I do know it’s solely been two weeks for the reason that final full Malt Messenger (insert joke about receiving it thrice right here… 🙂 ), however right here we’re with one other distinctive providing of latest and thrilling whiskies. It appears the transport logjams that lots of our suppliers have been dealing with for months have all lastly damaged free… and at roughly the identical time!
As lots of you’ll know, I’m simply again from the outdated international locations, after 2 weeks spent assembly up with new and outdated associates for the primary time in practically two and a half years. This journey was impressed largely by considerations over provides within the months and yr forward. My travels took me to Scotland, London, Champagne, and the Catalunya area of Spain, and the fruits of those travels possible gained’t be harvested till later this yr or someday within the first half of subsequent. However they are going to be well worth the wait!
Earlier than we get to all the wonderful new stuff, a fast wee replace on a few of the chaos ensuing from the final Malt Messenger. To say the demand generated by our poll was unprecedented can be a gross understatement. We had greater than 500 entries, and a little bit greater than 100 complete bottles, throughout the 7 whiskies on the poll. The person odds for just a few of the whiskies just like the Springbank 15 Yr have been greater than 1:50.
I’m positive that quite a lot of of you studying this have been left each upset and empty-handed. I’m actually sorry for that, however I would take this chance to make the purpose that because of this we have now put a lot effort into, and deal with, sourcing exclusives. Any retailer can promote the simple stuff, and whereas we gained’t flip down these alternatives once they come our method, we put most of our focus into searching for out the unknown, the underappreciated, and the as-yet undiscovered hidden gems. And this Malt Messenger is filled with them!
Let’s begin with the 4th bottling within the Glenfarclas “Andrew’s Ego Assortment” sequence, which is a cask energy 21-year-old. I’ll spare you the cheeky backstory on the ego sequence right here, however if you’re unfamiliar with it, you possibly can learn a synopsis beneath, full with photos. The most recent bottling options yours actually and Glenfarclas’ George Grant standing in entrance of Blair Fort, the place we have been each made Keepers of the Quaich 11 years in the past. This was alleged to be a tenth Anniversary bottling of that momentous occasion… however for Covid… however for materials shortages… however for transport delays… You get the thought. Though the potential heights of my ego haven’t but been totally explored (nor the depths of my depravity), this may be the final bottling within the sequence. The 4th bottling itself nearly didn’t occur, owing to the pressures on Glenfarclas inventory. Extra beneath.
We’ve been teasing about this subsequent parcel of KWM unique single casks for what looks as if a yr now. As with the Glenfarclas, these are bottlings chosen by my group and me greater than a yr in the past. How can I make sure of this? As a result of a few of them have been bottled in Could of final yr! As a consequence of the entire ongoing challenges surrounding worldwide commerce, our newest Single Malts of Scotland KWM unique casks have solely simply arrived. This time round we have now casks of Ardmore, Mannochmore, Glenburgie, and…calm your self…Imperial.
I do know that final one may set off some FOMO. Accordingly, we’re limiting gross sales to 1 per buyer for at the least a month, and primarily based on demand for the final Imperial cask we had, it could not final that lengthy. I hope I’m incorrect about that, however we aren’t anticipating to get to the purpose the place we can be providing a 2nd bottle to anybody. However please don’t learn that to imply that it is best to get your associate, youngsters or distant relations to order bottles too, simply so you possibly can have a couple of… that’s a dick transfer… and if we suspect that of taking place we might cancel each orders!
My mom expressed concern about my use of the phrase “dick” within the final Malt Messenger and was fearful that some may take offence to my tone. Context is all the things, what she doesn’t recognize is that there’s a lot of desperation and FOMO round buying quite a lot of more and more uncommon issues lately, and a few folks on the market are making issues worse with their behaviour. That phrase in each the final and this present publication was surgically focused at those that are shopping for issues simply to flip for a revenue, and people who are greedily making an attempt to amass a number of bottles of very restricted issues, thereby denying others a chance to take pleasure in them. If both of these issues applies to you, then I sincerely hope you might be offended!
There’s nonetheless a lot of nice whisky on the market, and this article is stuffed with a great deal of examples of that. Closed distillery bottlings of whiskies like Imperial, although, are more and more uncommon, so we’d wish to see that love unfold round, particularly whereas they’re nonetheless comparatively inexpensive!
Along with all of our retailer casks, we additionally produce other new and returned whiskies from Single Malts of Scotland, Parts of Islay, La Maison du Whisky, Signatory, Kingsbarns, Two Brewers, Kinglake Distillery (Australia), Glengoyne and Glenfarclas!
Keep tuned within the subsequent few days for some tasting bulletins, together with a few of the merchandise on this publication!
As at all times, within the occasion of a discrepancy in value, the purpose of sale at KWM can be taken as right.
Sincerely,
Andrew Ferguson
Kensington Wine Market
In This Version
1. Introducing: The Glenfarclas 21 Yr KWM Cask Power: Ferg & George – Getting Quaich-y With It!
2. 4 New KWM Unique Casks from Single Malts of Scotland
3. Different New Whiskies from Single Malts of Scotland
4. New Whiskies from Parts of Islay
5. New Whiskies From La Maison Du Whisky
6. New & Returned Whiskies from Signatory
7. New Whiskies from Kingsbarns & Wemyss Malts
8. Introducing: Two Brewers Yukon Single Malt Launch 33
9. Introducing: Kinglake O’Grady’s Stand Single Malt Aussie Whisky
10. Glengoyne Whiskies Again in Inventory!
11. The Glenfarclas Summer season 2021 Household Casks Have Arrived
INTRODUCING: THE GLENFARCLAS 21 YEAR KWM CASK STRENGTH
GETTING QUAICH-Y WITH IT
The 4th and presumably closing bottling within the “Andrew’s Ego Assortment” sequence is a Glenfarclas 21 Yr, bottled at 51.9%, bottled completely for Kensington Wine Market.
This bottling celebrates the tenth Anniversary of the night time in 2011 I used to be inducted into the Keepers of the Quaich (a Scotch whisky business honour) at Blair Fort, together with my buddy George Grant of Glenfarclas. Along with George, I used to be inducted together with my buddy Jamie Mackenzie of Morrison Bowmore, Simon Brooking of Laphroaig, and lots of others. It was an evening to recollect, although a lot malt was loved it might simply have been forgotten!
This bottling was meant to mark the tenth Anniversary of our Keepering, however it took rather a lot longer to get right here than anybody anticipated, and it practically didn’t occur in any respect. Glenfarclas is operating low on whiskies 17 years of age and older, and the undertaking was practically cancelled. A lot of the credit score for it really coming to fruition is owed to the tenacity of Michelle Sharpe from Pacific Wines & Spirits, Glenfarclas’s importer, who pushed laborious to make it occur!
If you’re unfamiliar with the story behind the “Andrew’s Ego Assortment” – as my workers took to calling it – it began with a cask energy Glenfarclas 21 Yr we known as Ferg within the Spey! Lengthy story brief, it’s a play on a bottling Glenfarclas did for an American, known as “Ferd (Ford) within the Spey,” which was bottled to commemorate a go to to Glenfarclas that ended with a Ford rental automotive within the Spey River. It was meant to be a one-off, however was so well-liked that it was adopted with a cask energy Glenfarclas 15 Yr, which we known as Ferg in Entrance of the Retailer. We have been on a little bit of a roll now, and beginning to have some enjoyable with it, so it was determined a trilogy was so as…
The third bottling commissioned, which solely just lately bought out, was a 25 Yr, bottled at 50%, known as Ferg in Homage to George Grant. I wished the third bottling to be much more whimsical or in the event you choose, ridiculous, than the primary two. It took its inspiration from an commercial for Glenfarclas, circa 15 years in the past, that includes a reclining George Grant in a kilt with a choice of whisky in entrance of him. Our model options yours actually in homage, with the 5 prior KWM unique Glenfarclas bottlings specified by entrance of me. One in every of our prospects referred to it as “Reclining Ferg” and one other stated it reminded them of a well-known picture of a scantily clad Burt Reynolds. Fortunately nobody drew comparisons to a lower than totally clothed George Costanza!
Whereas I’m positive my ego would proceed to inflate with a fifth launch, the 4th bottling might very properly be the final within the sequence. This one nearly by no means occurred, the truth is. Demand is lastly catching up with Glenfarclas, who’ve continued to supply nice worth older whisky longer than most of us thought doable. For the foreseeable future, the entire whiskies 17 years of age and older can be tightly allotted.
As soon as extra the label was created by our proficient buddy and former colleague at KWM, Jean-Paul Berube. One of many photographs I gave JP for inspiration was an image of Jamie Mackenzie, George Grant and I, properly into our cups (each actually and metaphorically), and reasonably late within the day!
Evolution of the “Andrew’s Ego Assortment”
“Ferg within the Spey”, impressed by Ferd (Ford) within the Spey!
“Ferg in Entrance of the Retailer” impressed by Robbie’s Drams… I’m biased, however I feel our retailer entrance is (was) cooler!”Ferg in Homage to George Grant” impressed by one among my favorite whisky ads!
JP took our youthful selves, set us beside Blair Fort – the non secular house of the Keepers of the Quaich – and put collectively yet one more masterpiece for us!;
Glenfarclas 21 Yr KWM Cask Power #2: Ferg & George – 10 Years Retaining Quaich’y With It! – 51.9% – My Tasting Notice: “Nostril: creamy, honeyed, and decadent with toasted oak and crisp spices; toffee chews, Scottish pill, and dulce de leche; nutty; candied orange, maraschino cherries, and figs in honey; melons, kiwis, and guava. Palate: large, fruity, and creamy with extra spice and toasted oak; buttery with extra toffee, pill and dulce de leche; this has a few of that heat blueberry pie character with which I’ve lengthy related the usual launch of Glenfarclas 21; nonetheless nutty, and fruity with extra candied orange, guava, figs, melons, and kiwis, on prime of a agency spine of leather-based and decadent spices. End: warming, fruity, coating, and lengthy; a beautiful mixture of cream, fruits and spice.
Remark: as with the usual launch of Glenfarclas 21, our unique cask energy bottling is on the lighter, possible refill, aspect of sherry; however it is complicated, layered, and chic, as you’d count on; in all probability pretty much as good a degree as any to place a lid on my ego… I might have stored going for fairly some time!” – $200
4 NEW KWM SINGLE CASKS
FROM SINGLE MALTS OF SCOTLAND
One other spherical of KWM unique single casks from Elixir Distillers have simply landed within the store. We chosen these beauties greater than a yr in the past. How can I make sure of that within the Covid period, when time has misplaced all which means? As a result of they have been bottled in Could or June of final yr! Fortunately, having misplaced our sense of time attributable to Covid (to not point out the briefly misplaced however fortunately regained senses of style and scent), we didn’t understand how lengthy we had actually been ready for them till they arrived.
As one may count on, regardless of the modest enhance in value from the final launch of Imperial we had, 191 bottles of beautiful closed distillery whisky gained’t final lengthy at the present time. Accordingly, it’s restricted to 1 per individual!
We can be saying a tasting with Celine Tetu from Elixir Distillers within the coming days. Save the date for July 22!
1. SMOS Ardmore 2009 Cask 707923 – 58.3% – 11 Yr – ex-Bourbon-Barrel – My Tasting Notice: “Nostril: candy, ashy, and barnyard-y, basic Ardmore; there’s a farmyard-y funk on the nostril, I’m considering an old-school dairy barn… it’s tacky too; Granny Smith apples, orange, and almond; there smoke rising from a hearth fueled with the dried-out wooden of a century-old barn; like I stated, an old-school farm; there’s a barely medicinal, salty, seafood-y notice right here… might this be yet one more Ardmore from an ex-Laphroaig cask? Curt threw out ‘Deet’… perhaps take this tenting with you. Palate: tarry, ashy and medicinal, with salted caramel and a touch of creosote; this has that distinctly south coast of Islay fashion to it, so I feel my suspicions from the nostril are being born out… ex-Laphroaig cask me thinks… the hay, correct aged Gouda, and barnyard-y tones are nonetheless there, together with hickory and outdated wooden smoke; orchard fruits besides. End: candy, creamy, and tacky, with fading smoky barnyard tones; white and citrus fruits on the very finish. Remark: we actually have a barn burner right here… each for the worth and the profile; I’m picturing a farmer’s spouse in a ruffled apron on the porch, ringing an old school, dinner bell and yelling ‘come and get it!’” – $100 ($99.99… to be precise)
2. SMOS Glenburgie 1998 Cask 751404 – 54.4% – 22 Yr – Hogshead – My Tasting Notice: “Nostril: Outdated English Butter Scotch and Rum Raisin ice cream; toasted oak and waxed paper; a great deal of white fruit, beginning with applesauce and evolving into apple strudel with crème Anglaise… regardless of the 2 world wars these play properly with one another, proper? because it opens up it will get extra tropical, guava and papaya. Palate: large, toasty and candy; it begins off very nutty: candied almonds, beer nuts, and maple glazed walnuts; it strikes shortly and deftly on the sweet-creamy tones; as with its countrymen in stated world wars, the strudel makes an look however is overpowered by the Outdated English Butter Scotch and Crème Anglaise (are we nonetheless on aspect?); as with the nostril the tropical fruits develop because the whisky breathes and opens up; a contact of smoky barrel char too. End: lengthy (not not like the endurance of the British Commonwealth forces in two world conflicts final century), coating, toasty, and nutty with fading tropical fruits. Remark: this can be a nuttier and extra cask-driven Glenburgie than our final one, however fret not the tropical fruits are nonetheless there… the key is to not rush it; give it time to breathe and it opens up properly; additionally, the worth… for a 22 yr outdated single cask… phenomenal!” – $205
3. SMOS Imperial 1998 Cask 103317 – 54.1% – 22 Yr – ex-Bourbon Barrel – My Tasting Notice: “Nostril: fruity, waxy, decadent, and floral proper off the hop; Juicy Fruit gum, beeswax candles, and Wine Gums; silky oak tones, Manuka honey, and pillowy marshmallow; baking spices, brown sugar and fruits galore: orange, grapefruit, mango, papaya, kiwi… I might go on. Palate: large, wealthy, decadent, and oozing with fruit; crème caramel, agave nectar, and extra Manuka honey; extra baking spices, brown sugar, and toasted marshmallow; a great deal of tropical fruits with all the things discovered on the nostril and extra; it will get a contact darker, shifting in direction of darkish chocolate; nonetheless waxy in an old style type of method. End: wealthy, decadent, waxy, and coating, with toasted oak and baking spices; the fruits pop up every now and then alternating with honey and different delights. Remark: these twenty-something Imperials from Elixir by no means appear to disappoint, and this one isn’t any exception; that is an old-school whisky of the type we don’t see an excessive amount of of anymore, but when we’re fortunate, perhaps historical past will repeat itself and can see one thing like this from one of many many new distilleries in 15-20 years!” – $300 – Restrict 1 Per Buyer!
4. SMOS Mannochmore 13 Yr Cask 3778 – 55.3% – 13 Yr – Hogshead – My Tasting Notice: “Nostril: completely beautiful for a 13 yr outdated, a lot depth; peaches & cream, dried apricots, and clotted cream with marmalade on a heat scone; it’s getting a bit extra unique with some crème caramel, Strawberry Twizzlers, and tropical fruits. Palate: large, spherical, fruity, lush and coating; this isn’t what you count on from most 13 years outdated, so elegant and sophisticated; baggage of fruit: white and orchard, plus some tropical besides; a little bit of waxy Strawberry Twizzlers, and Starburst candies; velvety oak tones with crisp decadent spice. End: lengthy, coating, and heat, however not sizzling; extra fruits, spice, decadence. Remark: that is ridiculously good for the worth, with the depth and magnificence of a a lot older whisky.” – $115
OTHER NEW WHISKIES
FROM SINGLE MALTS OF SCOTLAND
We’ve got a small choice of different single malts from Single Malts of Scotland, together with a 12-year-old Glen Elgin cask bottled for Canada. There’s additionally a Ben Nevis, which might get a few of you excited, however we don’t count on it to final. We’re making half the bottles out there on the market now, restricted to 1 per buyer, and the remainder can be provided to individuals in a tasting developing on July twenty second. Tasting particulars to be posted in just a few days!
1. SMOS Reserve Cask Glencadam 10Yr Parcel No.6 – 48% – 5 ex-Bourbon Barrels – Whisky Change Notice: “Aromas of freshly-cut flowers, lemon-and-mint salad dressing, pears, coconut and marshmallows fill the nostril, complemented by notes of meringue, lemon cream, recent mint, unripe pear, Key lime pie and inexperienced grass all through the palate.” – $85
2. SMOS Ben Nevis 1997 Cask 105 – 57.7% – 24 Yr – Sherry Butt – Whisky Change Notice: “Aromas of iced cinnamon rolls, sizzling banana custard, strawberry cordial and iced black tea fill the nostril, complemented by notes of pancakes with golden syrup, stewed strawberries, buttery scones, raspberry jam, sponge cake, candied ginger and purple fruit all through the palate.” – $375 – Restrict 1 Per Buyer!
3. SMOS Linkwood 2006 Cask 802400 – 57.4% – 14 Yr – Hogshead – Whisky Change Notice: “Aromas of mint tea, freshly-cut flowers, tarte tatin and freshly-baked pastries fill the nostril, complemented by notes of honey cake, elderflower and lemon drizzle cake, heat croissants and ache au raisin all through the palate.” – $128
4. SMOS Glen Elgin 12 Yr Cask 807785 – 58.8% – Hogshead – Producer Tasting Notice: “Nostril: Almonds, orange juice and maybe a hint of freshly reduce lumber. Palate: Candy with some acidity, then coastal (seaweed) and sharper, with olive brine and leafy notes. End: Lengthy, drying with a balanced end.” – $110
NEW WHISKIES FROM ELEMENTS OF ISLAY
We gained’t be seeing this vary for for much longer sadly; even the legends at Elixir Distillers aren’t resistant to the faucets being turned off by most Islay distilleries. The vary will proceed, however the single malts can be phased out within the years to return. I do know for a proven fact that that is possible the second final Lagavulin we’ll see as an components bottling…
Parts of Islay Lg11 – 54.1% – Producer Description: “This can be a marriage of two barrels of 2007 Lagavulin, which was aged for 14 years, and an additional two 2007 barrels, which have been aged for eight years and subsequently rested in glass to take care of their sprightly character. This whisky shows a beneficiant serving to of coastal character, together with loads of creamy and savoury flavours. 1067 bottles produced.” – Producer Tasting Notice: “Nostril: Chewy toffee penny sweets and Russian Caravan tea leaves. Dried seaweed and dried meat entwine with juicy purple grapes and rolled oats. Palate: Smoked pancetta carbonara and cracked black pepper. A touch of almond butter and a bag of Scampi Fries, adopted by fruit with a coastal edge – zesty pear chutney and freshly-shucked oysters. End: Punchy and lingering – creamy nettle soup and prosciutto-wrapped asparagus, with a lot of earthy smoke.” – $138/500ml – 88pts Whisky Enjoyable – 1 Per Buyer!
Parts of Islay Lp12 – 54.7% – Producer Description: “This can be a marriage of two refill and two sherry Laphroaig hogsheads, distilled in 2014 and aged for greater than six years. This can be a dram filled with sharply medicinal notes, accented by layers of wooden smoke and a contact of fruit. 1672 bottles produced.” – Producer Tasting Notice: “Nostril: Burnt toffee cake and cigarillo smoke are adopted by the scent of a just-opened first help equipment – bandages and iodine. Palate: Honey-roasted parsnip mingles with smoked, crispy bacon. Plenty of brininess and a few dried figs mix properly with properly built-in bonfire smoke. End: Ash and orange-dark-chocolate together with a contact of thyme. Thick, dense wooden smoke stays.” – $90
NEW WHISKIES FROM LA MAISON DU WHISKY
From La Maison du Whisky, we have now two trios of whisky; the Artist #11 vary, which is a sequence of three whiskies created by Compass Field; and the Artist Collective 5.0 Small Batch bottlings.
Artist #11 LMDW Compass Field Releases
Concerning the Vary
“Compass Field has created a complete ARTIST vary for La Maison du Whisky. We had little doubt the undertaking would encourage John Glaser — the person behind the Artist Mix — as we clearly communicate the identical language. The ARTIST #11 PENTALOGY assortment is designed to be a piece in its personal proper, offered in 5 separate acts. Created by the proficient whisky maker James Saxon, the vary options 5 whiskies, every with its personal evocative identify. In tribute to the theme of origins, the names are straight impressed by the Aristotelian philosophy that encourages discovering the appropriate stability of advantage and the rejection of all extra. This quest for concord and stability is an ideal reflection of a grasp blender’s work.”
Sadly we solely acquired 3 of them, however that’s higher than nothing!
1. LMDW Compass Field Confidence – 55.3% – Profile: Vibrant, Fruity, Delicate – Producer Description: “Produced from one Lowland single grain, one Northern Highland single malt, two Speyside single malts and one blended malt named The Circle, Confidence reveals a palette of flavours and aromas dominated by the only malts. This enables it, all through the tasting, to confidently reveal very good fruity, floral, herbaceous and honeyed notes.” – $275
2. LMDW Compass Field Fortitude – 52.5% – Profile: Oily, Peaty, Balanced – Producer Description: “Produced from a Lowland single grain, a Speyside single malt, a Highland blended malt and a blended malt dubbed “No Title”, Fortitude proudly proclaims its unmistakable parallels with an Islay single malt. Intensely smoky, its palette of flavours and aromas reveals a peat with a number of faces that nonetheless stays dressed from head to toe in sheer magnificence.” – $275
3. LMDW Compass Field Generosity – 51.9% – Profile: Sooth, Beneficiant, Unique – Producer Description: “Produced from two Lowland single grains, on the nostril, Generosity reveals enthralling medicinal, fruity, herbaceous, cereal and spicy notes. Persevering with on seamlessly and with the identical generosity and fervour, the flavour palette reveals splendidly delicate honeyed, milky, creamy, unique and chocolaty flavours.” – $275
Different LMDW Releases
1. Artist Collective 5.0 Auchentoshan – 48% – 2007 – Producer Description: “When tasting this model distilled in 2007 for the primary time, one factor is obvious: sherry ending couldn’t be higher suited to this iconic Lowland single malt. Even higher, its very nuanced and splendidly fruity palette of flavours and aromas is enriched with beneficiant and spicy notes in addition to gorgeous autumn shades that additional deliver out its deeply malty character” – $235
2. Artist Collective 5.0 Benrinnes 11 Yr – 48% – 2010 – 1st Fill Sherry Butt End –Producer Description: “Every linked carefully collectively by a skilfully woven malty tapestry, the three levels within the tasting of this unbelievable Benrinnes are nonetheless entities in their very own proper. The nostril’s intensely floral character and the palate’s abundantly fruity temperament precede a splendidly chocolaty, roasted and spicy end that additionally reveals an impressively mature and recent expression.” Tasting Notice on Our Web site – $210 – 87 pts Whiskybase
3. Artist Collective 5.0 Caol Ila 10 Yr – 48% – Refill Sherry Butt – Producer Description: “Following within the footsteps of the excellent Caol Ila 2012 present in our 2021 Creation Catalogue French Connections, this model showcases the great complexity afforded by the mix of peated malted barley and sherry wine. Additional highlighting this complicity, the flavour and aroma palette energetically reveals gorgeous fruity, chocolaty, malty, salty, smoky, peaty, spicy and floral sequences.” – Tasting Notice on Our Web site – $220 – 88.15pts Whiskybase
NEW & RETURNED WHISKIES FROM
SIGNATORY & EDRADOUR
We’ve got some cool new and returned whiskies from Signatory, at a reasonably broad vary of value factors. There’s the closely sherried Signatory Edradour 10 Yr, a perennial favorite, in addition to a 22 Yr “Oloroso Cask End.” Which begs a query: if the ending interval is 15 of the 22 years, is it nonetheless a end? There are just a few different gems from the Signatory vary too, all of them with glorious evaluations!
NEW
1. Edradour 22 Yr Yr – 55.8% – 1999 – Matured in Bourbon, Completed 15 Years in Oloroso Sherry – Producer Tasting Notice: “The whisky is wealthy mahogany in color. Sugared almonds, toffee, raisins, and a nutmeg spiciness from the Oloroso casks, complement the refined traces of coconut, apple and vanilla from the preliminary ex-Bourbon cask maturation. A posh dram which could be very wealthy and expansive on the palate with an extended warming end.”- $540 – 90.56pts Whisky Base
2. Edradour Ballechin Sherry 12 Yr – 58.1% – 12 Yr – Oloroso Sherry Cask Matured – $162
3. Signatory Allt-A-Bhainne 2000 – 52.4% – 20 Yr – Hogshead Completed 8 Months in a Sherry Butt – $400 – Restrict 1 Per Buyer!
4. Signatory Edradour 10 Yr Closely Sherried – 46% – 2011 – Sherry Butt Cask #386 – My Tasting Notice: “Nostril: deep with a great deal of candy darkish fruit, chocolate, leather-based and tobacco; fig & strawberry jams, date squares and Fig Newtons; Fruit & Nut Bar; maple syrup and treacle sauce. Palate: spherical, fruity and really chocolatey; the supply could be very delicate; flat cola, cooked raisins, grilled dates and extra Fig Newtons; barely gamey medium-dark goat’s milk chocolate (yup that’s a factor); creme caramel and Aussie licorice. End: Caramilk, Strawberry Twizzlers, fig jam, and Aussie licorice; medium-short in size, however very nice. Remark: this isn’t essentially the most complicated batch of this I’ve had, however it is without doubt one of the most drinkable; flawless sherry; dangerously drinkable!- $115+gst – Restrict 2 Per Buyer!
5. Signatory Glenburgie 1995 – 54.7% – 25 Yr – Hogshead Casks 6528 + 6582 – $305
RETURNED
1. Signatory thirtieth Anniversary Bunnahabhain 1978 – 47.8% – 40 Yr – – My Tasting Notice: “Nostril: wealthy, sherried and nutty; basic sherry cask; Christmas cake, leather-based, tobacco and chocolate; candied orange, earlier than mango, papaya and different extra delicate tropical fruits emerge; waxy and antique-y with cedar shavings; maple syrup and candy licorice. Palate: large, wealthy and sherried; nutty, leathery and earthy with a great deal of tobacco; on the palate basic Christmas cake, darkish chocolate and dried darkish fruits: figs, dates and prunes; clove, fennel and anise; a contact of orange and extra tropical fruits beneath; nonetheless waxy and antique-y. End: lengthy, nutty, drying and sherried; leather-based, tobacco, darkish chocolate and spices proceed lengthy in to the end; the fruits mature later because the sherry notes tone down. Remark: this can be a basic outdated sherry bomb, and a balanced one at that; layered complicated and chic with out even a hint of the dreaded “S” phrase.” – $1976 – 90pts Whisky Enjoyable
2. Signatory thirtieth Anniversary Glenlivet 1973 – 43.1% – 45 Yr – Sherry Hogshead & Sherry Butt – My Tasting Notice: “Nostril: sizzling rattling… that is one thing; antique-y; swirling outdated Armagnac in a brandy sifter whereas sitting in a leather-based armchair in an oak-paneled cigar lounge; fruity pipe tobacco, strawberries dipped in darkish chocolate and maraschino cherries; syrupy after which into the tropical fruits: mango, papaya, and guava; rosewater. Palate: large, wealthy and deep… oh boy that is good; tremendous old-school, extra Armagnac, leather-based, tobacco, and polished oak; maple syrup, chocolate fudge, and quince paste; then we step into the tropical fruits once more mango, papaya, and guava… a little bit of Kiwi too; the spices construct together with a waft of cool mint and one thing paying homage to outdated Jamaican rum; candy funk and extra rosewater. End: lengthy, layered and chic; waves of Armagnac, fruit, chocolate, tobacco, and extra. Remark: surprisingly balanced at 45 years of age, with a very good synergy between the nostril and palate; whereas I’m not suggesting that is the Normal or the Black Bowmore, it’s trending in that route… very good stuff!” – $2548 – 92pts Whisky Enjoyable
3. Signatory Glenlochy 1980 – 51.1% – 35 Yr – Hogshead – 93pts Whisky Enjoyable: “A much bigger one this time, stuffed just a few seconds after the earlier cask. Undecided they’d have imagined that 35 years later, some overenthusiastic whisky, err, fanatic would clumsily attempt to evaluate each hogsheads. Color: pale gold. Nostril: actually grassier, however which may be the upper energy. Mown garden, crushed leaves, even hints of bay leaves, then menthol time and again, its buddy eucalyptus, and maybe cherry stems and peach leaves, each make for some glorious natural teas by the way in which. With water: some lovable farmy and barley-ish whiffs. Mouth (neat): very citrusy, nearly citric! Lemon drops, limoncello, melissa leaf extract… I discover this completely good, and I keep in mind some super-old Bladnochs that was once like this. You’re proper, some Rosebanks too. With water: extra of all that, good. End: medium to lengthy, super-zesty and clear, with a complexity that solely age – not oak – can deliver to malt whisky. Yeah, rambling on… Feedback: completely superlative citrusy whisky. The lighter ones had extra ‘apparent’ oak, this one’s actually good.” – $3900
NEW WHISKIES FROM
KINGSBARNS DISTTILLERY & WEMYSS MALTS
>Opened in 2014, the Kingsbarns Distillery was constructed on a dilapidated farmstead close to St. Andrews in Fife. The distillery was the dream of a golf caddie named Douglas Clement, however it took the backing of the Wemyss household to maneuver the undertaking ahead. One of many distillery’s early consultants was the late, nice Jim Swan, so it must be no shock that a few of the whisky was stuffed into STR casks. The Wemyss household personal Wemyss Malts, an unbiased bottler.
1. Kingsbarns Desires to Drams Single Malt – 46% – 1st Fill Bourbon & STR Casks – Producer Description: “Beneath the supervision of the legendary whisky skilled Jim Swan a rigorously thought-about mixture of 1st fill ex-Bourbon and 1st fill STR – that’s Shaved, Toasted and Re-charred ex-Portuguese purple wine casks- have been used to mature our flagship whisky.” – Producer Tasting Notice: ” Nostril: There’s banana, pineapple and summer season berries, with a slight natural notice. Palate: Comfortable toffee, custard pastry and redcurrants. End: Spicy ginger end.” – $82
2. Kingsbarns Balcomie Single Malt Scotch – 46% – Matured in 1st Fill American Oak Oloroso Sherry Butts – Producer Description: “This Single Malt from the household owned distillery within the Kingdom of Fife has been distilled utilizing Fife barley and matured in 100% ex-Oloroso American Oak Sherry Butts from Jerez beforehand used for maturing Sherry. These casks have been particularly chosen by Isabella Wemyss for his or her light oak flavours and sherry wealthy sweetness to go with the fruit character of the Kingsbarns spirit. The proper stability between the spirit and the wooden.” – Producer Tasting Notice: “Nostril: Treacle, sultanas, fruit loaf with cinnamon icing, a contact of darkish chocolate with summer season berries. Palate: Candy tinned pineapple up entrance, orange peel, cake spice. End: Plenty of dried apricot and a touch of roasted hazelnut on the end.” – $92
3. Wemyss Malts Glen Keith 22 Yr Cherry Bakewell Tart – 46% – 1996 – Refill Sherry Butt – Producer Tasting Notice: “Nostril: A warming nostril of freshly baked tarts alongside almonds, peanuts and coconut. There are additionally extra savoury and spicy aromas of leather-based, dried mustard seed, fenugreek and outdated wooden. Palate: Purple berry candy with ripe cherry and raspberry cordial. The baking theme seems once more with a sponge cake and brioche. The palate is spicy with a gentle pepperiness. End: Comfortable vanilla notes and delicate wooden tannins within the end.” – $310
INTRODUCING: TWO BREWERS
YUKON SINGLE MALT RELEASE 33
Launch 33 is a 9 yr outdated single cask single malt, from their Particular Finishes label. Bottled at 58%, the whisky was made with a portion of peated malt. After an preliminary maturation, it was completed 3 years in 2 completely different PX casks earlier than bottling.
Producer Description
“The whisky is 9 years outdated, has a little bit of peated malt in it and spend the final 3 years in a PX barrel (really two PX barrels, the primary one break up a stave after a few yr). And we stuffed 299 bottles.”
Two Brewers Yukon Single Malt Launch 33 – 58% – 9 Yr – PX Sherry End – Producer Tasting Notice: “The perfume appeals, acquainted, a collage sharp with spice, oak and refined peat, pineapple with cinnamon. The entry teases, quiet, buttery syrup drizzling, coating by way of the palate. The fringes fold in with drying oak and peat tones, fusing in a delicate intriguing end.” – $180
INTRODUCING: KINGLAKE O’GRADY’S STAND AUSSIE SINGLE MALT WHISKY
That is the primary Aussie single malt we’ve seen in quite a lot of years, and it’s fairly respectable!
O’Grady’s Stand Single Malt is the core whisky from Kinglake Distillery in Central Victoria, Australia. It’s made with 4 completely different malts, 3 of them sourced from New South Wales and malted domestically (one among which is roasted to the extent of chocolate malt), and the stability is peated malt from the borders of Scotland. The spirit is reduce to emphasise a heavy, oily spirit, which is matured in “small format” ex-Bourbon casks.
Kinglake O’Grady’s Stand Aussie Single Malt – 46% – Virtually 3 Years – ex-Bourbon – 4 malts, 3 of them Australian (together with a chocolate malt) and peated Scottish malt – My Tasting Notice (Bottled 22/2/22): “Nostril: caramel, chocolate, leather-based, and bonfire smoke; juicy malt; chocolate-dipped bacon, with whipped cream; nutty, baked apple, and mandarin oranges. Palate: spherical, wealthy, and malty with constructing smoke, and extra juicy malt; nonetheless on the bacon dipped in chocolate with whipped cream (served at our final whisky pageant); nutty with extra baked apple, candied orange peel and fittingly a contact of Aussie licorice. End: drying, coating, and smoky with fading bacon dipped in chocolate.” – $135/500ml
GLENGOYNE WHISKIES BACK IN STOCK!
Assume Macallan-style… solely method higher priced, and really out there!
1. Glengoyne 18 Yr – 43% – 50% Sherry Matured – Producer Tasting Notice: Nostril: Awash with purple apple and ripe melon. Heavenly and properly rounded, it drifts into sizzling porridge topped with brown sugar. Palate: Full bodied, spherical and wealthy. At first macerated fruits, marzipan and walnuts; then heat spices, dry cocoa and lingering Seville marmalade. End: Lengthy, heat and dry.” – $190
2. Glengoyne 21 Yr – 43% – First & Refill European Oak Sherry – Producer Tasting Notice: Nostril: Purple apples, spicy strudel, toffee, sherry and dried fruits. Christmas cake in a glass. Palate: Plenty of Sherry, honey, oak with a growing fragrant sensation. Ends with a heavenly cinnamon nip. End: Lengthy, sherry, spicy, heat and dry.” – $265
3. Glengoyne 25 Yr – 48% – 100% Sherry Matured – Producer Tasting Notice: “Nostril: Purple Fruits, outdated leather-based and brown sugar. Palate: Comfortable oak, cinnamon, stewed fruits and a Seville marmalade tang. End: Very lengthy, with spicy liquorice, slowly drying.” – $600 – 1 Per Buyer!
4. Glengoyne 30 Yr – 46.8% – 100% Sherry Matured – Producer Tasting Notice: “Nostril: Black Cherry, Sherry Trifle, Marmalade, Tea Rose, Rum & Raisin Chocolate. Palate: Burst of sweetness altering shortly to Plum compote, Cinnamon, Cloves and Tangy Marmalade. End: Comfortable Oak dryness and Cinnamon.” – $1450 – 1 Per Buyer!
THE GLENFARCLAS SUMMER 2021
FAMILY CASKS HAVE ARRIVED!
The Summer season 2021 Batch of Glenfarclas Household Casks has arrived, and although we purchased a very good chunk of them, many have already bought out, or are near being bought out. There are excellent evaluations on most of those, and regardless of the modest will increase in value on lots of them, they nonetheless symbolize fairly good worth for single cask distillery bottled whiskies of their respective ages. And the costs are solely going in a single route.
1. Glenfarclas Household Cask 1989 S21 – 51.9% – Matured in Sherry Butt #13007 for roughly 32 years. 90.3pts Whiskybase. – $1190+gst
2. Glenfarclas Household Cask 1990 S21 – 58.9% – Matured in Sherry Butt #9256 for roughly 31 years. 91.6pts Whiskybase. – $1155+gst – SOLD OUT
3. Glenfarclas Household Cask 1991 S21 – 55.3% – Matured in Sherry Butt #5676 for roughly 30 years. 91.3pts Whiskybase. – $1121+gst – Solely 3 left!
4. Glenfarclas Household Cask 1992 S21 – 56.5% – Matured in Sherry Butt #872 for roughly 29 years. 89.5pts Whiskybase. – $721+gst
5. Glenfarclas Household Cask 1993 S21 – 57.6% – Matured in 4th Fill Butt #4669 for roughly 24 years. 81.4pts Whiskybase. – $652+gst
6. Glenfarclas Household Cask 1994 S21 – 54.3% – Matured in Refill Sherry Butt #1583 for roughly 27 years. 89.4pts Whiskybase. – $623+gst – SOLD OUT!
7. Glenfarclas Household Cask 1995 S21 – 57.7% – Matured in a 4th Fill Butt #1583 for roughly 26 years. – $596 – 88pts Whiskybase
8. Glenfarclas Household Cask 1996 S21 – 52.3% – Matured in Sherry Butt #1070 for roughly 25 years. 89.7pts Whiskybase. – $568+gst
9. Glenfarclas Household Cask 1997 S21 – 58.9% – Matured in 4th Fill Sherry Butt #5964 for roughly 24 years. 87.4pts Whiskybase. – $541+gst
10. Glenfarclas Household Cask 1998 S21 – 58.2% – Matured in Sherry Butt #2937 for roughly 23 years. 87.4pts Whiskybase. – $520+gst
11. Glenfarclas Household Cask 1999 S21 – 58.2% – Matured in Refill Sherry Butt #1202 for roughly 22 years. 87.0pts Whiskybase. – $500+gst
12. Glenfarclas Household Cask 2000 S21 – 57.9% – Matured in Refill Butt #3387 for roughly 21 years. 89.0pts Whiskybase. – $475+gst
13. Glenfarclas Household Cask 2001 S21 – 58.8% – Matured in Sherry Butt #3932 for roughly 20 years. 89.1pts Whiskybase. – $454+gst
14. Glenfarclas Household Cask 2002 S21 – 55.4% – Matured in Refill Port Pipe #3335 for roughly 19 years. 86.4pts Whiskybase. – $444+gst
15. Glenfarclas Household Cask 2003 S21 – 58.1% – Matured in 4th Fill Butt #1964 for roughly 18 years. 85.7pts Whiskybase. – $434+gst
16. Glenfarclas Household Cask 2004 S21 – 59.2% – matured in Sherry Butt #2382 for roughly 17 years. 89.1pts Whiskybase. – $423+gst
17. Glenfarclas Household Cask 2005 S21 – 59.7% – Matured in Sherry Butt #2461 for roughly 16 years. 88.9pts Whiskybase. – $413+gst
18. Glenfarclas Household Cask 2006 S21 – 60.0% – matured in Sherry Butt #3424 for roughly 15 years. 86.3pts Whiskybase. – $403+gst
UPCOMING TASTINGS
!!NEW DATE!!! Oddball Distilleries – A+ Malts from the B Workforce
· Date: Tuesday, August 9
· Time: 7 PM
· Price: $75
· Decide-Up Date: Friday June 3!
Ignored, underappreciated, and in some circumstances, flat-out unknown distilleries would be the focus of this tasting that includes a few of the most uncared for distilleries within the Scotch Whisky world. We needed to drag a few of these poor unloved drams out from the orphanages, the cabinets beneath the steps, and different assorted nooks and crannies, as a way to deliver you a line-up that’s certain to attraction to essentially the most discerning of whisky geeks. This has a very stellar vary, in the event you can look previous the manufacturers and distilleries, to see some diamonds within the tough. 7 PM, Tuesday, June 20
To Peat or To not Peat!?
· Date: Tuesday,
· Time: PM
· Price: $60
· In Particular person Tasting!
The times of a distillery making just one fashion of whisky appear to be going the way in which of the Dodo. With the battle for our bucks, many distilleries in Scotland (and elsewhere) have determined to diversify. Making solely unpeated or solely peated whisky is so final century – why not make each? On this tasting, we are going to discover 4 completely different distilleries that just do that. If our math is right, that ought to imply that we are going to be tasting eight completely different whiskies! 7 PM, Thursday, June 23
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