Compass Box GKS Glasgow KWM Cask
$93.99
This is our third KWM exclusive Compass Box Blend, and it is one for the peat heads! It is also our second marrying cask from the Great King Street line - this time from the Glasgow Blend - which means it has a bit of sherry cask influence and a dash of peat or more as well! Bottled at 49%, the whisky is the 2018 Glasgow Blend, finished for just under 2 years in a second fill Sherry Butt from the Craigellachie Distillery. The whisky is 18% Laphroaig, and it dominates the blend. The sherry matured Craigellachie 34% plays second fiddle, while the 35% Cameronbridge grain, matured in First Fill ex-Bourbon, plays a moderating role, adding an elegant touch!
The Composition of the 2018 Glasgow Blend (The Ages Are Pre-Finishing)
- 35% 11 Year Cameronbridge First Fill Bourbon Barrel
- 34% 9 Year Craigellachie First Fill Sherry Butt
- 18% 6 Year Laphroaig Refill Bourbon Barrel
- 10% 6 Year Clynelish First Fill Bourbon
- 3% 7 Year Highland Malt Blend
Alexander Murray Monumental 30 Year
$134.99
Price Recently Dropped $55 from $190 to $135!
A lightly peated 30 year old Blend, produced with a high malt content of 75%, bottled at 40%. In the words of the producer the whisky was matured in both ex-Bourbon and ex-Sherry. Some sources also reference 8 months of Sherry Finishing. 90pts Whisky Advocate
Andrew's Tasting Note
Nose: sherried, nutty and chocolate-y; wet Jujubes, dried cranberries and chocolate covered espresso beans; firm new leather and a touch of muddy peat and burnt rubber; some soft, floral vanilla underneath and the promise of some decadent spice.
Palate: big, rich and nutty; very sherried with loads of caramel, candied fruits (cherry and orange) and brandy soaked Christmas cake; still chocolate-y, with more espresso, peat and rubber; candied ginger, nutmeg and anise; more floral vanilla and honey.
Finish: medium long, creamy, fruity and floral; sweet caramel, candied fruits and spices slowly mellow out.
Comment: while I would have rather seen this at a higher proof, the whisky is very drinkable; it doesn't hold a candle to the Berry's 40 Year KWM Blend, but it is also less than 1/3 the price; for $135 this is a steal!
90pts Whisky Advocate Magazine
"Sherry finishing influences, from leather satchel, maraschino cherry, floral blossoms, and deep orange notes to a pinch of Chinese Five Spice and buttered ginger loaf. Medium bodied, with a malt content of 75%, it riffs around an orange theme, at times quite sharp, with pith, some bitter grapefruit, more ginger, and herbal strands. Lively spices flicker across the tongue throughout the long finish as the citrus seeps away."
Producer Description & Tasting Note
"The Monumental Blend 30 years old is rich, decadent and complex. Matured in a combination of ex- Bourbon and Sherry casks, select malt and grain whiskies have been combined with one thing in mind: Big & Bold. Malt whisky leads here, making for a luxurious texture that coats the mouth with memorable luxury. Delicate grain whiskies lend their sociability to form a blend that is balanced, full of depth of character, and most importantly bursting with flavor."
Yushan Signature Bourbon Single Malt
$83.99
Distilled at Nantou, Taiwan's second distillery, opened by the government. This sinlge malt is bottled at 46% after maturing in ex-Bourbon Casks.
The distillery is built between the Bagua mountain range and the tranquil Maoluo river. The Blended Malt and Single Malt Whiskies are sold under the brand Yu Shan, named for the beautiful nearby “Jade Mountain”. The single malts are non-chill filtered, and bottled without added colouring. There is no age statement on the whiskies, but, like Kavalan, the Taiwanese climate rapidly matures spirit, with 7-10% angels share lost each year!
Producer Tasting Note
Nose: Fresh and well-balanced – Vanilla, cream, honey, flowers.
Palate: Subtle and silky – Vanilla, caramel, spices.
Finish: Well-balanced – Vanilla, malt, mandarin.
Johnnie Walker XR 21 Year
$136.49
This special release in the Johnnie Walker range is a Blended Scotch made of up whiskies that are at least 21 years of age. 40% ABV.
From The Producer
"John Walker & Sons XR 21 was created to honour this very special occasion. Inspired by Sir Alexander’s own hand-written notes, it is blended from the exclusive Johnnie Walker reserve of rare whiskies, all of which have been matured for a full 21 years."
Producer Tasting Note
"Assured, balanced and elegant, it has intriguing layers of intensity that are both surprising and delightful. Sweet honey and tempered spices come cloaked in warming smoke. Citrus zest, ripened tropical fruits and caramel swirl within hints of tobacco and raisins. The long, smooth, soothing finish is complex and fascinating - a myriad of influences played out over a subtle tapestry of peatiness."
Berry`s The Perspective 21 Year Blend
$124.99
Exclusive is KWM in Canada. Bottled at 43%, the label features a photo of Sandwood Bay in Sutherland, by Scottish photographer Lindsay Robertson. Hard to find a 21-year-old Scotch this good, at this price!
Producer Tasting Note
"Fresh, vibrant fruit is undercut by delicate oak and spice, gracefully interwoven with vanilla and honey. A lingering finish caps the experience."
About the Series
"The Perspective Series brings together two art forms – whisky-making and photography. The essence of our master blender’s work is captured by photographer Lindsay Robertson’s evocative images."
Berry's The Perspective 25 Year Blend
$157.49
Only 12 bottles have come to Canada, exclusively to KWM. Bottled at 43%, the label features a photo of The Cuillin mountain range on Skye, by Scottish photographer Lindsay Robertson.
Andrew's Tasting Note
Coming Soon!
85pts Dave Broom (ScotchWhisky.com)
Nose: Fresh, yet mature with subtle depths of linseed oil, chimichurri, birch sap and apple. A delicate, woody aroma. In time there’s a light dustiness reminiscent of dry autumn leaves, and with water a floral and slightly fruity element emerges alongside a gentle maltiness.
Palate: Much more expressive. It starts sweet and the silkiness from the lovely old grain begins to come through more clearly alongside crème brûlée, a mix of black and red fruits, toffee and cinnamon. The grain works hard to add texture while balancing the malty elements. That said, overall it remains light and bright. Water adds a little weight with some vanilla, but does not diminish its punchiness.
Finish: Gentle, then crisps up.
Conclusion: Light but with lovely balance. Take with water or an ice ball.
Producer Tasting Note
"The nose exudes soft, ripe autumnal fruit and fresh citrus with waves of honey and prickles of spice. The palate is full, viscous, fresh and lively, leading to a long, satisfying finish."
About the Series
"The Perspective Series brings together two art forms – whisky-making and photography. The essence of our master blender’s work is captured by photographer Lindsay Robertson’s evocative images."
Berry's The Perspective 35 Year Blend
$281.24
Exclusive to KWM in Canada, only 6 bottles are coming! Bottled at 43% the label features a photo of Rannoch Moor, by Scottish photographer Lindsay Robertson.
Andrew's Tasting Note
Coming Soon!
89pts Dave Broom (ScotchWhisky.com)
Nose: The most restrained in the Perspective Series, and also the most distinctly waxy: snuffed candle, old Barbour jacket, dried banana peel, a hint of roast chestnut and just the tiniest whiff of solvent. Elegant and gently refined. Water brings out rich, ripe fruits, light coffee, what seems to be a small aroma of smoke rising from moist pipe tobacco, walnut cake and rancio. Complex and mature.
Palate: A remarkably fresh start of plums and berries to this, before the rancio accents come through: wax polish, dried apricot and unctuous malt. It’s beautifully layered and soft with this slight fragility which makes you tiptoe into its mid-palate mixture of fruits, Brazil nut, hard toffee, treacle and dark chocolate. Somehow it manages to be rich, yet ethereal. Water adds in more mature qualities alongside tropical fruit and tutti frutti.
Finish: Bittersweet and then long-lasting, ripe black fruits.
Producer Tasting Note
"Rich, mature notes of fruit and malt are augmented by a lively crispness from the grain. Candied fruit emerges, carried on waves of honey and balanced by judicious hints of oak. The finish is long and relaxed."
About the Series
"The Perspective Series brings together two art forms – whisky-making and photography. The essence of our master blender’s work is captured by photographer Lindsay Robertson’s evocative images."
North Star Spica 29 Year Blended Scotch
$114.99
Matured in a mix of American and Spanish oak, this 29 year old Blended Scotch is a steal at just $115. Bottled at 45.5%, 1000 to bottles were produced with only 60 bottles have coming to Alberta, most of them to KWM! 85pts Whisky Fun.
Andrew's Tasting Note
Nose: decadent, doughy and fruity; a touch musty with loads of caramel, soft leather, chocolate, tobacco and dunnage warehouses.
Palate: soft, floral, fruity and elegant; the decadent silky grains hit first, followed by bags of fruit and caramel; dried cherries, cranberries and raisins; cornsyriup and caramel apples; becomes more chocolate-y and earthy with tobacco and leather; the spices emerge last, warming and decadent.
Finish: medium in length, but elegant, coating and fruity with more chocolate and caramel; the floral notes reemerge later with the spices.
Comment: this is a lovely blend, very easy drinking and elegant; for the price $115, it is a steal, a must buy!
85pts Whisky Fun
"Colour: gold. Nose: that’s right, a blend. Nice maltiness, breads, cakes, ripe fruits, old wine cellar, potpourri, liquorice, cherries, sweet mushrooms… It hasn’t got the higher definition of a good single malt, but it’s got a good complexity and I’m not sure we’re worse off for that. Mouth: same feelings. Fruitcake, dough, cherries, raisins, malt, then chocolate and tobacco and a touch of violet sweet. Or there, crystallised violet flowers, as they make in Provence. Finish: rather medium, and rather more on marmalade, oranges… Back to cherries, raisins and pepper in the aftertaste. Comments: reminds me of some folks that used to fit VW Beetles with genuine Porsche engines. Good, one Euro each and I drop my crappy car analogies and metaphors. SGP:561 - 85 points"
North Star Vega 1985 33Year Blended Malt
$189.99
Limit 1 Per Customer!
Only 326 bottles were produced, with just 6 coming to Canada, exclusively to KWM. Bottled at 46.2%, after 33 years, this Blended Malt Scotch whisky, is likely another one of these ex-Edrington Blended Malts. Matured in European and American oak. No reviews at present, but it is averaging 88.67/100 on Whisky Base.
