Scotch Malt Whisky Society 29.142

$147.59

ROCK POOLING AND BEACH BARBECUE

An 18 year old Islay malt from a refill barrel at 58.6%

FLAVOUR PROFILE:  Heavily peated

Outturn:  160 bottles

Panel's tasting note:  "It is a warm sunny afternoon on the beach and we are rock pooling, exploring diverse marine life; starfish, anemones, crabs, limpets, small fish and seaweed – exposing a possible meal every low tide. Talking of a meal there are also aromas of lamb chops sizzling on a barbecue with a hint of rosemary and the freshness of mint sauce. The taste is ashy to start, oak smoked mackerel, cold smoked salmon and the sweetness of honey glazed ham. With water turning into sweet cured herring with a dill sauce and gravlax with a honey mustard marinade. The taste is now hickory sweet smoked fish, beer battered calamari and roasted marshmallows over an open fire – hungry yet?"

Drinking tip:  "Take a hint from the title"

Provenance Inchgower 12 Year Sherry

$71.99

Scotch Malt Whisky Society 66.57

$113.39

ASIAN DELIGHT

A 10 year old peated Highlander from a refill barrel at 59.1%

Flavour profile:  Oily & coastal

Outturn:  214 bottles

Panel's tasting note:  "Some of us were transported to a Scottish beach - a salty sea breeze, tarry ropes and pork sizzling on a barbecue. Others went further afield, to Malaysia with chicken satay infused with a punchy spicy marinade being grilled and served with a peanut coconut dipping sauce. The taste neat is big, hot, salty and ashy – it almost burns your tongue, like a Phall curry. A drop of water and the aroma turns into burnt heather and a charcoal grill being doused with sea water next to a salmon smokehouse. The taste was sweet, fresh and salty; smoked oysters and glazed ham with pineapple."

Drinking tip:  "Star-gazing at a beach barbecue"

Scotch Malt Whisky Society 4.199

$138.59

BOY SCOUTS AND BIKERS

A 14 year old Orcadian from a 1st fill barrel at 56.2%

Flavour profile:  Lightly peated

Outturn:  148 bottles

Panel's tasting note:  "Pata Negra jamon to start – Spanish prosciutto – then a perfumed scent (rose, dried rosemary?), with a hint of white wine and a pack of cigarettes; then ‘coastal’ and ‘garden party’ (What?! ‘cucumber and cream cheese sandwiches on a damp day’!). Water brings up its more usual characteristics of hemp ropes, leather bikers’ jackets (‘Triumph, not Harley’), and barbecue (‘char-grilled eggplant with rosemary’). The taste is sweet and ‘old-fashioned’ at natural strength, with guy ropes (lightly tarred), tobacco and bruschetta; water sweetens the taste, holds the hemp and lingers pleasantly in an old-fashioned way."

Drinking tip:  "For the hip-flask at a wedding"

Scotch Malt Whisky Society 121.76

$125.99

CLOSE SHAVE FROM A TIPSY BARBER

A 12 year old Islander from a refill barrel at 57.9%

Flavour profile:  Spicy & dry

Outturn:  210 bottles

Panel's tasting note:  "The initial nose spoke of the barbershop – old leather chairs, razor-strops, sharp blades, after-shave and band-aids (the barber, who’d been drinking gin, had shaky hands) – plus beeswax polish and dried flowers. With water, we got hot linen and laundry detergent (hot cloth slapped on your close shave) but also marzipan, Dr Pepper, caramel, digestive biscuits and bath bombs. The neat palate was herbal (fennel seed, absinthe) but complex and very tasty – chocolate fudge cake, popping candy and ‘liquorice allsorts from an engineer’s overall pocket’. In reduction – tree bark, chalk, Chartreuse (herbal again) interesting citric fizz and some ash – satisfyingly unusual."

Drinking tip:  "After any close shave, or when looking for something unusual"

Scotch Malt Whisky Society 55.23

$199.99

CHOW MEIN ON A WORKBENCH

A 20 year old Speysider from a refill hogshead at 55.1%

Flavour profile:  Spicy & sweet

Outturn:  248 bottles

Panel's tasting note:  "Despite cut grass, herbal notes, citrus, pineapple and watermelon, we could not describe the nose as clean – an almost grubby fascination kept drawing us back – we found toasted oak and pistachios, nutmeg, ghee, an engineer’s workbench, burnt eucalyptus and chow mein noodles. The palate was concentrated and intense (‘an espresso of a dram’) fizzy, mouth-watering and impressively textured – with hits of anise and fennel seeds, plus oily, nutty, peppery elements; sweetness appeared as liquorice allsorts, white chocolate and agave syrup (especially with water) but savoury undertones, even salty, seaside suggestions and medicinal intimations made it a slightly challenging but satisfying experience."

Drinking tip:  "Whether you have been renovating an old motorcycle or performing brain surgery – job well done and you deserve a dram of this"

Glendronach Grandeur 24 Year Batch 6

$494.99

Only 1180 bottles of Master Blender Billy Walker's 6th Batch have been released. Only a couple of dozen will fined their way to Alberta, and they are not expected to last long. Half of KWM's allocation is already spoken for. Bottled at 48.9%.

Producer's Tasting Note

Nose: A magnificent combination of honey-drenched dates and succulent raisins which gently ebb and flow with waves of delicate orange blossom, mint and cracked black pepper. Hints of glazed cherries and toasted almonds perfectly complement the seductive nose. A nose to be appreciated slowly and often.

Palate: A fabulously full-bodied, vibrant palate captures a multitude of classic sherry cask characteristics. The delicate sweetness of rum-soaked golden sultanas refines rich espresso, dark chocolate and treacle toffee. Zesty orange oil softens to a deep clove spice and prolongs the ever-changing palate. A sublime example of understanding the relationship between cask and single malt perfectly.

Conclusions: The Grandeur 24 Years Old encapsulates the perfect harmony of exquisite sherry oak casks, masterful maturation and traditional, crafted Highland single malt. A dram to be savoured in order to reveal the depth of dramatic flavours held in the glass. A truly memorable and captivating GlenDronach expression.

Kavalan Solist Ex-Bourbon

$199.99

The Solist Bourbon is from a single Ex-Bourbon cask bottled at cask strength, typically between 55-59% for this expression. In the handful of years since the whisky was first introduced globally, Kavalan's single malt has taken the world by storm winning international praise.

Taiwan's single malt matures at about 5-10 times the rate of most Scotch whiskies due to the country's hot climate. The whisky has a maturity well beyond its age owing to the environment. Even if they wanted to, the distillery couldn't leave the whisky to mature to advanced age as the evaporation is close to 10% per year. Each cask will vary a little from the last, but the quality is always exceptional.

Andrew's Tasting Note - 54%

Nose: very fresh, honeyed and floral, French crepes with powdered sugar and lemon juice; hell we are going with a full breakfast theme here, cantaloupe and honeydew melon, canned pineapple, marmalade and mango chutney.

Palate: very creamy and honeyed with some warming but not sharp spirit; the malt emerges late in the first sip while the floral tones and fruits hit quickly in the second; more melon, pineapple and orange rind (not quite as sweet as marmalade) and hot candied ginger and cinnamon sticks; it becomes doughy with more fruits and creamy oak.

Finish: long, coating and creamy with fading floral malt and tingling spices.

Comment: if this is your first taste of Taiwanese single malt and you're not yet converted... I'll shed a tear for you!

Whisky Advocate Tasting Note: "This is the pick of the bunch, the whisky equivalent of Fountains of Wayne; an effervescent dessert whisky, which from the first aroma to the final finish is a consistent mix of vanilla, coconut, and overripe banana, sprinkled with icing sugar and cinnamon." 94pts - Reviewed 2012.

Kavalan Solist Vinho

$145.79

This cask strength Taiwanese single malt is "World Whisky of the Year!: World Drinks Awards 2015."  We've known what a gem this is for years, having sold it exclusively in Calgary. A very limited quantity of the whisky has just come back in stock, and at a much lower price! Matured in American ex-Wine Barriques.

World Whisky Awards Tasting Note: "Lots of stewed fruits on the nose. There’s also aged Bourbon notes. Water brings out custard creams. Surprisingly smooth on the palate. The alcohol is very present. It’s like Bourbon infused milk chocolate. Another nutty, meaty, savoury nose, with sweet notes in the backdrop. Very sweet pruney flavours initially on the palate, with fruit cake and big clove, chilli and dry cinnamon. Walnut and hazelnut on the very dry finish. Immediately and subtly liquor rich. Tiny bit of incense, a thread of spice and smoke. Caramel, marzipan, coffee-vanilla, fudge, rich, creamy, dried black fruits. Integrated and surprisingly light. Element of sandalwood. Starts creamy, waters out, almost disappears before rubbing hot brown sugar into the oesophagus. Tiny bitter trace."