Boutique-y Clynelish 20 Year KWM Cask
$219.99
It is finally here... we have been teasing and talking about this whisky for months, and it was worth the wait. We are thrilled to introduce you to our first ever KWM exlcusive single cask from That Boutique-y Whisky Company. Although the bottle doesn't explicitly tell you which "Highland" distillery the whisky is from, there are clues on the label... 578 bottles have been filled exclusively for Kensington Wine Market at 51%. But we have nothing holding us back from telling you that Boutique-y Highland #2 is Clynelish... That's right, this is 20 year old Clynelish!
Andrew's Note on the Whisky & Label
Could that be a cat in the clouds, a Wild Highland Cat perhaps? Is it not strange to see a waxy candle-powered balloon? Incidentally, it is lifting the KWM whisky team aloft. And what of the monument? If we told you it was a controversial monument near the town of Golspie dedicated to the infamous Duke of Sutherland, would that give you all the information you need to know? What Highland Distillery has a Wild Highland Cat as its symbol, a waxy profile, and an infamous Duke as its founder?
This label is a cheeky take on a shared memory, with embellishments, embedded details, and Easter eggs, in the tradition of the best Boutique-y Whisky Company Labels. More importantly, it tells a story, which is personally important to my family. My mother was born into the Clann Gunn in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia. Her ancestors roamed swaths of what is now Caithness and Sutherland in northern Scotland. That is until they were compelled to leave Scotland in the late 18th century, cruelly and rudely displaced to make way for sheep during the early days of the Highland Clearances.
On the label there is a ship at sea, heading to Canada presumably, as hinted at by the flags (the Canadian flag as it is today was only introduced in 1965). On the flat coastal plain at the base of the mountains sheep can be seen grazing. In front of the monument stand a pair of Canadians stand in hockey jerseys. Sam Simmons, Head of Whisky at Atom Brands, and a native Torontonian, stands closest to the monument in what appears to be a hockey jersey. Further back, a native Calgarian, yours truly can be seen waving a white hat, an iconic symbol of "Cowtown", whilst sporting a local hockey team jersey of his own. In the balloon Keith, Evan, Shawn & Curt can be seen waving at Andrew & Sam below. Speaking of those two, what are they doing atop Ben Bhraggie? Funny story that.
When TBWC offered us this cask of Highland Malt, they asked us what we wanted on the label, and I had a cheeky idea. In 2006 I made my first trip to Scotland, and on that trip, I hiked up Ben Bhraggie, a small mountain (really a foothill by Canadian standards) to see the monument of the infamous Duke. Someone had spraypainted the word "Monster" in neon green at the base. When I was sure no one was looking I dropped trow and relieved myself on it. I sent Sam an email of this tale, my connection to the area and my idea for the label. I was sure it was just a little too edgy...
Minutes later my phone was ringing... it was 3 AM in the UK, but Sam wanted to make sure I had seen his reply. He too had hiked Ben Bhraggie in 2005, and he had also paid his own respects to the infamous Duke of Sutherland...
One last little nugget, Keith, who is a personal trainer and headed to Beijing as a Team Canada Skeleton coach, felt his arm didn't look appropriately burly, in an early draft of the label. So we had the artist, Emily Chappell, 'bugs bunny' his arm... In case it isn't already apparent, nothing is sacred (especially when it comes to The Duke of Sutherland and Keith's pipes)!
And the rest as they say is history. On the back of every bottle, That Boutique-y Whisky Company includes the following text: "We are passionate about great whisky, we don't take ourselves too seriously and we LOVE a good story." No wonder these chaps are such a great fit to work with!
Siegel Handpicked Carmenere
$19.99
Alberto Siegel Lubbe was a German architect, born in 1870. He built some of the most important and traditional buildings in Santiago from the 20th century, including the Reserva Federal de Chile building. His son Alberto Siegel Dauelsberg was a winegrower in charge of well-known vineyards. Later he studied agronomy and acquired experience in some wine cellars in Germany. In the Colchagua Valley, for more than 30 years, Alberto Siegel Dauelsberg planted the first vineyards, now known as Viña Siegel. Viña Siegel has more than 700 hectares planted with vineyards distributed in seven regions, strategically located at the foothills of The Andes.
Lamadrid Single Vineyard Agrelo Cabernet
$24.99
A Kensington Wine Market exclusive! This Argentine favourite, from the famous Mendoza wine-growing region, is made by the Durigutti brothers. Unfined, unfiltered and, according to Barnivore, vegan-friendly. Look for a deep purple red colour- spicy to the nose with clove, fresh berries, plum and raspberry notes. It shows a soft palate with a long and persistent finish. As far as food pairings go, go for food with richness; Grilled Alberta Beef, Wild Boar, hearty stews and lamb chops.
Paolo Leo Negroamaro
$22.99
Negroamaro is a native variety of Salento. The grape gets its name from the Latin word for black due to its rich ruby colour. Despite its high concentration of tannins and full body, this wine is elegant and well-balanced. Notes of fruit and spice on the finish make this IGP wine great for roasts, cured meats, medium-aged cheese, pizza, and second (or secondi) pasta dishes.
B. Fouquet Aubuisieres Vouvray Brut
$26.99
Serious bubbles that are consistently the "best value in its appellation" - this is not just a great value, it is also a favourite of both Kensington Wine Market staff AND the staff of our next-door neighbour's Peasant Cheese!
The Chenin Blanc of Vouvray brings riper citrus and tree fruit to the bready flavours of Methode Traditionelle and racy, mineral acidity from the Loire Valley soils. A great bubbly with flavour, ripeness, and minerality - at a very approachable price. Buy a bottle and take it over to Peasant Cheese and they will be happy to recommend a cheese pairing!
Berry's Dailuaine 2010 KWM Cask
$149.99
This bottle was featured on Day 22 of our 2023 KWM Whisky Calendar. You can read the post on it here.
This 2010 vintage, 12-year-old Dailuaine was finished in an ex-Vin Santo cask, before bottling at 54.9%, exclusively for Kensington Wine Market.
Waiter's Corkscrew KWM Imprint
$8.99
Tired of using a sword or hammer to open those pesky cork-stopped wine bottles? This handy little tool will save you from all of that broken glass and spilled liquid! Emblazoned with the Kensington Wine Market logo to impress your wine drinking cohorts.
The two-step waiter's corkscrew is a preferred opener in the beverage industry because of its ease of use coupled with its small stature in the pocket of a waiter. The corkscrew contains all tools that are necessary to properly open a bottle and provide an elegant look while opening.
Domaine du Haut Bourg Muscadet 2014
$36.99
Great value white wine from France's beautiful Loire Valley, and 88 points from Wine Spectator for the 2005 vintage. The review: "Pretty, with lemon curd, verbena and honeysuckle notes woven together, carried by a creamy, lightly waxy feel through the salted butter—edged finish." Third generation winemakers Luc and Jerome Choblet are located the Cotes de Grandlieu sub-appellation of Muscadet, and they only release their Muscadet after it has had extended time aging. Serve chilled, with simply prepared seafood dishes.
Daftmill 2010 Winter Batch Release
$189.99
This 2010 vintage Daftmill was bottled at 46% in the Winter of 2023, after maturing 12 years in ex-Bourbon Barrels. 87.68pts Whiskybase Exclusive to KWM in Canada.
Producer Description
"The barley variety Publican was grown in the 43ac field and was harvested by John and Sandy on the 28th & 29th August 2009. It was then dried and stored on the farm to be malted in Alloa during the summer of 2010. The whisky that went into this bottling came from twenty-five first fill ex bourbon barrels, which were filled in November and December 2010. Then stored in our dunnage warehouse until bottling in 2023."