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Kilchoman, 100% Islay with Anthony Wills - November 4, 2016

Posted on December 7, 2021

On Friday, November 4th we were privileged to have the founder of Kilchoman Distillery - Anthony WIlls - ran us through a special tasting of the Kilchoman lineup. The tasting included the four main bottlings produced by Kilchoman as well as two special bottles that are not available in Alberta yet. Anthony capped off the tasting with Kensington Wine Market's new single cask that was bottled just for our shop.


This was the lineup:

1.) Kilchoman 100% Islay 6th Edition - 50% ABV - $124

The 100% Islay is special in that it is a Kilchoman as Kilchoman can possibly be. Everything is done on site. The barley is farmed, malted with a peat spec of around 20 PPM, milled, mashed, fermented, distilled, barreled, aged and bottled all entirely at Kilchoman's farm and distillery. Kilchoman's website has a great animation that depicts this entire process. It can be found here.

100% Islay production is more limited as it is more time and resource intensive. They can only grow so much of their own barley. If you can grab a bottle it makes for an amazing dram. In this 6th Edition the barley malt sings!

I noticed green melon and watermelon rind, cantaloupe, raspberries, smoke and earth, hay, lemons and vanilla on the nose. On the palate I noted ripe cantaloupe, meyer lemon, pineapple, poached pear, lychee and a soft, smokey and elegant finish. If you are an Islay whisky lover you will find this guy to be light on its feet.

2.) Kilchoman Machir Bay - 46% ABV - $80

Averaging 5 years old and aged entirely in ex-bourbon barrels from Buffalo Trace, the Machir Bay is typically the easiest to find of all Kilchoman releases. Like most everything that Kilchoman releases other than the 100% Islay bottlings the malt used is sourced from Port Ellen Maltings and peated to the same spec as Ardbeg at 50 PPM.

The Machir Bay of course has bigger peat and smoke then the less peated 100% Islay. I also noticed marshmallows and meringue, pronounced malt notes, pencil lead and pencil shavings, vanilla and lemon/lime citrus as well as some floral notes.

3.) Kilchoman Sanaig - 46% ABV - $92

The newest release in Kilchoman's regular lineup - the Sanaig is less sherried than the Loch Gorm. It is matured in a combination of Sherry hogsheads and ex-bourbon barrels and then finished in Sherry hogsheads to top things off. Like the Machir Bay it is 5 years of age on average.

It has notes of blackberry, raisins and other dark fruits as well as hints of melon and BBQ spice rub, hickory sticks, peppercorns and cloves.


4.) Kilchoman Loch Gorm - 46% ABV - $118

The latest version of Loch Gorm is now about 6 years old and is aged in Oloroso Sherry butts that are sourced from the same Spanish Bodega that Glenfarclas uses for their barrels.

Notes of dates, figs, prosc...

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New beers – November 2, 2016

Posted on November 2, 2016





Howdy again beer geeks! Time for your weekly update! I know you've been waiting for it. Before I get started, I wanted to give a heads up that the favourite beer from my oddball beer tasting last week was the Deschutes Hopzeit IPA, which is a cross between an IPA and a Marzen. I drastically underestimated how popular it would be and it sold out right away. There is now more in the shop, so for those who may have missed it, feel free to come grab it before it disappears again!



In the meantime, here are the sweet new beers that arrived this week. Special note about the Four Winds, we've only ever seen one beer in the bottle from these guys as part of a BC beer mixed 4-pack, and then in kegs, so make sure not to miss out on the Featherweight IPA.

And away we go!

Featherweight IPA by Four Winds: Now Four Winds doesn't necessarily call this a session IPA, but it definitely fits the bill. Low alcohol plus big hops and a crisp and clean body. This award winning IPA has big tropical notes that float off of a sticky, sappy base. Finishes clean and quenching, but tempting enough to keep sipping (gulping?). ($8.79 for a 650mL bottle)

Hopdemonium IPA by Powell Street brewing: Powell street makes this hop loaded IPA to  provide big, big flavour while still allowing you to taste other things. Floral and grapefruit come across all over the place, but without the oily sap that can sometimes become cloyingly sticky. ($9.09 for a 650mL bottle)

Old Jalopy Ale by Powell Street brewing: This is a north American take on an English pale ale. Though the hops scream "'murica!", the caramel and pale malts scream "pint and a packet of crisps". It somewhat rides the line between American pale ale and ESB, but sits firmly in the realm of delicious. ($9.09 for a 650mL bottle)

Citricity grapefruit zest IPA by Phillips brewing: What better fruit to toss into a north west IPA than the grapefruit? Zest and pith are added here to compliment the fruity bitter hops, and are so forward in character that Phillips doesn't even care to mention the word "malt" in their description. ($16.99 for a 6-pack of cans)

Armory XPA by Deschutes brewing: Armory is the medium on which Descutes plays with experimental hops. Normally this is limited to their brew pub until the beer is perfected, but this time they want everyone to share in the experience! This year's XPA showcases hops #07270, noted for their tropical notes, along with a few known players in the north west. The result is bright citrus and pine aromatics, and a pronounced malt base. ($23.89 for a 6-pack of bottles)

Aside from all those, there are also a ton of returning favourites that I wanted to point out in case anyone is looking for them: Dageraad wet hopped blonde, Cider creek Saison reserve, Bench Creek Naked Woodsman, Ballast Point pineapple Sculpin, Wild R...

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Colouring Outside the Lines - Off the wall brews - October 27th, 2016

Posted on November 13, 2016

In the vein of keeping beer exciting, pushing the envelope, discovering new styles, challenging tastes and trying to keep up with the ever-changing palates of beer lovers, brewers often stretch their creative muscles to come up with some new and different styles. That is what this tasting was all about! We tasted through some beers that are off the beaten path, or straddle style guidelines. I was able to pick some of my favourite and most unique beers. We grabbed some snacks from the Peasant Cheese Company next door and tucked in for a rather enlightening experience.

These were the choices:





Hopzeit Autumn IPA by Deschutes: This is a hybrid of styles that you won't soon forget. All the malty, semi-sweet, comforting body of a marzen with the vibrant, herbal and fruity notes of German hops. Sounds kind of perfect right? ($21.59 for a 6-pack of bottles)

Sweet Potato Harvest ale by 4 Mile brewing: This creative autumn beer done with sweet potatoes has a generously sweet character on a light body, filled with plenty of pie like spice and lifted with a gentle carbonation. ($8.19 for a 650mL bottle)

Gueuze/Tripel by Vicaris: What better way to make a new beer style than to literally blend 2 styles together? Vicaris' Tripel is blended here with boon gueuze lambic to produce a sweet and tart beer with fruity notes and barn-yardy funk. Delicious and thirst quenching, and as entertaining as a beer can get! ($6.39 for a 330mL bottle)

Sour Pumpkin Saison by Collective Arts brewing: Don't let the name fool you. This beer comes across first and foremost like a tart saison. Their base saison is fermented with Saison Dupont yeast, and this version has a little bit of freshly roasted pumpkin(seeds and all) and a hint of pumpkin spice. Roasted seeds and mild spice on a pretty solid saison! ($3.49 for a 473mL can)

Julia peach cobbler sour by Dandy Brewing: This is an oddball style through and through. A kettle sour made to taste like a peach cobbler! Sweet malts, fruity peach, vanilla and mild spice, and a bright tart acidity. The boys at dandy have outdone themselves. (Available in 1L and 2L growler fills, $10 and $19)

Abyss 2015 edition by Deschutes: The 2015 edition of their reserve series imperial stout is done with black strap molasses, licorice, vanilla and cherry bark, then different parts were aged in wine barrels, bourbon barrels and standard oak barrels. They usually recommend to keep this around for a year before drinking, and by that thought, this bottle is ready to drink right now!($25.29 for a 650mL wax sealed bottle)

Chipotle porter (formerly known as Texas Ranger) by Mikkeller: Spicy beers are somewhat normal when we're using the generic term "spicy" as is spices, however, this is truly a spicy beer, as in hot! A coffee-full and chocolaty porter with smoky chipotle added. Smoky heat comes full f...

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New beers – October 27, 2016

Posted on October 28, 2016

Hello and welcome to yet another week of beer updates!

I'm writing this in the midst of a chilly, misty day and I'm really missing the sunny picturesque weather we've been having lately. The week started out so lovely and now I want nothing more than to crawl under a comforter, or into a tulip glass of stout! Anyways, enough of my whining. I don't mind the cold nearly as much as I lead on. I've got northern blood in me, after all.

So on to the main event! I've got a few neat and new beers for you guys/gals to check out. Something from each side of the spectrum now that I think about it. There is definitely something for everyone on this list!



Sweet Potato Harvest Ale by 4 Mile brewing: This creative autumn beer done with sweet potatoes has a generously sweet character on a light body, filled with plenty of pie like spice and lifted with a gentle carbonation. ($8.19 for a 650mL bottle)

Narwhal Imperial stout by Sierra Nevada: This is a staple that no beer lover can avoid. A rich, coffee and chocolate filled stout (not literally), with a hefty 10.2% ABV, robust but silky carbonation that throws notes of dried fruits and freshly made caramel all over. ($19.79 for a 4-pack of bottles)

Hopzeit Autumn IPA by Deschutes: This is a hybrid of styles that you won't soon forget. All the malty, semi-sweet, comforting body of a marzen with the vibrant, herbal and fruity notes of German hops. Sounds kind of perfect right? ($21.59 for a 6-pack of bottles)

Berliner mango weisse by Brasserie Dunham: I'll never pass up an opportunity to have another berliner weisse in the shop. Following along with the trend this past year or so, Dunham uses the addition of fruit to accent the tart acidity and mellow grainy feel of this German style. Light mango notes play all along this moderate lactic beer along with plenty of lemon, straw and lovely malt. ($15.49 for a 750mL bottle)

Hardy Brown ale by Moody ales: BC's own Moody ales comes at you with this mild, easy drinking brown ale. Mellow caramel and coffee tones with a soft, mild mouth feel and a dry finish. ($9.09 for a 650mL bottle)

Stash ale by Collective Arts: This one is supposed to appeal to craft lovers and macro beer drinkers alike! Sometimes you just want a simple blonde ale to crush right? Light doughy malts with mild fruity tones along with lightly herbal hops (don't worry hopophobes, not very bitter at all). ($2.99 for a tall can)

See what I mean?

I've had little choice but to bring in nearly all of the Collective Arts beers (in case you hadn't noticed). The price-to-quality ratio is kind of ridiculous and I want to make sure everyone has a chance to try some of these incredibly tasty beers (seriously, you owe it to yourself to come try the Saint of Circumstance and Ransack the Universe, and they are in tall cans to boot!).


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En Francais (Rhone) - October 20, 2016

Posted on November 6, 2016

En Français, Édition Vallée du Rhône: 14 Octobre, 2016
C’est toujours un extrême plaisir pour moi que de diriger une dégustation dans ma langue maternelle, mais détrompez-vous si vous pensez que cela allège mon niveau de stress! C’est tout à l’opposé. Devan t vous, mes chers amis Franco-Albertain provenant de tous les horizons et vous, mes chers amis francophiles qui affectionnez la langue de Molière, j’ai toujours une insécurité profonde, décuplée par mon désir de bien m’exprimer et d’arriver à rendre accessible la théorie derrière l’une des regions de France les plus complexes: la vallée du Rhône.

Mais malgré mon angoisse, je peux affirmer sans me tromper que c’était une autre soirée “En Français” réussie: des vins superbes qui se sont montrés démonstratifs pour l’occasion et une clientèle de francophones et francophiles heureuse de se prêter au jeu. Fidèle à mon habitude, j’ai demandé à nos invités de choisir leurs deux vins favoris de la soirée (sans connaître le prix des produits) et après le vote, je dois admettre que j’ai une une heureuse surprise…



2015, Domaine Raymond Usseglio Châteauneuf du Pape Blanc $59.99
Châteauneuf du Pape, Sud du Rhône
40% Grenache Blanc, 30% Roussane, 20% Clairette, 10% Bourboulenc

Un Châteauneuf blanc extrêmement typique pour la région: l'assemblage de 4 cépages sur deux terroirs bien distincts, les sols sablonneux exposés nord et les sols  argileux  mélés  de  galets  roulés (caractéristique de Châteauneuf) exposés sud. Le résultat? Un vin typé, avec un charactère de pelure de melon frais, de fleurs blanches et d’agrumes. L’un de nos producteurs préférés! Le millésime 2015 promet d’être grandiose dans le sud du Rhône et cet avant-goût du reste à venir nous semble plus que prometteur. À suivre...

2015, Tavel Prieuré de Montézargues $32.99
55% Grenache (rouge et blanc), 30% Cinsault, 13% Clairette, 2% cépages divers
Tavel, Sud du Rhône

Pourvu d'une texture délicate, il est gourmand et élégant, fin et puissant, avec des fruits rouges comme la fraise et la groseille, des fruits du vergers comme la nectarine et une bonne dose d’épices en finale. Preuve de la qualité de ce Prieuré de Montézargues, il sortira grandi d'un séjour de 2 ou 3 ans en cave, ce qui est peu courant dans les rosés, spécialement pour un rosé issu de l’agriculture biologique. Environ 90 000 bouteilles sont produites chaque année. Pour les amateurs de Châteauneuf du Pape, le Prieuré de Montézargue est propriété de la famille Rich...

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