Malt Messenger Bulletin
Even More New Tastings, a Few New Products & Even More Deals!
We are just over a week out from the annual KWM Year-End Inventory Sale. The shop will be closed on Monday, February 1 so we can count what is left in the store. We hold a sale every year on the weekend before to reduce what needs to be counted… But while the Year-End Inventory Sale is a week away, we have some deals on now!
We added 21 whiskies to the list of Sale Items this morning, with savings of between 20 and 30%. Some highlights include the Tamdhu 15 Year, Aberfeldy 21 Year, Bowmore 18 Year and the Craigellachie 13 Year, which is a steal at $56 (after a 30% discount).
We have also just opened up two new Virtual Whisky Tastings: A Very Belated Ardbeg Day with Bryan Simpson and the Cadenhead Original Collection with Cameron McGeachy. The sample sets for both tastings are poured and ready to go. Bryan will be joining us live from his home in Toronto, while Cameron will be joining us live from Campbeltown, on Scotland’s Kyntire Penninsula.
Connal Mackenzie, Sales Director for Adelphi and the Ardnamurchan Distillery, joined us live for a virtual tasting this past Saturday. I’ve been to the distillery, one of the most remote in Scotland, a few times over the last 5-6 years, and have been eagerly awaiting the first release of whisky. It did not disappoint. We have a bit of the very first whisky release, Ardnamurchan AD 09.20:01, available for sale. Limit 1 bottle per customer.
There are also some new Bourbons from Smooth Ambler, four different single barrels of Old Scout Bourbon. The Barrels have been bottled with proceeds from the sale of each bottle going to one of two charities supporting out of work hospitality workers: The Bartenders Benevolent Fund and the CPBA – or Canadian Professional Bartenders Association.
There are also some new whiskies from the High Coast Distillery in Sweden. We’ve actually had whisky from the distillery before, which used to trade under the name BOX. The BOX whiskies were good, but 500ml bottles and very expensive. The new range is all 700mls, and the prices are a lot better. The whiskies are also getting good reviews, and I can’t wait to try them.
I’ve also left our newest whisky and rum arrivals from Cadenheads, which were in the last Malt Messenger, up for browsing. They are a great value, and I thought they might tempt you to join us for Cameron’s tasting!
Finally, don’t forget to stay tuned for the Year-End Inventory Sale announcement, in about a week’s time.
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. New Virtual Whisky Tastings
2. Other Up-Coming Virtual Whisky Tastings
3. Introducing: The Ardnamurchan Single Malt AD 09.20.01
4. Introducing: High Coast Whisky from Sweden
5. New Single Barrel Bourbons in Support of Bar Tenders
6. New Whiskies from Cadenhead.
7. On Sale Before the Big Sale
NEW VIRTUAL WHISKY TASTINGS
We are just getting started with the virtual tastings, and we will continue to add tastings to the lineup over the weeks and months ahead.
· A Zoom link for each of the tastings will be emailed 12-48 hours prior to the tasting.
· A pick-up date for the samples is indicated for each tasting!
· Tasting samples can be delivered in Calgary city-limits for a $10 fee, which will be waived for orders over $100.
A Very Belated Ardbeg Day Tasting w/ Bryan Simpson
· Date: January 28, 2021 @ 7PM
· Cost: $40.00
· Pick-up Date: Available Now
We’ve been hanging on to some rare bottles of Ardbeg for a special occasion, and this is it. Not surprisingly, we had to put a pin in our Ardbeg Day celebrations this year, but we looked at that as more of a postponement than a cancellation. So, here we go with our first ever Ardbeg Day in January… Bryan Simpson, Ardbeg brand ambassador for Canada will be your host as we sample through a range of 8 Ardbegs (15ml pours), including: An Oa, 10 Year, Wee Beastie, Traigh Bahn 19 Year Batch 2, Supernova 2019, Drum Committee Edition, Blaaack and Blaaack Committee Edition. This is the most epic Ardbeg tasting we’ve had in a “wee” while, and you won’t want to miss it. Each participant will receive 8x 15ml samples and an Ardbeg tasting glass. Thursday, January 28th @7PM
*LIMIT 1 TASTING REGISTRATION PER CUSTOMER!
Cadenhead Original Collection w/ Cameron McGeachy
· Date: January 28, 2021 @ 5PM
· Cost: $40.00
· Pick-up Date: Available Now
Our friend Cameron McGeachy, WM Cadenhead’s Sales Manager, will join us live from Campbeltown, Scotland, as we virtually taste our through the latest Cadenhead whiskies to reach Canada. Cadenhead’s is not only Scotland’s oldest independent bottler, but it is also one of our favourites here at KWM. We’ll be sampling whiskies from Caol Ila, Deanston, Dufftown, Glenrothes, Strathclyde, Tomatin & Tullibardine. The tasting includes 7x 15ml samples.
OTHER UP-COMING
VIRTUAL WHISKY TASTINGS
· Date: January 22, 2021 @ 8PM
· Cost: $55.00
· Pick-up Date: Available Now
· Only 10 Spots Left!
We’ve launched some pretty cool single cask whiskies over the course of the last 9 months. In normal times we would have put them into a tasting or two, but we are not in normal times. Thankfully, the AGLC has changed the rules and is allowing us to pour samples for the purpose of virtual tastings, so we’re going to recap 7 of the great KWM exclusive whiskies we’ve launched in 2020. The tasting will consist of 7 20ml samples including our new Glenfarclas 25 Year KWM “Ferg Hommage” bottling, our 12-Year-old Kilchoman and the two new Whisky Agency mystery Speyside whiskies. 8 PM Friday, January 22
Dumangin Whisky with Gilles Dumangin
· Date: January 23, 2021 7PM
· Cost: $50.00
· Pick-up Date: Available Now!
· Only 6 Spots Left!.
Gilles Dumangin is best known for his fabulous Champagnes and his award-winning Ratafia Champenois (a fortified wine). But Gilles also loves whisky, and he’s been a busy chap… Gilles sourced whisky from a number of distilleries around the World, and then finished it, in Champagne, in his own Ratafia seasoned casks. We think he’s on to something… We’re are thrilled to have Gilles join us live from France for a virtual tasting of six of his whiskies, as well as his Ratafia. This tasting includes 6x20ml samples of the whiskies and a 50ml of the Ratafia Champenois. 7 PM Saturday, January 23.
Boutique-y Whisky Roulette Double Header with Dave Worthington
· Dates: February 13, 2021 5PM & February 27, 2021 5PM
· Cost: $160.00 (2 Tastings & 7 Whiskies)
· Pick-up Date: Available Now!
· Only 12 Spots Left!
The boys are back with another Boutique-y Double Header tasting. This time we will be tackling the “Boutique-y Greatest Hits Collection Vol. 1” in a virtual trans-Atlantic game of spin the bottles (the Greatest Hits Collection Spins). The tasting will take part over 2 nights, Saturday, February 13, 5 PM MT and Saturday, February 27, 5 PM MT. On each night we will sample 5 of the 10 50ml bottles in the Greatest Hits Collection, selected at random. Call it Whisky Roulette or Spin the Bottle… We will also sample two bonus drams each night, 28ml samples filled by KWM of 4 other Boutique-y whiskies. Dave Worthington will be our guide, and with a little luck, Sam Simmons will crash the party. 5 PM Saturday, February 13 & 5 PM Saturday, February 27..
INTRODUCING: THE ARDNAMURCHAN SINGLE MALT – AD 19.20.01
Of the dozens of new distilleries in Scotland, one of the ones I’m most excited about is Ardnamurchan. This western Highland Distillery is one of the most remote in Scotland, but the drive, not one for the faint of heart, is one of my favourites in Scotland. The setting is spectacular, located on the remote and rugged Ardnamurchan Peninsula. I’ve made the pilgrimage there at least twice, possibly three times, it is hard to be sure.
The driving force behind the distillery, is Managing Director Alex Bruce. Alex is better known for the Adelphi Selection independent bottlings. The Ardnamurchan Distillery and Adelphi Selection brands are owned by parent company Adelphi. Jim Swan consulted on the project, and while Alex didn’t want to produce the archetypal “Jim Swan” spirit, Alex did opt for longer fermentations and slow distillations.
Building started in 2013, with the distillery and its warehouses carved into the hillside. It is a miracle they managed to get all their equipment down the single track road. The first spirit trickled off the stills in 2014, and it was the following year that I paid my first visit. I was impressed with the distillery, and also the spirit coming off the stills. The distillery’s releases of Ardnamurchan Spirit over the last few years did not disappoint.
Six years and change on from the first distillation, the distillery has 10,000 casks maturing, and the first release of proper Ardnamurchan Single Malt Scotch Whisky is here. We don’t have a lot, so we are limiting sales to 1 per person. The distillery produces both peated and unpeated spirit, and the first release is a 50/50 marriage of these styles. We sampled it on Saturday, during our Ardnamurchan Virtual Tasting with Connal Mackenzie. It was a hit.
Ardnamurchan Single Malt AD/09.02.01 (Release 01) – 46.8% – 65% Ex Bourbon cask / 35% Sherry cask – 50/50 Split Peated & Unpeated – Producer Tasting Note: “Honeycomb, waxy peel, oyster shells, brine, strawberries with black pepper and bonfire embers.” – $105+gst Limit 1 per Customer
86pts Whisky Fun: Summary — Full Tasting note on our website: “Did anybody ever try to smoke gingerbread? The aftertaste is more on a classic citron/brine/smoke combo. Comments: this impressive young baby improves a lot with oxygen. Let them breathe! Can’t wait to try these when them too are eleven.
SGP:655 – 86 points.“
SINGLE BARREL BOURBONS IN SUPPORT OF BARTENDERS
Sovereign Wine & Spirits, the Canadian importer for Smooth Ambler and Old Scout Bourbons, have selected four different single barrels of Old Scout, $5 from each of these four bottlings benefitting two different charities: the Bartender’s Benevolent Fund and the CPBA – or Canadian Professional Bartenders Association.
KWM will also donate $5/bottle sold between now and the end of March to the respective charities!
1. Old Scout Bourbon BBF1 – 56.4% – 5 Year – $98.99
2. Old Scout Bourbon BBF2 – 58.4% – 5 Year – $98.99
3. Old Scout Bourbon CFBA#1 – 58.1% – 5 Year – $98.99
4. Old Scout Bourbon CFBA#2 – 57.3% – 5 Year – $98.99
INTRODUCING: HIGH COAST WHISKY
We’ve actually seen these whiskies before, under the brand name BOX. They were good, if a little pricey given they were 500mls and rather young. Rebranded High Coast, the distillery opened in 2010 in 19th Century buildings. One of the most northerly distilleries in the World, the artic circle passes through the distillery.The distillery has a long fermentation, 72-96 hours, leading to a fruitier profile. It also has some of the coldest cooling water in the world, ranging from 2-6C. The distillery uses both peated and unpeated malt. The following 4 releases have just arrived, and will begin trickling in to the store this week:
1. High Coast ÄLV – 46% – 6 Years – ex-Bourbon – Unpeated – Producer Description: “Älv is the Swedish word for River. Outside our front door runs the beautiful river Ångermanälven, the heart of the High Coast region and essential to our distillery. We are able to make such elegant whisky thanks to the naturally cold, crystal clear water sourced from the river. Älv — a well-balanced soft single malt with vanilla tones. Älv is our most elegant whisky.” – Producer Tasting Note: “Aroma: Vanilla, Coconut, Sponge cake. Palate: Sweet vanilla, Mature pear, Apple. Finish: Long sweet vanilla notes.” – $96
2. High Coast BERG – 50% – PX Sherry Casks – Producer Description: “BERG – is a sherry matured whisky which has the same natural colour as the Nordingrå granite which can be seen protruding the dramatic landscape of the High Coast. The casks have previously held the flavoursome Pedro Ximénez sherry.” – Producer Tasting Note: “Aroma: Sultanas, gooseberry, honey, dark chocolate. Palate: Long and fruity with a spicy aftertaste. Finish: Rich dates and balanced honeyed sweetness.” – $105
3. High Coast Hav – 48% – 5 Years – Bourbon, Sweedish Oak & Hungarian Oak – 76,82% unpeated whisky and 23,18% of peated whisky – Producer Description: “Hav is the Swedish word for Sea. In the majestic landscape of a world heritage site, High Coast Distillery sits where the beautiful river Ångermanälven merges into the sea. Here, the river is just about to reach the coast and slowly disappear out into the world, just like our single malt whisky. The message Hav brings to the world is an expression of oak, with a touch of spice and a little northern hardiness.” – Producer Tasting Note: “Aroma: Fruity, Spicy, Cloves, Light Peat Reek, Nutmeg. Palate: Well balanced, Fruity, Spicy, Peat aroma. Finish: Oak, Cloves, Vanilla.” – $96
· High Coast Timmer – 48% – 6 Years – Producer Description: “Peated single malt whisky matured in first fill Bourbon barrels. Timmer is our peated whisky, our humble tribute to the men and women who once lived and worked here. Those who risked their lives fighting icy cold waters as they steered the heavy logs downstream and kept warm by burning fires under the pale moon light.” – Producer Tasting Note: “Aroma: Peat, Vanilla. Palate: Campfire smoke, Rich Vanillia Sweetness. Finish: Citrus, Ash.” – $96
NEW WHISKIES FROM CADENHEAD
Cadenhead has put a pin in the Small Batch range and instead put out what they are calling the Original Collection at 46%. Our understanding is this was to stretch the amount of stock they could supplier retailers like us with. Here’s what’s coming!
1. Cadenhead Caol Ila 12 Year – 46% – Bourbon – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Faint candle smoke, peppermint, toasted marshmallows. Palate: Stewed apples, vanilla yogurt, kiwi fruit. Finish: Burning coals, honey ham, salted caramel.” – $120 – Limit 1 per customer!
2. Cadenhead Deanston 10 Year – 46% – 80% Bourbon + 20% Madeira – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Apple skins, green tomatoes, stewed fruits. Flavour: Malty. Rye bread, freshly baked cake. Finish: Long finish with sour grape candy and ice gems.” – $94
3. Cadenhead Dufftown-Glenlivet 10 Year – 46% – Bourbon + PX Sherry – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Danish pastry, geraniums, toasted oats and caramelised brown sugar. Flavour: Raisin and rum ice cream, fruit loaf, sultanas. Finish: Slightly tannic, cigar boxes, rock salt.” – $100
4. Cadenhead Glenrothes-Glenlivet 23 Year – 46% – 60% Bourbon & 40% Sherry – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Apricots, dried mango, treacle, and banana chips. Palate: Green apples, Danish pastry, stewed rhubarb, and cherry yogurt. Finish: Mouth coating, subtle spice, ginger snaps, coffee liqueur.” – $225
5. Cadenhead Tomatin 12 Year – 46% – Bourbon – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Icing sugar, marzipan, Battenberg cake, strawberries. Flavour: Salted and sweet popcorn, lemon meringue pie, crystallised orange peel. Finish: Well balanced with cinnamon sugar and butter fudge.” – $108
6. Cadenhead Tullibardine 13 Year – 46% – Bourbon – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Freshly cut grass, digestive biscuits and lots of tropical fruits. Flavour: Candy floss, white chocolate, vanilla pods and creme brûlée. Finish: Oily. Faint pine notes, hard boiled sweets and hoppy.” – $108
7. Cadenhead Strathclyde 31 Year – 46% – Bourbon – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Vanilla ice cream, raisins, pecan pie, peach slices in syrup. Flavour: Dark chocolate orange, dense madeira cake, soft spiciness. Finish: Creamy. Pistachio ice cream, cashews and peanut butter.” – $208
ON SALE BEFORE THE BIG SALE
A lot of importers have dropped prices ahead of Burns Day, somewhat forcing our hand. So even though our Year End Sale is just a week away, we’ve got some new deals for you right now!!!
None of these whiskies will be discounted more during the Year-End Inventory Sale. So you can be assured you won’t save more by waiting…
New Sale Items:
1. Aberfeldy 16 Year – Was $110 SAVE 20% – Now $87.99
2. Aberfeldy 21 Year – Was $180 SAVE 20% – Now $143.99
3. anCnoc 2002 Vintage – Spanish and American Oak Casks- Was $120 SAVE 20% – Now $95.99
4. anCnoc Peat Heart – Was $95 SAVE 20% – Now $75.99
5. Bowmore 18 Year – 43% – Was $125 SAVE 20% – Now $99.99
6. Caol Ila 15 Year Unpeated – 59.1% ABV – American & European Oak – Was $190 SAVE 25% – Now $142.49
7. Caol Ila Stitchell Reserve – 59.6% ABV – Unpeated – American & European Oak – Was $185 SAVE 25% – Now $151.99
8. Craigellachie 13 Year – American Oak – Was $80 SAVE 30% – Now $55.99
9. Game of Thrones Mortlach 15 Year – Matured in Sherry Finished in Bourbon – Was $220 SAVE 25% – Now $164.99
10. The Deveron 18 Year – Was $190 SAVE 20% – Now $151.99
11. Johnnie Walker Green Label – Blended Malt – Was $82 SAVE 20% – Now $65.59
12. Lagavulin 8 Year – Was $92 SAVE 20% – Now $73.59
13. Lagavulin Distillers Edition 2018 – Finished in PX Sherry – Was $175 SAVE 20% – Now $139.99
14. Royal Brackla 16 Year – Matured ex-Bourbon Finished in Sherry – Was $174.99 SAVE 20% – Now $139.99
15. Royal Brackla 21 Year – Was $279.99 SAVE 20% – Now $223.99
16. Talisker Distillers Edition – Finished in Amoroso Sherry Butts – Was $120 SAVE 20% – Now $89.99
17. Talisker Storm – Was $98 – SAVE 25% – Now $73.49
18. Talisker Port Ruighe – Finished in Port Casks – Was $120 SAVE 30% – Now $83.99
19. Tamdhu 12 Year – Sherry Cask Matured – Was $98 SAVE 20% – Now $78.39
20. Tamdhu 15 Year – Sherry Cask Matured – Was $140 SAVE 20% – Now $111.99
21.Teeling Single Malt – Matured in American Oak / Finished in Wine Casks (Sherry, Port, Madeira & more) – Was $92 SAVE 20% – Now $73.59
STAY HOME… WE’LL DELIVER!
We Are Offering Some Great Deals
&
Free City-Wide Delivery for Orders Over $100
FREE DELIVERY – We are offering free delivery for orders over $100 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.
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 6 customers 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!
403-283-8000
888-283-9004
Store Hours
Sunday: 11am – 6pm
Mon – Wed: 10am – 8pm
Thu – Fri: 10am – 9pm
Sat: 10am – 8pm
*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.*