Cooper's Choice Garnheath 1967
$517.49
Only 12 bottles of this 48 year old Garnheath are coming to Alberta, exclusively to KWM. Distilled in 1967 this single grain Scotch whisky was matured in a Bourbon Cask 9157, and bottled at 41.5%. Nearly half have sold in just a couple of weeks.
Andrew's Tasting Note
Nose: intensely toasty, almond paste, oak spice, Demerara sugar, French roast coffee grounds, Strawberry Twizzlers and caramel chews;
Palate: round, creamy coating and very toasty; orange creamsicle, big juicy Jujubes, tropical fruits and more Strawberry Twizzler; more chewy caramels, Demerara sugars, a touch of French roast coffee grounds, leather and cultured butter with honey.
Finish: big, round and fruity with the creamy honey tones leading the charge.
Comment: this single grain is showing a touch of oak but still bright and full of character; could be a dangerous one to cozy up to!
Cooper's Choice Glen Esk 1984
$449.99
Only 6 bottles of this very rare single malt are coming to Alberta, Exclusively to KWM. Only 300 bottles were released World wide from a Bourbon cask, bottled at 50%. Half the bottles are sold, they will be gone in a heart beat!
About Glen Esk Distillery: "Glenesk is a distillery with several noted claims to fame. For a start, the buildings lie within a short distance of Kinnabber Junction, the setting for many dramas during the famous Lonfon-to-Aberdeen rail races of 1895. Whichever train from London got there first went on ahead to Aberdeen to win the night’s run. The distillery has also had more names assigned to it over the years (Highland Esk, North Esk Montrose and Hillside) than any other. And it is one of a handful of distilleries that started distilling malt, was converted to grain, then converted back to malt again."
G&M Strathisla 1967
$1,799.99
G&M Longmorn 1967
$1,899.99
This is a legacy whisky we originally received a few years back, and we were shocked to learn we could get more. 89pts Whisky Fun. Exclusive to KWM in Alberta, this 1967 vintage Longmorn has been matured in a Refill Sherry Butt and bottled at 43%. The whisky was awarded "‘Master’ of Speyside single malts aged over 31 years" in the 2016 International Spirits Challenge. Presumed to be 48 years old. Only 6 bottles are coming!
Andrew's Tasting Note
Nose: old, antique-y and creamy; warm treacle sauce on sticky toffee pudding; dusty old leather bound books; dried and diced tropical fruits; dessert wine-esque: a touch of Tokaji or icewine.
Palate: still antique-y, and a touch waxy starting dry and nutty it quickly evolves; round, fruity and earthy; layers upon layers unfold in ceaseless waves; more tropical fruits, treacle sauce, sticky toffee pudding and old Tokaji; Big Turk candy bars, old leather and sweet fruity tobacco; floral with browning apples and decadent spice: candied fennel, cardamom and cinnamon sticks.
Finish: long and sherried: earthy with dark chocolate, tobacco and spices; a touch leathery with firm but balanced spice; traces of the fruit and sweets which ruled the palate.
Comment: the nose is dynamite and the palate excellent too; starts to show its age on the finish, but still within balance; I had a preference for the 1967 which was bottled at the same time as this, but that one is long gone and this one is still a cracker!
Tasting Note
Nose: Soft and delicate with a soft sweet Sherry nose which mingles with ripe nectarine notes and hints of marzipan.
Taste: Initially sweet with a warming spiciness of ground black pepper. Stewed fruit and citrus flavours develop.
89pts Whisky Fun
"Ooh, the 1967s… La Maison had a wonderful 1967 G&M in the Book of Kells series a few years ago. So, high hopes… Colour: deep gold. Nose: typical G&M. It’s funny that some independent bottlers would own their own styles, but after all G&M are not only bottlers, they’re also ‘éleveurs’. Honey cake, sandalwood, gingerbread, maple syrup, overripe apples, then fresh mint and creased eucalyptus leaves, with a little liquorice. A few drops of retsina wine, perhaps. Completely perfect at almost fifty years of age. Mouth: starts rather almondy, with a small eucalyptusy side again (bordering on soap but that’s not quite soap), and unfolds on all orangey things, from teas to syrups and jams. Plus apples, gooseberries, and an unexpected smokiness, rather around pinewood smoke, sap and all that. Really full-bodied given the moderate strength, this was some big spirit. Finish: rather long, and rather mentholy/liquoricy. Slightly bitter chlorophyll in the aftertaste. Comments: many grassy oils from the oak have been leaching into the spirit, which added complexity – and probably a few more unorthodox molecules as well. My favourite today. SGP:571 - 89 points."
About the Gordon Macphail Distillery Label Range: "In partnership with each respective distillery, all whiskies in our 'Rare Vintage' range are uniquely labeled. In years gone by many of these unique designs were used 'officially' to bottle the whisky under licence from the distillery. Today these trusted relationships with distillers enables Gordon & MacPhail to bottle exclusive vintages of single malt at various strengths - all with their unique distillery label."
About Longmorn Distillery: "Longmorn Distillery is found between Glen of Rothes and Elgin. Its name is derived from the Gaelic, Lhanmorgund, which means ?place of the holy man?. This is a reference to the church which once stood there. Prior to the distillery being built in 1897, there had also been a grain mill on the site. R.J.S. McDowell considered Longmorn to be one of the top four malt whiskies."
G&M Rare Old Banff 1966
$2,099.99
Insanely rare, only 3 bottles left and then it is gone forever!
This is the first bottling of Banff we've seen in years, and it is n old one at 49 years of age. Matured in a Refill Sherry Butt and is bottled at 45.2%. This is the only release of Banff we've seen in over a year, and it came it at a lower price point than the last time we had it!
Producer's Tasting Note
Nose: Sweet Sherry influences, stewed apple and fig aromas complemented by zesty orange notes. A delicate herbal edge mingles with hints of fresh sea air.
Palate: Initially cracked black pepper tingles on the tongue, this is followed by prune, grapefruit and red apple flavours. Cr?me br?l?e notes enhance a sweet edge.
Finish: Long and creamy with lingering stewed fruit flavours.
G&M Rare Old Brora 1982
$1,199.99
A 33 year old Brora from Gordon Macphail's Rare Old range. Bottled at 46% from a Refill Sherry Puncheon.
Producer’s Tasting Note
“Nose without Water Fragrant green apple aromas enhanced with lemon and lime and subtle menthol notes. A sweetness develops with hints of milk chocolate. Palate without Water White pepper, ripe banana, blueberry, and cardamom spice flavours are complemented by an underlying peat smoke edge. Nose with Water Subtle vanilla with fresh green apple, pear, and orange notes complemented by hints of Parma Violets. Palate with Water Peppery with hints of banana, dark chocolate, and orange zest. An undertone of dried tobacco is present. Body Light to medium. Finish Medium in length, smooth and creamy with traces of smoke.”
Maltbarn Braes of Glenlivet 1994
$289.99
Braeval1994 - SOLD OUT
Maltbarn Clynelish 1995
$309.99
Only 24/169 bottles of this Maltbarn Clynelish are coming to Canada. Bottled at 49.9% from a Bourbon cask. Love the image on the label!
SOLD OUT
Maltbarn Glen Scotia 1992
$309.99
New and exclusive to KWM, a brilliant new Glen Scotia 23 year old, with an appropriately maritime and industrial label. Matured 23 years in a Bourbon Cask and bottled at 53.3%. Only a dozen of the 144 bottles produced are coming to Canada.
Andrew's Tasting Note
Nose: creamy and waxy, steely with diesel engines burning in a stormy west coast Scottish harbour; underneath some dried apricot, mango and cooked pineapple; very maritime with clean smoke and a hint of grassy malt.
Palate: big, huge actually, more creamy-waxy tones, still steely with diesel exhaust notes (classic Glen Scotia), unctuous and big briny maritime tones; the fruit is still there: more cooked pineapple, apricot jam and gentle earthy peat; the medicinal salty smoky notes keep building with herbal Amaro.
Finish: medium in strength, but long and enduring; creamy with herbal, salty, smoky and oily (engine) notes;
Comment: this is a beautiful old Glen Scotia, time has polished the rough edges of the spirit, but it hasn't tamed the beast; this is a big, classic Glen Scotia.
Tasting Note by Serge @ whiskyfu.org “Maltbarn are kings of handpicked micro-bottlings. Okay, say mini-bottlings – talking about the outturns of course. Colour: pale gold. Nose: hyper acrid and grassy, sharp, blade-y, almost bitter and a little fermentary. It’s a singular style that reminds me of some of the most fashionable French whites these days (Valette, Ganevat, others…) Excuse me? Yes, I like mucho. With water: added notes of broken branches and ultra-fresh sawdust (in a forest, not at a carpenter’s). Mouth (neat): ultra-punchy, lemony, peppery, and grassy. Smashes you a bit but that’s good. With water: becomes a little chalky, and perhaps a notch medicinal. Is that iodine? Lovely herbal/bitter profile. Finish: very long and sharp. Campari without any sugar and at high strength. A sweeter lemony side balances that in the aftertaste. Comments: I hate to write this kind of thing but it’s probably not for beginners, but if you like rather extreme malts without any peat or sherry, this is for you. SGP:361 – 87 points.”