Nikka Taketsuru Pure Malt
$95.99
This whisky is a stunner both as an NAS, or No Age Statement whisky, and as a Blended Malt or Pure Malt as they still call them in Japan. Composed of whiskies from Nikka's Yoichi and Miyagikyo distilleries, the whisky is named for the company's legendary founder Masataka Taketsuru. The whisky is said to consist of malts that are on average 10 years of age with a high proportion of fruities Miyagikyo whiskies.
Andrew's Tasting Note
Nose: floral, fruity and decadent; lots of fruit both tropical and citric, vanilla pods and soft oak spices; there may be a faint hint of smoke and sea salt but overall it is creamy and fruit.
Palate: oh there's some peat, but it is in balance with swee fruity notes, the whisky is exceptionally creamy, loads more vanilla, some honey and spices; the fruits are there in abundance, some citrus but mostly melons (midori) and tropical fruits (kiwi and guava); there are some coffee notes too and developing darker spices.
Finish: light, clean and fruity with some darker spice and a hint of salty peat smoke.
Comment: this is amazing value, excellent whisky and a great price point!
Old Pulteney 1997 KWM Cask 1636
$179.99
It is finally here, after an unplanned detour to the low countries... we are so excited!
Selected by and bottled exclusive for the Kensington Wine Market, this 1997 single cask. 1636, is the first barrel bottled for a retailer in Canada from the Northern Highland Distillery. Bottled at 54.5% from a single ex-Bourbon barrel laid down in 1997 and bottled in 2015 at 18 years of age. Only 198 total bottles!
Andrew's Tasting Note
Nose: creamy and buttery, clotted cream, vanilla icecream soup, honey dew melons and tropical fruits: mango, papaya and pineapple; juicy malt, soft toasty oak spices and honeycomb.
Palate: round, soft and sweet with a salty backbone; as the palate builds and the waves of vanilla, honeycomb and fruit (especially tropical ones) roll over the palate the salty-oily tones continue to build; baked apple, poached pear and delicate decadent oak spices; thick, layered and coating it has a big body.
Finish: long, coating and fruity with oils and maritime notes that seem like they will never let go.
Comment: normally when we select a cask we have 4-6 samples to choose from, this time it was just one, a simple yes or no; they selected an amazing cask for us, and there was no chance of us turning it down; it is a beautiful malt!
Distiller's Tasting Note
Aroma: soft vanilla custard is puntuated by sharper notes of tropical fruits and green apple orchards. A touch of beeswax adds weight and balance.
Taste: Warm and smooth. Silky melted chocolate tones are complemented by ground spices and the intense fruitiness of boiled sweet. The finish is long and spicy with a maritime signature.
About Old Pulteney Distillery
The distillery was opened in 1826 at the height of a herring boom by James Henderson. The town's barrels of silver (herring) were augmented by the barrels of gold (whisky) from the distillery. The distillery was established initially to satiate the thirst of the local towns people, and they had a deep thirst. Every man woman and child in the purpose built Pulteneytown were said to consume half a liter or whisky a day. Pulteneytown and the distillery are named for Sir William Pulteney, a landowner, bridge builder and politician. Until recently it was the northernmost distillery on the mainland of Scotland.
Laphroaig 15 2015
$139.99
We won't likely be seeing too much of this 200th Anniversary bottling of Laphroaig 15 Year. It is a return to the style of the original Laphroaig 15 Year first launched over 30 years ago. Limited to 2 per customer! It is also a replacement for the now discontinued 18 year.
Distiller’s Tasting Note
Nose: Initial scents of grapefruit and fresh mint. A touch of water releases salted caramel, with signature Islay peat smoke underlying sweet orchard fruit aromas.
Palate: Pink peppercorns, light peat smoke with a soft dryness, before a finish of tobacco and faint sea salt.
Finish: Mellow with a smoky aftertaste.
Laphroaig Cairdeas 2016
$121.99
Limit 1 per customer!
Each year, Laphroaig's master distiller, John Campbell, crafts a limited edition malt to celebrate friendship ("Cairdeas" in Gaelic). This 2016 bottling features fully-matured Laphroaig aged in ex-bourbon barrels before being artfully married together for a second maturation in Madeira seasoned traditional hogheads. The result is a unique epression to be savoured by Friends of Laphroaig, old and new.
Andrew's Tasting Note
Nose: sweet, honeyed, chewy malt and soft peaty oils; new leather gloves, Strawberry Twizzlers, clean smoke and briny maritime notes.
Palate: chewy, malty and rich; building medicinal oily peat and smoke, salted caramel and dried orange; more Strawberry Twizzlers, crisp decadent spice and candied nuts.
Finish: sweet, spicy and decadent; sweet, chewy malt, barley sugar and salted caramel slowly fading away with smoke and salty peat.
Comment: Laphoaig on the sweet and spicy side!
Distiller’s Tasting Note
Nose: On the nose you’ll find an aroma of ripe orange fruits and sweet liquorice that mixes delightfully with our traditional peat smoke.
Palate: On the palate our classic peaty, earthy flavours emerge with a hint of saltiness. Creamy orange tones follow and with a bold and lingering spicy dryness and nutty finish. The result is a fabulous expression to be savoured by Friends of Laphroaig, old and new. This 2016 Cairdeas has been bottled at 51.6% ABV and is non chill filtered.
Scotch Malt Whisky Society 25.65
$197.99
THE WHISPERED KISS
!!!Enter the raffle for a chance to purchase, deadline is Noon MST, Sunday August 9!!!
This 22 year old Lowlander is from a refill barrel at 50%
Flavour profile: Light & delicate
Outturn: 220 bottles
Panel's tasting note: "A whispered kiss from a ghost of a distillery. The nose tip toes around delicate peach skins, apple blossom and papaya. Sticky honey glaze on dainty cinnamon pastries. Musky notes reminded the panel of perfume departments and aromatherapy boxes. Crushed rose petals and wax candles in a dunnage warehouse. To taste they found crisp pear, mandarin, apple and mint and with water the fruits morphed into tinned peaches and cherry drops. Memories of childhood were evoked by talcum powder, allspice, citronella candle, and sandalwood. An gentle earthy warmth hovered while silky fruit syrup and honey lingered like a shadow."
Drinking tip: "A graceful aperitif. Careful with the water."
Scotch Malt Whisky Society 44.56
$165.59
SWEET AND SOUR CREATIVE TENSION
This 20 year old Speysider is from a refill hogshead at 51.8%
Flavour profile: Juicy, oak & vanilla
Outturn: 300 bottles
Panel's tasting note: "The nose had heaps of honey, mounds of marshmallows and vast vanilla it also evoked summer barbecues (charred ribs, salad, lemon, balsamic, wood-sap, lawns) and a bookbinder's workshop (leather, paper, glue). The palate had sweet and sour creative tension – sweet vanilla, chocolate muffins, crème brûlée, dark toffee and fudge against stewed fruits, Haribo sours, orange and blueberry. We also found woody notes – oily pine and wood fire embers. The reduced nose offered millionaire’s shortbread, sweet pipe tobacco, shrubberies and a good blast of honeycomb; while balsa wood and clove joined the palate. This 1891 distillery was co-founded by ‘Restless Peter’."
Drinking tip: A summer barbecue dram (or just with a good book).
Scotch Malt Whisky Society 23.73
$124.19
THE VITAL SPARK'S ENGINE ROOM
!!!Enter the raffle for a chance to purchase, deadline is Noon MST, Sunday August 9!!!
This 11 year old from Islay is from a refill barrel at 61.5%
Flavour profile: Oily & coastal
Outturn: 249 bottles
Panel's tasting note: "Mineralic and nose-drying (a dry beach), then scents of mouthwash, bandages, antiseptic cream which increase in strength until they become a full-blown First Aid kit, while at the same time becoming sweeter, like salt-water taffy. The taste, straight, is very dry after a sweet and salty start, with a spicy finish. Water introduces a grubby, old-fashioned engine room (maritime, with exhaust fumes). ‘Hard salt Swedish liquorice’ was also noted. The taste is now lightly sweet and salty, with a whiff of holy smoke. From the distillery which brought us ‘Yellow Submarine’."
Drinking tip: "After an industrial accident."
Scotch Malt Whisky Society 35.119
$143.99
AN ALICE IN WONDERLAND DRAM
This 16 year old Speysider comes in at 57.7% and is from a 1st fill barrel
Flavour profile: Spicy & sweet
Outturn: 216 bottles
Panel's tasting note: "The first nose was explosive with camphor, Berwick Balls and fruit pastilles. Sweeter notes of golden syrup, strawberry jam and tangerine pushed through. A crazy tea party ensued with ham baked in Coke and a dusting of Moroccan spices. The tasting was sensational, hot with gingerbread and nutmeg and then black fruit smoothie. Water opened the doors of a bakers oven - waves of biscotti, macademia nut, brindle toffee, orange water and buttermilk icing. By this point the panel were exhausted there was so much going on - they felt as though they had fallen down the rabbit hole."
Drinking tip: "When looking for something truly unexpected."
Scotch Malt Whisky Society 120.7
$269.99
SWEET, FRAGRANT AND SATISFYING
!!!Enter the raffle for a chance to purchase, deadline is Noon MST, Sunday August 9!!!
This 16 year old from Japan is from a 1st fill bota corta cask and is 55.5%
Flavour profile: Deep, rich & dried fruits
Outturn: 517 bottles
Panel's tasting note: "The nose carries fragrant blossom, deep Pedro Ximenez notes as well as sweet, rich rolling tobacco. There’s treacle spiced buns, rum and raisin fudge, dates, blackcurrants and spices galore. Espresso with lots of brown sugar was quickly replaced and complimented by coffee cream dark chocolates. To taste we found kirsch cocktails with burnt orange skin, liquorice, caraway seeds and teriyaki glaze. “It has everything!” Water brought out cider brandy notes, with cranberries, polished wood, mulled port, boozy fruitcake and rolling tobacco all contributing to the party. Spicy and tannic to finish, we found the sweet meatiness of slow cooked pork."
Drinking tip: "With a cheese board instead of port."