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Reach Haiti Fundraising Wine Raffle!

Posted on November 5, 2012

The Kensington Wine Market has partnered again with Reach Haiti to raise funds for their charitable efforts in the Western Hemisphere's poorest nation.

Reach Haiti's Mission & Philosophy: "We will act within the context of Haitian objectives for education and offer our knowledge, personnel and financial support in partnership arrangements with projects established through mutual consultation.   We will undertake education projects that contribute to long-term development of individuals, communities and the overall education system where possible.   Innovation will be a cornerstone in our approach."

We here at Kensington Wine Market have put together a case of wine valued at $2100.00 retail, which is being raffled off to raise funds for the charity. Only 100 tickets are available at $100 a piece for a chance at winning this incredible selection of wines. The draw will be held on July 27th. Tickets are available at the Kesnsington Wine Market, and can also be bought through the charity. Tickets can be purchased by cash or cheque (made out to "Reach Haiti"). For contact details and more information on their efforts visit: http://www.reachhaiti.ca/ .

Here are some further details on the wines included in this incredible case:

Ramonet Puligny Montrachet 1er Cru Blanc 2009 (Chardonnay, France) - The famous domaine, according to some, is the home ofBurgundy's greatest genius, Andre Ramonet. Half of the 34 acredomaine is white, including immaculately made Batard andBienvenues-Batard-Montrachet, a delicate and racy ChassagneMontrachet Premier Cru Les Ruchottes, and excellent Chassagne"Villages". Their red wines are less famous but remarkably fine. - Rating : 90

Chateau Troplong Mondot 2009 (Bordeaux, France) - It boasts an inky/purple color along with a gorgeous bouquet ofmocha, chocolate, blackberry and cassis fruit, an unctuous texture,a full-bodied, viscous mouthfeel and a skyscraper-like, multilayeredfinish. This spectacular wine is nearly overwhelming in its richness,thickness and intensity. This blockbuster, fabulous TroplongMondot will benefit from 10-15 years of cellaring and keep forthree decades or more. It is not shy either, bouncing over thepalate with 15.5% natural alcohol. - Rating : 99

Roederer Cristal (Champagne, France) - "Seriously precocious nose with notes of apple blossom, freshstrawberries, clotted cream, cashews and lightly toasted hazelnutsplus a barely detectable hint of oak. Great concentrationof apple crumble flavours with very fine bubbles and a crispbackbone of acid. Long creamy finish. Drink 2010 to 2029". - Rating : 96

Krug Grande Cuvee NV - When Johann-Joseph Krug founded the Krug champagnehouse in 1843, his dream was to give his name to nothingless than an exceptional champagne. Six generations later, hewould approve of his descendents' commitment to ex...

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Kensington Wine Market's Spring Single Malt Festival

Posted on November 5, 2012

Thursday's Spring Single Malt Festival was a huge hit, with a sellout crowd and a list of whiskies 120 deep. There were more than a few show-stoppers including the Glenfarclas 175th Anniversary Chairman's Reserve, Glen Garioch 1978, Duncan Taylor Octaves Glenrothes 1970, Glenglassaugh North American Cask 37 Year and Glendronach Grandeur to name just a few. Some younger whiskies also made a mark like: the Glenglassaugh Revival, Springbank Rundlet's & Kilderkins 10 Year, Kilchoman Sherry Matured, Glen Garioch 1986, Nikka Pure Malt White, Talisker 57 North, Bowmore Laimrig and Scotch Malt Whisky Society 53.156. And the tried and true workhorses also impressed, with some notable expressions including: Macallan 18 Year, Compass Box Spice Tree, the Classic Malts, Glenfarclas 15 Year, Ardbeg Uigeadail and Big Peat.

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It was a great event, and we'd of course like to thank all the customers who made it out, agents who donated product and their time, and of course the Kensington Wine Market staff who helped put the event on.

Authentic Wine & Spirits – J Wheelock

Dalmore/ Glendronach/Fettercairn
MacKinlay/Whyte & MacKay

Beam Global – Craig Dennes

Macallan/Highland Park/Laphroaig

Charton Hobbs – Jerry & Jordan

Ardbeg/Glenmorangie/Glenrothes

Eclipse – Marlene Howard

Adelphi

Diageo Canada – Chereen Sorian & Mike Nicholson

Classic Malts/Singleton/Jonnie Walker

Free House – Michael Longfield

Bruichladdich/Botanist Gin

Gold Medal Marketing – Andy Dunn

Kilchoman/Springban /Tullibardine

Kirkwood Group – Tim Auger

Compass Box/Smokehead

KWM Staff – Marty/Thomas/Dave/Shawn/Alex/

Sebastien/Hunter/Susan

Nikka/Signatory/Berry’s Own Selection
Armorik/Exclusives/Curiosities

Noseworthy Imports – Kelly Carpenter

Scotch Malt Whisky Society Canada

Pacific Wine & Spirits – Michelle Sharpe

Glenfarclas

Purple Valley – Tom O’Connor

Glenglassaugh/Duncan Taylor/Black Bull

Saverio Schiralli – Michael VanderHeyden

Auchentoshan/Bowmore/Glen Garioch

Vintage International – Tony Gloria

Old Malt Cask/Provenance/Big Peat

Our next Single Malt Festival will be Thursday November 8th, tickets will go on sale in late August/early September....

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The Ultimate Dalmore Tasting

Posted on November 5, 2012



I'm not sure if any of you are aware, but Dalmore distillery has launched an unprecedented collection of malts this year. They are called the Constellations, and the 21 vintage bottles which have been released, ranging from 19 to 46 years of age, have been priced at never before seen levels for whiskies of comparable ages. The 19 year old, a 1992 vintage is starting out at CDN$3,300.00 and the 46 year old is topping out the list at CDN$33,000.00. This is as bold statement being made by Whyte & MacKay and either an overreach on their part or a bold wager on where the market for premium and older whiskies is going. That release also serves to highlight the far more reasonable price which we are charging for an epic range of Dalmores, launched before this most recent surge in price for older whiskies.



 

On Thursday June 15th, at 7PM, the Kensington Wine Market will be hosting The Ultimate Dalmore Tasting, a vertical of 8 different Dalmore expressions. Starting off with the new Cigar Malt Reserve and the Dalmore Castle Leod, we will then sample 3 vintages (1979, 1978 and 1974) before getting on to the older expressions. We will be comparing two different 40 year olds, the Dalmore Astrum 40 Year and the original Dalmore 40 Year before wrapping up with the Dalmore Aurora 45 Year. This epic Dalmore vertical tasting is one we will never be able to repeat and if the pricing of the new Constellation Collection holds this could be the last tasting of older Dalmores we ever have. The price to attend the tasting is $175, a very reasonable sum when you consider the actual cost of this tasting is closer to $500. Thanks to the support of TheDalmore and their Canadian distributors Authentic Wine & Spirits Merchants, and some budget at KWM we have been able to more than halve the cost of the event. You can register by phone 403-283-8000 (or toll free 888-283-9004), on the web https://www.kensingtonwinemarket.com/tastings/register.php and in store!

More in formation on the Dalmore bottlings being featured at the Ultimate Dalmore Tasting:

Dalmore Cigar Malt Reserve More heavily sherried than the old Cigar Malt, older and bottled at a beefier 44%. This Dalmore has been matured mostly in bespoke Matusalem Sherry Butts. 92pts Gavin Smith, Malt Advocate: "Back due to popular demand in the U.S., this new incarnation of the Cigar Malt sees the percentage of ex-oloroso ‘Matusalem’ sherry wood ramped up from 60 to 70 percent. Pass the Partagas! Spicy Christmas cake with rich sherry notes on the nose. Fragrant, with figs, cinnamon, ripe oranges, and glacé cherries. Robust sweet toffee and mango flavors, with oloroso sherry, vanilla, and lively spices. Medium to long in the finish, with ginger, treacle, and licorice." - $116.99 + GST

Dalmore Castle Leod The second bottling ...

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Scotch Malt Whisky Society Canada June 2012 New Releases

Posted on November 5, 2012

Another month and another exciting release of single cask, cask strength Scotch whiskies from the Scotch Malt Whisky Society Canada. You'll note I didn't say Single Malt, because one of our whiskies this month was a grain whisky; incidentally, one of the most popular at the First Friday tasting. You have to be a member to purchase whiskies from the Society, but membership has its perks. Visit www.smws.ca for more information on, or to join the Scotch Malt Whisky Society!

105.17 - Wowee! - 28 Year – Speyside -  First Fill Sherry Hogshead - 55.3% - Outturn: 310 bottles - Panel's Tasting Note: "Wowee! – a mouth-watering nose – initial waves of teriyaki, soy noodles, crispy bacon, cough medicine and rum, followed by roast pork with apple sauce and sultanas cooking in cinnamon, butter and sugar; also some grass, wood glue and bubble gum. We tasted fascinating flavours of char siu pork, dried figs and cooked cherries and apples – then a breath-taking finish of liquorice, shoe polish, wood and posh leather. The reduced nose was sweeter and tamer – spiced onion jam and Old English Spangles. The palate now suggested brown sugar on porridge, maple candy and hints of grapefruit. The distillery has a musical clock tower.” Drinking tip: “While waiting for the roast pork to be ready - easy on the water.” - $189.99 - Members Only Product

7.73 - Sunshine on barley fields and meadows – 18 Year – Speyside – Refill Ex-Bourbon Barrel – 56.4% - Outturn: 224 bottles - Panel's Tasting Note: "The nose entertained us with spicy oak, leather, pepper, polish and glue; considerable toffee and vanilla kept blossoming in the glass – followed eventually by dusty tobacco, cigar boxes and saunas. The flavours were dark and interesting – attractively bitter; hinting at dark chocolate, leather, singed orange zest, liquorice, tarragon and chipotle chillies. The reduced nose gave us sunshine on hay bales, barley fields and meadows, Old English spangles, oatmeal, raspberry and banana, with tutti frutti ice-cream and vanilla underlying everything. The taste became fruity, floral and perfumed but with nippy, earthy elements – full and complex. From the distillery next to Benriach.” Drinking tip: “A lazy, sunny Sunday afternoon dram.”  - $148. 99 - Members Only Product

85.22 - A lady of the night – 12 Year – Speyside – Refill Ex-Sheryy Butt – 60% - Outturn: 592 bottles -Panel's Tasting Note: "Dark scents beset us: date loaf with Pecan nuts, rum truffles, Jamaican ginger cake, fudge with raisins, and a waft of (unlit) menthol cigarettes. At natural strength the taste is sweet ...

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Kensington Wine Market is Canada's First Ardbeg Embassy!

Posted on November 5, 2012

Kensington Wine Market was thrilled to learn that we have been granted the first Ardbeg Embassy for Canada! We are humbled and honoured, and to help celebrate we are helping put on a couple of events to help celebrate! Firstly, between 2 and 4PM today, Saturday June 2nd we will be having a drop in Ardbeg tasting at the Kensington Wine Market, 1257 Kensington Road NW. This is a free drop in event open to all Ardbegians... We will have the 10 Year, Blasda, Uigeadail and Corryvreckan all open for sampling, and for two hours only you can save %15 on all Ardbeg distillery bottlings.

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This evening we have a second event to mark the granting of Canada's first Ardbeg Embassy; an Ardbeg Dinner at Buchanan's Chop House. The dinner is limited to 24 people and there are still one or two tickets left to be had. Please call Andrew at the store, 403-283-8000, for more information. The dinner will feature 5 different Ardbegs: Blasda, 10 Year, Uigeadail, Corryvreckan and a bottling of Alligator I've brought back from Scotland just for the occasion. The dinner will feature carefully prepared meal to compliment Ardbeg single malts, and a presentation on the distillery. It will be a great event, and is an excellent value at $100.

Hope to see you this afternoon, this evening or both!

Slainte!

Andrew Ferguson...

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