Follow Us:

Blog

Hidden Gems of the Highlands

Posted on May 15, 2017

By Hunter
On the current single malt whisky market, one can quite easily think of the standard bearers of the Highlands. Distilleries like Dalmore and Glenmorangie can be found on most shelves, bearing the Highland designation proudly. What may be a little more difficult is going beyond the fold, name another ten Highland distillers (if you’re feeling confident go for twenty). It shouldn’t be too hard, there are around fifty to choose from. Barring the big name malts, the Highlands of Scotland are home to vast swathes of land containing a milieu of anonymous distilleries, quietly producing malts for blends, independent bottling companies offering the intermittent release of names you have yet to see on the shelves in many other formats. Though these producers are creating malts for the blenders at large, the secret single malt bottlings of these distilleries are something to be marvelled at. Further to be considered is the age of a large portion of these distillers, many dating back to pre-1900s. The Highlands are home to the earliest documented legal whisky producers on the market, many of them still producing spirit in a similar arcane fashion of old. It should be considered that if said distilleries can survive for more than a century, they must be doing something right.
Here are the hidden gems we tried:

 
Aberfeldy 21 Year - $115
Originally intended for the Dewar’s White Label Blend, this stock nicknamed as “The Golden Dram” has grown into a beautiful distillery offering silky, soft whiskies with just a kiss of smoke in the traditional Highland style. Honeyed, full of Summer and blooming fields of flowers. The smoke in the background doles out a bit of contrast for a sweet-savoury tang. This stuff is delightful and I would reckon it is great as a patio whisky, perfect for a sunny day.

Lismore 21 Year - $150
A release produced by a secret distillery, but rumour has it that this bottling is produced by those whose name rhymes with Ben Cutlass. Traditionally considered to be a Highland distillery as designations go, but technically it falls into the Speyside region if the rumours are true. Sherry cask matured, this release is full of savoury tones ranging from mango sweet onion chutney to mince meat pie. The underlying tones are of basement fruit preserves from the orchard, long forgotten and oxidised. Old and wharf like wood compliment the assortment of savoury tones. A very engaging spirit.
Berry Bros. & Rudd Deanston 1997 - $170
One of my favourite and most varied distilleries, Deanston has a scope of flavours like no other. This offering from our friends at Berry’s is akin to baked apple pie on a windowsill, ready to be served alongside a spoonful of butterscotch drizzled ice cream. The usual farm/barnyard tones aren’t present, instead those of dried nectarines and apricots, cinnamon and nutmeg sprinkled ...

Continue Reading →




New Beer For April 29th - May 5th, 2017

Posted on May 9, 2017

Welcome to spring my fellow beer geeks!
I’m going to go ahead and declare it! The days are warming up and getting longer, and I’m loving every minute of it! We’ve just had a solid week of patio weather, did you get to take advantage of it? If not, there’s plenty more to come of course. At least that’s what I’m banking on.
So I have a ton of new beers to go over, and I have to split them into 2 blog posts. The past couple weeks have been a little busy, what with dealing with the crazy tetris game that is Cantillon allocation, among other new obligations. I have just a few bottles of Cantillon that I need to assign to new owners, so that will be done this week. For those lucky enough to have gotten their requests in first, I hope you’re enjoying these rare gems, and hopefully sharing them with friends who have never tasted them before!

The past couple of weeks have seen an influx of beer, some of which come from an amazing -brand new to Alberta- San Diego Brewery, Modern Times. Keep on reading to see what goodies from them I’m currently stocking, along with a handful of other assorted tasty brews.



Axes of Evil by Gigantic and 3 Floyds: If you're like me, you'll snag up any collaboration with Indiana's 3 Floyds brewing that enters the province. It's the only chance most of us get to try anything from this legendary brewery! This time it's with Portland's Gigantic. This English-style pale ale is made with authentic English malt, kilned over welsh coal! Biscuit and bread filled malts with hints of floral, and tropical hop tones. ($10.19 for a 650mL bottle)
Easy Jack by Firestone Walker: This session IPA hauls in new world hops from all around the world. The super light body is meant to refresh and highlight the hugely aromatic hop profile. The moderately bitter finish enhances the refreshing quality nicely. ($3.79 for a 330mL bottle)
Royal City Ale by Steel & Oak: Steel & Oak supplies Alberta with a tasty and malty... Ale. A general, easy drinking ale. Robust malty profile with a very pleasant, and slightly sharp bitter finish. Not all sessions Ales have to be hop bombs right!? ($5.09 for a 473 mL tall can)
Juxtapose Wild IPA by Four Winds: Juxtapose is a modern, North American IPA with a funky twist. Big orchard style and tropical fruity tones with mild funky yeast notes propped up by a pale orange and moderately dry base. Finishes clean with a touch of oily bitterness. ($9.19 for a 650mL bottle)
White by Dageraad: It's time for the craft brewers to take back the Belgian wit! The Dageraad White is a fluffy and soft wheat beer with spicy citrus notes along with banana and clove aromas. The mildly bitter finish allows the spice and fruit to linger a while. ($9.19 for a 650mL bottle)
Sit and Stay Belgian ISA by Yellow Dog: Sit and Stay is a light hoppy and fruity session ale with a Belgian twist. ...

Continue Reading →




Scotch Malt Whisky Society May 2017 Outturn

Posted on May 6, 2017

It is the beginning of May which means it is also time for the big reveal of the Scotch Malt Whisky Society of Canada's new Outturn. We had another three sold out tastings here at Kensington Wine Market with those in attendance clamouring for the opportunity to taste their way through these seven new SMWS bottlings.

After Aprils departure from the ordinary which featured only one heavily peated whisky and not a single drop of Islay Malt, we have returned to the fabled isle in a big way: Two Islay bottles capped off another stellar Society lineup that also featured four malts from Speyside and one elder statesman Grain whisky from a distillery that closed in 2010.

What is out of the ordinary is that this Outturn featured not one - but TWO cask finishes; something we are seeing the SMWS start to dabble in recently.

Thank you to the Scotch Malt Whisky Society for helping to make these tastings happen by bringing in the great green bottles. Thanks as well to Cured Delicatessen for providing the charcuterie and cheese to go along with the whisky.

Cheers,
Evan

Here is the May of 2017 SMWS lineup:



64.84 - SPRUCED-UP FRUIT SALAD : $132.99
This 12 year old Speysider is 58.7% after maturing in a 1st fill barrel
Flavour profile: Juicy, oak & vanilla
Outturn: 204 bottles
Panel's tasting note: "This felt like a spruced-up tropical fruit salad of grapefruit, orange, pineapple and kiwi, more exotic perfumed lychee and slightly nutty dragon fruit, all ‘dressed up’ with watermelon vinaigrette using a combination of agave and Dijon mustard. Smooth and mouth-watering like a breakfast quinoa fruit salad; fresh berries, orange zest, vanilla powder and cinnamon. Diluted, a perfect Eiskaffee – creamy iced coffee made with extra strong coffee, two scoops of vanilla ice cream topped with whipped cream and a sprinkling of chocolate brittle whilst the finish turned into a cafe Mexicana called ‘café de olla’ with cinnamon and orange peel."
Drinking tip: "In a street cafe whilst people watching"

85.45 - THE LEMON ROCKET SHIP: $109.99
After 8 years in a 1st fill barrel, this Speysider comes in at 61.8%
Flavour profile: Young & spritely
Outturn: 210 bottles
Panel's tasting note: "The countdown had begun as we seated ourselves on board the giant lemon rocket ship with marshmallow seats and dials made of yellow wine gums. A car air freshener hung from the rear view mirror and our destination was plotted in marker pen on a large whiteboard. The rocket had been fuelled with bitter lemon and quality tonic water with cooling menthol and spearmint to prevent overheating. Holding the honeycomb and chocolate steering controls the countdown reached zero and then blast off! With a chili kick the giant lemon soared into the str...

Continue Reading →




Kensington Wine Market's 25th Anniversary!

Posted on May 3, 2017

 

[caption id="attachment_5317" align="aligncenter" width="581" caption="Kensington Wine Market is celebrating its 25th Anniversary through May of 2017 with Special Events, Tastings and Discounts. Click on the picture above for more information."][/caption]
Kensington Wine Market (KWM) is celebrating its 25th Anniversary in May 2017, and invites all of Calgary to participate in a month of celebrations including; The Anniversary Wine Festival on May 18, The 25th Anniversary Celebration on May 19, and 25th Anniversary Birthday Sale May 19 through 21, 2017. There will also be 25 Days of Deals on exclusive products every day throughout the month of May.
On Thursday, May 18, 2017, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., KWM will host its Anniversary Wine Festival storewide tasting, and a sneak preview of its 25th Anniversary Sale for those in attendance. Alongside a unique assortment of wines from various regions, guests will enjoy charcuterie from neighbouring Peasant Cheese, DJ beats and access to a variety of specials and discounts.

On May 19, guests will enjoy the exclusive tasting of KWM’s special 25th Anniversary bottles from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. as part of the 25th Anniversary Celebration. Guests are welcome to drop in during the evening to taste an exclusive limited edition selection of Port, Whisky, Cognac and Armagnac, all bottled exclusively for the Kensington Wine Market.  There will also be a selection of Champagne and other exclusive wines open for sampling. These selections will be paired with hors d'oeuvres, charcuterie and cheese from Cured Delicatessen and Peasant Cheese. Guests will receive a 25 percent discount on all 25th Anniversary exclusive bottle purchases.

“We are thrilled to be celebrating this huge milestone for Kensington Wine Market.  The local Kensington community and the city of Calgary have been tremendously supportive and we are excited to show our appreciation and gratitude through these events and throughout the month of May,” says Andrew Ferguson, Owner of Kensington Wine Market.

Kensington Wine Market is one of the oldest privately owned liquor stores in Canada and is proudly home to one of the world’s most extensive and unique whisky selections. KWM has been the recipient of many awards including Best Wine Store in Calgary by Metro, Fast Forward’s “Reader’s Choice Wine Store” 10 years running, and runner-up for Whisky Retailer of the Year, Rest of the World, in Whisky Magazine’s “Icons of Whisky” Awards in 2015 and 2016.

To purchase tickets for KWM’s Wine Festival or the 25th Anniversary Celebration call KWM at 403-283-8000 or order online here.
About Kensington Wine Market
The doors of KWM opened on Friday, May 15, 1992, two-and-a-half years before the Alberta provincial government fully privatised the sale of alcohol. Local businesswoman...

Continue Reading →




Classic Malts with Hunter - April 11, 2017

Posted on April 20, 2017

Before I fully recount the Classic Malts whisky night, I wanted to share a quick anecdote that has been on mind as of late. In my first year of teaching whisky classes at the Kensington Wine Market, at the time of which I only taught classic malts classes, I conducted an event in which I poured the usual variety of single malts to portray the “styles” of Scotland. At the end of the event, one of the attendees told me that they had received their ticket as a gift, and, wanting to describe the class to the gift giver, wanted to know what exactly about the class made it “Classic” malts. To be frank, I didn’t really have an answer. The establishment of certain styles as being “classic” asks the question of what the whisky is classic to in the first place. Is there a single origin of certain styles and can it currently be defined by the “Classic Malts of Scotland”? Arguably, this rhetoric is regressive, unable to end in a grounded answer that can give birth to a definition of classic. If one looks back to the earliest times of modernly relevant single malt whisky distillation as the defining of classic, almost no distilleries would be representative of such a style, and those that do would likely not see the large commercial success as promised by such a ubiquitous term as classic. Perhaps style by region, but once more, such qualifications have long since been shown to be superfluous. Imaginary lines that cut swathes of ground into areas wouldn’t seem to have any power over how a whisky tastes, barring a general disposition of the local distillation folk. At this point, it almost might be a more merited argument to discuss the pH and mineral levels of water content, but that would appear to be a quibble. If water is the defining character of whisky my faith in the art of whisky making will be slightly shaken.

Perhaps a better question regarding what is classic these days is not defining what classic is, but more likely understanding what it isn’t. No particular style defines whisky in the fashion of what is the market norm, at least at the moment (here’s looking at the big boys). Instead, consider an understanding of the individual components that make a spirit taste a certain way as the fundamental understanding of whisky. So to respond to the fellow’s question, roughly three years too late, “classic” can not be summarized in so many words or in the traditional sense; but, in understanding the classical components of whisky as a whole, you will be able to understand the whisky world better in your journey through it. Enough of the story, here is the meat.



Deanston Virgin Oak - $50

An attempt to express the nuance, or lack thereof, of virgin American oak. Huge amounts of tangy lemon and woodshop sanding. This whisky is no nonsense and great for summer. No bells or whistles, an expression best suit...

Continue Reading →




Newer Posts →

← Older Posts

Recent Posts
Archives

Categories