BenRiach Dunder 18 Year
$133.19
This is a very limited one off bottling of just 1888 bottles released world-wide. KWM may see as few as 12 bottles of this whisky. It is made from peated malt, matured initially in American oak and bottled at 46% after finishing in Dark Rum. The name Dunder comes from the residue of cane juice left in a still after distilling a batch of rum. The dunder is used as a yeast source for the fermentation of Jamaican rum, giving it a unique flavour.
Distiller's Tasting Note
Nose: Crisp candied peel holds waves of soft peach and ripe banana dusted with Demerara sugar. Delicate rounded peat smoke combines with gentle sweet oak spices.
Taste: Dramatic peat smoke and barley complement crisp citrus zest, white pepper and fresh ginger. Caramelised orchard fruits and dried apricots develop to a rich grassy wood smoke finish.
Glenfiddich 1963 Original
$124.99
This new release is inspired by Glenfiddich's first official bottling, Glenfiddich Straight Malt, which was launched in 1963. With all the hype around single malts today, it may be surprising that prior to 1963, they were almost non-existent. While independent bottlers like WM Cadenhead and Gordon & MacPhail had already been selling single malts for over 100 years, distilleries exclusive distilled malt whisky for blending.
Producer Description
"Inspired by the original 1963 Glenfiddich 'Straight Malt', the expression with which Glenfiddich brought single malt to the world, this special edition is an exclusive addition to our Collection of single malt Scotch whiskies.
"It was faithfully recreated by our Malt Master Brian Kinsman using our extensive archives and exclusive whisky sample collection."
Bowmore 23 Year Port Matured
$659.99
This very limited edition 23 year old Bowmore was bottled at 50.8% after maturing exclusively in Port casks for 23 years. We have been patiently awaiting this one for years. It was one of the highlights of Andrew's 2015 Feis Isle (Islay Festival) experience!
From the Distillery: "A delicious feast of smoke-infused blood orange, winter spices, black truffles and walnut oil. A whisky to warm the coldest Islay night, this limited edition Bowmore Single Malt has been matured exclusively in port casks for 23 years, giving it a deliciously dark colour and remarkably rich flavour."
Distiller's Tasting Note
Breathe in rich, smoky and very complex plum skins, black cherries and dark chocolate are interwoven with wood smoke and sea-salt, seductive sandalwood and walnuts thrown into a roaring fire.
Sip a swathe of rich smoky velvet, which brings luscious layered autumn fruits, tingly winter spices, blood orange and sensual winter black truffles.
Savour long and rich smoke infused blood orange, truffle and walnut oil.
Scotch Malt Whisky Society 66.38
$90.89
AN ORIENTAL BARBECUE
This 8 year old Highlander is from a refill barrel at 59.2%
Flavour profile: Lightly peated
Outturn: 93 bottles
Panel's tasting note: "First impressions are of smoked bacon, maple syrup, Worcestershire sauce crisps and charred coal. Then a soldering iron and a remote control car kit are found in the ‘everything else’ drawer. The palate has crispy bacon and whole wheat noodles with black bean and dark soy sauce. Also teriyaki beef and a warm barbecue smoke. The reduced nose is slightly sweeter with hints of aniseed and lemon meringue pie with a burnt crust. Later cigar boxes and an engineer’s freshly cleaned overalls. From a Thai village kitchen to a Chinese laundry the palate is laced with Eastern flavours and a subdued sweet smoke. This Aberdeenshire distillery has ‘big height’."
Drinking tip: "When dreaming of Eastern travels."
Glenfarclas Family Cask 1976
$899.99
Glenfarclas Family Cask 1977
$769.99
Arran Malt Cask Strength 12 Year
$79.99
This is the 4th batch of Arran's 12 Year Cask Strength, bottled at 53.2%, one of the best value whiskies on the shelf.
Andrew's Tasting Note on Batch 5 (From the 2016 KWM Whisky Advent Calendar)
Nose: creamy, honeyed and fruity; melon with loads of malt, some soft leather and burnt orange; floral and delicate there is no trace of the higher alcohol; soft leather and dark chocolate.
Palate: big rich and more heavily sherried on the palate than expected, but pleasantly so; still creamy, honeyed and buttery but with rich spices and loads more fruit than the shyer nose let on; very tropical, juicy malt sugars and sweet milk chocolate.
Finish: drying, medium-light but layered and long; very pleasant and refreshing.
Comment: this is a very lively but complex whisky; lots of layers and depth, and superb value for $80!
Laphroaig 25 Year 2014
$584.99
Matured in a combination of Oloroso Sherry and ex-Bourbon casks, this whisky has been bottled at a cask strength of 45.1%. Only a very limited quantity is coming to Alberta!
From the Distillery: "Laphroaig 25 Year Old is the perfect marriage of sherried, oaky flavours from the European Oloroso Sherry Casks and the creamy, smooth, sweet flavours from the ex-American Bourbon Barrels. The Oloroso Sherry Casks and ex-American Bourbon Barrels were filled with newly distilled Laphroaig spirit from day one.
"Bottled at Cask Strength, it is a perfect fusion of these two most different styles of maturation flavours, made even smoother by the 25 years it has had gently maturing."
Distiller's Tasting Note
Nose: At bottling strength the aroma seems quite closed giving only a rich, sweet scent but a touch of water releases all the multitude of different flavours. The initial sweet, sherry sweetness is quickly followed by the time-honoured Islay peat tang. After this opening burst of flavour there is a smooth fruit ripeness that complements the tang of salt in the background.
Body: Rich round and full.
Palate: The burst of peat that fills the mouth is quickly restrained by a sherry sweetness that slowly develops into spicy apple fruitiness.
Finish: Very long and warming leaving a distinct tang of Islay.
Glenfarclas Family Cask 1973
$1,169.99