Wilson & Morgan Invergordon 30 Year
$283.49
From a single Sherry Wood Butt, #17, distilled in 1984 and bottled in 2015, at 57%.
Producer Description: "A very old grain whisky, enhanced by its long maturation in refill sherry casks. At the nose it’s darkly perfumed with notes of mint, camphor, a strong impression of old books and even a hint of smokiness. At the palate the sweetness of the cereals and the vanilla notes imparted by the long maturation are immediately evident, but soon the aromatic and slightly bitter notes of mint, liquorice, gentian root and old leather-bound books nicely complement it. Towards the finish, it’s an impressive crescendo of tannins from the oak: peppery and slightly astringent, but with the creamy cereal sweetness still lingering in the background to provide an intriguing tapestry."
Signatory Bruichladdich 1990 56.7%
$287.99
It has been a while since the distillery has bottled a mature expression of Bruichladdich. This Signatory independent bottling is exclusive in Canada to KWM, with just 18 bottles having come into the market. Bottled after 24 years at 56.7%, it doesn't disappoint!
Andrew's Tasting Note
Nose: bakers chocolate and grilled prosciutto wrapped dates; Dutch licorice and firm new leather with a trace of sea salt and cracked pepper.
Palate: rich, fruity and spicy; a leather pouch filled with pipe tobacco; raisins, dates and figs with dark chocolate shavings on a cappuccino and a stick chewy Australian licorice; cinnamon hearts and candied ginger with maritime elements and a sultry caramel sauce.
Finish: big, rich and very fruity with fading leather and spices.
Comment: this is a mature but bold and layered Bruichladdich, not your standard fare!
Signatory Mortlach 1990 56.5%
$260.99
This 24 year old cask strength (56.5%) Mortlach distilled in 1990 is a bargain when compared the distillery bottled 25 year old at more than 3 times the price.
Mortlach launched as a single malt brand a few years back and jaws dropped when people saw the prices. $300+ for an 18 year old and over a grand for the 25 year. The whiskies are good but the prices are high for a brand that was previously only used in blends. Thankfully there is still some well priced independent bottlings of Mortlach out there.
Andrew's Tasting Note
Nose: nutty, leathery and earthy with the promise of rich spices; raisins, chocolates and dates emerge with a touch of licorice, orange peel and French roast coffee.
Palate: deep, dark and fruity with lots of dried dark fruits: raisins, dates and figs; maple syrup and nutty chocolate fudge with a hint of chili oil and other hot spices; some leather and tobacco emerge with cold chewy bacon, showing the classic meaty-lightly-sulphury Mortlach style.
Finish: medium weight but long in length with fading spices, leather and fruits.
Comment: a big rich Mortlach at an excellent price!
Wilson & Morgan Bunnahabhain 25 Year
$436.49
A pedro ximenez sherry finished Islay whisky distilled in 1989 and bottled in 2014. Curiously, only 561 bottles from 3 casks: #5828-33-38, bottled at 45.5%. Only 6 bottles have come to KWM!
Andrew's Tasting Note
Nose: pineapples, mango and papayas, leather, tobacco and spices; very honeyed and earthy, Dutch licorice and Christmas cake; there is a sliver of silky vanilla and butterscotch with a hint of dunnage warehouses and classic good old whisky.
Palate: big candied fruit, a modest amount of smoke, more Dutch licorice and classic sherry cask Christmas cake notes; the palate is syrupy with a more prominent base of cream than expected and a touch of French pressed coffee; the tropical fruits are still there with a load of orange including marmalade and hints of salt and leather.
Finish: long, rich and layered; the whisky clings to the palate and continues to come in waves well after the final sip.
Comment: this is a big bold dram, a night cap malt or a perfect cigar pairing.
From the Producer
"The last ex-Pedro Ximenez casks of Bunnahabhain left in our warehouses were also the best, yielding a rich bodied whisky, intense in flavour but as creamy as a 25 years old can be. Not winey or too sweet: for all the dried raisins, the chocolate and the tropical notes, it still lets the style of the distillery shine through. A final touch of herbs, sugared black tea and gentle oak tannins adds an extra layer of complexity. A luxurious, balanced, velvety whisky in a very limited release for our longtime Asian customers."
Wilson & Morgan Glenrothes 25 Year
$499.99
This single cask of Glenrothes was distilled in 1990 and bottled at 53.3% from a pair of Oloroso Sherry Finished casks #1609-10. Only 6 bottles have come to KWM.
Andrew's Tasting Note
Nose: minty, assorted jujubes and spearmint chew candies, become nuttier; cooked bacon wrapped dates filled with blue cheese, and Manuka honey; oak shavings from in a wood shop, Italian espresso, strawberry jam and Panda brand licorice; Moroccan marmalade and candied ginger and fennel seeds.
Palate: big, chewy, nutty and fruity; there is firm leather, loose leaf tobacco and dried dark fruits; more cooked bacon wrapped dates with blue chase; still jammy, more strawberry jam and marmalade with espresso and dark spices; the base of Manuka honey is still there with oak shavings and earthy dunnage warehouse notes.
Finish: spicy and leathery the finish is long with tobacco, dark fruits and spices.
Comment: this is a close to the edge, but not quite over it, it is a big, robustly sherried Glenrothes; fans of Macallan, Glendronach and Glenfarclas will find this one close to their hearts!
Producer's Description
"True in style to the very crisp and winey style of the distillery, this is a textbook Glenrothes. Nuts, dried apricots and peaches, with a touch of raisins and a biscuity background (but never straying from its essentially dry character) are the most immediately recognizable aromas. The influence of dry, nutty and fruity Oloroso sherry remains subtle, without overwhelming the distillate but on the contrary integrating and amplifying its original aromatic profile. The finale is lingering and raisiny, but still dry. A drop of water will make the flavours easier on the palate, taming its dryness, while still preserving the robust mouthfeel. A Special Release at cask strength for connoisseurs."
Balblair 2003
$87.99
The 2003 vintage Balblair was bottled in 2013 at approximately 46%. The vintage was matured exclusively in Ex-Bourbon oak giving it a very creamy and delicate character. This is a great introduction to the Balblair style.
Andrew's Tasting Note
Nose: soft, creamy and fruity with delicate floral tones, malt and fresh peaches; a hint of green grasses alludes to its youth, some silky white chocolate and lemon peel soften things out.
Palate: honeyed and toasty, loads of vanilla and chewy malt with more peachy fruits and zesty lemon peel; the whisky is very balanced and pleasant with hints of almond, more white chocolate and subtle floral tones.
Finish: bright, creamy and fresh with fading vanilla and soft fruity notes.
Comment: a very pleasant easy drinking malt, and great value!
Distiller's Tasting Note
Aroma: On the nose there are the signature Balblair aromas: floral and fragrant punctuated with citrus fruits, apricots and honey.
Palate: On the palate it is full bodied, with notes of oranges, lemon, honey and spice.
Finish: The long lasting finish is sweet yet spicy; a superbly well-balanced dram.
Kilchoman KWM Partial Case
$116.99
Bowmore Devil's Casks 3
$107.99
Ballechin Discovery Series 6 Bourbon
$149.99