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Beers of the New West Partnership - Thursday February 4, 2016

Posted on February 11, 2016

Words & Pictures by Shawn Young



The Alberta beer landscape has been in a state of flux since the end of 2015. We started seeing a few more breweries popping up, and thanks to some interesting provincial budget changes (welcomed with a mixed reception), a HUGE influx of BC beers has started as well. I designed this tasting not to celebrate a weird tax change (which resulted in 3 noteworthy breweries pulling out of the province) but to explore some of the positives it introduced.

The budget changes allow lower taxes on beers produced in Alberta, BC and Saskatchewan, or the so-called “new west partnership”.  With this in mind, I hand selected some styles and examples I think would show what our locals are capable of along with some of the recent additions from our BC and Saskatchewan neighbors. To accompany them we snacked on cheese and charcuterie provided by the Peasant Cheese Shop along with the equally savory wit of yours truly.  Here’s a glimpse of what was poured!





Pilsner by Bomber Brewing: Starting off the evening with a nice crisp pilsner is always A-OK in my books. Alberta’s newest version comes from Vancouver BC, and it fairly true to style, sitting somewhere between a Czech and a German style. Crisp and clean with a spicy profile. I could drink this as an appetizer like we did tonight, or I could happily drink them all night! ($14.29 for a 6-pack of cans)

River Session Ale by Blindman Brewing: One of the newest Alberta brewers joins the lineup tonight with a light, dry-hopped session ale. Great grainy character with big tropical hops and light enough to finish the 4-pack WAY too easily. This is a welcome sight on our shelves, that’s for sure! ($14.59 for a 4-pack of tall cans)



Belgian Pale Ale by Wild Rose Brewing: Calgary’s veteran brewers cooked up this medium-light pale ale with big fruity Belgian yeast and a mild hop profile. The malt and yeast really shine on this one, with it’s Belgian influence first and foremost. ($9.49 for a 650mL bottle)



IPA! By Black Bridge Brewing: One of the very few Saskatchewan brewers in the province is Black Bridge. IPA! Is their ode to the west coast IPAs we’ve all grown to adore. The Centennial, Simcoe and El Dorado hops give this the sappy and fruity floral notes it needs, while generous crystal malts give a very pronounced aroma and body. Definitely not one to miss! ($14.39 for a 4-pack of cans)



Woolly Bugger by Howe Sound Brewing: We started thickening up the beers at this point (maybe too much?) with this heafty, hoppy barley wine. Howe Sound releases this weighty every year, and it’s definitely worth putting one or two in the cellar. Although it has high IBUs, it will likely change in some beautiful ways over the years. While ...

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Great Grains

Posted on February 9, 2016

Words and Pictures by Hunter Sullivan

Grain whiskies have long maintained a mistress like identity amongst single malt fans, leading to a widespread disinterest in bottlings of non-barley origin. Luckily, for those uninitiated, the booming industry has elevated the status of grain whiskies and shoved them into the limelight making them remarkably accessible. Though a minor revolution, the quality of grain whisky is now more easily explored and with so many options available, it only makes sense to do an expose on them. A major factor for choosing these specific bottlings for tasting was to show off the different distillery profiles as there are  reasonable amounts to choose from. The second reason was to show off the major effect of age in barrel and how much of an effect a variety of age expressions would have on these unique spirits. Here's a peek at what you missed that night.



Compass Box Hedonism - $97

For those lovers of bohemian whisky, Compass Box has got you covered. The Hedonism is a marriage of select older grain whiskies with an emphasis put on drinkability for the final product. The distillers incorporated into this blend are undisclosed but a whisper has been going around that Girvan is quite heavily invested in this bottling.

A nose of delicacy, lemon lime Mike and Ikes, peppermint and pina colada delicately waft forward. Tasting invokes freshly harvested honey, notes of a tropical vacation by the beach. Veins of vanilla are found throughout the sweetness does not impact the ephemeral nature of this whisky as it floats around the palate. The perfect dram for any whisky new comer and a great value at that. Don't feel guilty if you get through half a bottle in a night.

Nikka Coffey Grain - $85

Unfortunately for the lovers of coffee out there, there is none to be found in this bottle. The coffey titling is meant to be a nod to the style of distillation apparatus used to make this whisky. Named after it's inventor, Aeneas Coffey, this apparatus or some slight variation of it is widely used by almost all grain distillers on the market. Nikka Coffey Grain, made almost entirely of corn spirit, provides a bourbon 'lite' experience creating a bridge for the whisky factions of single malt and American whisky to cross over on.

The nose starts off with bourbon character without the spice, sponge toffee, citrus peel and toffee topping. Tasting offers a creamy consistency with thick oils in contrast to the delicate nature of the Hedonism. Vanilla yoghurt with peach fruit a the bottom of the container offering a nice touch of orchard fruit character. A sultry whisky for after dinner, or breakfast. Your choice.

Sovereign Port Dundas 25 Year - $165



Moving into the territory of straight grain distillers in Scotland, Port Dundas supplies a massive volume ...

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Scotch Malt Whisky Society Canada February 2015 Outturn

Posted on February 6, 2016

We had three sold out Scotch Malt Whisky Society Outturn tastings at KWM this month to launch 7 new single cask, single malt Scotch whiskies. We had whiskies from 13 to 24 years old this month, malts from the Highlands, Speyside, Islay and Orkney. It was a great range tasting, and not a single malt disappointed, no pun intended!

112.10: A comforting hug in a mug - 57.4% - 14 Year - Highland - Refill Barrel - Flavour profile: Juicy, oak & vanilla - Outturn: 147 bottles - Panel's tasting note: "The neat nose had honest sweetness (golden syrup, honey, fudge), plenty of vanilla and cereal notes (grainy bread, Ovaltine) – even tropical fruits, but a hint of cleaning cupboards made some of us hesitant. The same applied to the palate, which was lively, even feisty and almost effervescent (Campinos, juicy oak, Maltesers). However, a drop of water brought resolution and redemption – the nose became fresh, juicy and tropical, with caramel, vanilla and new-baked bread. The palate completely dispelled any doubts – its complex character provoked comments like ‘Delicious vanilla, marshmallows, strawberries and white chocolate’ and ‘Like a comforting hug in a mug’." Drinking tip: "If ever a whisky had its sins washed away in the water of baptism – this is it – don’t even bother trying it neat – unless you want to see for yourself if we are right" - $159.99
1.196: Sunshine, motherhood and apple pie - 57.2% - 13 Year - 1st Fill Barrel - Speyside - Flavour profile: Sweet, fruity & mellow - Outturn: 235 bottles - Panel's tasting note: "The nose held very pleasant fruity sweetness (sherbet lemons, red lips, Turkish Delight, Edinburgh Rock), while pears, apples, straw and wood, somehow suggested autumn orchards. The palate was  immediately warmly attractive – all summer sunshine, motherhood and apple pie – like relaxing in a farmhouse kitchen with Victoria sponge cake and caramel apple granny cake. The reduced nose took us to gardens (wooden trellis, bougainvillea, wisteria, grass, vines) where we were supping cloudy lemonade and cider. The palate was now easy and indulgent – the apple dessert wonderfully balancing sweet and tart flavours; the wood was now as tasty as an ice-lolly stick." Drinking tip: "One to enjoy in the garden, while the apple pie is cooling on a windowsill" - $150.99
64.65: Bitter-sweet as lost love - 60.3% - 14 Year - Speyside - First Fill Barrel - Flavour profile: Sweet, fruity & mellow - Outturn: 199 bottles - Panel's tasting note: "The nose had unstinted salivating sweetness (toffee, marshmallows, nougat, maple syrup on ice-cream, Crunchie bars, sugary espresso dregs) plus a mesmerizing melange of exotic fruits, some pine and old-fashioned perfumes. The palate was really juicy and lively – slightly bitter but attractive fruits dancing jigs on our willing tongues ...

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2nd Best Whisky Store in Whisky Magazine's "Icons of Whisky: Rest of the World" 2nd Year Running!

Posted on February 5, 2016



We are humbled and honoured with our recognition in Whisky Magazine's 2016 "Icons of Whisky" awards. For the 2nd year in a row we have been recognized as "Highly Commended" or runner up for Single Outlet: Whisky Retailer of the Year. Last year we were stunned to learn that we had finished 2nd behind Berry Brothers & Rudd, a 300 year old London wine merchant, with its own independent bottlings which also owns The Glenrothes single malt brand. This year we finished 2nd behind Dublin's famous Celtic Whiskey Shop and we share the 2nd place honour with Whisky Brother of South Africa. We'd like to congratulate the Celtic Whisky Shop on their win as well as our podium mate Whisky Brother.



We would also like to thank all of our suppliers, agents, brand representatives and ambassadors for helping us achieve what we have. We'd also like to thank our loyal customers from Calgary, all over Canada and parts beyond. We couldn't do it without you.

Slainte!...

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Italy’s Super Reds - Thursday January 28, 2016

Posted on February 2, 2016

Italy’s Super Reds
Thursday, January 28, 2016
Grant Graves
Tonight was our evening for sampling some of the great wines from Italy.  We started with traditional bubbles followed by some great regional wines and finished with what else, a super Tuscan.  Each wine reflected well upon its heritage and grape types. The super stars of the group were the Il Palagio Le Bambole and the Macchiole Scrio.  What would you expect from the country of the dolce vita.











Masottina Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco
DOCG: Veneto
Grape varieties: Prosecco (Glera)
Prosecco date from the late 1860,s and is generally has a lighter less persistent bubble than champagne due to the production method. A presents of green apples, citrus and white flowers that are usually light and delicate and not exceedingly complex derived from the grape. Finer Prosecco wines often exhibit notes of tropical fruits, banana cream, hazelnut and vanilla. $23.49







Feudo Maccari Saia 2012
DOC: Sicily
Grape varieties: Nero d’Avola
Saia is the name of the irrigation canals in Sicily built centuries ago by the Arabs to collect rainwater. In this sun-baked land, every drop counts! The wine producer, Feudo Maccari, uses 100 percent Nero d'Avola to produce this intense, full-bodied red. Complex aromas of light toasty oak, with plum, hints of Christmas pudding and dark chocolate. A finish like velvet from a most extraordinary grape. $39.99

Manzone Barolo Bricat 2009
DOCG: Barolo, Piedmont
Grape varieties: Nebbliolo
A wonderful new exclusive from Piedmont. Robert Parker's Wine Advocate thinks so too; they give it 91 points! The review: "The 2008 Barolo Bricat is the richest and most powerful of the three Baroli I tasted from Manzone. A big, broad-shouldered wine, the Bricat possesses lovely vibrancy and more than enough mid-palate sweetness to fill out its frame. Sweet roses, mint and freshly cut flowers add an element of lift and freshness on the finish." $70.99

Il Palagio “Le Bambole” Gran Selezione 2011
DOCG: Chianti Classico, Tuscany
Grape varieties: Sangiovese
Aged in 1000 litre barrels for 30 months followed by bottle aging.  "Nose: very intense, with notes of ripe red fruits, typical and persistent, with spicy notes of aging. Flavor: exuberant, great structure, harmonious, very typical, with good freshness and a solid composition of silky tannins, fruity and persistent finish with excellent balance. Serving suggestions: Pasta, steak, pork and lamb, strong and aged cheeses," according to the Il Palagio team. $69.99

Bussola Valpolicella TB Classico 2010
DOC: Valpolicella, Veneto
Grape varieties: Corvina, Rondinella, Molinara
Tommaso B...

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