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1257 Kensington Road NW
1 (403) 283-8000 / atyourservice@kensingtonwinemarket.com
$11.99
This bottle was featured on Day 19 of our 2022 KWM Whisky Calendar
Full-size versions of this mini bottle can be found here.
This whisky was selected for Canada by Craftwork Spirits. It is a selection from multiple casks and includes whisky made from a mash of rye, malted barley, corn, spelt, and wheat. All whisky in this bottle was aged in virgin oak casks and the batch originally had a strength of around 47% or so before it was decided to bottle it at 46%.
50ml ml
Evan’s Tasting Note
Nose: The virgin oak notes are definitely at the fore. This noses like a combination of 10+-year-old Bourbon mixed with an Arnold Palmer (50% lemonade mixed with 50% iced tea) right off the hop. Hard powder grape-flavoured candies, rye spices, dill, cedar plank, fresh pressed apple juice, and sponge toffee are also in evidence.
Palate: Cherry pie, green apple slices, baked potato skins, more sponge toffee, fresh dill, mint leaves, Rooibos tea, orange and lime peel, oatmeal cookies, and a touch of ginger.
Finish: Slightly dry with pleasant oak and fruit notes lingering.
Comment: This seems to bridge the gap between an older Bourbon and a much older Scottish Grain whisky stylistically, and offers notes from both. If you like either style then you will be happy with this bottle.
The Zuidam Distillery was founded in 1975 in Baarle Nassau, which lies in the southern Netherlands near the border it shares with Belgium The Founder, Fred van Zuidam, had accumulated two decades of previous experience in spirits production before deciding to make a go of it on his own. Under his care, the distillery started by making a line of premium liqueurs using natural ingredients, from grain to fruit to herbs and spices used. This methodology continues to this day, as Zuidam spirits are made with no artificial colouring or flavouring. This goes for all of their products, be it their Cassis Liqueur (which is delicious by the way), Apple Flavoured Gin, Dutch Courage Old Tom Gin, Premium Genever, or Single Malt Whiskies.
Zuidam’s first experiments in whisky-making started in 1994, and regular whisky production commenced four years later in 1998. Even then, the Zuidam family showed patience, not releasing their first single malt whisky commercially until 2007. The first bottling was a 5 year old. It was also the first release to use the Millstone name, which was a reference to the use of Dutch Windmills to stone-mill the malted barley. Nowadays, the use of windmills is no longer enough to supply all of the grist needed.
Fred’s son Patrick van Zuidam is now in charge of whisky and spirit production at the family distillery, and under his influence, the distillery’s line of whisky has stretched into a variety of different styles and grains, including Rye and three and five-grain blends. Further experiments in growing their own barley are ongoing with the stated goal to be self-sustainable when it comes to grain soon.
$99.99
A 10 year old unpeated Dutch Single Malt Whisky from the awarding wining Millstone, distilled by Zuidam Distillery. Despite being labelled a 10 year old, the whisky is actually 14 years old, distilled in 2000 and bottles in 2014. These whiskies are expected to cause quite a buzz.
While not historically known for their whisky, the Dutch have been distilling as long as anyone in Europe. Most famous for genever and brandy, some of the distilleries there have taken to producing whisky. The Zuidam family began producing genever and other liquors in 1976 in the town of Baarle-Nassau on the Belgian border. Patrick van Zuidam, the second generation, began experimenting with whisky distillation in 1996, and started laying down barrels. The distillery produces both malt and grain whiskies, including a powerful rye. While they have borrowed and been influenced by the whisky makers in other countries, they are making a distinctly Dutch whisky. In one curious aspect, they mill their own barley in traditional windmills.
From the Distillery: “The whisky is aged in new American oak. These barrels add a rich vanilla and honey sweetness to the whisky with delicate notes of coconut and spices like cinnamon and cloves. In 2014 won Millstone American oak a silver medal in the Wizards of whisky competition in London.”
$108.99
Made from a mash of 51% malted and 49% unmalted rye grains, the whisky is 100 months old, 100 proof and 100% rye. This is a single rye whisky and has won awards from the Wizards of Whisky and Whisky Magazine. In 2016 it won Best Dutch Rye Whisky.
While not historically known for their whisky, the Dutch have been distilling as long as anyone in Europe. Most famous for genever and brandy, some of the distilleries there have taken to producing whisky. The Zuidam family began producing genever and other liquors in 1976 in the town of Baarle-Nassau on the Belgian border. Patrick van Zuidam, the second generation, began experimenting with whisky distillation in 1996, and started laying down barrels. The distillery produces both malt and grain whiskies, including a powerful rye. While they have borrowed and been influenced by the whisky makers in other countries, they are making a distinctly Dutch whisky. In one curious aspect, they mill their own barley in traditional windmills.
From the Distillery: “The new spirit is aged for a minimum of 100 month on new American oak barrels. The nose has rich notes of citrus fruit and spices with delicate tones of honey combined with vanilla and oak. The taste is rich fruity, honey sweetness and delicate spicy notes and a long peppery vanilla and oak finish.”
Evan's Tasting Note
Nose: Cloves, pine needles, coffee grounds and earthy spices. Maple syrup, ginger snaps, pumpernickel bread, dried dill, mint leaves, black liquorice, raspberries and blackberries and orange rind. Dark rye bread toasted with honey.
Palate: Black tea, black liquorice, ginger molasses cookies, nutmeg, blackberry compote, root beer, pumpernickel bread again, hints of citrus and mint.
Finish: Slightly drying. Spice, earthy components and black liquorice along with hints molasses sweetness mingle to the end.
Comment: This is a very earthy rye whisky. Not quite like anything else I have tasted from Canada or the USA. It is dark, dense, earthy and delicious.
$84.99
This Millstone NAS single malt was featured on Day 7 of the Kensington Wine Market 2017 Whisky Advent Calendar. It is bottled at 46%.
Andrew’s Tasting Note
Nose: thick with chocolate, Kahlua and caramel flavoured Baileys; big notes of liquorice Jujubes, polished new leather and brand new rubber boots.
Palate: big, nutty, leathery and earthy; syrupy, juicy dates and more Kahlua; caramel sauce and more cream liqueur tones; the leather and spices build but also some waxy Strawberry Twizzlers; young but layered and rich.
Finish: milk chocolate coats the palate along with caramel Baileys and liquorice Jujubes.
Comment: this is a malt for those looking to get their sherry on… it is big, proud and unapologetic; very Dutch!
$20.99
This bottle was featured in mini form on Day 20 of our 2020 KWM Whisky Calendar.
Full-sized bottles can be found here.
Part of the new core range from Balblair Distillery, which focuses on age statements rather than vintages. Bottled at 46% after maturing in ex-Bourbon and finishing in First Fill ex-Sherry Seasoned Spanish Oak Butts. Bottled at 46%, unchill filtered with no colouring added.
