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January 2015 Scotch Malt Whisky Society Canada Outturn

Posted on January 12, 2015

The first Scotch Malt Whisky Society tasting of 2015 was another roaring success. At two sold out tasting at Kensington Wine Market, Society Members and Guests sampled through 7 single malt whiskies. They all had some fans, but three in particular really stood out on this evening: 72.38: "Lucious, luxurious and velvetty smooth", 31.27:  "Bold Sailor's Dram" a peated Diurach and 3.202: "Doctor's surgeries and flowershops" a brilliant sherried dram from Islay's oldest distillery.



72.38: Luscious, luxurious and velvety smooth – 50.1% - 28 Year – Refill Hogshead – Speyside – Old & Dignified – Outturn: 248 Bottles – Panel’s Tasting Note: “On the nose, initial bursts of perfumed exotic fruits (pineapple, apricot, peach, grape, lemon) gave way to vanilla sponge, biscotti, caramel, honey and toffee apples – a sweet masterpiece framed by interesting wood (wicker, oak sawdust, a new pipe). The palate was luscious, luxurious, elegant, rewarding, and velvety smooth – drawing out superlative exclamations from a star-struck panel – toffee, dark berries, rich fruit dessert, walnut whip and chocolate-coated raisins, with oaked chardonnay and rich mahogany on the finish. Water (totally unnecessary) brought Anton Berg chocolates (marzipan, plum jam) and Oddfellows to the nose. The name hints at a previous ‘mill’ function.” Drinking Tip: “If you ever want to make a big impression, like on a first date, this will not let you down.” - $254.99
39.95: Caressing, warm and friendly – 61.2% - 9 Year – Refill Barrel – Speyside – Young & Spritely – Outturn: 221 Bottles – Panel’s Tasting Note: “The nose, fresh and attractively youthful, tumbled aromatic antics of vanilla, gorse flowers, sandalwood, scented candles and melon,plus plentiful sweet suggestions (stroop waffles, toffee ice-cream, lemon puffs, Edinburgh Rock, white chocolate). The palate also provided intense sweetness in the form of butterscotch, brownsugar, toasted marshmallows and custard creams; but we also found marmalade and black tea bitterness, white pepper, orange blossoms and ‘licking a new stave’. Still refreshing, the reduced nose conveyed pot-pourri, icing sugar, nougat and pancakes with lemon and honey. The palate now seduced us with its caressing sweetness and friendly warmth. From the east Elgin emporium.” Drinking Tip: “On a camping holiday - even when the sun don’t shine, this will provide warmth.” - $119.99
9.69: Turkish Delight and fragrant Thai rice...

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12 Japanese Whiskies Arriving in Store Tuesday December 23rd

Posted on December 22, 2014

We're Stocking up with a Dozen Whiskies from Nikka Whisky Co. of Japan.

Nikka is Japan’s second oldest whisky company, cerlebrating its 80th Anniversary this year. The company’s first distillery was established by Masataka Taketsuru, who is widely regarded as the father of Japan's whisky industry. Masataka traveled to Scotland in 1919 where he studied chemistry in Glasgow. While in Scotland he also visited and worked at a number of Scottish distilleries including Longmorn and Hazelburn, where he learned the art of distillation. He took this knowledge back to Japan, along with a Scottish bride.



In 1923 Masataka was instrumental in the founding of the Yamazaki distillery near Kyoto with Shinjiro Torii. Masataka had wanted to build the distillery on the northern island of Hokkaido, but he bent to Shinjiro's will. The Yamazaki distillery celebrated its 90th Anniversary last year, and would become the keystone of what is now Beam Suntory, one of the world's largest drinks companies. A decade after helping establish Yamazaki Masataka opened the Yoichi distillery on the island of Hokkaido. Masataka had the location, a small fishing village called Yoichi, in mind for more than a decade. The area had a climate similar to that of Scotland, cool and wet. Yoichi is today regarded as one of the world's finest distilleries, and was the genesis of Japan's second largest whisky company, Nikka.



Both Suntory and Nikka would go on to build other distilleries over the succeeding decades. Suntory opened Hakushu, the forrest distillery, in the mountains west of Tokyo in 1973. Nikka built the Miyagikyo Distillery, sometimes referred to as Sendai, in the Tohoku region of Japan on the island of Honshu. It has a much milder climate than Yoichi, and generally producers a gentler whisky. The distillery was built to make a wide range of whisky styles and has both pot and column (specifically Coffey) stills on site. Both of Japans major whisky companies have to be self sufficient when it comes to blending, so Nikka produces a wide range of styles of spirit, to have a greater range to blend from.



We love Japanese whisky here at KWM, and feel it is every bit as complex as the best Scotch whiskies.  The following whiskies from Nikka Whisky Co. will be in stock at the Kensington Wine Market tomorrow, Tuesday December 23rd:

Exclusive to KWM:

Miyagikyo 15 Year – Single Malt – 45% – Meaty with a very fruity palate, lots of spices, fruit and soft oaky flourishes. – $159.99
Nikka Coffey Grain – 45% – Grain Whisky – Mellow and sweet this whisky shows a lot of corn, silky oils and floral notes. – $88.99
Nikka Coffey Malt – 45% â€â€...

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Our Christmas trees were stolen on Saturday December 13

Posted on December 16, 2014


This is what our store looked like BEFORE our Christmas trees were stolen on Saturday December 13.

We are devastated, as now our store front looks very barren and un-Christmasy…… ugly really.

If you stole our tree, it wasn’t a very nice thing to do, and certainly not in the spirit of Christmas. If you want to bring them back, we will forget it ever happened.
 
Merry Christmas...

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Scotch Malt Whisky Society Canada December Outturn Dinners at Brasserie Kensington

Posted on December 8, 2014



Rob and Kelly from the Society thought we should do something a little different for the month of December. They thought we should gather the members and break bread while sampling some new drams. So we had the good folk a Brasserie Kensington put together a meal suitable for seven Society drams. They did a superb job.

The releases were interesting, 29.151 was a highlight for me, and is a steal at the price for a 24 year old sherry matured cask strength bottling. $217.99 is an unbelievable price considering the distillery 25 Year bottling goes for $550+, is lower alcohol and the most recent release we had was average. Also loved the 28.25, floral, delicate and old. Reminiscent of some of the distillery's bottlings from the late 1980s. 3.219 was my third favourite, a classic Ex-Boubon bottling from this distillery located in the town of Bowmore. 35.111 matured in a French Chardonnay barrel was also very interesting as was 10.77 supposedly heavily peated. Decide for yourself... If you couldn't make Sunday night's tastings we have plenty of stock and the whisky will be available for sampling in store!

Here are December's new releases:

28.25: Sweet nutty personality – 51.9% - 23 Year – Refill Hogsheads – Spicy & Dry – Outturn: 237 Bottles – Panel’s Tasting Notes: “Many years in cask had given the nose linseed oil, linoleum, waxed canvas, new car, sandalwood and allotment shed characters – but the darling barley seed bestowed the creamy sweetness of crème Anglaise and choux pastry chocolate éclairs; watermelon and pear completed the picture. The neat palate supplied the typical sweet and nutty personality (the whisky, not the panel!) – Crunchy Nut cornflakes, peanut brittle ice-cream, hazelnuts, walnuts, muesli and digestive biscuits. With water, the nose found putty, macadamias, lemon curd and fruit cocktail, while the palate became much more honeyed and we liked it better. The distillery is in Blackford village.” Drinking Tip: “A bit of indulgence, say with a midnight snack.” - $204.99
36.72: Zorba’s Dram – 57.2% - 16 Year – Refill Barrel – Sweet, Fruity & Mellow – Outturn: 198 Bottles – Panel’s Tasting Note: “Before water the panel were awakened by the scent of breakfast in a flower filled garden. Dried raspberry-filled muesli covered in peach yogurt was served up alongside a Kir. On the tongue we skipped to dessert. Bread and butter pudding covered in sugared almonds was accompanied by Toblerone chocolate and lemon bonbons. With water the panel’s nose took in the scent of Amalfi Lemons stuffed with vanilla ice cream....

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Scotch Malt Whisky Society December Outturn Tasting & Dinner - Sunday December 7th, 5PM or 8PM, $95

Posted on December 4, 2014



Are you curious? Have you wondered what the Scotch Malt Whisky Society is all about? Well here is your chance to find out more, all while enjoying some spectacular whiskies and delectable food. TheScotch Malt Whisky Society in partnership with the Kensington Wine Market is holding a pair ofOutturn Whisky Dinners at Calgary's only Society partner bar, Brasserie Kensington, on Sunday December 7. The 5PM tasting is almost sold out, but there is some room left at 8PM.Both tastings are $95, whether you are a member or not!

Every month the Scotch Malt Whisky Society Canada hosts an Outturn tasting in Calgary at Kensington Wine Market to sample 7 new whiskies. These Outturn tastings are typically held on the first Friday of the month, and almost always sell out within a couple of hours to club members. By moving this month's event to the Brasserie Kensington for a special one off event, we can accommodate a larger group and open up some spots to members of the general public. This fun event is your chance to have a peak inside and see what makes the world's largest whisky club so exciting... all while enjoying 7 drams and a great meal.

Register on our website or by calling 403-283-8000.

 ...

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