Malt Messenger No. 124 – ‘We have some cool new whiskies… what else would we be writing about?’ – Cool Whisky News

Wherever you are, I hope this finds you well and enjoying your summer. It’s been a busy month, despite the fact that the Stampede is typically one of our slowest weeks. As I’ve indicated before, we are busy getting our new website ready to launch, so I’ll keep my intro a little shorter and less wordy than usual.

Yesterday we received our 2nd ever Elijah Craig KWM Single Barrel Bourbon. It is fresh, fruity, and very well-balanced. In my humble opinion, it is a single malt drinker’s Bourbon, and the timing is perfect. This is whisky with summer written all over it!

We have a massive shipment of whiskies from the Boutique-y Whisky Co. which have just landed in AB, and I mean massive. We have 18 new Boutique-y products. We’ve been expecting them since March/April, and there is another equally large order due in 2-3 weeks. There are some real gems in here, and they have, as always, beautiful labels. Don’t be surprised if we line up a tasting or two built around them this fall. We’ll be opening some of them in the days ahead because…we want to try them for ourselves!

We also have an exciting trio of whiskies from the High Coast Distillery in Sweden, courtesy of the importer Truth Malters. There is the sherry bomb “Cinco“, and a pair of whiskies we are really excited about, matured in Sherry and Hungarian oak. Exclusive to KWM in Calgary, these whiskies are part of a new range highlighting Canadian artists, and also fine whisky.

We’ve also just received long-overdue top-ups of whisky from both Ardbeg and Nikka. So, as always, more than a few things to burn a hole in your pocketbook.

Finally, we also have a couple of upcoming tastings, one a blind single malt tasting, and the other focused on Bourbon. Lots to digest in this full Malt Messenger.

As always, in the event of a discrepancy in price, the point of sale at KWM will be taken as correct. Please don’t hesitate to email me with any questions, comments, or requests. But be patient, I may be head down, working on our new website, which will be launching next month … I know you’ve heard that before.

Sincerely,

Andrew Ferguson

Kensington Wine Market

IN THIS EDITION

1. New Elijah Craig KWM Single Barrel Bourbon

2. Up-Coming Tastings

3. New Whiskies from Sweden’s High Coast Distillery

4. A Boat Load of New Boutique-y Whiskies Pt.1

5. Introducing: Old & Rare Heritage Tormore 31 Year

6. Ardbegs Back In-Stock

7. Nikka Whiskies Back In-Stock

NEW ELIJAH CRAIG

KWM SINGLE BARREL BOURBON #2

Our second KWM Exclusive Single Barrel of Elijah Craig has just landed. This new barrel is from the 5th floor of Rickhouse EE, which means it was exposed to intense heat, surely speeding up its maturation. There are only 198 bottles at 47%, and if demand is anything like that for our last Elijah Craig, they won’t last long!

Elijah Craig KWM Single Barrel Bourbon 2 – 47% – Barrel #6022738 – Rickhouse EE, Floor 5 – My Tasting Note: “Nose: decadent, toasty and perfumed with soft fruits; butter tarts, apple pie, and vanilla fudge; peaches and dried apricot; firm but tamed oak and rye spice. Palate: soft and spicy with notes of corn, wheat and rye; the wheat add a touch of delicacy while the rye kicks up the spice; could the juiciness be the malt? more baked apple, dried apricot and peaches in cream; a touch nutty, more butter tarts and warm pecan pie thrown in for good measure with fresh whipped cream; with patience even more layers, Strawberry Shortcake and caramel corn. Finish: long, fresh and sweet; it clings gently to the palate while slowly fading into toasted oak and spices. Comment: it’s no secret that I’m a bit of a malt snob; Evan’s the one with a Bourbon tooth around these parts; but I’m digging this Bourbon, it is complex without being overly oaked; great neat, but I bet it would be a fine base for a Side Car or The Improved Cocktail.” – $68

NEW WHISKIES FROM

SWEDEN’S HIGH COAST DISTILLERY

We have three new whiskies from Sweden’s High Coast Distillery (formerly known as Box). The distillery’s importers, Truth Malters, seem set on building interest and excitement in the brand just as they’ve done with Kavalan. And the whiskies so far have really impressed us.

The first two whiskies are exclusive to KWM, and feature custom artwork, commissioned as part of Truth Malter’s new C.L.A.S.S range. C.L.A.S.S. – The Canadian Local Artist Selected Series is split into 2 branches – 1 for whisky enthusiasts and 1 for whisky & cigar lovers to pair and enjoy. Each release will showcase Canadian artists’ creative works on a bespoke label and includes a label-art card that is hand-signed by the artist.⁠ The first set are all by Fred Thomas, who is a well-known Metis Visual Artist, Tattoo Artist, and Muralist from Winnipeg, Manitoba. Fred’s passionate work explores graffiti, street art, and tattoo cultures. When he isn’t applying his art at Osborne Village Ink, or spending time with his family & friends, Fred can be found searching for forgotten surfaces to bring new life to.

The third whisky, the High Coast Cinco, is a limited release finished in 5 different types of Sherry…⁠

High Coast Cigar C.L.A.S.S. 01 Hungarian Oak – 62.1% – 500ml – 4 Year – Unpeated – My Tasting Note: “Nose: very fruity with varnished oak and freshly polished Italian leather loafers; dried apricots, papaya chunks and dehydrated apple slices; bright citrus tones and Five Alive fruit juice; becomes beefier with chicken stock and hints of Beef Bourguignone. Palate: big, jammy and viscous the whisky is immediately sweet and fruity; more Beef Bourguignone, and roasted chicken with root vegetables; then the fruits roll in, more dried apricots, dehydrated apple slices and papaya atop a leather of honey; baklava, marzipan and roasted pineapple; and decadent spices to boo: sliced fresh ginger, cardamom and candied fennel. Finish: long, warming and rich; the palate is coated with a tangy mix of dried fruits, honey and stewed beef; decadent and gently spiced. Comment: this is big, rich and fruity with a bold profile capable of holding its weight with a fine cigar; of the two limited releases, this one is my staff’s favourite.” $175+gst

High Coast C.L.A.S.S. 01 Sherry Cask – 58.3% – 500ml – Oloroso Sherry Cask – 5 Year – Unpeated – My Tasting Note: “Nose: nutty with leather, tobacco and macerated fruits; roasted pine nuts, fig jam and fruit roll ups; firm spices with grape-y fruits and a hint of grappa. Palate: Round, rich and fruity with loads of fruit, spices, chocolate and classic sherry tones; nutty; a touch of chewy malt, dark chocolate and firm earthy spices: fennel, clove and anise; raisins, dates, figs and Glosset Raisins; sticky toffee pudding with treacle sauce drowning in vanilla ice-cream. Finish: still nutty, warm, coating and subtly malty; more sticky toffee pudding, dried dark fruits, chocolate, leather and tobacco. Comment: it is almost shocking to believe that this whisky is just 5 years old… but then we’ve long been impressed by the quality of whisky being made at the High Coast Distillery; and it doesn’t hurt that this was finished in a very small bespoke sherry cask; of the two limited releases, this is my favourite.” – $175+gst

High Coast Cinco – 50.5% – Matured in Bourbon & Finished in 5 Different Types of Sherry Seasoned Cask – Producer Description: “Cinco is Spanish for the number five. For Cinco we have used a number of barrels that previously matured five different styles of sherry. The five varieties are Oloroso, Fino, Pedro Ximénez, Amontillado and Palo Cortado. ” Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Heaps of deep dark sherry notes and red fruit – exactly what you want and expect from a  “Sherry Whisky”. Reminiscent of that ‘mmmm’ thick red berry used in the filling of tarts and pies. Loads of sweetness with milk chocolates and citrus mixed with subtle spices. A superb 5 sherry cask blended nose. Palate: Soft spices with leathery oak playfully hiding amongst sweet dark fruits and vanilla with more of that red pie filling. Balanced sherry, cinnamon and sweetness. Speckled earthy notes and then met with more milk chocolate sweetness with some butterscotch, which didn’t appear on the nose at all – a new surprise. You’ll always know this is the Cinco. Finish: The finish is medium to long. PX and Oloroso notes are more defined on the roof while the rest of your mouth is entertained by sweet spices. You’ll remember this one and distinguish it in any blind tasting, with a smile.” – $170

UP-COMING TASTINGS

Stumbling Blindly Into Some Exciting New Whiskies
·     Date: Thursday, July 29·     Time: 8 PM·     Cost: $40·     Pick-Up Date: Available Now·     Only 14 spots left!
Andrew couldn’t help himself… he saw a few new arrivals and, wanting to taste them himself, threw together a wee lineup. Also – and this is an important point – he wanted the tasting to be blind. Our range is, as usual, 7 whiskies deep, all of them single malts, stretching up to 27 years of age! They range in style from light and floral, to big and spicy, to almost over-the-top peated. We’d really like to tell you what the whiskies are – as we know it would whet your appetite even more! – but then it wouldn’t be a blind tasting, would it? 8 PM Thursday, July 29. 7x50ml samples. *SAMPLES READY FOR PICK UP NOW!

Bourbon: Straight from Kentucky and Beyond
·     Date: Thursday, Aug 12·     Time: 8 PM·     Cost: $40·     Pick-Up Date: Available Now·     Only 20 spots left!
Let’s be honest: Evan should have done this last month, but things got in the way. That is why he is breaking Kensington Wine Market’s unofficial moratorium on August tastings to bring you a lineup of Bourbon (and one Rye, because why not?) that he has been impatiently waiting to sample. Rules are meant to be broken – just like bottles are meant to be opened. Join Evan in celebrating both concepts online this upcoming Thursday, August 12th at 8 PM. Your 40 bucks get you seven 15ml samples and a Zoom link that will feature Evan and hopefully somebody far more interesting from KWM to chat with. *SAMPLES READY FOR PICK UP NOW!

A BOATLOAD OF NEW BOUTIQUE-Y WHISKIES

PT.I … AND YES THERE IS A PT.II!

We have just received our biggest order ever from our friends at the Boutique-y Whisky Company. It was placed in November/December and supposed to be here in March/April, but Covid-19… but Brexit… but container shortages… but port strike… but-but-but… it is finally here. Funny story though: we placed another order in April/May, and it will be here in a week or two as well! What can we say? It’s chaos out there with shipping, and that was before the BC wildfires and further restrictions of freight by rail. But it’s whisky, and it matured years, if not decades, before bottling, so we can be patient!

Although I am extremely excited about these whiskies, it is a lot to digest all at once, so we’ll be spreading out the releases by a few weeks. This is only Pt. 1, with Pt. 2 set to be announced in early August!

The Boutique-y Whisky Company isn’t just another independent bottler, it is a whisky company with a playful personality that doesn’t take itself too seriously. The whiskies all have illustrated labels that are not only fun and engaging but also tell a story about the whisky within and the distillery it came from. They are usually worth a close inspection, as there are almost always subtle but telling little clues buried in them.

Most important is the quality of the liquid, and in that department, we have yet to be disappointed by their whiskies. We are dropping 18 new whiskies to start, including a pair of Ben Nevis, a closed distillery, a rarely seen style of Bruichladdich, and more than a few other gems. Most of them are limited to little more than a dozen bottles.

The whiskies all have good reviews and some of them have been tasted by our staff and customers via our 2020 Whisky Calendar or one of the many other Boutique-y tastings we’ve done over the Covid era. The sherried young Rye is an eye-opener, and the lactic Jura is a really cool expression I just can’t stop nosing. There are also a few whiskies we almost never see from independent bottlers and a few others with cult followings that we expect to sell out quickly!

The two Ben Nevis are curiously priced, with the 22-year-old being cheaper than the 21, but the latter is from a much more recent batch. So perhaps the 22 year is underpriced? In either case, the 21 year appears to be sherried!

The labels on these whiskies are awesome, and the small photos to the right just don’t do them justice. You can check them out, as well as the story behind the artwork on our website.

1. Boutique-y Ben Nevis Batch #7 22 Year – 48.8% – 500ml – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Honeyed almonds, juicy cherries and a lick of salt cutting through the sweetness. Palate: Sweet and rich at first with a burst of sharp cranberries and more of those honey flavours. Finish: A touch of cinnamon and a peppercorn spice, all mingling with the honey, which prevails until the end.” – $210 – 88.71pts Whisky Base – Limit 1 Per Customer

2. Boutique-y Ben Nevis Batch 15 21 Year – 48.5% – 500ml – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: orange milk chocolate wrapper with the perfect balance of light and shade. Palate: Chocolate orange again on the palate but it explodes into a firework of bright and bitter zesty citrus that fades to reveal more complex malty biscuity undertones. Finish: Pleasing freshness lingers on with a certain red fruit jaminess emerging which leaves the lips smacking.” – $275

3. Boutique-y Blended Malt #1 Batch #1 18 Year (cough: “Balvenie”) – 47.3% – 500ml – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Bright punchy tropical fruits lead, with pear drops, and fresh white grapes following. Taste: Zesty lemons, a pinch of pepper and a citrus fizz. Finish: The citrus flavours add to the crisp finish. There’s more grape and a lingering taste of hops.” – $135 – 85.67pts Whisky Base

4. Boutique-y Caperdonich Batch #5 22 Year – 48.6% – 500ml – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Apple turnovers, rose water, a touch of barrel char and ground ginger. Palate: Herbaceous at first with thyme and mint, followed by toasted oak and burnt sugar. Finish: Lemon peel, resinous oak, icing sugar and turmeric.” – $550 – Limit 1 Per Customer!

5. Boutique-y Cambus Batch #11 28 Year – 47% – 500ml – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Malted milk biscuits, stewed apples and hints of vanilla. Palate: A warm oily mouthfeel, fiery kicks of aniseed. Finish: A long peppery finish with a teaser taste of creme caramel.” – $198

6. Boutique-y Glengoyne Batch 2 19 Year – % – 500ml – Producer Tasting Note:Nose: At first there’s cobnuts and pepper before sweeter notes of vanilla and freeze dried raspberries come through. There’s the richness and bitterness of dark cocoa nibs too. Taste: Peppery spice fills the mouth before more of that vanilla arrives. There’s juicy tropical fruit flavours coming through with time. Finish: The spiciness dies away to reveal creamy cereal notes and lingering vanilla flavours.” – $355 – Limit 1 Per Customer!

7. Boutique-y Glentauchers Batch 8 21 Year – % – 500ml – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Lots of fruit on the nose – there’s pears, peaches, banana leaf and candied citrus too.Palate: More delicious fruits fill the mouth with just a prickle of woody spice beneath. Finish: A final juicy burst of fruit followed by a spicy, dry end.” – $175

8. Boutique-y James E Pepper Bt.1 3 Year – % – 500ml – Producer Tasting Note: Nose: Toasted oats, barley and sticky dates lead with a vanilla sweetness following. Palate: An initial flood of sweetness, followed by cinnamon, cloves and other warming spices. Finish: Spices fade away to leave a buttery, creamy flavour. ” – $95 – This was a hit during the Boutique-y Greatest Hits Tasting this Spring!

9. Boutique-y Inchgower Batch 3 14 Year – % – 500ml – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Floral notes lead, with a hint of citrus fruit and orange zest. Palate: An oaky warmth is followed by tropical fruits and caramel. Finish: A smooth finish with lingering suggestions of salted caramel and more tropical fruit.” – $115

10.  Boutique-y Inchmurrin Batch 3 20 Year – % – 500ml – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Sweet notes of freshly baked pain aux raisin, there’s sweet figs and stewed apples too. Palate: Initially there’s warming spices and woody hints with an underlying sweetness. Finish: Apple crumble and custard on an autumnal day.” – $140

11.   Boutique-y Single Malt Irish Whiskey #1 Batch 3 13 Year – % – 500ml – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Grassy with oodles of fruit, including apricot, pineapple, orange, apple and orange. A little marzipan with breakfast cereal notes. Palate: Rich, creamy and bursting with the fresh fruit, particularly apricot, raspberry and orange. Finish: Fresh fruit sweetness of peaches and stewed plums, with a slight nuttiness coming through.” – $125

12.   Boutique-y Single Malt Irish Whiskey #1 Batch 4 14 Year – % – 500ml – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Bucketfuls of apricot, pear and nectarine. Cereal notes and creamy vanilla broken up by fresh herbs. Palate: Citrus zest and kitchen spices mixed with melting chocolate – creamy but light. Finish: Fresh fruit sweetness of peaches and stewed plums, with a slight nuttiness coming through.” – $125

13. Boutique-y Jura Batch 5 20 Year – 48.2% – 500ml – Producer Tasting Note: Nose: Light hints of treacle and salted butter emerge through nutty barley, sugary biscuit dough and cut grass. A little coastal air and soft, oily smoke is present underneath. Palate: Waxy orange peel, dark chocolate and sweet gingerbread combine among butterscotch and white fruit. Milky coffee adds a little pleasant bitterness later on with dry oak and a herbaceous element. Finish: Madeira cake, a touch of lime zest and brown sugar linger.” – $180 – This was a hit in the 2020 KWM Whisky Calendar!

14.   Boutique-y Ledaig Batch 17 17 Year – 48.1% – 500ml – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Ripe and cooked tropical fruits, peach cobbler and hints of meatiness, then beeswax, heather honey and slightly drier oak. Palate: Stone fruit, brown sugar, burnt wood and salt-washed rocks initially. On the mid-palate, there’s sweet spices and prickly tannins followed by tinned pineapple and Frazzles. Finish: A little salt and some medicinal elements linger among more fruity sweetness.” – $300 – Limit 1 Per Customer

15.  Boutique-y Lochindaal Batch 1 9 Year – 50.1% – 500ml – Producer Tasting Note:Nose: Grassy peat and grapefruit peels, with a whiff of salted caramel brownie developing. Palate: Spicy as it opens with black pepper and smoke, though soft apricot tempers the heat. Slightly medicinal peat develops. Finish: Lasting hints of sticking plasters and fruity esters.” – $175 – 88.17pts Whisky Base – Limit 1 Per Customer

16.  Boutique-y Longmorn Batch 3 10 Year – 48.3% – 500ml – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Chocolate orange and buttered brioche. Palate: Rich and full-bodied with raisins, stewed fruits and butterscotch. Finish: Buttery, velvety mouthfeel, lasting warming finish.” – $130

17.  Boutique-y Mackmyra Batch 2 5 Year – 50.3% – 500ml – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Bubblegum was my first impression! It’s very sweet. The aromas are light, and the sweet shop continues with foam shrimp. Lightly toasted bread, oak, and vanilla follow along with notes of dry summer grasses. Palate: Hints of vanilla, caramel and honey, slowly developing notes of exotic fruit; papaya, and some toasted bread. Finish: A sweet and spicy finish, that turns dry with oak tannins.” – $115

18.   Boutique-y Tobermory Batch 9 24 Year – 49.1% – 500ml – No Tasting Note At Present – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: A general air of atmospheric library with pencil shavings and malty with an herbaceous twist of oregano and basil. Palate: Rolling tobacco with coconut, raisin and cloves. Finish: Ffennel, hints of smoke and a fleeting glimpse of some really lovely creme brulé, biscuity notes.” – $275

INTRODUCING: THE OLD & RARE

HERITAGE TORMORE 31 YEAR

This one came out of the blue. Only two bottles are coming to KWM of this 31-year-old Tormore, distilled in 1988 and matured in an Oloroso Sherry Butt before bottling at 49.1%. It was part of the Old & Rare “Platinum Heritage Range.”

Old & Rare Tormore 1988 – 49.1% – 31 Year – Oloroso Butt – Producer Tasting Note: “This amber-coloured whisky matured in an Oloroso sherry butt has lashings of hazelnuts, coffee, chocolate and tobaccos on the nose. Spicy and nutty on the palate with a touch of toffee leading to a long, rich, peppery finish.” – $800

ARDBEGS BACK IN-STOCK!

One of the whiskies most affected by shipping-related challenges has been Ardbeg. So when it appeared back in stock a few weeks ago, we grabbed what we could. Rumours of shortages of Ardbeg 10, Corryvreckan, and Uigeadail abound. Hopefully, they will turn out to be exaggerated!

The following Ardbegs are Back in Stock, and we’ve asked Curt, our most devoted and passionate Ardbeg Anorak, to sum them each up in a few words for you:

Ardbeg 10 Year – 46% – Curt Says: “Maybe the most bestest (yep, that’s a word now) 10-year-old flagship expression on the market. If your home bar doesn’t have a bottle of this whisky, I hate to break it to you, but you’re doing it wrong. Smoke, citrus, vanilla, and…somehow…the distilled essence of Islay all snugged in the sexiest green bottle on the market. Tip: (This may seem blasphemous – it did to me at first – but trust…) an Ardbeg 10 Caesar is heaven.” – $90

Ardbeg An Oa – 46.6% – Curt Says: “Arguably the most balanced of the Ardbeg core range. An Oa comes across almost like the lovechild of Corryvreckan and Uigeadail, but…brought down to a more manageable bottling strength for those that don’t always want their tastebuds to feel like they’re being sandblasted by crushed diamonds. And please…it’s pronounced ‘AN O’, not AN OWAH.” – $100

Ardbeg Corryvreckan – 57.1% – Curt Says: “This one goes to 11! If you’ve dipped your tastebuds in a glass of Ardbeg at some point, you’ll know what the brand is all about. Even so, this one will come as a surprise to most. Named for the Corryvreckan whirlpool that roils and smashes the sea between the isles of Islay and Jura, this malt is as fierce as they come. My favorite of the range.” – $130

Ardbeg Uigeadail – – Curt Says: “A stone cold classic now. Uigeadail, or Oogie (as it is affectionately known) is a game-changer for most people who try it. It immediately divides your personal whisky journey into ‘pre-Uigeadail’ and ‘post-Uigeadail’ periods. An absolutely unforgettable whisky that entwines blindingly heavy peat and jammy, spicy sherry. Almost two decades after launching, Oogie still commands attention (and a seemingly nonstop parade of awards).” – $120

NIKKA WHISKIES BACK IN-STOCK!

We have one new and a number of returned Nikka Whiskies in stock. Let’s start with the new, Nikka Days, which is a young, no fuss, Blended Japanese whisky. No word yet if it will be followed by a Nights edition…

Nikka Days – 40% – Producer Description: “A delicate balance is achieved by the skillful blending of mellow grain whiskies and slightly peated malts. With impressive floral aromas, this expression offers an extremely silky mouthfeel and fruity flavors that rise and expand, leaving behind a delightful aftertaste.” – $58

And on the returning side of things, the following Nikkas are back in stock, though some of them are not expected to last long. The Coffey Malt and Miyagikyo are increasingly rare at the moment, and tightly allocated… and From the Barrel is always running out!

1. Nikka From the Barrel – 51.4% – Producer Description: “The complex formula is created by blending more than 100 different batches of malt and grain whiskies. After blending, the whisky is filled into used barrels and matured for another few months. This “marriage” process harmonizes all components in the formula, resulting in a mellow taste. Bottling is controlled at 51.4% ABV, almost equivalent to 90 British proof, that Nikka blenders determined through repeated experiments to achieve the ideal taste profile.” – $62

2. Nikka Coffey Grain – 45% – Producer Description: “This is a signature grain whisky which was released in 2012. Predominantly made from corn, whisky distilled in a Coffey still is matured in old casks such as re-filled, remade and re-charred casks originally made from American oak to deliver the sweet and mellow flavors of Coffey distillates.” – $85

3. Nikka Coffey Malt – 45% – Producer Description: “This unique expression was developed in 2013 as a result of Nikka’s continuous experiments to widen the variety and offer more excitement to aficionados. Made from 100% malted barley, whisky distilled in a Coffey still is matured in old casks to enhance the rich maltiness, complexity and a silky texture. This expression is not categorized as “malt whisky” but as “grain whisky” since it is not distilled in a pot still.” – $95

4. Nikka Yoichi NAS – 45% – Producer Description: “This no-age-statement version was released in 2016 as a permanent product that truly captures the authentic style of Yoichi malts, when all age-statements were discontinued. Vatting various different malt whiskies together, this bottling expresses a delicate balance between peaty, smoky and fruity aromas.” – $92

5. Nikka Miyagikyo NAS – 45% – Producer Description: “This no-age-statement version was released in 2016 as a permanent product that showcases the elegant style of Miyagikyo malts, when all age-statements were discontinued. This bottling has estery aromas generated by carefully selected yeast strains along with distinctive Sherry cask influence.” – $92

6. Nikka Taketsuru Pure Malt (The Old Packaging) – 43% – This whisky is a stunner both as an NAS, or No Age Statement whisky, and as a Blended Malt or Pure Malt as they still call them in Japan. Composed of whiskies from Nikka’s Yoichi and Miyagikyo distilleries, the whisky is named for the company’s legendary founder Masataka Taketsuru. The whisky is said to consist of malts that are on average 10 years of age with a high proportion of fruities Miyagikyo whiskies. – $96

7. Super Nikka – 43% – Producer Description: “Super Nikka is a classic style of blended whisky with gentle peatiness and hints of vanilla and sherry. These beautiful flavors are rounded and well-balanced with a smooth texture and mellow mouthfeel.” – $76

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*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.*

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