G&M Glenlochy 1979

$1,034.99

Exclusive in Canada to Kensington Wine Market, this is only the 2nd bottling of Glenlochy we've ever had at our shop. Bottled at 46% in a Refill Sherry Hogshead from Gordon & MacPhail's "Rare Old" collection. Only 9 bottles have come into the market. Bottled in 2012 at 33 years of age, Glenlochy is one of the rarest closed distilleries.

Distiller's Tasting Note

Nose: Campino boiled sweets and fresh apple pie. Freshly cut green grass and driftwood aromas.

Palate: Initially sweet and salty - toasted digestive biscuits, with a hint of smoke.

Glenlochy Distillery (courtesy of Gordon & MacPhail)

"Glenlochy was built in 1898 by the Glenlochy - Fort William Distillery Co Ltd, founded by David McAndie of Nairn. Glenlochy was in production until 1919, it then fell silent, apart from a short period during 1925. Thomas Rankin, a local car hirer, bought the distillery in 1937 but it was not long before he sold in onto Train and McIntyre. Train and McIntyre then transferred it to their subsidiary Associated Scottish Distillers Ltd, who acquired Bruichladdich, Benromach, Fettercairn, Glenesk, Glenury Royal and Strathdee distilleries around the same time. In 1953 Train and McIntyre was acquired by DCL. Glenlochy was in production until 1983. In 1992 the site was then sold to West Coast Inns Ltd, and made into a hotel complex."

Springbank Longrow Red Pinot Cask 12Year

$109.79

Only 9000 bottles have been released worldwide, with a small fraction of that having come to Canada. Matured in Bourbon it was finished for its final year in Pinot Noir casks from New Zealand befroe bottling at 52.9%

Distillery Tasting Note

Nose: There’s a cornucopia of fruity aromas: marmalade, strawberry preserve, fruit coulis and orange sherbet. Not forgetting the tobacco smoke which is associated with Longrow whiskies.

Palate: The fruit theme continues with raspberry jam, and strawberry jam with cream sponge. The whisky has a sweet side too, rich toffee, honeycomb and candy floss.

Finish: Very soft, this Longrow whisky doesn’t disappoint with campfire smoke and charred embers dominating the finish.

Glendronach 1994 Cask 1051

$254.99

Carn Mor Strictly Limited Westport 1997

$106.19

Scotch Malt Whisky Society 29.154

$188.99

CAMPING WITH M*A*S*H

This 23 year old from Islay came from a refill hogshead and is 49.8%

Flavour profile:  Peated

Outturn:  253 bottles

Panel's tasting note:  "Wow – the nose had so much – burlap, canvas, leather, bandages, first aid boxes, surgical soap, seashells, seaweed, tar, bonfire smoke – it was like M*A*S*H set up camp on an Islay beach. The palate spoke confidently of harbours and hospitals – lobster pots, fish boxes, fishing boats, salted macadamias, heather and mussels lined up against Big Red gum, Elastoplasts and sweet peat-smoke. After reduction, the nose twitched at a breeze carrying heather, peat and crab claws over the machair. The palate became easy-drinking; medicated sweetness, both cooling (menthol throat sweets) and with pleasant heat on the finish. The distillery looks out to the Isle of Texa."

Drinking tip:  "An end-of-the-pier sundowner"

Scotch Malt Whisky Society 123.8

$128.69

IN THE SPANISH MOUNTAINS

This 12 year old from the Southern Highlands is 59.2% after spending its life in a refill port pipe

Flavour profile:  Spicy & sweet

Outturn:  743 bottles

Panel's tasting note:  "From the nose, we conjured an image of Spanish mountain villages – horses, hay-wains, orchards, citrus groves, rose gardens, sunshine on rosemary and rustic farm-labourers whittling wood. We also found plentiful sweetness in plum jam, juicy raisins, chocolate, toffee, marshmallows and fig rolls. Water brought out raspberry notes and Sangria. The palate was fruity, winey and tasty, with various jams, dried figs, vanilla sponge, Soreen and granola, but spicy notes of ginger, clove and chili tweaked our tongues. Water sweetened it further resolving those tweaks into tingles –cranachan, jam tarts, Pavlova and posh Pimms. The distillery is near the West Highland Way." 

Drinking tip:  "Will get a conversation going for sure"

Scotch Malt Whisky Society 76.119

$165.59

ON CHIRSTMAS DAY IN THE MORNING

From a refill butt this 18 year old Speysider is 56.7%

Flavour profile:  Deep, rich & dried fruits

Outturn:  586 bottles

Panel's tasting note:  "The panel were whisked away to the excitement of Christmas morning as a child. Aromatic spiced orange mingled with eggnog, sugar puffs and milky hot chocolate sprinkled with nutmeg. Still in their pyjamas, the panel dipped into their stockings to find cranberry, pomegranate and red currants with Hubba Bubba gum. Water opened glugg infused with orange and mint, cola bottles. Fragrant lavender, saffron and lemon thyme wafted from the glass. Fresh wood from a homemade dolls house gave a grippy quality to the reduced taste which tingled with Ras el Hanout spiciness. Lingering flavours of pomander completed the festivities."

Drinking tip:  "Well now...Christmas Day"

Scotch Malt Whisky Society 72.43

$116.09

BUNSEN BURNER AND BURNT CAPACITORS

This 10 year old Speysider is 59.8% and spent its life in a 1st fill white wine hogshead

Flavour profile:  Deep, rich & dried fruits

Outturn:  262 bottles

Panel's tasting note:  "There was smoke in the air; slightly burnt buttered toast or ginger biscuits, smoked apple pie and smoked mackerel risotto but also burnt capacitors, a fuel spill and a distant struck match – could this possibly be a lethal combination! Let’s try it; the struck match was for a Bunsen burner to scorch a crème caramel, some runny egg yolk still in a bowl nearby, but also to start the barbecue with some firelighters. Water defused the situation; toffee popcorn, chocolate dipped cherries, Reese’s peanut butter cups and in the taste slightly burnt sweet fruit quiche and potato wedges with a roasted garlic dip." 

Drinking tip:  "For those heated moments"

Scotch Malt Whisky Society 55.25

$183.59

SCRUMDIDLYUMPTIOUS!

This 20 year old Speysider is 54.3% and came from a 2nd fill hogshead

Flavour profile:  Deep, rich & dried fruits

Outturn:  199 bottles

Panel's tasting note:  "This lavish dram oozed with honey and mead, and was perfumed with oiled sandalwood and rose petals. Aromatic aniseed mingled with carrot cake with frosted icing and chunks of roasted sweet potato. The flavours at full strength were deeply indulgent and the texture chewy and creamy. Juicy Jamaica cake laced with plump sultanas and coffee and walnut gateau topped with fudge. With water, cranberries and pomegranate tussled with plump prunes and honey soaked raisins. Peanuts and praline coated with caramel, and butterscotch jostled for supremacy. The finale delivered rich fruit cake and Black Forest gateau. Ravishingly indulgent and wickedly good." 

Drinking tip:  "Great for a treat on a wet Monday night"