Kensington Wine Market

Tasting Schedule

*** FOR IN - STORE TASTINGS: PLEASE SELECT THE PICKUP OPTION - WE DO NOT SEND TICKETS - YOUR NAME IS ADDED TO THE GUEST LIST ***

VIRTUAL TASTING SAMPLES CAN BE PICKED UP OR DELIVERED ( FOR A FEE)

**NOTE** We are now offering Both Virtual and in-store tastings. Virtual tastings will clearly state that above the name of the tasting.

Liquor tasting samples for virtual tastings are typically 15ml each unless otherwise indicated.

We offer Free City Wide Delivery within the Calgary city limits for Orders Over $ 100 ** ONLY if all samples can be delivered at the same time. If you are purchasing multiple events - logistically, we may not be able to have all samples ready to go in one delivery. As you do have the option of picking up your samples, we will deliver as much as we can in the first delivery for free, any subsequent deliveries will be $10.
We can arrange shipping within Alberta for a fee. - packaging and shipping fees apply.
We do not ship out of the Province.

Please be sure to include a valid email address in your order as we will contact participants a few days before the tasting with instructions on how to participate.

Cancellation Policy:

Registrations can be gifted or transferred - you are welcome to allow someone else to take your place if you cannot take part in the tasting.
- For virtual tastings you will need to arrange getting them the samples if you have already received them, You are also responsible to send them the link for the tasting as it will be emailed to the purchaser.
- For in person events, You would need to give us their name for the list if you are not attending.

Tastings are non refundable – For both virtual and In Person events, you will receive a ** store credit for the value if you cancel more than 48 hours in advance of the event.
Due to the logistics of pickup and delivery of samples for virtual , cancellations will not be considered within 7 days of the tasting,** or if you have already received the tastings samples. Once delivered or picked up, we cannot take the tasting bottles back.
Store Credits can be used for anything KWM sells - you do not have to use them specifically for tastings.

Tastings typically start at 7:00 pm unless otherwise noted. Please make sure you are aware of the start time.
We encourage participants to drink responsibly.

May 2023

Virtual Tasting
31+ Year Olds for 31 Years & Counting with Richard Urquhart

May 30, 2023
7 PM
$200.00

THIS IS A VIRTUAL TASTING

Our year-long celebration (or milking of) our 30th Anniversary, as all things must, is finally coming to an end. We have held three fantastic tastings of 30-year-olds over the last year celebrating our past. The fourth and final such tasting, a hopeful nod to what lies ahead, will consist entirely of whiskies aged at least 31 years. You'd be surprised how hard it is to source reasonably priced whiskies of this age or greater these days. Fortunately, our friends at Gordon & MacPhail have us more than covered. Richard Urquhart will be our special guest as we work our way through 257 liquid history, including more than a few sherry bombs. Our range: Glenburgie 1990, Glentauchers 1990, Highland Park 1988, Linkwood 1988, Miltonduff 1990, Mortlach 1989, & Pulteney 1982. Participants in the tasting will also receive a Gordon & MacPhail logo copita glass.

Tuesday, May 30 @ 7PM

*SAMPLES READY FOR PICKUP!*

This event is sold out.

Virtual Tasting
SMWS June 2023 Virtual Outturn

May 31, 2023
7 PM
$55.00

THIS IS A VIRTUAL TASTING

Log in, pour your drams and join us from home, the cottage, another country, or work... for the June 2023 Scotch Malt Whisky Society Canada Virtual Outturn Tasting. The KWM team will be your guide as you sample through an exciting range of 7 new, never-before-sampled SMWS bottlings.

Wednesday, May 31 @ 7 PM

*Active SMWS Members will Save $10 on the tasting. For the $10 discount, individual SMWS members must register independently. The price will not show online when you submit it but will be adjusted when we review and process the order.

** Samples are ready for pickup!

Seats Remaining: 4

June 2023

SMWS June 2023 In-Person Outturn 6PM

June 1, 2023
6 PM
KWM IN STORE
$60.00

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society Canada’s June 2023 Outturn tasting will feature new, never before featured bottlings. The range will be the same as the virtual tasting the night before but will also include nibbles from our friends at Peasant Cheese, and the comradery that can only come from 20 SMWS Members in our tasting room. Please note we will not be holding back stock of the Outturn bottles specifically to purchase for this in-person tasting, though there will likely be bottles of most whiskies still available.

Thursday, June 1, @ 6 PM.

*Active SMWS Members will Save $10 on the tasting. For the $10 discount, individual SMWS members must register independently. The price will not show online when you submit it but will be adjusted when we review and process the order.

This event is sold out.

SMWS June 2023 In-Person Outturn 8PM

June 1, 2023
8 PM
KWM IN STORE
$60.00

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society Canada’s June 2023 Outturn tasting will feature new, never before featured bottlings. The range will be the same as the virtual tasting the night before but will also include nibbles from our friends at Peasant Cheese, and the comradery that can only come from 20 SMWS Members in our tasting room. Please note we will not be holding back stock of the Outturn bottles specifically to purchase for this in-person tasting, though there will likely be bottles of most whiskies still available.

Thursday, June 1, @ 8 PM.

*Active SMWS Members will Save $10 on the tasting. For the $10 discount, individual SMWS members must register independently. The price will not show online when you submit it but will be adjusted when we review and process the order.

This event is sold out.

Wines of the Andes - Chile & Argentina

June 2, 2023
7 PM
KWM IN STORE
$35.00

Chile is most well-known for Carmenere and Argentina for Malbec, but that only scratches the surface of what these two countries are capable of. Together they boast an extensive winemaking history that goes back centuries and share a mountain range that offers a combination of low and high-elevation growing areas. This amalgamation of history and terroir allows for a cornucopia of exciting wines that offer both value and quality - often within the same bottle! Join Marnie and Stan on a brief hike through the Andes and taste some of the wine made in the two separate, but indelibly connected regions.

Friday, June 2nd @ 7 PM

Seats Remaining: 1

Ardbeg Day 2023 - Heavy Vapours - 11 AM - 12 PM

June 3, 2023
11 AM - 12 PM
KWM IN STORE
$35.00

Max 2 Registrations Per Person!

As we do every year, we are celebrating Ardbeg Day with a couple of Ardbeg Day Master Classes, in the lead-up to the main Ardbeg Day Celebration, see below! Participants will sample a range of 6 Ardbegs including 10 Year, Wee Beastie, Corryvreckan, Uigeadail, Traigh Bahn 19 Year Batch 4, and the 2023 Ardbeg Day release Heavy Vapours. Master Class participants will also get a chance to buy a bottle of Heavy Vapours before sales open to all other Ardbeg Committee Members. But only if you come to the actual tasting!

Satursday June 3, 11 AM

PLEASE NOTE THIS TASTING IS 1 HOUR - AND AS THERE IS ANOTHER TASTING AT 1PM, YOU WILL BE ASK TO EXIT THE ROOM BY 12:15!

This event is sold out.

Ardbeg Day 2023 - Heavy Vapours - 1 - 2 PM

June 3, 2023
1 PM
KWM IN STORE
$35.00

Virtual Tasting
Rest & Bruichladdich Virtual Tasting

June 6, 2023
7 PM
$55.00

THIS IS A VIRTUAL TASTING

We recently received a quintet of curious new whiskies from the Rest & Be Thankful Co. Four are from Bruichladdich Distillery, 2 each of Port Charlotte and Bruichladdich. The provenance of these Bruichladdich casks is curious, as they are believed to be from Mark Reynier's personal stash... The 5th whisky is a bottling of Finglassie, only the second time we have had a bottling from the new Inchdarnie Distillery. Those 5 malts make for the start of a tempting lineup, so we've added a couple of other Laddies to the range to round things out. Join us for a Rest & Bruichladdich kinda evening!

Tuesday, June 6, 2023, 7 PM

Samples are ready for pickup!

Seats Remaining: 29

Virtual Tasting
Spongeworthy Whiskies Round 2 with Angus MacRaild

June 8, 2023
5 PM
$120.00

THIS IS A VIRTUAL TASTING!

Angus MacRaild, aka The Whisky Sponge, is joining us for another round of Spongeworthy whiskies. We have selected 7 malts from a recent Decadent Drinks delivery, from the Whisky Sponge, Equinox & Solstice, and NAS (Notable Age Statement) ranges. Angus will guide us through whiskies from Ardmore, Ben Nevis, Glen Grant, Ledaig, Old Rhosdhu, and Springbank, as well as a very unusual 30 year old Blended Malt with a crazy back story.

Thursday, June 8, 5PM
** Samples are ready for Pickup!

Seats Remaining: 15

Virtual Tasting
Gordon & MacPhail KWM Casks Launch with Richard Urquhart

June 9, 2023
5 PM
$40.00

MORE SPOTS WERE ADDED AS THE FIRST SET SOLD OUT SO QUICKLY!

We have a pair of gorgeous KWM-exclusive single casks on the way and they are expected any day now... So we have asked our friend Richard Urquhart, part of the 4th generation of Urquharts at Gordon & MacPhail, to host a virtual launch tasting for us. In addition to our sherried Balblair 1997 and tropical Glen Scotia 2000 KWM Casks, we will also be pouring whiskies from Dailuaine, Glen Elgin, Highland Park, Macallan, and Tomatin.

Friday, June 9 @ 5PM

*SAMPLES READY FOR PICKUP!*

This event is sold out.

Battle of Alberta - The Beers of YYC vs. YEG

June 9, 2023
7 PM
KWM IN STORE
$35.00

Leave your ice skates and shin guards at home, maybe bring the helmet with you. Calgary vs Edmonton, we're going to make these great cities' best brewers duke it out in an all-out battle to see who takes home the cup...mug? Teku glass! The golden Teku Glass. Our new beer guy Elijah (he's also a wine guy, but we'll forgive him for that) is also going to try his hand at picking better beers than old man Shawn. It's like 2 games in 1! Come join us for our first beer tasting since COVID and don't forget, we always have snacks from Peasant Cheese!

Friday, June 9th @ 7 PM

Seats Remaining: 16

Two Brewers Yukon Single Malt w. Bob Baxter

June 10, 2023
5 PM
KWM IN STORE
$25.00

We have been big fans of what the chaps at Two Brewers have been doing for a number of years now. The whisky arm of Yukon Brewing & Distilling has been bottling some of Canada's most compelling craft whiskies for more than half a decade now. Many of their whiskies are now 10 years of age or more... Bob Baxter, co-founder, will be our special guest host, as you taste your way through 7 different releases of Two Brewers Yukon Single Malt Whisky. Join us to taste for yourself why Two Brewers is one of Canada's best whisky makers!

Saturday, June 10, 5 PM

Seats Remaining: 21

Virtual Tasting
Taming the Beast - 190ish* Years of Rare & Old Laphroaig

June 13, 2023
7 PM
$250.00

*THIS IS A VIRTUAL TASTING*

Some things really do get better with age... In its youth, Laphroaig is often considered the burliest, most medicinal, and most challenging Islay Single Malt to appreciate. Less-than-flattering tasting notes like old band-aids, seaweed, and dirty socks are often cited and even embraced in the distillery's own marketing. Like many Islay Single Malts though, the rough edges of its smoky youth tend to soften with age. Older Laphroaig lets go of the brash peat allowing more delicate notes of flowers, tropical fruit, and sweet vanilla to come to the fore. Join us for a selection of older Laphroaig bottles that would've made Bessie Williamson proud, including three different Laphroaig 25-Year-Olds, a trio of Laphroaig Ian Hunter Story releases (30, 33, and 34-year-olds), and the Laphroaig Lore, which is somewhere between 13 and 19 years of age. All in all, over $10K of whisky, 190ish years of Laphroaig!

!! Samples are ready for Pickup !

Tuesday, June 13th @ 7PM

This event is sold out.

Nothing but Napa Wine Tasting

June 14, 2023
7 PM
KWM IN STORE
$90.00

Napa Valley first caught the attention of the wine world in 1976 when a British wine merchant Steven Spurrier conducted a blind tasting pitting Napa Valley wines against a lineup of famous Bordeaux counterparts. The French laughed it off, at least until it was announced that Napa won out in each respective category, and the rest, as they say, is history. Napa now produces some of the most sought-after and expensive wines on the planet and we are going take a dive in and splash on six bottles, including Spottswoode's 100-point 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon. Peasant Cheese will provide the cheese and charcuterie for this extravagant tasting.

Wednesday, June 14th @ 7 PM

Seats Remaining: 15

Spring Single Malt Festival Spectacular

June 15, 2023
7 PM - 9 PM
KWM IN STORE
$75.00

It is hard to believe, but the last Spring Single Malt Festival was way back in June of 2019... So this is our 9th annual (ish) spring festival of all things malt whisky, though it would have been the 12th, if... you know... so we've added the word Spectacular for no specific reason because... why not! It will feature at least 100 single malts from Scotland & around the world. As always it includes a KWM logo tasting glass and the chance to chat with our incredibly attractive and super knowledgable whisky staff. Oh, and small bites from Peasant Cheese. This event sells out quickly, so don't hesitate... when it is sold out, it is sold out!

Thursday, June 15th from 7 PM to 9 PM

Seats Remaining: 17

Summer Sippers - Rose & Bubbles

June 16, 2023
7 PM
KWM IN STORE
$40.00

There's no question that in Canada, we tend to drink seasonally. During the summer months, the thought of big chewy red wines gets updated to crisp rose and bubbly treats, ideal both as thirst quenchers and as partners to lighter summer meals. Join us as we taste through a selection of some of our summer favourites, cheese and charcuterie courtesy of Peasant Cheese.

Friday, June 16th @ 7 PM

Seats Remaining: 8

Renegade Rums with Jane Nurse

June 20, 2023
7 PM
KWM IN STORE
$25.00

Renegade Rum is at least the 4th, if not the 5th or 6th thrilling chapter in the exciting life of Mark Reynier, the Maverick wine merchant most famous for reviving Bruichladdich Distillery. After Bruichladdich's sale, he opened the Waterford Distillery in Ireland with a terroir-driven approach. Along the way, Mark has ruffled more than a few feathers, happy to challenge industry orthodoxies and drive innovation. Seemingly never able to sit still, he has done it again, this time in Grenada, with a new rum distillery opening. As with Waterford, Renegade Distillery takes a terroir-focused approach to rum making. Join our special guest, Renegade's Jane Nurse, for a tasting of Renegade rums, you won't be disappointed!

Tuesday, June 20th @ 7 PM

Seats Remaining: 12

Sipping Sake

June 22, 2023
7 PM
KWM IN STORE
$40.00

Sake holds a unique position in the wide world of fermented beverages. Essentially, it's made with water and rice with the use of specific yeasts and spores that convert the starches into sugar which are in turn consumed by yeast to create alcohol. Thats the easy part. Quality sake, and by that we mean not the hot dreck served up by all-you-can-eat sushi bars, is a vast and fascinating world. It's cultivating a legion of new fans globally as people discover the many charms of the real deal. Join us as we explore a selection of premium sakes from our rapidly expanding sake selections.

Thursday, June 22nd @ 7 PM

Seats Remaining: 13

How Do You Like Them Apples? Cider and Cheese

June 23, 2023
7 PM
KWM IN STORE
$35.00

Inspired by the classic snack of Apple slices and cheddar, this tasting's goal is to match different ciders with cheeses while discussing the intricacies of cider-making in different regions around the world. We'll taste our way through ciders from France, Spain, Japan, Canada, and more while discussing how best to pair cheese and cider.

Friday, June 23, 7 PM

Seats Remaining: 10

Cheese Please Canada Day Wine Tasting

June 28, 2023
7 PM
KWM IN STORE
$40.00

Canada may still be a nation of beer lovers, but our home-grown wines are making quite a name for themselves. We've come a long way since the days of baby duck and roses, so what better way to celebrate Canada's wine culture than Canada Day! We'll taste some of the best from B.C. and Ontario and even Nova Scotia. Canada also produces cheese, very good cheese, in fact. Our friends from Peasant Cheese will be on hand to guide you through a selection of Canadian fromage to accompany these wines.

Wednesday, June 28th @ 7 PM

Seats Remaining: 13

Canada D'Eh! - Canadian Whisky Tasting

June 29, 2023
7 PM
KWM IN STORE
$45.00

There is a lot more to Canadian whisky, than corn spirit masquerading as rye... While there are a number of proper rye whiskies made in Canada and some fabulous ones at that, the word rye can be applied to any Canadian whisky even if it's made from a mash of 100% corn! Unlike Bourbon or Single Malt Scotch, there is no singular Canadian whisky style, instead much like our nation as a whole, it is something of a melting pot. Canadian whisky makers today produce single malts, pot still whiskies, proper ryes, corn whiskies, blends, and more. Join us for a celebration of Canadian whisky including the Alberta Premium Cask Strength and Canadian Club 45-Year-Old!

Thursday, June 29, 7 PM

Seats Remaining: 22

July 2023

Virtual Tasting
SMWS July 2023 Virtual Outturn

July 5, 2023
7
$55.00

THIS IS A VIRTUAL TASTING

Log in, pour your drams and join us from home, the cottage, another country, or work... for the July 2023 Scotch Malt Whisky Society Canada Virtual Outturn Tasting. The KWM team will be your guide as you sample through an exciting range of 7 SMWS bottlings.

Wednesday, July 5 @ 7 PM

*Active SMWS Members will Save $10 on the tasting. For the $10 discount, individual SMWS members must register independently. The price will not show online when you submit it but will be adjusted when we review and process the order.

Seats Remaining: 14

SMWS July 2023 In-Person Outturn 6PM

July 6, 2023
6PM
KWM IN STORE
$60.00

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society Canada’s July 2023 Outturn tasting will feature new, never before featured bottlings. The range will be the same as the virtual tasting the night before but will also include nibbles from our friends at Peasant Cheese, and the comradery that can only come from 20 SMWS Members in our tasting room. Please note we will not be holding back stock of the Outturn bottles specifically to purchase for this in-person tasting, though there will likely be bottles of most whiskies still available.

Thursday, July 6, @ 6 PM.

*Active SMWS Members will Save $10 on the tasting. For the $10 discount, individual SMWS members must register independently. The price will not show online when you submit it but will be adjusted when we review and process the order.

Seats Remaining: 15

Virtual Tasting
Sipping Signatory in the Summer - 140 Years

July 11, 2023
7 PM
$70.00

*THIS IS A VIRTUAL TASTING*

We're suckers for Signatory, especially the older Cask Strength Collection bottlings, so we've put together a selection of recently arrived Signatory Vintage malts with a combined 140 years of maturation. On the younger side, we are diving head first into first-fill sherry with the Edradour 10 Year, Linkwood 2012, and Benrinnes 2010. On the Cask Strength side, we have Benrinnes 1996, Dailuaine 1997, Glenrothes 1996, and an Unnamed Islay 1990 bottling (*cough Laphroaig*).

Tuesday, July 11th, 2023 @ 7 PM

Seats Remaining: 27

Virtual Tasting
Compass Box New & Old with Scott Ellis

July 18, 2023
7 PM
$60.00

*THIS IS A VIRTUAL TASTING*

With the arrival of three new limited edition Compass Box whiskies, the time is right for a Compass Box range tasting. So we have recruited Compass Box's Scott Ellis, and we've pulled together a range of 8 whiskies. We'll sample 3 different bottlings of Flaming Heart, both releases of The Circle, Ultramarine, Vellichor and one other.

Tuesday, July 18th @ 7 PM,

Seats Remaining: 25

Virtual Tasting
Daftmill Distillery Vertical

July 25, 2023
7 PM
$50.00

*THIS IS A VIRTUAL TASTING*

It has taken us a while, almost 3 years to be precise, but we have finally cobbled together enough bottlings of Daftmill for a range tasting... true, it is only 6, but how many of you can say you've done a vertical of Daftmill whiskies? The tasting will consist of 2007, 2009, and a pair of 2008s, as well as our 2008 KWM Cask, and the newly arrived 15-Year Cask Strength. Andrew is visiting the distillery in the weeks before the tasting, and will no doubt have some photos to share.

Tuesday, July 25th, 2023 @ 7 PM

Seats Remaining: 18

August 2023

Virtual Tasting
Nothing but North Star Whiskies

August 1, 2023
7 PM
$90.00

*THIS IS A VIRTUAL TASTING*

You had us at 31-year-old GlenDronach... We recently received some cool new releases from Iain Croucher at North Star Spirits, and we can't resist the temptation to try them. On the young side of things, there is the new Tarot Blend, a Campbeltown Blended Malt, and only the second-ever bottling from Dalmunach. We love a good Blair Athol, and how often do you see an indie bottle of Dalwhinnie? But the icing on the cake of this tasting will be the GlenDronach 31 Year. You almost never see indie GlenDronach, and this one has some great reviews!

Tuesday, August 1st, 2023 @ 7 PM

Seats Remaining: 31

September 2023

The KWM Spirits Fest aka The Not Scotch Festival

September 14, 2023
7 PM - 9 PM
KWM IN STORE
$50.00

Between Wine and Whisky (and more whisky), you might not be aware that Kensington Wine Market does indeed carry other spirits. In order to get the word out on this, we are throwing a Spirits Festival in September! It will showcase Rum, Tequila, Mezcal, Gin, and more. Sammy has even threatened to toss in an Absinthe or three. Move over whisky, it is time to let these other spirits Shine!

Thursday, September 14th from 7 PM to 9 PM

Seats Remaining: 50

Newsletter