North Star Cameronbridge 37 Year 51%
$220.99
A single ex-Bourbon Barrel of Cameronbridge distilled in 1982, and bottled at 37 years of age after bottling at 51%.
North Star Blended Grain 36 Year
$199.99
Fans of Single Grain Scotch whisky will love this Blended Grain Scotch! There are not many Blended Grain whiskies on the market, of which Compass Box's Hedonism is of course the most well known. Curiously the same age and vintage as the most recent Golden Grain from Cooper's Choice. Distilled in 1982 and bottled after 36 years at 52.5% from a single ex-Bourbon Barrel. It is silky, decadent and very Bourbonesque... simply, sublime! 88pts Whisky Base!
Andrew's Tasting Note
Nose: decadent; polished old church pews, condensed milk, almond paste and linseed window putty; like a delicate old Bourbon; butter tarts and pecan pie.
Palate: big, rich and spicy but with a delicate, silky backbone; more butter tarts, pecan pie, almond paste and condensed milk; toss in some crème brule and marzipan; fruity tobacco, silky new leather and more polished oak; moves towards dark chocolate and caramel.
Finish: light, decadent and silky, but with good length.
Comment: this is sublime stuff; anyone could drink this, even if they haven’t discovered the whisky that’s right for them yet; it is like an elegant old Bourbon, but without any trace of bitterness and with the oak held well in check; shades of Hedonism Maximus here… truly sublime!”
North Star Girvan 1992 26 Yr 53.5%
$219.99
Distilled in 1992 and filled into an ex-Bourbon Barrel, this single grain Scotch whisky was bottled at 53.5%.
G&M CC Cameronbridge 1997 59.3%
$249.99
One of the first ever single grain releases from Gordon Macphail, this Connoisseur's Choice Cameronbridge has been bottled after 21 years in a Refill Sherry Butt at 59.3%.
Cameronbridge Distillery was founded in 1824 as Haig Distillery. In 1830 it installed a Column still started producing Grain Whisky. It was the first distillery to do so. Today, Cameronbridge is the largest Grain distillery in Scotland, and the EU. It produces Grain Neutral Spirt for the brands Smirnoff, Tanqueray, Gordon's Gin, Pimms and also grain spirit to become whisky for the likes of Johnnie Walker, J&B, Bells, Haig Club (sadly), and so on.
Producer's Tasting Note
"Aroma Subtle sherry notes develop into candy store aromas: orange, sweet and tangy lemon, strawberry liquorice, and hints of soft vanilla fudge. Flashes of cocoa powder surface throughout. Taste Sweet yet spicy; white pepper accompanies fresh vanilla pod flavours. Candied citrus weaves into notes of caramelised brown sugar; toasted malt layers over mature oak undertones. Finish A lingering herbal edge highlighted by flashes of freshly-squeezed lemonade."
Sovereign Cameronbridge 26 Year
$199.99
This 26 year old single cask from Grain Distillery Cameronbridge was distilled in 1991 and filled into a refill butt. It was bottled in 2018 at a csk strength of 56.9% ABV.
Cameronbridge Distillery was founded in 1824 as Haig Distillery. In 1830 it installed a Column still started producing Grain Whisky. It was the first distillery to do so. Today, Cameronbridge is the largest Grain distillery in Scotland, and the EU. It produces Grain Neutral Spirt for the brands Smirnoff, Tanqueray, Gordon's Gin, Pimms and also grain spirit to become whisky for the likes of Johnnie Walker, J&B, Bells, Haig Club (sadly), and so on.
Signatory Cameronbridge 1984 49.8%
$324.99
A rare old treat from Scotland's largest distillery. Even Glenfiddich looks like a minnow swimming next to a whale shark when held against the imposing mass of Cameronbridge. The numbers are staggering. By most accounts, Cameronbridge is knocking out about 120 million litres of pure alcohol a year. That is at least six times the volume of any malt distillery in Scotland. Cameronbridge is, of course, a grain whisky, meaning it is cheaper and faster to produce. That also means it has to mature a heck of a lot longer in order to turn into something really special. This 34 year old 1984 from Signatory is a prime example of what happens when delicate grain whiskies are allowed to mature long enough.
49.8% abv, and only 217 bottles.
Cooper's Choice Golden Grain 1982 35 Yr
$249.99
SOLD OUT!
Bottled at 50% after maturing 35 years in Ex-Bourbon barrels, this 1982 Blended Grain Scotch whisky is absolutely stunning. It is one of but a handful of Blended Grains on the market, like Compass Box's Hedonism, and Hedonism Muse. Only 18 bottles are coming to KWM!
Andrew' Tasting Note
Nose: decadent, creamy and very bright; bread and butter pudding, camomille creme brulee, vanilla tapioca and homemade shortbread right from the oven; birght citrus fruits: orange and lemon, and oak sawdust in a woodshop.
Palate: sweet, fruity and silky; the decadent notes build on those found in the nose: more bread and butter pudding, camomille creme brulee, tapioca and shortbread; creamed honey and vanilla extract; very Bourbon-y, pecan pie, brown sugar and dark spices; very layered.
Finish: long, coating, creamy, sweet and fruity; like the palate the finish comes in waves; it is no shrinking violet, but there are no rough edges either.
Comment: this whisky illustrates two concepts: firstly, when grain whisky is at its finest, it can be breathtaking; and this is an absolutely beautiful grain. Secondly, blending whiskies is an opportunity to create something greater than the sum of its parts; most commercial blends have lost sight of this; here we have something very small batch, elegant, layered and very pretty; this is an exceptional blend!
Producer Tasting Note
Nose: Coconut, vanilla and gingerbread. Dark chocolate praline.
Palate: Caramelised brown sugar and oak. More coconut. A smooth marriage of dried fruits, coconut, bourbon notes and delicious spices.
Finish: Long lasting. More vanilla, lacquered oak and dried fruits. Velvety smooth.
Cadenhead Small Batch Cameronbridge 1984
$314.99
From Scotland's oldest and by far largest distillery, this Cameronbridge is in short supply and high demand. Only 222 bottles from a a single ex-Bourbon Barrel, and only 6 of which have come to Canada, exclusively to KWM. Bottled at 52.8%, this 34 year old single grain was distilled in 1984.
Producer's Tasting Note
Nose: caramel waffles, flaked almonds, white chocolate cheesecake. Satsumas, dried banana chips and coconut milk.
Palate: caramel tuiles, faint golden rum notes, muscavado sugar, milk chocolate, soft spices and rye notes.
Finish: gingerbread, golden syrup, dry vermouth and almost a little hoppy!
North Star Invergordon 31 Year
$204.99
A very well priced 31 Year single cask of Invergordon, bottled at an impressive 63.2% after maturing in an ex-Bourbon Hogshead.
Andrew's Tasting Note
Nose: decadent, floral and toasty; white orchard and citrus fruits; sesame seed paste, linseed oil, honey and cinnamon butter.
Palate: bright, warm and fruity; loads of white and citrus fruit; French crepes with lemon juice and powdered sugar; more sesame and linseed oil, doughy and a touch diesel-y (dry Riesling); decadent with loads of sugars and toasty oak; surprisingly approachable for 63.2%.
Finish: warm and drying; the finish builds and then fades out; light, floral, fruity and decadent.
Comment: I don’t often add water, but I found it a little warm, so I added a drop; it becomes silkier and more fruity, retaining its decadent-floral character; grain whisky fans will love this one, and Serge did too (84pts), Angus did not (68pts); I’m siding with Serge on this one!
84pts Serge @WhiskyFun.org
"I had first read ’68.2%’ but no, that’s only 63.2, we’re totally safe. You band of assassins! Colour: straw. Nose: it’s still young, but we’re getting there. Some menthol from the cask, otherwise glues, scotch tape, washer fluid, grass, and drops of coconut liqueur. No, not as awful as it sounds. With water: straighter, grassier and earthier. All good things. Humus. Mouth (neat): notes of high-column rum, Bacardi-style, limoncello… It’s not that deadly, apparently (we’ll see if I’m back tomorrow). With water: ah? This is pretty nice, with oranges, mint, honey and olive oil, so a perfect combination. Not the first time we’re noticing Invergordon’s in a different cluster as far as grain whiskies are concerned. Finish: medium, good, almondy, with nice citrus and even touches of camphor. Comments: rather grain for malt drinkers, shall we say. The spirit remains a little thin, as always, but the rest is really very nice. SGP:551 - 84 points."
Producer's Tasting Note
Nose: white chocolate buttons and airfix glue.
Palate: cream of tartar and wine gums.
Finish: a ginger bread house with a frosted roof.