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Tight Wad: Budget Friendly Finds

Posted on May 3, 2018

By Dave Tyler
On Friday the 13th of April I was lucky enough to do my first class after having been away for a while and it was one of my faves!  Finding something delicious and that doesn't break the bank can be tricky sometimes but we were fortunate enough to have the opportunity.  Almost all of these wines were my first time trying them and I would definitely say that I was pleasantly surprised with all of them. There were definitely a few standout gems but overall it was a great evening had by all.  For being Friday the 13th I would say that we were quite lucky actually!
I am going to go through the wines in the order that we tried them.



 

 

 

Dunes & Greene Pinot-Chardonnay Brut Sparkling
This is one of my favourite sparkling wines for a great price!  If you’re looking for a budget winner this would definitely fit into the category.  There is something wonderful about bubbles and it's even more fun when they are so affordable! This great tasting sparkling wine is from the Eden Valley region of Australia. Made from a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir it shows delicate aromas of lemon zest, fresh strawberries and cream. On the palate, look for Chardonnay flavours of subtle citrus notes and fresh acidity. The Pinot Noir complements this by adding richness and texture. The result is a full flavoured sparkling wine with a refined finish. Enjoy with appetizers, seafood, Chinese takeout or just whenever you feel like sipping (or quaffing) some bubbles. $18.99

Fox Run Vineyards Traminette
This was one of my favourite wines of the night.  I was so impressed by the quality and even more so because I haven't had the chance to try a wine made from Traminetter grapes before either.  Traminette is a grape cross of Gewürztraminer and French American hybrid grape, Joannes Seyve 23.416. You get a lot of the same characteristics of the Gewurztraminer, but the vines are hardier, produce more, and resist cold better.  It was actually created in 1965 at the University of Illinois. A very unusual wine made in New York State's Finger Lakes region! "This relatively new grape shows aromas of fresh fruit salad, along with exotic tropical fruit notes. We recommend serving this wine lightly chilled as an aperitif. Enjoy this wine with savoury dishes," according to the winery team. $16.99

Plan B Chardonnay
Seriously tasty Chard at a price that cannot be beat! "This is a modern Chardonnay from the wonderful Margaret River region of Western Australia. Margaret River is world-renowned for producing excellent Chardonnay. Sourced from vineyards across the southern, cooler end of the district and bottled whilst still fresh and lively," according to the winery team. "Chardonnay is the disputed King of the whites and holds the trump card. The King is nervy and elegant, with a m...

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April Beer Highlights

Posted on May 3, 2018

Hey everyone! I hope the gradual and impermanent shift to warm weather has brought a certain thirst! I know it has for me, and you'll see this reflected in all the beers I brought in throughout the month. I wanted to give you a quick update on some of the quenchingly delicious brews I've been excited about this month. The following are all available now, but some in limited quantities, so make sure not to miss out!
Cascade Midnight Bramble ($31.49 for a 750mL bottle)
The Bruery Girl Grey ($20.21 for a 750mL bottle)
The Bruery Or Xata this interesting, horchata inspired beer needs to be tasted by all. Drink very cold, maybe do a fly in the back alley before bowling. ($18.49 for a 750mL bottle)
The Bruery Orchard Wit Wits are not my favourite style by a long shot, but The Bruery's in-house souring strain puts this beer in the right place to be loved by all (including me). ($9.69 for a 375mL bottle)
Township 24 Meridian Black Lager ($6.09 for a 650mL bottle)
Old Yale Juicy Tropical Hopped Sour ($9.59 for a 650mL bottle)


Founders Azacca IPA ($21.39 for a 6-pack of bottles)

Phillips 6ix IPA ($13.79 for a 4-pack of tall cans)

Phillips Tiger Shark Citra Pale ($3.07 for a 473mL tall can)

Collective Arts Mash Up the Jam Dry hopped sour ($4.29 for a 473mL tall can)

Steamworks Tropical Tart ($3.39 for a 473mL tall can)

Blindman Nelson River Herb/Hopped sour ($14.19 for a 4-pack of cans)

Founders All Day IPA cans ($17.29 for a 6-pack of cans)



Alright, that's about all for now! Maybe I'll see you all wandering the gross, frat-boy-filled isles of beer fest this weekend. Bring food... and stay hydrated!

Cheers!
Shawn
beerguy@kensingtonwinemarket.com
Twitter: @ShawnsBrewsCGY...

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The Kentucky Bourbon Trail

Posted on May 24, 2018

by Evan

Back in October of 2017, Andrew and I visited Kentucky and a number of distilleries around the state. In late March of 2018, I ran a Bourbon tasting and showcased whiskey from the distilleries we visited on the trip.



That was the lineup from the tasting, and each bottle featured comes from a distillery we visited.



1 - Maker's 46 - $70

From Maker's Mark Distillery in Loretto, Kentucky comes the Maker's 46. For years, this distillery only produced one Bourbon - the titular Maker's Mark.

Maker’s Mark has been bottled since 1959 - though this distillery was built in 1889. Before being sold to Bill Samuels Sr. and becoming Maker’s Mark Distillery it was called Burks Distillery. Bill Samuel Sr.’s wife Margie Samuels named the whiskey, created the label and came up with the idea for dipping the neck of the bottle in red wax. Maker’s Mark’s Mashbill contains Red Winter Wheat instead of Rye.

Maker's 46 was introduced for the first time in 2010. While it it is distilled and aged in the same way as the regular Maker's Mark, it eventually undergoes a unique cask finishing before it is bottled. Maker's 46 is finished in barrels with specially made heads which hold a group of French oak staves in place, immersed in the whiskey that is added.

2 - 1792 Small Batch Bourbon - $69



Formerly called Ridgemont Reserve, the 1792 Small Batch Bourbon is made at Barton Distillery which resides just outside of Bardstown, KY.

The distillery is owned by Sazerac Company, who also own Buffalo Trace Distillery. The whiskey brands that are made at Barton may not have the same prestige as those from its sister distillery which makes Weller, Pappy Van Winkle and George T. Stagg amongst others, but the juice they produce here is excellent. The regular 1792 Small batch is great bourbon, but it would be great to see more of Barton's whiskey hit Canada and Alberta down the line.

Barton also creates other whiskey brands that we do not see such as Very Old Barton, Kentucky Gentleman and Kentucky Tavern.



3 - Rittenhouse Bonded Rye - $55

This was our only "Bonded" or "Bottled in Bond" whiskey of the night.
Bottled in Bond Rules:
- All whiskey in the bottle must be produced by one distillery and by one distiller over the course of one distillation season.
- The whiskey must be at least four years old.It must be bottled at 100 proof / 50% ABV
- The whiskey must be aged in bonded warehouses under United States federal supervision.
- The label on the bottle has to state which distillery it comes from and also where it was bottled.

4 - Valinch & Mallet Heaven Hill 8yr - $185

Both the Rittenhouse Rye and Heaven Hill Bourbon were ...

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New Beers Through March 2018

Posted on May 24, 2018

Greetings beer fans! I know it's been a little while since I've put one of these together, but it's about time I get back to these bi-weekly updates so you can plan your weekly tasting! I'm going to highlight some of the more notable beers to hit the shelf over the past month or so and hopefully get your mouth watering. Check out these new guys, and right after I'll mention a few returning beers that you definitely don't want to miss. Here we go!
Collective Arts Lunch Money: Light and easy drinking with nice floral, and crisp citrus notes. As the name might suggest, this is a great general lunch beer (and is here to replace the Stash Ale). ($3.59 for a 473mL tall can)
Du Claw Sweet Baby Java: jet black in colour with a full body and creamy mouthfeel. Its lightly sweet, malty flavour is accented by strong notes of chocolate, coffee and peanut butter, and balanced by a subtle hop character and moderate 6.5% abv. It finishes smooth, dry and roasty with notes of chocolate, espresso and peanut butter so tasty ($5.89 for a 330mL bottle)

Rogue Straight Outta Newport IIPA: A big, modern west coast IIPA with loads of tropical fruit, big citrus and piney sap tones, and a rich dank resinous bitterness. ($6.29 for a 473mL can)

Collective Arts Radio the Mothership: A big and fruity IIPA with loads of tropical notes and a rich, oily resinous hop profile. Not overly sweet for an IIPA which is nice because it keeps it drinkable and not overbearing. ($5.79 for a 473mL tall can)

Outcast The Forgetful Brewer IIPA: Thanks to the forgetful brewer at Outcast, we have this big and bold IIPA instead of the Breakfast Stout! Patrick added a ton of Citra to the whirlpool, followed by a double dry hop with Citra and Mosaic, and as of now is the most hops he’s ever put into a beer!($19.09 for a 4-pack of tall cans)



Banded Peak Southern Aspect IPA: Oh yes, more Calgary IPAs in cans please! Southern aspect is that new-school west-coast style, loaded with citrusy hops and tropical fruity flavours on top of a lightly sweet and medium bodied malty base. Delicious! ($17.79 for a 4-pack of tall cans)

Blindman Pierre Trun 1: Turn 1 is the first beer to come out of Blindman's Foeders. This Golden Saison is crafted with 15 different yeasts and bacterias. The result is a bright and lightly funky and spicy beer. Available in limited quantities!($11.29 for a 500mL bottle)

Legend 7 Patience Pale: A moderate bodied pale with citrus, floral and lightly tropical hops. Light caramel forward malts provide a great base to showcase delicate hop notes without coming across too intense. ($16.69 for a 4-pack of tall cans)

Legend 7 Dark Gate Porter: Medium to full-bodied porter with chocolate, toast and hints of coffee. Fluffy carbonation keeps the body deceivingly light, though the density is certainly present. ($16.69 for a 4-pack of tall cans)

...

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Irish Whiskey Staples

Posted on April 16, 2018

By Hunter

Coming from my background of Scottish spirit appreciation, undertaking a tasting with its rival, southern brethren is something that I can not say I relish. Though my genealogical roots are steeped in both Irish and Scottish factions (along with many other European nations) my heart lies in the land of Scots; their remarkably ranging whiskies able to captivate one’s most demanding phenomenological imagination. In this sense I worry that those spirits of Irish origin may pale in contrast, and, behold, I would argue this claim is true. But leave that argument for now, and appreciate that Irish spirit for what it does best: indulgence in opulence. For myself, quality Irish spirit offers such wonderful hedonistic experience that it must have been conceived with intentions of being enjoyed in lounges belonging to those decadents of the past. Rich and silky, why would one strive for lofty heights when it is so comfortable and relaxed down here? All of your friends are waiting for your company; see, there is old Jameson, and Cooley, oh, and here comes Mr. Teeling. That is what Irish whiskey seems best at my friends, warm company and mellow enjoyment. What could trump that? One doesn’t need fanciful “layers” and “depth” when it comes to such experience. As we can always call on the pretensions of these spirits as laughable, Irish whiskey is the one who snickers at those who try, those who attempt to souse out the nuance of the glass. Come over here, instead, and just enjoy a glass. We’re all friends here, and you won’t find a restriction here for whose allowed get on the Irish whisky ride. Here is what we tried during Irish Whiskey Staples.



Jameson 18 Year
Start with a classic, start with a bang. If Jameson could make there standard even a 1/10th as good as this perhaps people would begin to give Irish whiskey a second chance. Everyone knows their first Irish whiskey experience, and if it was remotely good, well then you weren’t drinking Jameson Classic. This 18, on the other hand, is remarkable in its sultry, honeyed, tropical fruit punch bowl ways. A tall glass of this please; and lucky as you are, it won’t be a Scot serving it so you’ll at least get a proper ounce. $135

Jack Ryan Single Malt 12 Year
A richer bodied spirit in contrast to the Jameson by virtue of the malted barley spirit backbone. Vibrant and full of life, more like a Scotch than a classic Irish and a great way to introduce your friends to the Irish way of life. More custard and applesauce like with a perfumed background. Touches of fragrant woodshop and cinnamon smelly-felts. $110

Teeling Revival 15 Year Batch IV
Employing unique barrels to enhance the character of this spirit, Teeling chose to mature this particular spirit in Muscat Port Barrels, something I know little to nothing about. What I can say thoug...

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