Millstone Oloroso Sherry Single Malt 46%
$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!
Millstone PX Peated Single Malt 46%
$84.99
Produced by the Zuidam family distillery in Baarle-Nassau, Netherlands, this peated Millstone single malt whisky was aged entirely in PX Solera Sherry Casks. Bottled in small batches at 46% ABV.
Evan's Tasting Note
Nose: Rich Sherry notes along with wood and spice notes. Cloves, juniper, star anise, gingerbread, trail mix with raisins and walnuts, maple syrup, and an underlying potpourri and wood smoke.
Palate: The peat comes out more on the palate, with sweet notes from the PX Sherry and a lot of nuttiness. Toasted almonds, walnuts, dates, maple syrup again, earthy tobacco, fruit leather, amaretto, Frangelico, black licorice and Montreal steak spice.
Finish: The earthy smoke from the peat and nutty notes from the sherry linger together nicely.
Comment: This is big sherry with a decent amount of smoke, but very approachable. The spice notes and the smoke keep the PX Sherry influence from going overly sweet and decadent, which is surprising. This could have been over the top, but it finds a nice balance.
Vajra Langhe Nebbiolo
$41.99
One of the best-kept secrets out of Piedmont is the winery G.D. Vajra. Located at 1300ft in elevation and being the highest winery in Barolo they are fortunate enough to have some of the latest ripening grapes in Barolo and also providing smaller berries with thicker skins. A lot of the vineyards were planted in 1947, but the winery itself was not started until 1972 and the first vintage was released in 1978.
"Aldo and Milena Vajra are among the quietest and most introspective of Piedmont’s top echelon growers. It is the wines that do the talking here, and they do that ever so eloquently," according to Robert Parker's Wine Advocate. And from the winemaker: "Ruby red, delicate and at times, transparent. Intense expressive aromas of violets and dried roses are layered over small red berry notes. Silky tannins envelop the palate with personality and vivacious energy."
Usseglio Les Claux Rouge
$36.99
"Les Claux" Rouge is Domaine Raymond Usseglio's entry-level CDR, a blend of 60% Grenache, 20 % Syrah, 20 % Mourvedre. The average age of the vines is 50 years and the wines are all biodynamic. Exclusive to KWM, you’ll have to search far and wide to find a better value!
The Usseglio family initially emigrated to Châteauneuf de Pape from Italy. Brothers Pierre and Raymond began the dynasty that we know today as one of the most revered producers in the region. Stéphane, Raymond’s son, has now taken over the Domaine and is pushing hard to reach the potential of the family’s holdings, some of the best of Châteauneuf.
Usseglio Chateauneuf Imperiale
$134.99
While up to 13 different grape varietals can be blended together in making Chateauneuf du Pape red wine, the Domaine Raymond Usseglio CNDP Cuvee Imperiale is composed almost entirely of very old vine Grenache (90-plus percent in most vintages). The grapes for this tremendous and age-worthy red are harvested from estate vines in the Chateauneuf du Papes holdings of the Domaine - most of which are more than a century old and were originally planted in 1902.
From The Winery
"La Cuvée Imperiale is from our oldest vines, most of them 100 years old (planted in 1901-1902.) Extremely low yields (16-18 h/h) guarantee a wine that is dense and profound. The ancient Grenache vines bring to this cuvee their finesse and elegance. Will age for dozens of years. To be carafed during the first years. Because it is bottled without any filtration, some sediment – natural and beneficial to the aging process – is possible."
Basil Hayden Dark Rye
$67.99
The Basil Hayden Dark Rye is a blend of Jim Beam Kentucky Rye Whiskey combined with Calgary's own Alberta Distiller's 100% Rye Whisky. The blend is finished with a touch of port. Bottled at 40%.
Producer Description
"Blending is an art form, and our Dark Rye is your chance to own what might very well be a masterpiece.
It all begins with Kentucky Rye, providing a firm foundation of spice, oak, dried fruit and subtle molasses undertones for this release to build upon. From there, Canadian Rye from our award-winning Alberta Distillery is skillfully layered in. A touch of Port, and its complementary notes of ripe fruit, provides the third and final layer to a whiskey just as at home on the rocks as it is in a cocktail.
Full in flavor, yet delicately nuanced, you’d be wise to grab a bottle of our Dark Rye to experience this magical blend for yourself."
Glen Grant 12 Year
$76.99
The Glen Grant 12-Year-Old is matured in a combination of ex-Bourbon Barrels, and ex-Sherry Casks. Bottled at 43%.
Empress 1908 Indigo Gin
$56.99
Tinted with the iconic butterfly pea blossom, this indigo coloured gin is a delicate starting point for any gin-fueled night. Extremely clean on the nose, elegant to the point of shyness, the Empress offers an easy going nature for any gin drinker. Expect slight floral tones, little whiffs of juniper, a touch of heady perfume.
Cork Puller, two pronged
$5.99
Attractive design in ABS. Roomy, three finger handle. Two prongs slip between cork and inside bottle neck. Twisting out and upward removes the cork.Great for older bottles of wine.