A Few More Diageo Deals – Save 25%

Sincerely,

Andrew Ferguson

Kensington Wine Market

INTRODUCING: SHELTER POINT KWM RYE #2

This is our second cask of Shelter Point Rye… by which we mean Alberta Distillers ‘premium’ Rye, matured 5 years in Alberta, and another 6 years on Vancouver Island near the Oyster River. This is the 3rd cask of whisky bottled for us by the good folk at Shelter Point Distillery. The colour is insanely dark for 11 years of age, and the profile is rich and jammy. It may not have been given an award by a fedora wearing Englishman with a twinkle of sulphur in his eyes and a penchant for childishly sexist language, but it is damn fine whisky. Produced from a mash of 100% rye and bottled at 58.8%.

Shelter Point Rye KWM Cask #346 – 58.8% – 11 Year – ex-Bourbon Barrel – Matured 5 Years in Calgary & 6 Years at Shelter Point – My Tasting Note: “Nose: silky, nutty and syrupy with firm spices; quince paste and fig jam; Panda Brand Licorice; vanilla icing sugar and smoked maple syrup; maraschino cherries and candied orange; sipping old fashioneds in firm plush leather chairs while smoking Cuban cigars. Palate: sweet thick and very toasty; starts silky building to musty old oak, barrel aged maple syrup and cola cubes; brown sugar, waxy Strawberry Twizzlers, more quince paste and fig jam; more candied orange and maraschino cherry; old fashioned licorice, amaretto and Armagnac; plush leather chairs, Cuban cigar tobacco and old fashioned cocktails. Finish: long, coating, warming and spicy; like the after taste of an old fashioned cocktail and a Cuban cigar enjoyed in an old fashioned lounge; late spices: clove, fennel and Panda Brand licorice. Comment: sweet, jammy and fruity with loads of soft oak tones and crisp spice; forget the bitters, ice and orange peel; just pour a couple of measures of this, tuck in and enjoy; it comes with the added bonus of no bad PR!” – $115

INTRODUCING: SIGNATORY CLYNELISH 2008 KWM CASK

This is our first ever cask from independent bottler Signatory. The whisky was distilled on the first of March in 2008, and was matured 12 years in a Bourbon Barrel before bottles on the 21st of July 2020 at 56.1%. Only 214 bottles.

Signatory Clynelish 2008 KWM Cask 800112 – 56.1% – 12 Year – ex-Bourbon Barrel – My Tasting Note: “Nose: floral, waxy and honeyed with soft fruits; candied orange, persimmons and cantaloupe; fresh and doughy, French bakery notes; juicy malt; lemon and lime zest and subtle spices; muddled mint. Palate: thick, honeyed and very waxy–classic Clynelish; still doughy with, more French bakery notes; decadent, bags of honey, baklava and agave nectar; the waxy tones build coating the palate with a floral top note; the fruits are varied, loads of citrus, melons, and baked white fruits; delicate oak spices towards the back of the palate with soft toasted oak. Finish: floral, honeyed and waxy; long and coating; fading waves of decadence, fruit and oak spices; minty and fresh. Comment: classic young Clynelish with a floral-waxy profile accented by thick honey and layers of soft fruit; no heat on either the nose or the palate; an all-round beauty!” – $132

INTRODUCING: ELEMENTS OF ISLAY PEAT & SHERRY KWM CASK #47

One of our most exciting new exclusive bottlings is a peated and heavily sherried Blended Islay Malt Scotch whisky from the Elements of Islay. The whisky was blended at birth and matured 9 years in a single Sherry Hogshead cask before bottling at 55.4%.

Elements of Islay Peat & Sherry Cask 47 – 55.4% – 9 Year – Sherry Hogshead – My Tasting Note: “Nose: dark, rich and peaty; treacle sauce and sticky toffee pudding; dark chocolate infused with smoky bacon; brandy soaked Christmas cake and loads of dark fruits; salted caramel and spicy mole sauce. Palate: a surge of big tarry peat, salted caramel and more spicy mole sauce; rough new leather, cigar tobacco and crisp spices: all spice, clove and cayenne; dark chocolate with chili oil and smoky bacon; chewy malt, medicinal smoke and dry nutty sherry tones. Finish: long, coating and drying; big spices, tarry peat, dark chocolate, tobacco and all sorts of intense nutty sherry notes. Comment: this is an unapologetic intense smoky sherry bomb; a beast of a whisky and very good value.” – $75

INTRODUCING: SMOS IMPERIAL 1995 KWM CASK #7850

Our 3^rd exclusive single cask from the closed Imperial Distillery is arriving this week, and once again, we don’t expect it will last long. In an effort to achieve maximum fairness, once again this whisky will be limited to just 1 per customer. We will also be donating $15 from every bottle sold to the Calgary Food Bank. This is likely to be the last KWM exclusive Imperial cask we see, but hope I’m wrong about that!

I was thinking of comparing it to the 29 year old we releases a few months back… but in a moment of weakness I killed off that heel on the weekend!

SMOS Imperial 1995 KWM Cask 7850 – 53.9% – 24 Year – ex-Bourbon Barrel – 148 Bottles – My Tasting Note: “Nose: honeyed and tropical from the moment the cork pops; grilled pineapple, bright mango and juicy kiwi; dulce de leche and crème caramel; honey and clotted cream; lush, creamy and floral. Palate: big, honeyed and toasty with a lush creamy body; more tropical fruit notes: mango, pineapple, papaya and kiwi; a sinfully sweet malt with creamed honey, crème caramel and dulce de leche; decadent spices and floral top notes to round things out; more clotted cream too. Finish: coating, warming and spicy; the tropical fruits, honey and other decadent notes caress your palate as they slowly fade away. Comment: another stunning Imperial cask, at a very good price point, and a shame that there are just 148 bottles.” – $250 – Limit 1 per customer! – $15/bottle to the Calgary Food Bank!

OUR KILCHOMAN 12 YEAR KWM CASK #338 IS FINALLY HERE!

Our 9th exclusive single cask of Kilchoman is the oldest whisky from the distillery yet to come to Canada. Filled in to an ex-Bourbon Barrel, Cask 338, on July 10, 2008, and bottled August 3, 2020, at 12 years of age and 53%.

Kilchoman 12 Year KWM Cask #338 – 53% – Distilled July 10, 2008 – Matured in an ex-Bourbon Barrel – Bottled August 3, 2020 – My Tasting Note: “Nose: warm, buttery and toasty with bright citrus fruits; butter poached scallops drizzled with lemon and smoked mussels; firm but delicate peat with hay just before the harvest and salted caramel; dried apricots and grilled pineapple; clotted cream and dulce de leche. Palate: velvety, toasted oak and singed lemon peel make way for juicy barley, butter poached scallops and mussels; juicy and a touch tarry with more salted caramel, apricots, grilled pineapple and apples baked with cinnamon; as the earthy spices build it also becomes more and more lush with buttercream icing and clotted cream; the peat is soft, ashy and oily with a bright salty coastal flourish dusting over some faint tropical fruits; layers upon layers. Finish: long, coating, warming and complex; the fruits slowly fade along with the sweet vanilla, salted caramel and gentle oily peat. Comment: lush, warming and complex, this is Kilchoman in mid stride, and it is something to behold; I can’t wait to see this spirit at 18 and 25 years of age… Kilchoman has been laying the groundwork for excellence since day one and it is increasingly producing some of the best whiskies not only on Islay, but in Scotland; this is another stunning cask, and I’m honoured that they agreed to bottle it for us!” – $195

COMING SOON: THE GLENFARCLAS 25 YEAR KWM “FERG IN HOMAGE TO GEORGE GRANT”

This is our 6^th exclusive bottling of Glenfarclas, and the 3^rd in what has become known as the “Ferg Series.” The Ferg Series started with the Glenfarclas 21 Year KWM Cask Strength aka “Ferg in the Spey”, which was itself inspired by a bottling called Ferd in the Spey.

We followed that up earlier this year with the Glenfarclas 15 Yea KWM Cask Strength #2 “Ferg in Front of the Store.” This bottling tied in to the “Ferg in the Spey” with some inspiration from the bottling for a shop called Robbie’s Drams, which featured the front of their business.

Continuing in this vein I wanted the third bottling to be even more whimsical or if you prefer, ridiculous, than the first two. It takes its inspiration from an advertisement for Glenfarclas circa 10 years ago featuring a reclining George Grant in kilt with a selection of whisky in front of him. This has long been one of my favourite images of anything to do with whisky. So…

So it is with great pleasure, and probably a lack of humility or shame, that I introduce you to the third KWM exclusive bottling of Glenfarclas in the ‘Ferg Series,’ “Ferg in Homage to George Grant!” I’ve taken George’s place and in front of me are the five previous KWM exclusive Glenfarclas bottlings: the 1997 Family Cask, the 25^th Anniversary 25 Year Cask Strength, the first 15 Year Cask Strength, the 21 Year Cask Strength “Ferg in the Spey” and the 15 Year KWM Cask Strength #2 “Ferg in Front of the Store.”

One of our customers said, and I quote: “the Glenfarclas 25 YO Ferg Edition bottle bears one of the most magnificent labels that was ever made for a whisky. ;)” Another referred to it as “Lounging Ferg” and suggested it might secretly be an homage to a lounging Burt Reynolds in his prime. Either way, it is just a bit of fun… and as I’ve said before, my ego is bigger than just a trilogy!

The whisky is not a single cask, nor is it cask strength, but rather it is a bottling of Glenfarclas 25 Year at 50%, rather than the usual 43%. It is exclusive to KWM, and there are just 300 bottles.

Glenfarclas 25 Year KWM “Ferg in Homage to George Grant” – 50% – My Tasting Note: “Nose: bread n butter pudding, fig jam and mincemeat pie and Christmas spices; candied orange peel with green mangoes, grapefruit and lime zest; earthy with chocolate, leather and tobacco. Palate: big, rich and fruity; loaded with dark and tropical fruits: more pineapple, mango and papaya; dark chocolate, leather and tobacco; more Christmas cake-y than mincemeat; fig jam, medjool dates drizzled with honey and treacle sauce; thick, oily and coating the spices provide a firm backbone of cinnamon, clove and anise. Finish: long, coating and spicy with a delicate warmth; very sherried but balanced with more of all of the above. Comment: unlike our single casks, with which we are very choosy, we don’t get to pre-sample our Glenfarclas exclusives; but in return we get something special that is also very good value; thankfully they have once more teed up something lovely for us; five for five; if you can see past the silly label, you’ll find much to love here!” – $275 – Arriving December 16 In-Store!

NEW WHISKIES FROM SIGNATORY

As we still can’t pour samples for virtual tastings, it is hard to justify opening up bottles of any of these. That may change in the weeks ahead, but for now we’ll have to make do with what we can find out online:

1. Signatory Bunnahabhain 2009 – 68.6% – 11 Year – First Fill Sherry Butt – $190+gst – Limit of 2 per Customer! 88.32pts Whisky Base
2. Signatory 30^thAnniversary Bunnahabhain 1978 – 47.8% – Refill Sherry Butt 2587 – My Tasting Note: “Nose: rich, sherried and nutty; classic sherry cask; Christmas cake, leather, tobacco and chocolate; candied orange, before mango, papaya and other more delicate tropical fruits emerge; waxy and antique-y with cedar shavings; maple syrup and sweet licorice. Palate: big, rich and sherried; nutty, leathery and earthy with loads of tobacco; on the palate classic Christmas cake, dark chocolate and dried dark fruits: figs, dates and prunes; clove, fennel and anise; a touch of orange and more tropical fruits beneath; still waxy and antique-y. Finish: long, nutty, drying and sherried; leather, tobacco, dark chocolate and spices continue long in to the finish; the fruits mature later as the sherry notes tone down. Comment: this is a classic old sherry bomb, and a balanced one at that; layered complex and elegant without even a trace of the dreaded “S” word.” – $1850 – Last 4 in the World! – 90pts Whisky Fun
3. Signatory Bunnahabhain 1973 – 47.9% – 42 Year – Refill Sherry Butt – 91pts Whisky Fun: “I brought this little baby back from my latest visit at Edradour. Signatory have had some great Bunnies in he past… Colour: certainly refill indeed, since it’s golden. Nose: it’s the most floral Bunnahabhain since we started this little series. Lilac, lilies of the valley, roses… Then light all-flower honey, various aromatic herbs (wormwood?), then more raisins and dried plums. Sweet ham. I often write this, but it does remind me of some great old Sauternes. No, this time, it’s true ;-). Mouth: magic! Really punchy, with not one jota of fragility or over-oakiness, shock-full of earthy dried fruits (I’m think Turkish small figs), and becoming meatier, in a gracious way. No big beef, rather ham again. Ham and figs, did you know about this great combo? The strength is utterly adequate, you do not have to intellectualise it to enjoy it to the max – which sometimes happens with very old whiskies. Finish: medium, jammy, almost fresh, without any traces of any obvious woodiness. Rooty raisins and Saharan mint tea in the aftertaste. Comments: another coup by Signatory Vintage, bottled at just the right time. SGP:561 – 91 points.” – $ 2725+gst – Only 4 Bottles – 91pts Whisky Base & Whisky Fun
4. Signatory Cameronbridge 1984 – 54% – 35 Year – Hogshead – $410+gst – 91pts Whisky Base
5. Signatory Caol Ila 2010 – 60.1% – 9 Year – Refill Sherry Butt – $220+gst – Limit of 2 per customer! – 88.63pts Whisky Base
6. Signatory Edradour 10 Year Sherry – 46% – Sherry Cask #184 – $120+gst – 89pts Whisky Base – Limit 1 Per Customer
7. Signatory Glen Elgin 1995 – 48.5% – 24 Year – Hogshead – $310+gst – 88pts Whisky Base
8. Signatory Glen Keith 1997 – 54.8% – 22 Year – Hogshead – $280+gst
9. Signatory Glenburgie 1995 – 54.3% – 24 Year – Hogshead – $310+gst – 88.5pts Whisky Base
10. Signatory Glentauchers 1997 – 48.9% – 22 Year – Bourbon Barrel – $270+gst – 90pts 88.5pts Whisky Base

INTRODUCING: DUMANGIN WHISKY

These may be some of the most interesting independent bottlings we’ve seen in a while. They are produced by our friend Gilles Dumangin, who’s better known as a Champagne maker. We’ve been working with Gilles’ Champagnes for as long as I’ve been working at KWM. Dumangin is a small family owned Premier Cru Champagne producer located in the Montagne de Reims. In addition to Champagne, Dumangin is one of the most respected producers of Ratafia Champenois, a fortified wine.

In addition to being a Champagne maker, Gilles is also a connoisseur of Whisky. He’s managed to blend his business and his passion with the release of whiskies he’s finished in his own Ratafia Champenois casks. The idea started over 20 years ago when he sampled the legendary Glenmorangie 1984 Tain L’Hermitage Finish. He’s done something similar here sourcing whisky from Scotland, the US, Wales and the Netherlands, which he has finished in his own Ratafia casks in France.

In addition to the whisky, we also sell Dumangin’s Ratafia Champenois. Because of our relationship with Gilles Dumangin, we have been offered a small quantity of six of theses whiskies. You can tell Gilles is a proper Whisky Anorak (Geek), as he has bottled all his whiskies at 46%, without chill-filtering and no added colour. Only 24 bottles of each have come to Canada, exclusively to KWM. They are as follows:

1. Dumangin Balcones 2014 Texas Whisky – 46% – Finished 12 Months in Ratafia Champenois – My Tasting Note: “Nose: oily and spicy with dark fruits; if I hadn’t known this was a single malt I’d have suspected rye from my first impressions: rye bread and big dill notes; quince paste and grape extract; singed orange peel and brown sugar… Old Fashioned territory; dried hay bales and freshly coopered oak. Palate: there those intense spicy notes again… more rye bread, more dill, and so oily… I would totally have guessed this was rye blind; the spirit is complex, layered and very enticing; there is a smokiness I can’t quite put my finger on, Cuban cigar tobacco and salted Dutch licorice; Demerara sugar and more orange notes, both candied peels and orange bitters. Finish: long, drying and spicy; still in the rye notes wheelhouse with the softness of a malt spirit. Comment: love it… this is like a finely crafted cocktail in a whisky; nice balance, lots of layers; youthful but complex.” – $195
2. Dumangin Bourbon Whiskey – 46% – 28.5% Rye – Finished 8 Months in Ratafia Champenois – My Tasting Note: “Nose: brandy soaked cherries dipped in chocolate; Snickers and crème caramel; flambéed banana, dried cranberries and tarte tatin; vanilla and toasty oak beneath. Palate: toasty, and nutty with shelled peanuts; the rye spices from the mashbill are at the fore with vanillans and toasted oak trailing; the Ratafia finishing has added Wine Gums and the brandy soaked chocolate cherries; more tarte tatin and fresh dill. Finish: warming, spicy and dominated by the toasted oak, shelled peanuts and spicy rye backbone; later some fruits. Comment: not your classic Bourbon, but reminiscent of some others we’ve had finished or matured in wine casks; I might have left this a little longer in the Ratafia barrel… but its good, and I’m not a Bourbon guy!” – $140
3. Dumangin Cambus 1993 Single Grain – 49.9% – 26 Year – Finished 9 Months in Ratafia Champenois – My Tasting Note: “Nose: decadent, honeyed and silky with quince paste and bright fruits; orange and grapefruit pith, strawberry jam and cooked raisins. Palate: soft, toasty and very fruity with some subtle earthy dunnage warehouse tones; more quince paste, fig and strawberry jams and grape-y fruits; more orange and grapefruit with building spices; clean, fruity and toasty. Finish: light and silky smooth but with good length; fresh, toasty and fruity with soft spices. Comment: I was least excited about trying this one, partly because it is a grain (damn bias) but unfairly so it would seem, as it is a great start; the Ratafia cask has added a lovely character to the spirit, without pushing the whisky over the top; it is light, fruity and elegant.” – $320
4. Dumangin 100% Dutch Rye (Zuidam/Millstone) Whisky – 46% – Finished 6 Months in Ratafia Champenois – My Tasting Note: “Nose: jammy from the word go: strawberry jam, quince paste and marmalade; pumpernickel bread and oily rye spices; candied fennel and Panda brand licorice; toasted oak and vanilla bean. Palate: big, rich, fruity and spicy; the rye whisky coast your mouth in silky oils while the Ratafia has added fruity notes of strawberry jam, marmalade and yes quince paste (seems to be a theme here with Ratafia); charred oak, toasted almonds, more French vanilla and drying spices: candied fennel, anise and a touch of clove. Finish: warming, with the oily spirit continuing to caress the palate; late spices and some dark chocolate. Comment: this is among my favourites here, which is not such a surprise… Patrick van Zuidam aka Millstone is a fine distiller, and rye whisky is bold enough to work with the Ratafia cask; really like this one, dare I say I love it!” – $138
5. Dumangin Mystery Okney (Highland Park) 2007 – 46% – 12 – Finished 7 Months in Ratafia Champenois – My Tasting Note: “Nose: honeyed, milky, waxy and fruity: Starburst candies right off the bat, melons, mango and Sun-Maid Raisins; Strawberry Twizzlers too. Palate: soft with chewy malt, gentle ashy peat and soft milky mouthfeel; the waxy-creamy oak tones roll in with white chocolate, Malted Milk bard and more waxy Starburst fruit candies and Twizzlers; the soft honeyed ashy peat comes back to the fore after a few passes; salty, I didn’t catch it at first, but the maritime notes are there. Finish: long, coating and creamy with lingering soft ashy peat, sea salt, honey and more waxy indulgences. Comment: once again the Ratafia cask has a light touch on the spirit; while it has the classic creamy honey and subtle peat which Highland Park is famous for, I think I would have been hard pressed to identify this blind as being from Highland Park distillery; very balanced for a 12 year old.” – $115
6. Dumangin Penderyn Welsh Single Malt Whisky – 46% – Finished 18 Months in Ratafia Champenois – My Tasting Note: “Nose: crème brulee and grape KoolAid; Hubba Bubba, grape extract and quince paste; silky leather and firm spices eventually make way for some grassy malt. Palate: rich, fruity and very spicy; grassy but chewy malt with some delicate tropical fruits struggling to pop up: mango and pineapple; the grape notes are there, more Hubba Bubba, but after a strong coffee and quince paste with cloves; firm leather and tobacco leaf; late Dutch licorice and fennel seed. Finish: dominated by spice; the grape and malt notes are still there, but the long warming finish is lorded over but hot cinnamon, fennel seeds, clove and Dutch licorice. Comment: comes across almost like a dark sherried single malt, spice heavy, but without the nuttiness; a decent malt, but not my favorite of the six!” – $145

COMPASS BOX 20th ANNIVERSARY RELEASES

Our favourite Little Blender that could has turned 20. Following on the heels of the Rogues Banquet there are two more releases. Hedonism Felicitas and Peat Moster Arcana. Both are limited to 1 per person, but we are expecting more Arcana in the New Year, so we may be able to get you another then!

1. Compass Box Hedonism Felicitas Blended Grain Scotch Whisky – 53% – Port Dundas & North British – Producer Description: “Hedonism Felicitas pays tribute to the whisky that launched our business 20 years ago. ‘Felicitas’, meaning a particularly productive or happy state, seemed apt when reflecting on such a milestone. This latest special Limited Edition is intended to convey the good fortune and happiness we feel, having met and worked with so many remarkable people during our first two decades. As a celebration of this important anniversary, this whisky is for them. ‘The largest single component was distilled in 2001 at the Port Dundas Distillery and is full of wood spice, toffee and honey. A third of the recipe was made in the 1980s at the Strathclyde Distillery, providing vanilla cream and orchard fruit notes. Barrels filled with spirit from the North British Distillery in the 1990s complete the recipe and lend passion fruit and cardamom notes. Hedonism Felicitas is at once vibrant and stately: the higher bottling strength concentrates its luscious depths without any loss of the disarming gentleness for which aged grain whisky is rightly praised.” – Producer Tasting Note: “Creamy coconut intertwines with notes of caramel, vanilla and almond. Apple and greengage add a delicious weight with a soft finish packed with creamy toffee.” – $215
2. Compass Box Peat Monster Arcana Blended Malt Scotch Whisky – 46% – Composed of Talisker, Ardbeg and Miltonduff – Producer Description: “What is the Arcana of whiskymaking? We use the term to refer to the secrets and mysteries of cask maturation, as new questions regarding oak and the ageing process continually arise. ‘Arcana’ can imply information withheld but we don’t believe in keeping secrets about the whiskies we make. Peat Monster Arcana investigates how smoky whisky interacts with French oak. We began with a cask strength version of The Peat Monster – our blend of smoky malt whiskies – which we then filled into three once-used casks fitted with heavily toasted French oak heads. Following extended ageing, we discovered that two of the casks imparted extra creaminess and toasty spice, while the contents of the third became fruitier and chocolatey. To build upon the curious influences of these refilled custom casks, we have used malt whiskies never seen in The Peat Monster before. The recipe comprises waxy and delicately smoky malt whisky from the Talisker Distillery, while malt whisky from the Ardbeg and Miltonduff Distilleries lend flavours of tarry peat and a charming fruitiness, respectively. Peat Monster Arcana has a more oaky frame than The Peat Monster, with a subtler smokiness. And though it may be inspired by the arcane, like all of our whiskies its intended purpose is perfectly straightforward: above all, share and enjoy.” – Producer Tasting Note: “Chocolate, cinnamon and boat tar appear on the nose while the palate is fruity and compellingly waxy. A dry smoky presence steadily builds.” – $125

INTRODUCING: LAPHROAIG 25 YEAR 2019

I’m not sure what happened to the 2018 edition but the 2019 Laphroaig 25 Year is here… The information on the ole interweb is a tad confusing, with lots of confusion on the cask type, with some suggesting Bourbon and Sherry. But it appears to be just ex-Bourbon matured. The producer tasting notes are a bit uninspired, but we’ve yet to find any others. Whisky Base has scored it 89.66pts. So that’s something…

Laphroaig 25 Year 2019 – 51.4% – ex-Bourbon Barrels – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Initial notes of sweet vanilla followed by an Islay peat tang. Body: Multifaceted with great depth. Palate: Bursts of Islay peat smoke developing into vanilla, spice and sea salt. Finish: Very long and slightly dry.” – $675

NEW WHISKIES FROM HUNTER LAING

I’m sure that more than a few of you will stop reading at Ben Nevis… that would be a mistake, there is also a curious new Bunnahabhain as well as a well reviewed 25 year old Tomatin!

1. First Edition Ben Nevis 1996 – 51.5% – 23 Year – Refill Sherry Butt – Producer Tasting Note: “A nose of chocolate, banana and green foliage. The palate is sweet with notes of fudge, raspberry, mint and a hint of spice. The finish is long with lingering pepper.” – $300 – 90.22pts Whisky Base – Limit 1/Customer!
2. Old Malt Cask Bunnahabhain 27 Year – 50% – Refill Hogshead – 1991 – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: fresh with oranges, tea and caramel. Palate: sweet and round with butterscotch, honey and chocolate. Finish: long and slightly dry with a little oak.” – $575 – 89.67pts Whisky Base
3. Old Malt Cask Alt A Bhainne 27 Year – 50% – Refill Hogshead – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Green Apples Spring flowers vanilla pods and Marzipan. Palate: Sweet with stewed rhubarb, lemon zest and grassy notes. Finish: Long and Satisfying with Lingering sweetness. “ – $330
4. Old Malt Cask Auchentoshan 21 Year – 50% – Refill Hogshead – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Sweet leafy plums, raspberries and chocolate. Palate: Smooth red plums, butterscotch. Finish: Long, lingering, fruity sweet.” – $200
5. Old Malt Cask Tormore 26 Year – 50% – Refill Hogshead – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Mellow with tropical melon and pineapple drizzled with caramel. Palate:Creamy with orange and rich malt. Finish: Long satisfying and sweet with fruity notes.” – $330
6. Old & Rare Tomatin Sherry 25 Year – 49.3% – 1994 – Sherry Butt – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Vanilla, dark chocolate, and marzipan. Palate: Fruity with notes of plums and plenty of chocolatey, berries, and a hint of nuts. Finish: Long with pleasant lingering sweetness.” – $490 – 92pts Whisky Base

NEW WHISKIES FROM SHELTER POINT

Our friends at Shelter Point have some curious new whiskies out, including the second release of Smoke Point. We loved the first release and can’t wait to try the 2^nd. We are also intrigued by the new Double Barrel (Batch 5), as well as The Collective!

1. Shelter Point Double Barrel Batch 5 – 46% – Producer Description: “Our fifth Double Barreled whisky is a special collaboration with Vancouver Island’s renowned Coastal Black Winery. We hand-selected six of our finest Single Malt & Single Grain whisky casks and finished them in French oak wine barrels, previously home to Coastal Black’s Blackberry Wine. Aged in our American oak for 6 years, and then finished for 75 days in flavourful French oak, Shelter Point Double Barreled Whisky is a sensational marriage of spirits.” – Producer Tasting Note: “The nose reveals a deep, rich plum preserve with dark cherries, chocolate covered toffee and treacle. On the palate we found black forest cake, hazelnut and juicy wine gums with oak and forest berries. The long finish is warm and peppery with cherry pie and salted caramel.” – $
2. Shelter Point Smoke Point Batch 2 – 50% – Producer Description: “Batch 2 of Shelter Point’s only peat influenced whisky. This single grain smoky delight has been aged in American oak ex-bourbon casks for 5 years and finished in casks previously used by a famous Islay distillery for over a year and a half. This special bottling is also only the second Shelter Point Whisky available in the 375ml format. The whisky is made from malted and unmalted barley and picks up influences of bourbon from the American oak cask and peated whisky from the ex-Islay casks. Sweet, smoky and complex, this whisky is perfect for a dram by the fire.” – Producer Tasting Note: “Smoke Point whisky is sweet, medicinal and smoky on the nose with barley sugars, iodine and campfire. The palate is sweet caramel, vanilla and sea salt, with peated warmth comforting the soul. The satisfying finish is a delicious combination of creamy pudding and a brand new first aid kit.” – $90
3. Shelter Point The Collective – 46% – 4 Year – Producer Description: “At Shelter Point we’re in together. Every one of our five local staff contributes to the character and success of the distillery, so we asked each one to choose a favourite whisky cask to include in this special release that celebrates our people. The result is a delicious blend of five specially selected casks that reflect the collective spirit and passion of our Shelter Point family. All whiskies selected are at least 4 years old.” – Producer Tasting Note: “On the nose, The Collective has distinct notes of vanilla and cinnamon with bursts of fruity flavor. The palate is spicy and fruity leading to the satisfying finish that is long with an assortment of spices, cherry wood and salt.” – $80

INTRODUCING: TWO BREWERS YUKON SINGLE MALT RELEASE 23

Release 23 from Two Brewers arrived a couple of weeks back, and I’ve managed a tasting note. It is a lightly peated single malt finished in both sherry and port casks. Bottled under the “Special Finishes” line at 46%.

Two Brewers Yukon Single Malt Release 23 – 46% – Peated – Finished in Sherry & Port – Producer Description: “Was trying to strike a balance between our house malt character, some peat content, and fortified wine finishing. There is a lot going on, nothing dominates, and all seem to have a turn to say something. The peat is apparent more as ‘effects’ on the nose & palate than any smoke presence. 60% of the blend was a single mash, 25% peated, exbourbon aged, but finished 20 mos. in port barrels. The balance was a simple ‘classic’ blend finished 14 mos. in Sherry barrels. – My Tasting Note: “Nose: thick, honeyed and syrupy; waxy and exploding with tropical fruits; guavas, kiwis and tinned pineapple; gristy malt, subtle peat smoke and gentle toasted oak; late candied fruits, milk chocolate and soft leather. Palate: rich, thick and toasty; Jujubes, leather and firm earthy peat; more gristy barley, crisp spices and dark bakers chocolate; the tropical fruits struggle to poke their heads out from under the peat, sherry and port, but they are there. Finish: drying, smoky and spicy with more leather, dark chocolate and toasted oak. Comment: good but could it have been better? the great expectations given by the nose were dashed on the plate and finish; I fear this one would have been more expressive without its dalliance with port and sherry… but still a good dram!” – $103+gst

NEW SHERRIED WHISKIES FROM GLENCADAM & TOMINTOUL DISTILLERIES

This new release from Glencadam, the first we’ve seen in a while, is composed of whiskies matured in ex-Bourbon and ex-Sherry casks, which was married and finished in Oloroso sherry butts from Andalucia. Bottled at 46% and unchillfiltered wtih no added colouring.

Glencadam Reserva Andalucia Oloroso Sherry Cask Finish – 46% – Matured in Bourbon & Sherry – Finished in Oloroso sherry butts from Andalucia – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Initial aromas of ripe soft fruits, soft nougat and oaky vanilla with a background of freshly made fudge. Palate: Smooth and creamy with sultanas, orchard fruits and toffee apple sweetness. Finish: Long lasting and silky smooth with honey, muscovado sugar and green tea lingering on the tongue.” – $82

A limited edition relase of Tomintoul single malt, Seiridh is pronounced “sheh-ree” which is the Gaelic word for Sherry. Matured in American Oak Bourbon casks before being finished in specially selected Oloroso Sherry butts from Jerez in Andalucia, Spain. 40%.

Tomintoul Seiridh – 40% – Matured in ex-Bourbon – Finished in Oloroso Sherry – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Rich and inviting with aromas of sultana, butterscotch and candied pecans. Palate: Sweet and luscious with layers of dried figs and Christmas cake highlighted with touches of cedar spice. Finish: Warm, nutty and long with notes of chocolate covered raisins, dried fruits and hints of liquorice that fade into a woody linger.” – $75

THAT BOUTIQUE-Y WHISKY CO.

GREATEST HITS VOL. 1

From the creators of That Boutique-y Whisky Advent Calendar, this 10x50ml gift pack features whiskies from around the world, some of the “Greatest Hits” bottled by That Boutique-y Whisky Company! It even looks and spins like a record… The whisky list is nothing to sniff at either, mostly Scottish single malts, it also includes a 22 year old Blend and 24 year old Bourbon.

That Boutique-y Whisky Co. Greatest Hits Vol. 1 – 10x50ml – Producer Description: “A unique, all year round gifting offering which encourages trial of multiple whiskies, exploration of taste and discovery of the wider category Give the gift of discovery with a selection of delicious whisky from around the globe. The perfect premium gift for friends or family – a unique addition to any record collection!” – $170

A FEW MORE DIAGEO DEALS

Diageo seems to be cleaning house these days… at least locally. You might have noticed we had a large number of Diageo whiskies on sale earlier this month. That’s because they were being cleared out. They seem to be trying the same trick on the premium level too… But maybe if they had priced them reasonably in the first place, we wouldn’t find ourselves here, some of them were still priced out to lunch, even when discounted, but the Strathmill and Pittyvaich seem to be the most reasonably price to me.

Pittyvaich 25 Year – 49.6% – Refill American Oak – Pittyvaich was one of the shortest lived distilleries in Scotland’s history, opperating from 1975 until just 1993. This is only the 2nd ever official bottling from the distillery, of 3 releases. It was part of Diageo’s 2015 Special Releases. Filled into Refill American oak casks in 1989, 6000 bottles were filled. – Producer’s Tasting Note: “Nose: Firm, honey-sweet fermented malt laced with almond oil set the tone before quickly becoming complex, with delicate fruity notes and a soft cushion of vanilla sponge and custard beneath. Palate: Treacle toffee cut by green apple crispness: sweet and cooling, with light acidity developing into a warm nuttiness, still oily and malty as on the nose, with that balancing sharpness. Finish: Slightly pungent and herbal with a hint of peat; later drying, with a heather honey aftertaste. Milder with water: still sweet and gently oily with balancing bitterness; spicy and faintly aromatic.” – Was $525 – Save 25% – $393.74+gst

Strathmill 25 Year – 52.4% – Matured in Refill American Oak – 88pts Whisky Fun: “At £270, it isn’t cheap, but it’s not horrendously expensive. Cough, cough, now, it’s not Port Ellen either… Funny ‘Gatsby’ design. Colour: pale gold. Nose: quite the opposite of the 1975, with much more toasted oak, Ovaltine and coffee. Maybe even a little chicory. In fact, it’s one of the maltiest whiskies I’ve ever nosed. And cornflakes! Mocha! Cappuccino! Quite a breakfast whisky, I’d say. With water: more fruits, around oranges and ripe gooseberries, but the malty side remains. Touches of menthol. I really like these pretty compact and focused noses. Mouth (neat): sweetened coffee and Mars bar (no, not deep-fried) plus more cornflakes than in a Kellog’s tri-pack bundle (buy two, get one free like.) They’re honey-coated cornflakes, I have to add. Funnily enough, I also find these notes of eucalyptus that were in the 1975’s… nose. Solid body. With water: same style, only rounder, and once again more oranges come through, together with a few Christmas spices. Gingerbread. Finish: of medium length, with a touch of spicy new oak (pencil shavings) and always a lot of malt. Ovaltine! Comments: the 1975’s nose was rather more impressive, but the 1988’s palate was way above that one. Can you deep-fry whisky? There has to be a way… SGP:451 – 88 points.” – Was $520 – SAVE 25% – Now $389.99

STAY HOME… WE’LL DELIVER!

We Are Offering Some Great Deals

&

Free City-Wide Delivery for Orders Over $50

FREE DELIVERY – We are offering free delivery for orders over $50 placed online or over the phone, and will do our best to deliver within 72 hours.

CURBSIDE PICKUP – Place an order, we’ll let you know when it is ready. Call us when you are out front or parked in the back lot and we’ll bring it out. Simple as that!

GIFTING – Want to send someone a care package? All gifting options are still available. Quarantined parents and closed schools qualify as a “wine emergency”. Gift cards are also available and can be used over the phone.

If you are able, please submit your order online. We will answer any questions you might have before finalizing and processing your order. You are not automatically billed when you submit your order.

www.kensingtonwinemarket.com

We will do our best to answer and process as many phone orders as we can. Call us at 403-283-8000.

COVID-19 Precautions at KWM

To protect our staff and customers we have implemented some policies!

Please do not enter the store if:

• You have returned from Outside of Canada in the last 2 weeks, or you live with someone who has!
• You are showing symptoms of COVID-19, or if you have been in close contact with someone diagnosed with or suspected to have contracted COVID-19.

If the above applies to you, please order online or by phone and we can deliver!

Precautions we are taking in-store:

• All of our staff are wearing masks, and we’d appreciate if you would do so too!
• We are only allowing 6customers in the store at any given time.
• We have hand sanitizer throughout the store for the use of customers and staff.
• We kindly ask that you do not to pick up products unless you intend to purchase them.
• We are frequently disinfecting commonly touched surfaces and high contact areas within the store.
• We are also not accepting cash payment at this time.
• Staff are frequently washing and disinfecting their hands.
• We have cancelled all in-store tastings.
• We are monitoring our staff for symptoms.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we all try to navigate this challenging time!

*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.*

403-283-8000

888-283-9004

Store Hours

Sunday: 11am – 6pm

Mon – Wed: 10am – 8pm

Thu – Fri: 10am – 9pm

Sat: 10am – 8pm

The Kensington Wine Market | 1257 Kensington Road NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 3P8 Canada