Scotch Malt Whisky Society 72.41
$102.59
GIRLIE HOLIDAY BREAKFAST DRAM
At 9 years old, this Speysider from a 1st fill white wine hogshead is at 59.8%.
Flavour profile: Deep, rich & dried fruits
Outturn: 273 bottles
Panel's tasting note: "Some described this as a feminine nose – pot-pourri, tanning lotion, cocoa-butter, orange-scented candles, honey-nut cornflakes, pancakes and mimosa – perhaps a girlie holiday breakfast dram? Nothing feminine about the palate though – this was a big hitter! – burnt toffee, black bun, treacle scones, caramelized nuts, Jamaica cake, muscovado and rendang sauce – spicy, fruity and darkly sweet. The reduced nose turned to cinder toffee, pencil boxes, Maya Gold chocolate and jelly babies – plus the girls had now been in for a swim. The palate – mmm – coffee creams, sticky toffee pudding, chocolate-coated raisins – delish! The distillery, ironically, has connections with monks."
Drinking tip: "To go with dessert, or instead of dessert; or to get into the holiday mood"
Highland Park Odin
$368.99
"Odin now joins the ranks of The Valhalla Collection, four stunning whiskies celebrating Highland Park’s Norse heritage. Odin, the King of Asgard himself, joins Thor, Loki and the beautiful Freya to complete this stunning collection. Creating a single malt to reflect the dominant characteristics of Odin was no easy feat but the Highland Park whisky makers have excelled. The Valhalla Collection is the perfect example of how you can put the personality of a god in a glass. Odin packs a mighty punch at 55.8% ABV but finds a happy balance between the god and the distillery’s signature Orcadian style resulting in a rich and undeniably powerful 16 year old single malt whisky," according to the fine folks at Highland Park.
"Colour: Vivid burst of sunlight.
Entirely natural in colour, this whisky is a glowing representation of Odin’s distinct and mighty character.
Nose: This intense whisky possesses a fierce spice. Cinnamon bark and nutmeg rise from Odin’s spirit. Behind the spice, toasted walnuts smoulder with pulsating explosions of smoke. Odin cuts an ominous figure and this whisky is no different.
Palate: A huge, powerful palate draws on the complexity of Odin’s character. Layers of peat uncover thousands of years of wisdom. Dense oak combines with rich charred walnuts.
Finish: Throughout is a subtle sweetness, sharing the knowledge of well-seasoned sherry wines. Plums and soft fruit disappear into the dark as the peaty embers glow into a smoky finale."
Scotch Malt Whisky Society G13.1
$187.19
A COMPLETE REVELATION
This single grain whisky from Japan, at 58.3% and from a virgin oak puncheon, is a real stunner at 4 years old
Flavour profile: Juicy, oak & vanilla
Outturn: 622 bottles
Panel's tasting note: "The Panel were awestruck by this dram of intense beauty. Luscious mango and pineapple juices accompany lychees, Bounty Bars and fragrant lemongrass. The oak is remarkably fresh and fruity with toffee, marshmallows and damson jam. Gingerbread spice is complemented by creamy milk chocolate and “impossibly rich vanilla custard”. With water, cherryade, butterscotch, orange oil and fruit cake are entwined in seemingly endless complexity. There’s pear crumble, fruit cocktails, coconut and gorse bush and a bourbon vanilla milkshake. Candied fennel makes a brief appearance before plum crumble is served up with a toffee bourbon sauce."
Drinking tip: "Give it time and you will be rewarded"
Port Charlotte Islay Barley 2012
$89.99
Nikka Taketsuru Pure Malt
$95.99
This whisky is a stunner both as an NAS, or No Age Statement whisky, and as a Blended Malt or Pure Malt as they still call them in Japan. Composed of whiskies from Nikka's Yoichi and Miyagikyo distilleries, the whisky is named for the company's legendary founder Masataka Taketsuru. The whisky is said to consist of malts that are on average 10 years of age with a high proportion of fruities Miyagikyo whiskies.
Andrew's Tasting Note
Nose: floral, fruity and decadent; lots of fruit both tropical and citric, vanilla pods and soft oak spices; there may be a faint hint of smoke and sea salt but overall it is creamy and fruit.
Palate: oh there's some peat, but it is in balance with swee fruity notes, the whisky is exceptionally creamy, loads more vanilla, some honey and spices; the fruits are there in abundance, some citrus but mostly melons (midori) and tropical fruits (kiwi and guava); there are some coffee notes too and developing darker spices.
Finish: light, clean and fruity with some darker spice and a hint of salty peat smoke.
Comment: this is amazing value, excellent whisky and a great price point!
Old Pulteney 1997 KWM Cask 1636
$179.99
It is finally here, after an unplanned detour to the low countries... we are so excited!
Selected by and bottled exclusive for the Kensington Wine Market, this 1997 single cask. 1636, is the first barrel bottled for a retailer in Canada from the Northern Highland Distillery. Bottled at 54.5% from a single ex-Bourbon barrel laid down in 1997 and bottled in 2015 at 18 years of age. Only 198 total bottles!
Andrew's Tasting Note
Nose: creamy and buttery, clotted cream, vanilla icecream soup, honey dew melons and tropical fruits: mango, papaya and pineapple; juicy malt, soft toasty oak spices and honeycomb.
Palate: round, soft and sweet with a salty backbone; as the palate builds and the waves of vanilla, honeycomb and fruit (especially tropical ones) roll over the palate the salty-oily tones continue to build; baked apple, poached pear and delicate decadent oak spices; thick, layered and coating it has a big body.
Finish: long, coating and fruity with oils and maritime notes that seem like they will never let go.
Comment: normally when we select a cask we have 4-6 samples to choose from, this time it was just one, a simple yes or no; they selected an amazing cask for us, and there was no chance of us turning it down; it is a beautiful malt!
Distiller's Tasting Note
Aroma: soft vanilla custard is puntuated by sharper notes of tropical fruits and green apple orchards. A touch of beeswax adds weight and balance.
Taste: Warm and smooth. Silky melted chocolate tones are complemented by ground spices and the intense fruitiness of boiled sweet. The finish is long and spicy with a maritime signature.
About Old Pulteney Distillery
The distillery was opened in 1826 at the height of a herring boom by James Henderson. The town's barrels of silver (herring) were augmented by the barrels of gold (whisky) from the distillery. The distillery was established initially to satiate the thirst of the local towns people, and they had a deep thirst. Every man woman and child in the purpose built Pulteneytown were said to consume half a liter or whisky a day. Pulteneytown and the distillery are named for Sir William Pulteney, a landowner, bridge builder and politician. Until recently it was the northernmost distillery on the mainland of Scotland.
Laphroaig 15 2015
$139.99
We won't likely be seeing too much of this 200th Anniversary bottling of Laphroaig 15 Year. It is a return to the style of the original Laphroaig 15 Year first launched over 30 years ago. Limited to 2 per customer! It is also a replacement for the now discontinued 18 year.
Distiller’s Tasting Note
Nose: Initial scents of grapefruit and fresh mint. A touch of water releases salted caramel, with signature Islay peat smoke underlying sweet orchard fruit aromas.
Palate: Pink peppercorns, light peat smoke with a soft dryness, before a finish of tobacco and faint sea salt.
Finish: Mellow with a smoky aftertaste.
Laphroaig Cairdeas 2016
$121.99
Limit 1 per customer!
Each year, Laphroaig's master distiller, John Campbell, crafts a limited edition malt to celebrate friendship ("Cairdeas" in Gaelic). This 2016 bottling features fully-matured Laphroaig aged in ex-bourbon barrels before being artfully married together for a second maturation in Madeira seasoned traditional hogheads. The result is a unique epression to be savoured by Friends of Laphroaig, old and new.
Andrew's Tasting Note
Nose: sweet, honeyed, chewy malt and soft peaty oils; new leather gloves, Strawberry Twizzlers, clean smoke and briny maritime notes.
Palate: chewy, malty and rich; building medicinal oily peat and smoke, salted caramel and dried orange; more Strawberry Twizzlers, crisp decadent spice and candied nuts.
Finish: sweet, spicy and decadent; sweet, chewy malt, barley sugar and salted caramel slowly fading away with smoke and salty peat.
Comment: Laphoaig on the sweet and spicy side!
Distiller’s Tasting Note
Nose: On the nose you’ll find an aroma of ripe orange fruits and sweet liquorice that mixes delightfully with our traditional peat smoke.
Palate: On the palate our classic peaty, earthy flavours emerge with a hint of saltiness. Creamy orange tones follow and with a bold and lingering spicy dryness and nutty finish. The result is a fabulous expression to be savoured by Friends of Laphroaig, old and new. This 2016 Cairdeas has been bottled at 51.6% ABV and is non chill filtered.
Scotch Malt Whisky Society 25.65
$197.99
THE WHISPERED KISS
!!!Enter the raffle for a chance to purchase, deadline is Noon MST, Sunday August 9!!!
This 22 year old Lowlander is from a refill barrel at 50%
Flavour profile: Light & delicate
Outturn: 220 bottles
Panel's tasting note: "A whispered kiss from a ghost of a distillery. The nose tip toes around delicate peach skins, apple blossom and papaya. Sticky honey glaze on dainty cinnamon pastries. Musky notes reminded the panel of perfume departments and aromatherapy boxes. Crushed rose petals and wax candles in a dunnage warehouse. To taste they found crisp pear, mandarin, apple and mint and with water the fruits morphed into tinned peaches and cherry drops. Memories of childhood were evoked by talcum powder, allspice, citronella candle, and sandalwood. An gentle earthy warmth hovered while silky fruit syrup and honey lingered like a shadow."
Drinking tip: "A graceful aperitif. Careful with the water."