My best-laid plans of getting this email to you much earlier have, as usual, fallen by the wayside. Funny how a week turns into 10 days, a Monday into a Friday, but alas this Malt Messenger is huge… I’d say I’m sorry about that… but it could have been even larger!
The main reason is that too many interesting things have been arriving, and there is not enough time to curate them all. Further, our new Chief Moral Officer, Walter the Dog (actually still very much a puppy), is taking up much of my time with training, and stress-relieving play… So he is fulfilling his primary responsibility quite well, despite his youth and serious lack of experience.
We have loads of new and returning whiskies now in stock to tell you about from Dumangin, Cadenhead, Gordon & MacPhail, Signatory, GlenAllachie, MacNair’s, Shelter Point, the Scotch Malt Whisky Society, Berry Bros., Arran, Doc Swinson’s and more… The list would actually have been longer, but we have held a few things back for the next Malt Messenger. Too much of a good thing can be overwhelming, and it would have delayed this newsletter even longer!
In case you missed the announcement last week, we have finally revealed the design for our KWM 2022 Whisky Calendar. We are closing in on completing this year’s Calendar, but alas we are waiting on one final, and crucial product… expected any day now!
In addition to our own Whisky Calendar, we have 6 other Advent Calendars from Drinks by the Dram and That Boutique-y Whisky/Gin Co. There are details below, but you can browse all of the Advent Calendars here!
There is also another ballot with some Bourbon and sought-after Scotch whiskies. Once more this is only open to existing KWM customers who have made a purchase at KWM since July 1 of 2020. Allocations on many of the items are small, but please don’t resort to sending me a plea or petition, this is a stressful enough process without that!
Finally, we have moved the date for the Kinda Rare & Old Whiskies Virtual Tasting. Information on that is below.
As always, in the event of a discrepancy in price, the point of sale at KWM will be taken as correct. Online ordering and in-store purchasing are always our preferences.
Andrew Ferguson
Kensington Wine Market
In This Edition
1. New Whiskies from Dumangin
2. New Whiskies from Cadenhead
3. New & Returning Whiskies from Gordon & MacPhail
4. New & Returning Whiskies from Signatory
5. New & Returning Whiskies from GlenAllachie and MacNair’s
6. Evan’s SMWS Corner – The October Outturn
7. Shelter Point is Back
8. Berry’s Ronnie’s Reserve ’69, ’75, & ’79 Are Back!
9. Arran Whiskies are back in-stock!
10. New & Returning Doc Swinson’s Whiskies
11. Other New Whiskies
12. Calendars & Gift Packs from That Boutique-y & Drinks by the Dram
13. Another Ballot… Deep Breath
14. Up-Coming Tastings
New Whiskies from Dumangin
We have six new whiskies from our friend Gilles Dumangin. In addition to being a talented Champagne maker (his Champagnes are our bestsellers!), Gilles also makes a fortified wine called Ratafia Champenois, some of which we stock. In addition to winemaking, Gilles is also a whisky nerd, and for the last couple of years, he has been buying casks of whisky from all over the world to finish in his own Ratafia Champenois casks. I had the privilege of sampling the 6 whiskies below, in the cask, last time I visited his winery. I’ll get my own tasting notes out on these shortly!
1. Dumangin Whisky Ardmore 2009 – 48% – 9 Years in Refill Hogsheads / Finished 2 Years in a Ratafia Champenois cask – Producer Tasting Note: “Peppery nose, rubbery, rich feeling peat, lemon zest.” – $159.99
2. Dumangin Whisky Benrinnes 2008 – 48% – 10 Years in Refill Hogshead / Finished 23 Months in Ratafia Champenois – Producer Tasting Note: “Orange peel, slightly oily, hint of smoke and sherried” – $159.99
3. Dumangin Whisky Bushmills 2014 – 48% – 6 Year – 6 Years ex-Bourbon / 12 Months in Ratafia Champenois – Producer Tasting Note: “Fruity, aromatic palate. Salty butter, all kinds of blossom, sweet vanilla cream and citrus.” – $134.94
4. Dumangin Whisky Cooley 2009 Grain – 47.1% – 11 Year – 10 Years in Refill ex-Bourbon & STR Casks / 12 Months in Ratafia Champenois – Producer Tasting Note: “Rich, soft oils, melt-in-the-mouth grain and just a hint of barley for good measure.” – $134.99
5. Dumangin Whisky Craigellachie 2007 – 48% – 12 Years in Refill Hogsheads / 15 months in Ratafia Champenois – Producer Tasting Note: “Honey, peaches, apples, green grass on the nose. Custard, mint, mineral water, a bit of pepper and fall spice, sweet tea, and marmalade on the palate.” – $167.99
6. Dumangin Whisky La Piautre – 46.3% – 3+ YearsMaturation / 15 Months in Ratafia Champenois – Producer Tasting Note: “Oily and opulent whisky amplified by the Ratafia Champenois touch.” – $139.99
New Whiskies from Cadenhead!
This release is a lot more exciting than the last… hopefully, a sign of things to come. I am tempted to set a bottle of each aside for a future tasting… but the event calendar is pretty full right now!
1. Cadenhead Original Collection A Highland Distillery 37 Year – 46% – 1985 – Bourbon – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Brandy snaps, ginger bread with thick butter, baked apples. Palate: Oily. Allspice, apple crumble. Finish: Hoppy notes, apple skin, prunes, hazelnuts.” – $930
2. Cadenhead Original Collection Glentauchers-Glenlivet 14 Year – 46% – 2008 – Bourbon & Sherry – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Pear drops, peaches, treacle, nutmeg. Palate: Pears pouched in red wine, vanilla ice cream with milk chocolate flakes. Finish: Rich and warming. Orange essence, mulled wine, cloves and dark chocolate.” – $178
3. Cadenhead Original Collection Loch Lomond 17 Year – 46 % – 2005 – Oloroso Sherry – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Meaty! Burning Bbq coals, soy sauce. Palate: Spare ribs smothered in sweet BBQ sauce, honey glaze ham, cigar smoke. Finish: Pulled pork, cocoa powder, white pepper, dark fruits soaked in rum.” – $230
4. Cadenhead Original Collection Glenlossie-Glenlivet 12 Year – 46% – 2010 – Re-charred Bourbon – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Fresh and zesty. Chocolate raisins, tropical fruits, vanilla sponge, lemon drizzle cake. Palate: Rich. Creamy, vanilla custard, marzipan. Finish: Creme brûlée, pear drops, lemon fondant, light.” – $170
5. Cadenhead Original Collection Tamnavulin-Glenlivet 14 Year – 46% – 2008 – Bourbon – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Stone fruits, syrup, pineapple, peach, grapefruit. Palate: Lemon zest, banana fritter, caramel sauce, creamy with a suitable tanginess. Finish: Fermented fruits, flat cola, dime bars, bourbon biscuit.” – $178
6. Cadenhead Original Collection A Tennessee Distillery 18 Year – 46% – 2003 – Tennessee Whisky – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Vanilla pods, salted caramel, honeysuckle. Palate: Caramel latte, honeycomb, milk chocolate. Finish: Root ginger, sweetened butter, many layers of sweetness.” – $290
New & Returning Whiskies from
Gordon & MacPhail
Turns out that only one of these is truly new or newish… The 1989 Mortlach and 1988 Linkwood were here and gone in a flash earlier in the year. Man time flies… That being said, everything is pretty exciting regardless, and the price on the Glenburgie 21 Year… it is starting to look like impressive value!<
1. G&M Connoisseurs Choice Linkwood 1988 – 55% – 32 Year – First Fill Sherry Butt – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Rich stewed fruit aromas combine with fresh ginger leading to a hint of beeswax polish. Taste: Blackcurrant and raspberry flavours give way to soft dried tobacco notes and mature oak. Finish: A medium-bodied finish with lingering spice and grapefruit zest.” – $1320 – Limit 1 Per Customer!
2. G&M Connoisseurs Choice Mortlach 1989 – 54.2% – 31 Year – Refill Sherry Hogshead – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Rich brown sugar and stewed apples lead to glacé cherries and raisins alongside a subtle touch of honey and ginger. Dark honey and almond flavours lead to raisins, warm ginger and lingering fruit loaf.” – $1300 – Limit 1 Per Customer!
3. G&M Distillery Label Glenburgie 21 Year – 46% – Refill Sherry Butts – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Rich stewed fruits and roasted hazelnut aromas with hints of brown sugar. Taste: Cooked apple and cinnamon flavours mix with red berries, with a lingering charred oak finish.” – $200
4. G&M Distillery Label Mortlach 15 Year – 46% – First Fill & Refill Sherry – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Distinctly malty initially with fresh aromas of a woodland hedgerow. Delicate Sherry notes linger and weave with rich indulgent toffee, sweet liquorice, and orange marmalade. Taste: Reminiscent of a Black Forest cake; the initial sweetness develops into fruity blackcurrant jam, maraschino cherry, and creamy vanilla. Freshly peeled orange notes add a fresh lift. Finish: Well rounded; hints of candied citrus fruits and oak complement the lingering malty edge.” – $125
5. G&M Distillery Label Linkwood 25 Year – 46% – First Fill & Refill Sherry – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Hints of baked apple, stewed raisin, and cinnamon enhance rich Sherry influences. Sweet liquorice aromas develop enhanced by light floral nuances. A polished oak edge remains. Taste: Sweet and spicy; date, prune, and raisin flavours complement warming pepper. Hints of cinnamon and clove add spice. Tangy blackcurrant notes mix with sweet cherry jam and candied citrus fruit. Finish: A nutty edge balances the lingering oak notes.” – $350
New Whiskies from Edradour
We are never quite sure what we are going to get with each delivery from Edradour… whether it is a single cask or small batch bottling, the turnover is impressive for a wee little distillery. And the quality over the last ten years has been improving steadily!
1. Edradour SFTC Sherry 10 Year – 58.6% – 2011 – Sherry Butt No. 548 – $165
2. Edradour 2010 Natural Cask Strength – 56.7% – 12 Year – Sherry Butt No.38 – $220 – 87.58pts Whiskybase
3. Edradour Ballechin 8 Years – 46% – 1x Edradour 2013 Sherry Cask #572 – 3x Ballechin 2013 Bourbon Cask #s: 23-25 – $108
4. Signatory Edradour 10 Year – 46% – 2011 – Sherry Cask #485 – $112 – 88.67pts Whiskybase!
New Whiskies from Signatory
We have just received a big top up order from Signatory, including bottlings from their Un-Chillfiltered Collection (46%), Cask Strength Collection, and some Old & Rare Releases Too!
Un-Chillfiltered Collection
1. Signatory Ben Nevis 2013 – 46% – 8 Year – Hogsheads (316, 322, & 323) – $120
2. Signatory Glendullan 2009 – 46% – 12 Year – Hogsheads ( 313253 & 313254) – $115
3. Signatory Teaninich 2009 – 46% – 12 Year – Hogsheads – 717626 & 717633) – $110
4. Signatory Unnamed Orkney 2009 – 46% – 13 Year – Hogshead (#DRU 17/A67 #18+19) – $125
5. Signatory Unnamed Speyside – 2009 – 46% – 13 Year – Refill Butts (Dru 17/A195#36) – $125
Cask Strength Collection – Lots of Sherry here…
1. Signatory Allt-A-Bhainne 2000 – 52.4% – 20 Year – Matured in Hogsheads / Finished 12 Months in Fresh Sherry Butt #6 – $410 – 87.83pts Whiskybase
2. Signatory BenRiach 2000 – 59.2% – 21 Year – Matured 20 Years in Refill Butts before Finishing in Fresh Sherry Butt #6 – $410 – 89.75pts Whiskybase
3. Signatory Braeval 2000 – 59.2% – 21 Year – Refill Sherry Butt #6392 – $410 – 90pts Whiskybase
4. Signatory Caledonian 1987 – 52% – 32 Year – Hogshead #23482 – $535
5. Signatory Caol Ila 2010 – 57.3% – 11 Year – Refill Hogshead / Fiished 14 Months in a Sherry Butt #109 – $225 – 89pts Whiskybase
6. Signatory GlenAllachie 2007 – 65.6% – 14 Year First FIll Sherry Butt #900163 – $225
7. Signatory Mortlach 2007 – 52% – 14 Year – Matured 12 Years in Refill Hogsheads / Finished 16 Months in a Fresh Sherry Butt #3 – $265
30th Anniversary & Other Old Vintages!
Old & Rare whiskies are getting more and more expensive, thankfully Signatory is still offering some good value.
1. Signatory Bunnahabhain 1973 – 42 Year – 47.9% – Refill Sherry Butt #12145 – My Tasting Note: “Nose: old school from the first whiff; chocolate shavings on a foamy cappuccino; soooh chocolaty: Carnation Hot Chocolate mix, Glosset Raisins, and Eatmore candy bars; dried dark fruits to start, then more tropical ones with papaya and kiwi notes; smooth old leather and agave nectar. Palate: oh damn, this is sit down and take your time whisky… shame I don’t have much of that, and only a wee sample to work with… cue tiny violins; still very old school, soft sherry tones, firm but smooth old leather, musty dunnage warehouse notes and loads more chocolate: chocolate mouse, Glossets, Eatmore and Carnation hot chocolate made with love (slowly with milk, not water); gentle spices, more tropical fruits, and decadent syrups. Finish: long and coating, the notes from the palate ease into the finish leaving the former watering, thirsting for more; fresh and a little minty as the curtains draw. Comment: this is a lovely single malt, the kind of dram many of us took for granted a decade ago, and which now are truly the proverbial needle in a haystack; this is the sort of magic which can only happen with time, and which is never guaranteed.” – $2,725 – 91pts Whisky Fun
2. Signatory 30th Annv Bunnahabhain 1968 – 41.8% – 50 Year – Refill Sherry Butt – Whisky Fun Tasting Note (Serge): “Nineteen sixty-eight! Hold on, wasn’t that the vintage of the famous ‘Auld Acquaintance’ that turned plenty of heads when it came out? Including this one? Colour: full gold (paler than the 40). Nose: you do feel it’s an old one. This nose reminds me of all those old casks that we could nose at Duncan Taylor’s when they had started their ‘Auld and Rare’ range. You do feel quite a lot of oak, but in the best cases, and this is one of them, that old oak kind of transmuted into some kind of od embrocation, or cough syrup, without any obvious dryness. Say pine resin, coconut wine, camphor, melted beeswax and just pollen. It’s very specific. Perhaps a hint of artichoke. As always, it’s on the palate that the war will be fought, but we have confidence in this case… Mouth: and we were right. Honeydew, mead, fir liqueur (from the neighbouring Vosges mountains), crystallised pineapple, papaya jam… In truth it is not ‘oaky’ at all on your palate! Rather a miracle, and probably a stunning refill cask that had decided, in the first place, to play it elegantly. Like an old British actress, my dear. Finish: pretty long, still fresh ,never oaky, with various honeyed notes and reminiscences of many an old chardonnay from the best terroirs. I know, terroir again… Like, Meursault? Comments: I suppose they have been monitoring this marvellous old cask for decades, wondering if it would have hold until their 30th. It did – mind you, the best casks are smart, they are almost persons! No, really! SGP:561 – 91 points.” – $4500
3. Signatory 30th Annv. North Port (Brechin) 1981 – 57.2% – 36 Year – Refill Sherry Butt – Whisky Fun Tasting Note: “What what what what what? Colour: straw. Nose: this was matured by time, not by wood (respectively wine, rum, sherry…) So the age is purely theoretical, because this butt was probably rather lazy, which is actually good news since complexity only comes with proper age. Are you following me? This is actually very subtle, with many herbal teas and flowers, lime blossom, honeysuckle, woodruff, orange blossom, also lighter honeys, acacia, all-flower honey, lavender (no, lavender honey isn’t strong at all)… And would you believe this, there’s some marshmallows in a long-forgotten 36 yo single malt whisky! With water: menthol up, as often with very old whiskies. Mouth (neat): I think it needed these 35+ years in lazy wood, and I’m sure it wasn’t ready yet at the ripe age of 30. That’s the magic of malt whisky. Amazing mix of flowers, nuts, and waxy fruits, while there are dozens of each. So a short summary: fresh almonds, nectarines, dates, chestnut pollen, propolis, macadamia nuts… and approx. 1,764,680 other tiny flavours. With water: sublime mead. Ambrosia, the drink of the gods. Finish: medium, fantastically beehive-y. Comments: mind you, it could be that this was the very last ‘new’ North Port we’ll ever taste. But we aren’t sad, should we be sad?… It’s a very brilliant bottle nonetheless, I utterly loved it for its intrinsic qualities. Very well done Signatory! SGP:551 – 92 points.” – $3360 – Also 90.5pts Whiskybase
4. Signatory 30th Annv.Teaninich 1983 – 57.5% – 35 Year – Refill Sherry Butt Whisky Fun Tasting Note: “What a hit, this series by SigV! Colour: straw. Nose: very different, more restrained, more on sunflower oil and mown lawn, grasses, leaves, concrete and plaster, ink, soot, fresh almonds… In a way we’re closer to Claxton’s than to the Japanese 1983, but that may be a matter of water. With water: it remains a little narrower and more austere, but some perfect notes of mentholy almonds and lemon balm are making their appearance. Some perfect beeswax as well. Mouth (neat): a rather pungent fruitiness, on green apples, raw cider, and even white calvados. A touch of barley syrup around all that, as well as a little white pepper. I think it really needs water indeed. With water: indeed. Some amazing earthy lemons, some ginger, turmeric, touches of peat, oysters, then caraway and cloves, Stolle… I’m just wondering, did these 1983s stem from the A-Side distillery or from the B-Side? I think B-Side was the one they closed for good 1984, and then demolished. Finish: rather long, wonderfully citrusy and earthy. Some limoncello in the aftertaste. Comments: I think I’ll have to learn a bit more about the respective styles of A and B Teaninich. Was this B, a.k.a. Old Teaninich? Or Teaninich’s Brora, if you wish? Exceptional whisky nonetheless. Angus was right about Teaninich!” – $1125
New & Returning Whiskies
from GlenAllachie & MacNair’s
MacNair’s is relaunching, with a range of three whiskies. Look for a tasting in the new year… We also have some new & returning GlenAllachies, a few of which are immediately below, the others will be offered by ballot… see much further below!
1. GlenAllachie 8 Year – 46% – PX & Oloroso Sherry as well as Virgin Oak and Red Wine Barriques – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Heather honey, butterscotch and cinnamon, followed by waves of ginger, toasted almonds and mocha. Taste: Lashings of treacle, dried sultanas and butterscotch, with cinnamon, peppermint and honeycomb.” – $79
2. GlenAllachie 12 Year – 46% – Vigin Oak, PX and Oloroso Sherry – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Layers of heather honey, cinnamon, butterscotch and sticky raisins, with notes of mocha lingering in the background. Taste: Bursts of orange zest, heather honey and damsons, followed by lashings of mocha, dark chocolate, cinnamon, figs and dates.” – $86 – Limit 1 per customer!
3. MacNair’s Lum Reek 10 Year Cask Strength – 55.4% – Composed of Islay, and Speyside whiskies (including GlenAllachie) aged in first fill ex-Bourbon, ex-Red Wine and ex-PX Sherry casks. – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Waves of smoke, heather honey and ginger, fusing with cinnamon, treacle and vanilla. Taste: Lashings of dark chocolate, ginger and citrus, with smoked spices, plantains and tannins.” – $108
4. MacNair’s Lum Reek 12 Year – 46% – Composed of Islay, and Speyside whiskies (including GlenAllachie) aged in first fill ex-Bourbon, ex-Red Wine and ex-PX Sherry casks. – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Sweet peat reek combining with butterscotch and mocha. Taste: Lashings of rich peat reek with mature heather notes, bog myrtle, butterscotch, toffee and sweet spices.” – $100
5. MacNair’s Lum Reek 21 Year – 48% – Composed of Islay, and Speyside whiskies (including GlenAllachie) aged in first fill ex-Bourbon, ex-Red Wine and ex-PX Sherry casks. – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Subtle peat smoke, dark chocolate shavings, runny honey, and vanilla fudge. Taste: Old leather, cedar wood and gentle undertones of peat, alongside oodles of cocoa, vanilla pods, and sweet spices.” – $260
Shelter Point is Back!
We had Chris Read, Brand Ambassador for Shelter Point in-store last week, for a relaunch of the Shelter Point brand in Alberta. It was a great tasting, and we have the following whiskies back in stock!
1. Shelter Point Single Malt – 46% – Producer Description: “Shelter Point Single Malt Whisky is a classic expression made in small batches using traditional methods, pot distillation and water from our own aquifer. Still: Copper wash and spirit stills by Forsyths Base: 100% malted BC barley Natural colour and non-chill filtered Bottled at 46% Alc.Vol” – Producer Tasting Note: “The whisky shows a balanced marriage of fruits, caramel, barley, baking spices, honey, sea air, hints of wine, smoke and the sweet leathery mouthfeel of a high-quality single malt.” – $83
2. Shelter Point Ripple Rock – 46% – Producer Description: “Campbell River’s 1958 Ripple Rock explosion is the inspiration behind this expression of Shelter Point single malt whisky, aged in alligator charred virgin American oak casks and bourbon barrels. Distilled from 100% Malted BC Barley and glacier fed aquifer water in traditional pot stills the whisky is bottled without colouring or chill filtration.” – Producer Tasting: Note: “Distilled in traditional pot stills with glacier fed aquifer water, Ripple Rock explodes with flavour, with vanilla spice and oak on the nose, caramel with raisins, barbeque notes, pepper and clove on the palate, balanced with toffee and chocolate on the finish.” – $83
3. Shelter Point Smoke Point – 53% – Producer Description: “Smoke Point single malt whisky is a proprietary vatting of whisky that has been aged in barrels smoked with driftwood from our shore and native woods found around the distillery. The rich smoky flavours carry a salty tang and hint of iodine from the seaweed and salt on the driftwood that balances perfectly with the sweet creamy mouthfeel. Still: Copper stills by Forsyth’s 100% malted BC barley, Natural colour and non-chill filtered 53% Alc.Vol” – Producer Tasting Note: “Experience campfire, cigar smoke and oak on the nose. Chocolate, fruit, and toffee on the palate, finishing in a delicious combination of creme brulée and salty graham cracker” – $90
4. Shelter Point Cask Strength – 58.7% – Producer Description: “Shelter Point Single Malt Whisky is a classic expression made in small batches using traditional methods, pot distillation and water from our aquifer. Sitting on the coast of Vancouver Island the spirit benefits from the unique influence of our geography, ocean and terroir as it ages in different select casks. This cask strength expression of our Classic Single Malt Whisky allows you to experience our award-winning whisky as it comes from the barrel.” – Producer Tasting Note: “The whisky shows a balanced marriage of fruits, caramel, barley, baking spices, honey, seaside whiff, hints of wine, smoke and the sweet leathery mouthfeel of a high-quality single malt.” – $105
Evan’s Corner:
The SMWS Canada October 2022 Outturn
After running both the virtual and in-store tastings for KWM last week, which combined for around 75 SMWS members attending. The consensus opinion is that the October Outturn was a very good one. The fallout from this? Two of the bottles from the Outturn have already sold out. The good news is we still have some stock of the remaining five bottles – one of which was in my personal top two from the tasting.
Below is the list of bottles in the Outturn in the order we tasted them in:
88.28 – SALMON SURPRISE! – The name of this bottle perhaps should have been SURPRISE: NO SALMON DETECTED! It seems that our own tasting panels did not get the fish and sushi notes that the SMWS panel that put together the tasting notes did. If I looked at the dram sideways, I could personally convince myself there was a fresh sashimi note, but I was in the minority. Regardless, this is a great dram that shows a combination of saline, fresh fruit and peanuts that Speyburn seems to put together so well.
35.309 – DARWIN’S TIPPLE – Another Outturn, and another solid Glen Moray in the lineup. There are periods where like with distillery number 53 (Caol Ila), you can be fairly certain to see a 35 in an Outturn. Both Glen Moray and Caol Ila are showcased so often by the SMWS is both distilleries make spirit that seems to take well to whichever type of cask you throw it in – even plain old ex-Bourbon or refill casks.
77.71 – OAT SO STICKY – This bottle came right out of left field for me, and ended up being one of my two faves in the Outturn. Whisky from Glen Ord doesn’t usually make me stand up and take notice, but that is the great thing about SMWS bottlings. What makes this one wonderful is the dichotomy of having a wild assortment of disparate aromas and flavours going on, yet still, somehow, remaining a cohesive, unified whole. This is very much a sum is greater than its parts type of whisky – probably because the math involved in its makeup is far too confusing for my feeble mind to calculate.
93.179 – 1970’s MOVIE DRAM – It was a Glen Scotia, and it was great. It shall be missed. NEXT!
4.292 – PEAT FIRE TALES ON ORKNEY – Highland Park seems to be the SMWS’s favourite distillery to spoil for people: It seems like every SMWS bottle from HP either gets Orkney in the name or heather written in as a tasting note. Way to give ruin the mystery, guys! Anyhow, this is a deep, dark, and quietly brooding HP. Those are all good things in my opinion, despite the dram reminding me of my own moody and despondent teenage years. At least the whisky leaves me with fond memories!
122.46 – THE INLAND SHORE – This was easily the most divisive bottle in the Outturn. I love it, Curt hates it, so it is up to you to make the call. This whisky is peated and from Loch Lomond distillery, so its weirdness is somewhat understandable. If you, like me, find yourself craving a dram that combines notes of campfires, jasmine tea, and bug spray then you should check this one out!
41.148 – A MERRY-GO-ROUND OF MULTIFARIOUS AMUSEMENTS – We have had a few big, sherried Dailuaines from the SMWS recently. This – like the others that preceded it – is sadly gone.
Cheers,
Evan
Berry’s Ronnie’s Reserve
1969, 1975 & 1979 Are Back!
Our third and very likely final shipment of whiskies from the Ronnie’s Reserve Collection by Berry Bors. & Rudd has just landed. The whiskies were bottled to mark the retirement of the legendary Ronnie Cox in 2021. The whiskies are all from the Glenrothes Distillery, which Berry Bros. marketed for nearly 30 years. We were fortunate to get additional stock of three of the releases, and I have written up my own tasting notes for the occasion.
These are some of the best priced malts you will ever see again from the 1960s and 1970s… mark my words!
Berry’s Ronnie’s Reserve 1979 The Nose – 49.4% – 40 Year – American Oak Sherry Cask 5454 – My Tasting Note: “Nose: fruity, silky and decadent; creme brule, creme caramel, and Manuka honey, with loads of fruit, mostly of the tropical variety; mango, papaya, pineapple, Mandarin orange, and melons; French crepes with powdered sugar and lemon juice. Palate: lush, decadent, and fruity with a silky backbone; more creme brule and creme caramel, with agave nectar and Manuka honey; still very fruity, leaning mostly in the tropical direction: grilled pineapple, underripe mango, honeydew melon, papaya juice, and kiwi; soft leather, fruity tobacco and medium dark chocolate to round things out, followed later by decadent spice. Finish: long, fresh, fruity, and coating with oak spices bringing up the rear; refined and elegant. Comment: it’s been more than a year since I first tasted this, and it is even better than I had remembered; absolutely brimming with tropical fruit, decadent delights, subtle spice, and all kinds of nice!” – $1500
Berry’s Ronnie’s Reserve 1975 The Nose – 45.5% – 44 Year – Refill Hogshead Cask 10619 – My Tasting Note: “Nose: rich, soft and fruity; deeper sherry tones than the 1979, but more floral and once more brimming fruits mainly in the tropical department; crystalized honey, star anise, fancy soft leather gloves, and a touch of playdoh… Palate: still rich, but soft and elegant; this is a whisky that shows its age while staying well on the right side of the hill; brown sugar, Christmas spices, and decadent puddings: plum, bread & butter, and rum raisin; singed orange peel, brandy-soaked cherries and tropical fruits: guava and ripe mango; maple walnuts and candied almonds; floral and slightly vegetal. Finish: long, rich, and spicy with loads of fruits and decadent delights; mouthwatering. Comment: this is a lovely old single malt, more true to the Glenrothes house style than the 1979; also more sherried and antique-y; hard to choose between the two, but based on the finish of this 1975, it has my vote… though I should really try it again!” – $2200
Berry’s Ronnie’s Reserve 1969 CV – 46.9% – 50 Year – Refill Hogshead Cask 16202 – My Tasting Note: “Nose: gooey old rum notes (1940s Long Pond…); musty old oak, polished church pews, window putty, and latex primer; fruit punch, Scottish tablet, and Christmas cake; Glosset Raisins and Eatmores. Palate: still with the old rum notes… curious; more Christmas cake, fruit punch, Glosset Raisins and Sunrype Fruit Source bars; treacle sauce, mixed berry compote and soft old leather; Armagnac, leather, cigar tobacco, and Eatmores; more old wood and musty warehouse notes. Finish: light, fruity, and surprisingly fresh for a 50 year old single malt; thick with treacle, leather, tobacco, and chocolate. Comment: this is an ancient whisky that simultaneously highlights its age without straying into the bitter notes that many over-the-hill single malts possess; now to go find that heel of G&M Long Pond 1941 to do a comparison!” – $5200
Arran Whiskies Back In Stock
The following Arran whiskies are back in-stock. Descriptions and tasting notes are on our website!
1. Arran Barrel Reserve $60
2. Arran Port Cask Finish $83
3. Arran Machrie Moor Peated $79
4. Arran Machrie Moor Cask Strength $84
5. Arran Quarter Cask 56.2% $85
6. Arran Sherry Cask The Bodega $90
7. Arran Sauterne Cask Finish $83
8. Arran 10 Year $68
9. Arran 21 Year $220
NEW & RETURNING DOC SWINSON’S WHISKIES
NEW
1. Doc Swinson’s High Proof Bourbon Triple Cask – 57.25% – Producer Description: “An extraordinary mingling of bourbons finished in three types of European casks; Oloroso Sherry, Pedro Ximenez Sherry, and Cognac.” – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Crackerjacks, nut brittle, dark chocolate cherries, fruit leather and stewed plums. Palate: Marzipan, dark cherries, whipped cream, allspice, caramel, and rich oak tannins. Notes: This cask strength edition really showcases the finishing casks.” – $135
2. Doc Swinson’s L’Esprit Bourbon Cognac Finish – 57% – Doc Swinson’s L’Esprit is a 5-year-old Bourbon finished in Cognac Puncheons. Sweet and spicy. Designed for those less hung up on pure Bourbon and more for those who are just looking for quality and uniqueness. – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Orange marmalade, Irish soda bread, citrus zest, marzipan. Palate: Golden raisins, honey, dark chocolate, dried tobacco, creme brulee , candied orange peel. Notes: Exceptional balance of sweet and citrus notes, a smooth sipping bourbon with a toasted oak finish.” – $135
3. Doc Swinson’s Rye Funky Drummer – 53.2% – Funky Drummer is a blend of two five-year-old straight rye whiskeys, finished in Jamaican rum casks. Funky doesn’t even begin to describe this one. – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Pineapple skins, fuji apples, baking spices, vanilla. Palate: Pineapple, bannana syrup, fuji apple, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon and loads of vanilla. Notes: A fruity and fun rye whiskey with lots of baking spices, banana bread, and tropical fruits. An exciting pour.” – $134
RETURNING
1. Doc Swinson’s Alter Ego Bourbon – 47.9% – “Three different cask types are used in finishing this Bourbon. Each batch in Doc Swinson’s Alter Ego Bourbon series thus far has used MGP Distillery’s 75% Corn, 21% Rye, 4% Malted Barley mash bill that is aged then finished in a combination of PX Sherry, Oloroso Sherry, and Cognac casks. After finishing the batch is married together in ex-Cognac Foeders before being bottled at 47.9%. – Producer Tasting Note: Nose: Crackerjacks, caramel, nut brittle, dark cherries and chocolate-covered caramels. Palate: Marzipan, bright cherry, spearmint, whipped cream, spicy cinnamon, and nutmeg. Comment: A rich and full-bodied bourbon with a satisfying bouquet of nuts, cherries and spices.” – $108
2. Doc Swinson’s Blenders Cut Bourbon – 57.5% – The mash bills in question contain 21% and 36% Rye, respectively. The whiskey made is aged for five years before being bottled at a very respectable 57.5%. – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Stone fruits, vanilla, pecans, oak and fresh cream. Palate: Apricots, brown sugar, peanuts, toasted almond, charred oak, dark chocolate cherries. Comment: Rich and full-bodied bourbon that clings to the tongue and takes you on a ride through Mr. Wonka’s bourbon factory.” – $85
OTHER NEW WHISKIES
A random assortment of new whiskies which have either trickled into the shop, or which are expected to in the weeks ahead…
1. Don Michael Andean Black Corn Whiskey – 45% – Malted Barley and Black Corn – ex-Bourbon Casks – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Toasted corn, with hints of vanilla and a smokey note finish. As the whiskey breathes there are subtle hints of dehydrated fruits such as raisins and dried apricots. Palate: On initial contact with the palate Black Whiskey is intense, balanced with toasted vanilla, prominent oak notes and hints of dried fruits. Next are the bold flavors of cinnamon, cardamom and coffee, with a unique finish of carmel corn creating a complex and distinct whiskey with plenty of personality.” – $70
2. Lindores Abbey The Casks of Lindores: Bourbon – 49.4% – Bourbon Cask – Producer Description: “The first “Casks of Lindores” bottling featured exclusively bourbon barrels, one of the three core cask types used at Lindores, and was limited to 11,000 bottles. These ‘Casks of Lindores’ releases were designed to be sold exclusively through selected stockists and are not for sale online.” – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Mellow vanilla, fruity, vibrant and buttery with citrus touches and a hint of pepper from the wood. Palate: Vanilla mixed with orchard fruits like green apples, then peppercorns, lingering with a long finish.” – $96
3. Lochlea Harvest Edition First Crop – 46% – Producer Description: “Lochlea ‘Harvest Edition’ (First Crop) is inspired by the busy harvest season on Lochlea Farm, when the barley is ready to be harvested and eventually used for next year’s whisky. The bottle’s ashy coral red label and carton were chosen to reflect the summer sunsets and Ayrshire soil, which changes to a deep red hue once the barley has been harvested.” – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: stewed apples, pear drops, oat biscuits. Palate: strawberries, violet, toasted marshmallows. Finish: signature Lochlea cereal & freshly cut grass.” – $86
4. Lochlea Our Barley – 46% – Producer Description: “Matured in first-fill Bourbon barrels, Oloroso Sherry casks and STR barriques, Lochlea ‘Our Barley’ sits at 46% ABV and is non chill-filtered with no added colouring.” – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Pear syrup, fruit bon bons, warm cut grass, marmalade. Palate: Golden syrup, pepper, rye bread, macadamia nuts, cream soda. Finish: Long finish with a lasting orange beeswax note.” – $84
5. Lochlea Sowing Edition – 46% – Producer Description: “Sowing Edition is a perfect springtime whisky with green apple skins, pear drops and custard creams on the nose; vanilla sweetness, orchard fruits and hazelnuts on the palette with a final fruity sweetness lasting to the finish. Made from barley grown within sight of the distillery, Lochlea Whisky is an Ayrshire dram through and through.” – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: green apple skins, pear drops, cereal, custard creams. Palate: vanilla sweetness, orchard fruits, hazelnuts. Finish: fruity with a final sweetness & lasting viscosity.” – $87
6. Two Brewers Release 36 – 46% – 7 Year (22% / 78% 8 Year) -Moscatel Finish – Producer Tasting Note: “The fragrant bronzed dram attracts, scents of apricot and golden raisins, toasty fruit jam. The swallow start clean and gently sweet, dry malt tones opening across the palate, shrouded by mounting oak and sherry. A classic Two Brewers finish with fleeting Moscatel.” – $106
Calendars & Gift Packs from That
Boutique-y Whisky Co. & Drinks by the Dram
You know we are getting close to Winter, when the shop gets inundated with Advent Calendars… We have a ton of new giftpacks and advent calendars from our friends at Drinks by the Dram and That Boutique-y Whisky Company!
Gift Packs
1. Drinks by the Dram Japanese Whisky Set – 5x30ml Japanese Whiskies – $70
2. Drinks by the Dram Regions of Scotland – 5x30ml One single malt from each of Scotland’s Regions. – $55
4. That Boutique-y Whisky Scotch Set – 4x50ml Scotch Whiskies – $55
5. That Boutique-y Whisky Premium Scotch Set – 4x50ml – $92
6. Drinks by the Dram Whisky Collection Set 2022 – 12x50ml Primarily Scotch whiskies. – $126
7. Drinks by the Dram Irish Whiskey Series 2022 – 12x50ml Irish Whiskies – $90
“Holiday” Dare We Say Advent Calendars…
In addition to our own KWM 2022 Whisky Calendar, we also have 6 different Holiday “Advent” Calendars from Drinks by the Dram and That Boutique-y Whisky Co. Rather than clog this email with descriptions, you can find all the info on our site, including the full product lists. But we suggest you don’t look at that… there are too few surprises left in this World.
2. That Boutique-y Whisky Holiday Calendar – 24x30ml Whiskies – $259.99
3. DBTD Peated Whisky Holiday Calendar – 24x30ml Peated Whiskies – $279.99
5. DBTD Scotch Whisky Holiday Calendar – 24x30ml Scotch Whiskies – $279.99
6. DBTD Whisky Holiday Calendar – 24x30ml Whiskies – $280
Another Ballot – Deep Breath First!
We are keeping some of the other ballot terms, conditions, and suggestions from prior offerings:
1. As long as your name is in our customer database, and you’ve spent more than $0.01 at KWM since July 1, 2020 (more than 2 years), you are welcome to enter this ballot.
2. You are welcome to enter your name for only one, or all of the whiskies on the ballot, but please note we cannot accommodate preferences; please do not enter the ballots for any bottles you don’t intend to actually purchase.
3. We will be making an effort to make sure as many people as possible get at least 1 bottle of something, accordingly, no one will be selected to purchase more than one of the bottles on offer.
4. Don’t be a dick… please don’t enter the ballot for any bottles you have already acquired elsewhere or that you intend to flip for a profit right after picking them up. Refer to my intro if you need more context on this.
5. If your name is drawn you will be billed or contacted for your payment info within 1 week of the ballot closing.
6. Don’t call or email us asking if you were selected for a bottle, please wait until you hear from us!
7. Please do not submit more than 1 entry, or enter the ballot with an alias, on behalf of your spouse, children, roommate, dog, or teddy bear. We aren’t stupid. If we feel you are trying to increase your chances of winning, you may be disqualified.
8. Please don’t petition me or write me a life story about why you deserve a bottle… these ballots are already painful enough for us to deal with, and you are not doing yourself any favours!
9. The ballot closes at midnight, Sunday, October 30.
*PLEASE DON’T EMAIL ASKING TO BE ENTERED IN THE BALLOT. YOU MUST DO SO YOURSELF. EMAIL REQUESTS WILL BE IGNORED!
In this ballot: No photos this time… does that matter?! Allocations on everything but the GlenAllachie 10, and 15 are very light, so please go in with an open heart and low expectations!
1. Blood Oath Pact No. 8 Bourbon – 49.3% – Producer Description: “A masterful union of three well-bred bourbons. One, a 14-year ryed bourbon. Two, an 11-year ryed bourbon. And three, and 8-year ryed bourbon finished in Calvados casks from the Normandy region of France to impart slight apple on the nose with hints of vanilla and cinnamon. With each sip, feel transported to Northern France by way of Kentucky.” – $325
2. Canadian Club 45 Year – 50% – Producer Description: “CC’s pivotal role during Prohibition paved the way for it to be enjoyed by iconic characters in some of the most acclaimed films and TV series from the 1960s through to present day. With a past as storied as the characters who supped it, Canadian Club is a true global icon in its own right.” – Producer Tasting Note: “Savor the enticing aromas of warm pear, baking spices, and toffee with a hint of leather. Then enjoy the taste of espresso crema balanced with wine poached pear and nutty praline.” – $510
3. GlenAllachie 10 Year Cask Strength Batch 7 – 56.8% – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Waves of heather honey, dried fruit, cinnamon and nutmeg, followed by orange peel, mocha and treacle. Taste: Lashings of dark chocolate, figs and heather honey, with raisins, cinnamon, plums and hints of orange zest.” – $115
4. GlenAllachie 15 Year – Yes, sadly it has already come to this… – 46% – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Waves of heather honey, dark chocolate and figs, with notes of fruit cake, mocha and cinnamon. Taste: Lashings of fig syrup, mocha and treacle, followed by dark chocolate, sweet spices and heather honey, fused with ginger on the finish.” – $125
5. GlenAllachie 21 Year Cask Strength Two – 51.1% – Producer Description: “From amongst the 50,000 casks maturing across our 16 warehouses, Billy hand-selected five vintage Pedro Ximenez casks for this bottling. With a very limited release of only 1,600 bottles available worldwide, The GlenAllachie 21 years old is offered at cask strength, natural colour and non-chill filtered, meaning this annual small batch release showcases GlenAllachie in its purest form.” – Producer Tasting Note: “Nose: Lashings of cocoa, heather honey and orange peel, with notes of cinnamon, mocha and fruit cake. Taste: A fusion of fruit cake, treacle and heather honey, followed by layers of orange peel, stewed fruits and dark chocolate, with ginger and orange zest on the finish.” – $440
6. Highland Park Cask Strength 2022 – 64.1% – Producer Tasting Note: “Lightly charred oak | Honey-glazed lemons | Crushed aniseed | Ripe mango | Cloudy heather honey | Whipped vanilla cream | Aromatic violet | Pink grapefruit zest | Rich sponge cake | Smouldering peat smoke” – $155
7. Laphroaig Cairdeas 2022 – We are only getting 6 bottles… total… no whining, please! – $152
8. Macallan 25 Year 2022 – Only one bottle, as with past years it has gone up in price from the last release. We are only getting 1 bottle! – $3250
Upcoming Tastings
Our Fall Tasting Schedule is coming soon, but in the meantime, here are a few events to entertain and delight you!
!!!NEW DATE!!!
Wednesday, November
23rd
Kinda Rare & Old Whiskies: 20 is the new 30
· Date: Wednesday, November 23
· Time: 7 PM
· Cost: $150
· Virtual Tasting
Who are we kidding, in the current circumstances this tasting is far from “Kinda Old”… And when have you ever sampled 3 21+ year old Edradours… I thought so! And the previous image didn’t help, so we have added a new one!
You should know the drill by now: the big man has identified a range of whiskies he wants to taste, and the range is unlikely to disappoint. This time around we have a range of 8 whiskies: 6 in their twenties and 2 in their early thirties. We have a trio of old Edradours, a Millstone distilled in the 1990s, a Gordon & MacPhail Miltonduff from 1989, and OB single casks of BenRiach (1997) and GlenDronach (1990). In total, you’ll enjoy just shy of 200 years worth of single malt whisky!
Wednesday, November 23 @ 7 PM
Bog v. Bodega: Peat Monsters & Sherry Bombs
· Date: Thursday, October 27
· Time: 7 PM
· Cost: $80
· This is an in-person tasting!
Peat and sherry are unquestionably the big guns in the whisky world. While these are arguably the most polarizing styles of whisky out there, they’re also far and away the most in demand. The theme for this tasting is elegantly simple: dark-sherried beauties meet bold smoky beasts. From the bodegas of Jerez to the peat banks of Scotland, we’ll work our way through some of the most intense flavours on the spectrum. Though not a tasting for the faint of heart, Curt has pulled together some special bottles for this range!
Thursday, October 27th @ 7 PM
Boutique-y North-West Euro Express w/ Dave Worthington
· Date: Saturday, October 29
· Time: 5 PM
· Cost: $50
· Virtual Tasting
Can you think of a better way to spend an early Saturday evening in October than geeking out on whisky with Boutique-y Dave and the KWM crew? We have selected 8 whiskies for the tasting, released as a part of Boutique-y’s North-West Euro Express. The range highlights single malts, ryes, and a buckwheat spirit (that can’t legally be called whisky) from North West European Distilleries. We’ll be sampling drams from Austria, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, and Switzerland.
Saturday, October 29th @ 5 PM
SMWS November 2022 Virtual Outturn
· Date: Wednesday, November 2
· Time: 7 PM
· Cost: $55
· Virtual Tasting
Log in, pour your drams and join us from home, the cottage, or work… for the October 2022 Scotch Malt Whisky Society Canada Virtual November Tasting. The KWM team will be your guide as you sample through an exciting range of 7 new, never-before-sampled SMWS whiskies.
Wednesday, November 2nd @ 7 PM
Elixir Distillers Single Casks with Celine Tetu
· Date: Friday, November 4
· Time: 7 PM
· Cost: $50
· This is an in-person tasting!
Elixir Distillers has become one of our best partners in recent years, and they keep feeding us some absolutely amazing single casks. The most recent batch was selected in the Winter or Spring of 2021, but due to all the challenges around logistics these days, they only just arrived in the late Spring! We did a version of this tasting in the summer with Elixir Distiller’s Celine Tetu, and now she’s coming to town, so we’ll feature the same range in-store. Guests will sample 7 Single Malts of Scotland bottlings, with 6 of them being cask strength, single cask whiskies.
Participants will try the 4 most recent KWM casks: Ardmore 11 Year, Glenburgie 22 Year, Imperial 22 Year, and Mannochmore 13 Year, and 3 others: Ben Nevis 1997, Linkwood 11 Year, and Reserve Casks Glencadam 10 Year.
Friday, November 4th @ 7 PM
…By Any Other Name: Secret Whiskies from Not So Secret Distilleries
· Date: Tuesday, November 8
· Time: 7 PM
· Cost: $40
· Virtual Tasting
“What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.”
A little bit of Romeo and Juliet for you, folks. But what is in a name? We sorta think that’s a topic for group discussion. And a discussion is almost always more enjoyable over a few drams (this is incontrovertible truth). There are a few distilleries in Scotland that are very protective of their brand. There are others that simply produce a handful of in-house styles under different names. In both cases, we often find labels that make us second-guess our distillery knowledge. For this event, we’ll be tasting a few very well-known distilleries bottled under some very different names. We’ll tell some stories and maybe even speculate a bit in some cases. Join us for an evening of sipping, sleuthing, and secret revealing. Curt was really excited about this range, and we can assure you it won’t disappoint.
Tuesday, November 8th @ 7 PM
Boutique-y Cool & Unusual Whisky w/ Dave Worthington
· Date: Saturday, November 12
· Time: 5 PM
· Cost: $70
· Virtual Tasting
This will surely be one of the most fun ranges we sample with Boutique-y Dave. It includes 4 recently release That Boutique-y Whisky Co. Blends at 22, 32, 42 and 52 years of age! The last one is a real curiosity, as having fallen below 40% it isn’t legally whisky… but it will be interesting to try! To round out the lineup we are adding Ledaig 21 Year, Allt-A-Bhaine 23 Year, and a teaspooned presumably Glen Scotia 24 Year. 216 years of liquid history, with one of the industry’s most entertaining hosts!
Saturday, November 12th @ 5 PM
Glenfarclas Family Casks 2021 – The 2000s
· Date: Tuesday, November 15
· Time: 7 PM
· Cost: $65
· Virtual Tasting
No, we won’t be sampling the KWM 30th Anniversary Family Cask in this session, but we still have an incredible lineup of Glenfarclas single casks. We held back a bottle each of some of the highlights from the Summer 2021 Glenfarclas Family Cask releases. In this session, we’ll sample bottlings from 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006.
Tuesday, November 15th @ 7 PM
Buzzard’s Roost Virtual Tasting with Jason Brauner and Judy Hollis Jones
· Date: Tuesday, November 22
· Time: 7 PM
· Cost: $25
· Virtual Tasting
Buzzard’s Roost isn’t your typical Rye Whiskey bottler. The company was founded by Jason Brauner – the owner of the famous Bourbon Bistro in Louisville Kentucky. Jason has selected over 100 single barrels of Bourbon, Rye, and American Whiskey over the years and decided to take his experience and put it to good use by selecting casks and bottling under his own label.
Buzzard’s Roost puts flavour at the fore by utilizing different casks styles to finish their Rye and Bourbon Whiskey. We are excited to have Buzzard’s Roost Founder and Master Blender Jason Brauner and CEO Judy Hollis Jones join us via Zoom and lead us through their whiskey lineup which includes The Buzzard’s Roost Barrel Strength Rye, Char #1 Rye, Peated Barrel Rye, Toasted Barrel Rye, and two Bourbons from the company that have yet not hit shelves in Alberta!
Tuesday, November 22nd @ 7 PM.
Kinda Rare & Old Whiskies: 20 is the new 30 Virtual Tasting
· Date: Wednesday, November 23
· Time: 7 PM
· Cost: $25
· Virtual Tasting
Who are we kidding, in the current circumstances this tasting is far from “Kinda Old”… And when have you ever sampled 3 21+ year-old Edradours… I thought so! And the previous image didn’t help, so we have added a new one!
You should know the drill by now: the big man has identified a range of whiskies he wants to taste, and the range is unlikely to disappoint. This time around we have a range of 8 whiskies: 6 in their twenties and 2 in their early thirties. We have a trio of old Edradours, a Millstone distilled in the 1990s, a Gordon & MacPhail Miltonduff from 1989, and OB single casks of BenRiach (1997) and GlenDronach (1990). In total, you’ll enjoy just shy of 200 years worth of single malt whisky!
Wednesday, November 23 @ 7 PM
Kinship Collection 2021 +1
· Date: Tuesday, December 6
· Time: 7 PM
· Cost: $225
· Virtual Tasting
Who doesn’t love old Islay malts? We bought a couple of sets of the 2021 Kinship Collection from Hunter Laing because we knew we were going to want to open one for a tasting. The set consists of:
Ardbeg 19 Year, Bowmore 33 Year, Bruichladdich 29 Year, Bunnahabhain 31 Year, Caol Ila 40 Year, and Laphroaig 23 Year. But that’s only 6 whiskies, and we like to have at least 7 at our tastings, so we are tossing in a lovely sherried First Edition Laphroaig 14 Year to round out our range. Join the KWM team as we sip our way through 189 years of Islay glory!
Tuesday, December 6th @ 7 PM
FREE DELIVERY
We are proud to offer Free City Wide Delivery on all orders over $100 Monday-Friday!
Orders under $100 are subject to a flat rate $10 delivery fee.
CURBSIDE PICKUP
Physical distancing is made easy with curbside pickup.
Order online or by phone, wait for confirmation your order is ready then call us when you are parked in the back or out front.
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