Laphroaig Quarter Cask
$89.99
Casks were much smaller in the 19th C. than today. They gradually grew as the industry did, the larger casks being more cost-effective. But something was lost in the switch to big. The smaller casks gave the whisky up to 60% more exposure to oak thereby intensifying the maturation process. Laphroaig has recreated this style by transferring still maturing whisky into quarter casks for finishing.
Ileach Cask Strength
$79.99
It is back and exclusive to KWM in Calgary again, bottled at 58%. The Ileach Cask Strength is a mystery malt from Islay. In other words, the distillery of origin is a mystery but, look closely at the label, and you'll see a couple of clues: the distillery has its own bay, presumably passable on only the one side; it's water-front has a distinct appearance; and could that be the ruins of the Dunyvaig Castle on the far right? Lagging behind and not understanding our not-so-subtle hints on which distillery this could be? Fear not - this is what makes Mystery Malts so much fun.
Laphroaig 10 Year
$88.99
Laphroaig's peat is principally what makes it different. Harvested in a low-lying part of the island it has layers of salt and seaweed not found in other peat deposits. This gives Laphroaig a medicinal, briny, smoky character distinctly different from all other Islay whiskies as well as any other made elsewhere in the world. Laphroaig is among on 6 distilleries which malt some of their own barley.
Kilchoman Machir Bay
$92.99
This bottle was featured on Day 23 of our 2022 KWM Whisky Calendar
Also available in 50ml / Mini bottles
Machir Bay was the first edition of the Kilchoman core range, and it remains a staple. Matured in First Fill Bourbon and Oloroso Sherry casks, the whisky has been getting older as the distillery's inventory matures. Bottled at 46% without colouring or chill filtering.
Bruichladdich The Botanist Gin
$61.99
Produced by Bruichladdich Distillery. 46% ABV
Producer Description
"Wild. Foraged. Distilled. The first and only Islay Dry Gin. A progressive exploration of the botanical heritage of our isle of Islay," according to the Bruichladdich team. "Sweet delicate menthol, apple mint, spring woodlands, juniper, coriander with aniseed undertones, lemon and orange peel, a bouquet of summer flowers on the machir, honey from thistle, coconut from gorse, wild mint and summer meadows. It’s a magical melody of Islay’s’ natural bounty from the Atlantic washed beaches to the summit of heather covered hills."
Bruichladdich The Classic Laddie
$78.99
Produced exclusively from Scottish barley, which is only very lightly peated in line with the classic Laddie style, this core release has been bottled at 50% after maturing predominantly in American oak. The actual cask composition is evolving and varries from batch to batch. We have been consistently impressed with this whisky.
Producer Description
"Our signature bottling and the definitive Bruichladdich. Showcasing the classic, floral and elegant Bruichladdich house style, The Classic Laddie is made from 100% Scottish barley, trickle distilled, non-chill filtered and colouring free.
"The foundation for our Classic Laddie is not a recipe set in stone, but a distilling philosophy. We have no interest in precise uniformity, instead - year by year - the variety and provenance of our barley shapes our spirit, and an ever-increasing range of casks are sourced to evolve the variety of flavours in our warehouse."
Laphroaig Lore
$234.99
Originally released to replace the 18, or was it the 15, who can recall, that was well before Covid... Bottled at 48% from an NAS marriage of whisky matured in five different cask types.
Regarding the Non-Age-Statededness of the bottle, Laphroaig says this about the maturation: "A blend of whiskies aged from seven to 21 years in ex-Bourbon, European Oak and Oloroso sherry barrels along with quarter casks."
Kilchoman Sanaig
$109.99
The Kilchoman Sanaig was featured on Day Ten of our 2022 KWM Whisky Calendar. You can find the blog post on it here.
Also available in 50ml / Mini bottles
The Sanaig is part of Kilchoman's regular release lineup along with the Machir Bay. Kilchoman Sanaig, which is named after an Inlet off the NorthWest coast of Islay, is made from a combination of about 20% ex-Bourbon casks and 80% ex-Sherry Casks - mostly Oloroso Sherry in style. We have noticed the colour on this dram has gotten a fair bit darker over the past few years - possibly due to more first-fill ex-Sherry casks being used... Bottled at 46%.
From the Distillery
"Sanaig, a small rocky inlet North West of the distillery is the name given to this continuously available release. Sanaig has a predominantly sherry cask influence owing to the significant time spent in oloroso sherry Hogsheads. These aged oloroso casks contribute a drastically transformed depth of colour and character compared to the mostly Bourbon cask matured Machir Bay. “A beautiful marriage of bourbon and sherry maturation balanced with classic Islay peat smoke and light citrus sweetness” Anthony Wills, Founder.
Bruichladdich Port Charlotte 10 Year
$96.99
The latest edition of the Port Charlotte 10 Year is in, and in sexy new packaging! It is heavily peated 40ppm and bottled at 50% after maturing in First & Refill Ex-Bourbon and Refill French Wine Barriques.