Scotch Malt Whisky Society 10.119

$132.99

THE CHIMNEY IN A BEEHIVE

This 9 year old from Islay was matured in a refill hogshead and is 59.3%.

Flavour profile:  Peated.

Outturn:  242 bottles.

Panel's tasting note:  "Like cleaning out the chimney in a beehive the nose combined the syrupy nectar of runny honey with dusty clouds of black soot from the sweet smoke of burning applewood. The draw up the chimney enticed a maritime draught into the room, filling the air with a salty breeze, seaweed and the distinctly nautical nose of fishing trawlers laden with crates of crustaceans. The palate exhibited further sugary temptation as toffee apples combined with fruit sherbet sweets and smoky bacon drizzled with maple syrup. Lip-smacking and devilishly delicious, the layers of flavour continued to unravel, revealling scallops with sweet vinaigrette, smoked fish soup and the clean mineralic edge of Chablis or dry German Riesling."

Shelter Point Double Barrel 2019 Edition

$96.99

This new Shelter Point special edition was matured 6 years in American oak before being finished in French Oak barrels from the Coastal Estate Winery on Vancouver Island. Another fine release from Shelter Point. 50%

Producer Description: “Our long-awaited Special Edition Single Malt Whisky is now available! Aged in American oak for 6 years and then matured in a French Oak barrel from the local Coastal Black Estate Winery!”

My Tasting Note

Nose: very nutty, hard toffee and fruit flan; doughy and fruity, apple crumble, lemon drops and fresh cut flowers; decadent with loads of vanilla and clotted cream.

Palate: big, rich and creamy; very layered, spicy and lush; layers of fruit, more hard toffee and glazed fruit flan; even darker than the nose let on with some Demerara sugar, licorice and baking spices.

Finish: medium-long, still coating, creamy fruity and spicy.

Comment: this is but the fifth release of Shelter Point whisky we’ve seen, and like the others it does not disappoint… look out world!

Kavalan Solist Vinho

$284.99

This cask strength Taiwanese single malt is "World Whisky of the Year!: World Drinks Awards 2015."  We've known what a gem this is for years, having sold it exclusively in Calgary. A very limited quantity of the whisky has just come back in stock, and at a much lower price! Matured in American ex-Wine Barriques.

World Whisky Awards Tasting Note: "Lots of stewed fruits on the nose. There’s also aged Bourbon notes. Water brings out custard creams. Surprisingly smooth on the palate. The alcohol is very present. It’s like Bourbon infused milk chocolate. Another nutty, meaty, savoury nose, with sweet notes in the backdrop. Very sweet pruney flavours initially on the palate, with fruit cake and big clove, chilli and dry cinnamon. Walnut and hazelnut on the very dry finish. Immediately and subtly liquor rich. Tiny bit of incense, a thread of spice and smoke. Caramel, marzipan, coffee-vanilla, fudge, rich, creamy, dried black fruits. Integrated and surprisingly light. Element of sandalwood. Starts creamy, waters out, almost disappears before rubbing hot brown sugar into the oesophagus. Tiny bitter trace."

Scotch Malt Whisky Society 28.32

$119.99

SOLAR ECLIPSE

At 60.3% this 8 year old from the southern Highlands was matured in a 1st fill Oloroso butt

Flavour profile:  Deep, rich & dried fruits

Outturn:  600 bottles

Panel's tasting note:  "‘Jet-Black’ was the first comment with aromas of bittersweet chocolate ganache, molasses bran muffins, sun-dried prunes, Madeira soaked raisins, as well as dark roasted black coffee beans. We were hoping of shedding some light on it when we had our first taste neat. The initial impact was dry, bitter and persistent like a piece of 99% cacao chocolate melting slowly in your mouth – quite an experience but we absolutely loved it! Water added an earthy, tobacco, liquorice and slightly medicinal herbal note whilst on the palate, sticky toffee pudding using Medjool dates and black bun with a glass of PX Sherry." 

Drinking tip:  "Draw the curtains and listen to Black Magic Woman by Carlos Santana"

Scotch Malt Whisky Society 3.300

$204.99

DIRTY MARGARITA ON A YACHT

This 17 year old from Islay was transferred to a 2nd fill toasted oak hogshead after 17 years in bourbon wood, and comes in at  59.7%

Flavour profile:  Lightly peated

Outturn:  231 bottles

Panel's tasting note:  "This nose was maritime and malty (sipping Horlicks on a Calmac ferry) with apple-wood smoke, singed heather and traces of tar. The taste delivered intense bonfire smoke, lavender and parma violet candies, sweet sherry, pecan pie, bananas and porridge. With water we were afloat again – smelling the ocean from an oil-rig or barbecuing pork ribs on a yacht. The palate now bestowed bacon frazzles, balsamic, honey-glazed ribs, chocolate limes, ‘a dirty margarita’ (not a person, we were assured) and light perfumed smoke. After 17 years in bourbon wood we transferred this to a second-fill toasted oak hogshead (previously used for 35.147)."

Drinking tip:  "By a harbour, in the summer, watching the boats"

Scotch Malt Whisky Society 4.227

$157.99

DREAMING TO THE SOUNDS OF THE SEA

This 12 year old Highland Islander comes in at 58% after maturing in a refill hogshead

Flavour profile:  Lightly peated

Outturn:  311 bottles

Panel's tasting note:  "The nose embraced quintessentially coastal qualities with salt dusted rocks draped with dried seaweed and the occasional barnacle. The sea air carried the distant sweet smoke of burning heather and the even more fragrant whiff of dried lavender. Walking across the wet sand we dreamed of fresh seafood platters, laden with shrimps, smoked mussels, pickled cockles, dressed crab and oysters drizzled with lime juice vinaigrette. The palate was simultaneously juicy and mouthcoatingly oily with a creaminess reminiscent of porridge. The salty theme progressed into crispy tempura, seaweed rolls and sushi with wasabi and pickled ginger. Water released a salty tang like liquorice stick with dry herbal notes and sweet floral overtones. The finish was sweet with honey on burnt toast and malted barley."

Scotch Malt Whisky Society 9.124

$131.99

MADEIRA MARKET COFFEE BREAK

This 12 year old Speysider comes in at 56.2% and was matured in a refill hogshead

Flavour profile:  Spicy & dry

Outturn:  272 bottles

Panel's tasting note:  "The nose took us in different directions – one panellist to a granary mill, another was making hay in sunshine (both cereal destinations), while a third visited a Madeira market (exotic fruits and flowers). The neat palate had mouth-coating viscosity, expanding flavours of sweet malt; spicy, nutty, citric cakes and a hot, dry, lingering finish of ginger, nutmeg and white pepper. The reduced nose had one panellist chopping fresh ginger on a wooden board; another enjoyed coffee and croissants on a newly-constructed wooden deck at the beach. The reduced palate contrasted refreshingly juicy lime and rosewater against green Thai coconut curry."

Scotch Malt Whisky Society 55.44

$160.99

HONEY ON A STRADIVARIUS

This 16 year old Speysider spent 15 years in ex-bourbon wood before being transferred to a 1st fill French oak hogshead, and comes in at 57.1%

Flavour profile:  Spicy & sweet

Outturn: 251 bottles

Panel's tasting note:  "We sniffed – and imagined putting treacle tarts into spice cupboards; we imagined serving Baklava in cigar boxes; we imagined pouring honey over a Stradivarius. The palate continued that duality of mouth-flooding sweetness (sticky toffee, syrup, blackstrap molasses) with coy wood-spices (orange peel, nutmeg, fenugreek, ginger, chili, cinnamon, clove). With water, our noses were tickled by tea chests and white pepper – and we served Calvados and Grand Marnier to thirsty weavers at their looms. The reduced palate had chocolate, caramel and Marsala – warming and delicious. After 15 years in ex-bourbon wood we transferred this to a first-fill French oak hogshead."

Drinking tip:  "Some fine violin music and a dram of this - uplifting!"

Scotch Malt Whisky Society 64.91

$124.99

PORRIDGE OATS ON A TROPICAL BEACH

This 10 year old Speysider is 58.8% after maturing in a 1st fill barrel

Flavour profile:  Juicy, oak & vanilla

Outturn:  233 bottles

Panel's tasting note:  "Giving an aroma reminiscent of a 1980s Saab the summer sun was beating down on the upholstery as we sat down to order sweet honey nut cereal and porridge oats with lingonberry jam, ripe apples and banana. A side of honeydew melon was thrown in with a healthy topping of jellybeans and pear drops. For liquid refreshment we ordered blackcurrant tea, vanilla milkshake and hot malted milk for its full-bodied texture. Sitting just next to the beach we admired the tropical scene of coconut and pineapple trees, enjoying the warmth and citrus aromas of a nearby nectarine stall."

Drinking tip:  "For sweet and fruity moments in the sun"