Glendronach 2003 Cask 934 Batch 12
$157.49
12 years old from a single PX Sherry Puncheon, this Batch 12 Glendronach single cask was bottled at 53.7%. Only 12 bottles have come to KWM, 7 of which have sold at the time of writing.
Andrew's Tasting Note
Nose: mincemeat pie, blood orange and Fruit & Nut Chocolate bars; Licorice Nibbs, raisins and dates with some crisp oak and spices.
Palate: very toasty with some bourbonny notes slowly yielding to dark fruits and spices; becomes more chocolaty with some nice honey notes and building juicy blood orange and spices; the Fruit & Nut bar is still there with Licorice Nibbs.
Finish: light, honeyed and toasty with delicate spices and chocolate.
Comment: like the 2004, a trace of American oak, so likely a finish, but another very good one!
Distiller's Tasting Note
Nose: Golden sultanas drizzled in honey complement a rich back note of barley sugar and warm spices.
Palate: A crisp citrus twist balances with roasted orchard fruits and sultana syrup. Hints of eucalyptus and gentle barley add to the soft, fruity finish.
Glendronach 2004 Cask 5524 Batch 12
$156.59
One of the 9 Glendronach Batch 12 vintage single casks. Bottled at 11 years of age and 57.8% after maturing in a Pedro Ximenez Sherry Puncheon.
Andrew's Tasting Note
Nose: very honeyed, toasty American oak (this must be a finish), soft leather, dark fruits and chocolate shavings.
Palate: very fruity, leathery, creamy and spicy; while the sherry notes are quite dominant the American oak base is quite prominent; orange peel, Demerara sugars and hot spices (ginger and cinnamon).
Finish: long, coating, toasty and spicy, with fading creamy honey and vanilla.
Comment: heavily sherried, and youthful, but with layers and complexity.
Distiller's Tasting Note
Nose: Rich prunes and oak spices combine with a grating of nutmeg and a delicate liquorice note.
Palate: Soft treacle toffee and rich raisin juice infused with hints of cinnamon sugar and sweet floral oak spice.
BenRiach 1999 Cask 8687 Batch 12
$160.19
Glendronach 1994 Cask 3398 Batch 12
$260.99
This Batch 12 single cask of Glendronach was bottled from a single Pedro Ximenez Sherry Cask, 3398, at 53.2% after 20 years. KWM is getting just 12 bottles most of which are sold!
Andrew's Tasting Note
Nose: Pecan pie, bread and butter pudding, plum and cranberry compote; classic Christmas cake, and big sherry: leather, tobacco and chocolate.
Palate: big sherry with more Classic Christmas cake notes and big spices; the leather, tobacco and chocolate (unsweetened dark baker's chocolate) are still there; the spices are earthy and clovey.
Finish: fruity and leathery with fading tobacco and spices.
Comments: this is your classic sherry cask whisky, not too bold, not too sweet, nice balance.
Distiller's Tasting Note
Nose: Waves of rich molasses poured over sour plums and spiced by cracked black pepper.
Palate: A sumptuous body of bitter chocolate and dried dark fruits backed by rich orange marmalade. Delicate waves of garden mint and soft clove oil follow in the classically long finish.
Bruichladdich Black Art 2
$256.49
!!!NOT SOLD OUT!!! - COMING SOON! Another surprise return from Bruichladdich, we sold out of this more years ago than I can recall!
Crafted by Jim McEwan from pre-closure stock distilled in 1989, the whisky was bottled after 21 years at 49.7%. Only a dozen bottles coming back!
From the Distiller: "Even we don’t know how Jim McEwan has conjured-up this bewitching dram – this is something he alone has crafted (in dead of night?) in the stygian darkness of Warehouse No. 12. A dark, sensuous spirit, very fine, incredibly elegant, decadently-hued, perplexingly complex, mishievously-prepared and subtly provocative. Beguiling, other-worldly, sublime, inspired.
“Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there wondering, fearing, Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before...”
Edgar Allan Poe, The Raven"
Distiller's Tasting Note - Jim McEwan
Nose: An opening bouquet of cherry blossom and deep red rose gives way to a rainbow of soft ripe red fruits; redcurrant, loganberry, damson, apricot and blackberry crystallised with soft brown sugar. A sensational opening for the toasted oak and sweet malted barley, which give structure and strength.
Palate: As the spirit aerates a wave of delectable red fruits rise and pass through the oak like a summer breeze, lifting the taste experience to a level of pleasure beyond belief. The harmony of flavours merge both on the nose and the palate and deliver a totally unique malt experience like no other.
Finish: A manifestation of single malt joy!
Mood: Totally selfish. Decadent, late night, brooding dram. This one is not for sharing. Pure, physical pleasure, indulge yourself!
Liquid Sun Longmorn 1992
$175.49
Distilled in 1992 and bottled at a cask strength of 52.9% from a Refill Hogshead cask in 2014 at 22 years of age. Exclusive to KWM in Canada, only 2 bottles have come into the market. Liquid Sun was bottled by the Whisky Agency.
Sadly we won't be opening a bottle, so no tasting note... sorry!
Scotch Malt Whisky Society 4.211
$211.49
SUN, SAND, SURF AND SERENITY
From the 'Highland Islands' region, this 24 year old is from a refill hogshead and is 52.2%
Flavour profile: Oily & coastal
Outturn: 208 bottles
Panel's tasting note: "This sample had personality and character and brought up evocative descriptors on the nose neat. To mention just a few: grilled pineapple and lobster salad, barbecued langoustines in garlic and herb butter, tarry ropes and like lying in warm sand with a ’salty dog’ (the animal and the cocktail). The taste did not disappoint; salty, oily and sweet like skewers of barbecued scallops wrapped in crispy pancetta on a bed of lentils. With water a teasing light perfumed smoke appeared from a distant bonfire on the beach and in the taste the sweetness mingled with the smoke of lychees stuffed with smoked salmon."
Drinking tip: "In your duffel beach bag"
Scotch Malt Whisky Society 36.76
$167.99
A SWEET WINTER WARMER
This Speysider spent its 17 years in a refill barrel and is 59.3%
Flavour profile: Spicy & sweet
Outturn: 122 bottles
Panel's tasting note: "A lush and intense sweet oaky aroma was the first impression on the nose neat. Out of the many descriptors the ones we all agreed on; honey-glazed parsnips, honeydew melon, freshly baked croissants, Danish cinnamon swirls and freshly made fudge. The intensity and sweetness continued in the taste; tingly, warm, spicy oak tannins, iced gingerbread and a dry finish of cocoa powder. Water added a floral dimension with roses and carnations and the spiciness of stewed apples and apple crumble with ginger and nutmeg. The taste now lively like popping candy, fizzy sweet cola cube candies and sour apple fruit jellies in the finish."
Drinking tip: "After a long walk"
Scotch Malt Whisky Society 66.62
$152.09
CLASSIC CAESAR COCKTAIL
This Highlander spent 16 years in a refill sherry gorda and is 56.6%
Flavour profile: Oily & coastal
Outturn: 615 bottles
Panel's tasting note: "The first whiff was just like striking a match and lighting a gas stove to cook pork tenderloin studded with garlic as well as salty strips of bacon. This was followed by sweet aromas of maple syrup, toasted bagels and barbecue baked sweet potatoes. The initial taste was like the ignition of the gas fire before maritime flavours of lobster shells, langoustines, mussels and oily mackerels emerged. Water released toasted marshmallows and toffee apples with a Caesar cocktail (a Bloody Mary with Clamato instead of tomato juice). We then all enjoyed a corn on the cob with salted butter and baked salmon croquettes."
Drinking tip: "Starting a barbecue on the beach"