Secret Spirits Whisky Advent Cal 2017
$479.99
The 2017 Scotch Whisky Advent Calendar from Secret Spirits includes 25x50ml Scotch whiskies. The majority are Single Malts, with a few Blended Malts, and a couple Single Grains. Also in the box, a lapel pin, custom Spiegelau Samaroli whisky glass, launch party invitation, keepsake tasting note booklet and a featured distillery postcard.
Elements of Islay Peat Cask Strength
$54.99
A cask strength Islay Blended Malt Whisky that is said to be a marriage of 60 casks from the north and south of the island. Bottled at 59.3%, this is possibly the best-priced cask strength whisky in Alberta, even when considering the bottle size.
“PEAT is the perfect expression of smoky whisky, with all the full-on coastal character you would expect from an island whisky, as well as balanced sweetness. On its own or in a cocktail, it is the go-to peaty whisky for all, balancing serious smoky flavour with a sense of fun.”
Producer Description: “We have used whisky from a handful of distilleries across the island to create an Islay blended malt, taking the distinct character of each and bringing them together, focusing on Islay’s most famous flavour – peat.”
Producer Tasting Note
Nose: Fresh, sprightly barley entwined with peat smoke and bonfire embers. Bracing aromas of salty seaweed and seashells. Plenty of clean fruit – lemon, lime and grapefruit, while hiding underneath are notes of rich earth and liquorice.
Palate: Warm and leathery with thick-cut bacon, seashore campfires and roasted fruit: sweet apple and lime with a sprinkle of caster sugar. Layers of smoke and dark-chocolate limes envelope the palate and are intertwined with softer lemon oil and barbecue sauce, with hints of roasted spices and barrel char, complementing the peat and smoke.
Finish: Sea spray and baked apple fade leaving heavier smoke, truffle salt and sweet spice.”
Port Askaig 19 Year
$195.99
Exclusive to KWM!
Port Askaig is a line of mystery Islay single malts from Elixir Distillers, a company that just recently announced plans to build its own distillery on the southern part of the island. The whiskies in this Port Askaig 19 year old are reputed to come from the Caol Ila distillery. Bottled at 50.4%, this batch of the 19 year has been discontinued, and the 90 bottles coming to Canada are the only available through KWM. The brand is named for Islay's ancient ferry and fishing port on the island's north-east coast.
Andrew' Tasting Note
Nose: doughy, buttery and fuity, silky peat oils and beeswaxy-honeycomb tones; delicate elegant smoke, bright berry fruits (raspberry), chantilly cream and more delicate tropical fruits: mango and papaya.
Palate: round, delicate and doughy; a touch of maritime character, more buttery notes and silky peat oils; more beeswax, bright berry fruits and tropical fruits towards the finish; chantilly cream and clotted cream on dry Brittish scones.
Finish: long, coating and creamy with fading tropical fruits, chantilly cream and silky peat oils.
Comment: this is a whisky with the delicate finesse of a Ileach many years its senior; very elegant and delicate with a firm peaty base.
Elements of Islay Lg7
$131.99
Exclusive to KWM, only 24 bottles coming!
Independent bottlings of Lagavulin are fairly rare, and when available they are usually cryptic, not refering to the distillery by name. Mature din 4 Bourbon Barrels filled in the mid 2000s. Bottled at 56.8%.
Producer Description: “Lagavulin whiskies are known for their meaty style, balanced by touch of sweet fruit. Lg7 is matured in refill bourbon barrels, and is everything we have come to expect from Lagavulin: Islay in a bottle.”
Producer Tasting Note
Nose: Initially, maple-cured bacon and orange sponge cake give a great balance of sweet and savoury. Delicate honeysuckle is offset by barbecue char and toasted marshmallows. The smoke is full and aromatic, like Chinese tea.
Palate: thick and creamy with the classic iodine character and some sweeter notes coming through. There is a thick and meaty note, almost like caramelised beef fat blended with cockles and burnt honeycomb.
Finish: Warm spice with toasted caraway seeds and salty dryness.”
Elements of Islay Oc4
$189.99
Exclusive to KWM!
Bottled at 59.1% this independent bottling of Octomore is the product of three Ex-Bourbon barrels filled in 2010.
Producer Description: “The most heavily peated of all the spirits on Islay, Octomore showcases maritime and fruity notes among a dense and smoky character. Oc4 is a marriage of three bourbon barrels from 2010, showing sweet malty notes intertwined with powerful smoke.
Producer Tasting Note
Nose: Clean, with pine smoke and lemongrass. Juniper and fennel seeds make for an intense aromatic experience, with the distillate clearly in the foreground and wood in the background. Of course there is medicinal peatiness, and lots of it.
Palate: White pepper and intense peat reek sit up front. The texture is rich and oily, and while there is heat from the strength, it is all in the background. There is something almost mezcal like about this whisky, run through with smoked juniper and iodine.
Finish: Warm and tangy with flavours of well-cooked meat.”
Port Askaig 15 Year
$141.99
Only 90 bottles of this sherry matured Port Askaig "Bunnahabhain", are coming to Canada! 45.8%
90 points Whisky Advocate: "Matured in first-fill oloroso sherry casks, this is 20% peated whisky from 1997 and 80% fruitier whisky distilled in 2001. Earthy on the early nose, with bonfire smoke, vanilla, raisins, and prunes. The palate opens with sweet fruit notes and medium-dry sherry, giving way to nutmeg, brine, and peat. The finish features plain chocolate, bitter lemons, and a hint of smoky chili."
Cadenhead Dailuaine 2004 KWM Cask
$83.99
Our 1st ever KWM exclusive single cask of Dailuaine and our 2nd cask from WM Cadenhead. The whisky has been bottled at 55.9% after maturing 12 years in a very active Refill Hogshead. This whisky was featured on Day 1 of our 2017 Whisky Advent Calendar.
ALSO AVAILABLE IN MINI BOTTLES!
Andrew's Tasting Note
Nose: soft fruity and cream; waxy with loads of white chocolate, fresh cut flowers and glazed croissants; notes of melon and apricot with Marcona almonds and a touch of white pepper.
Palate: round, creamy and fruity with a hint of salt and building spice; very lush and rich for a refill Hogshead at this age; juicy malt, more melon and apricots, glazed croissants and poached pear with a dab of blue cheese; loads of white chocolate, almonds, honey and toasted oak.
Finish: long, fruity and floral with loads of white chocolate, toasted oak spice, fading soft fruits and salt.
Comment: this is a rare example of a cask we bottled from a single sample… I think the lads at Cadenhead knew we were going to love it; they were not wrong!
Evan's Tasting Note
Nose: Floral and fruity with mangos and pears, light salt, vanilla pod, white peppercorn, chamomile, blanched almonds, white chocolate, fennel, wood shavings and a hint of aloe.
Palate: Porridge with peaches, pears and creamy vanilla yogurt topped with a sprig of mint and a dash of cinnamon. Peppery spice, salted macadamia nuts, pineapple, papaya and light passionfruit notes.
Finish: The salt and spice give way to a light sweetness.
Comments: Not too overwhelming but also not too simple - this is one balanced dram.
Looking for a Mini / 50 mL bottle of this to sample? Check it out here!
Elements of Islay Ci8
$86.99
Exclusive to KWM - Only 48 bottles!
Bottled at 55.2% from 5 Ex-Bourbon barrels filled in the mid 2000's.
Producer Description: “Our eighth bottling from Caol Ila is a marriage of five bourbon barrels. Caol Ila is renowned for its light, flinty style, which adds elegance to the layers of smoke and strong coastal notes that are its trademark.”
Producer Tasting Note
Nose: Classic coastal sea spray with an undercurrent of caramel and buttered popcorn. A background note of aniseed marries nicely with lime oil and thyme.
Palate: The texture is creamy and full with flavours of baked lemon and rock salt. The distillery’s flinty edge is on show and balances nicely with the flavour of delicate custard.
Finish: Juicy and long, with lemon oil and cloves coming through.”
Adelphi Miltonduff 1983
$474.99
Only 12 bottles are coming to Alberta, 8 of them to KWM. One of the oldest Miltonduffs I've seen, bottled at 52.6% after 33 years in a Refill American Oak Sherry Butt.
Andrew's Tasting Note
Nose: very pretty, delicate sherry; waxed tropical fruits, soft leather and tobacco; decadent, Earl Grey Tea ice cream, chocolate-orange marzipan and almond paste; Manuka honey.
Palate: still very floral, more potent Manuka honey; massively tropical: fruit flan, fruit salad, waxed mango and papaya, peeled kiwi and more; creamy and more Earl Grey Tea ice cream; the soft leather and tropical fruits are still there.
Finish: the palate is big, bright and fruity; the finish softens; it is light and medium in length, but still beautiful.
Comment: I will not be able to resist buying one for myself; lovely.
Producer’s Tasting Note
“From a refill American oak ex-Sherry Hogshead. Amber/Manuka honey colour, with excellent beading. Mellow nose feel. Fragrant top note with tropical fruits (pineapple), fruit salad (with green apple) and scented hand-cream. After a while, frangipane, with traces of almond paste and desiccated coconut. Vanilla toffee in the development, and a floral note. Water introduces a dusty floral note (potpourri). Big texture; sweet taste, with caramel; sparkling spice and coconut in the aftertaste. A drop of water reduces the sweetness and adds a hint of fennel.”