G&M Glen Grant 2008
$79.99
Matured in a mix of first fill sherry hogsheads and refill ex-Bourbon barrels, the whisky was bottled at 9 years of age and 43%.
Andrew's Tasting Note
Nose: bakery and fruity notes leap out of the glass; very honeyed, decadent and tropical; buttery; sliced mango and papaya, honey dew melon and Starburst fruit candies.
Palate: light but very fresh and fruity; assorted Starburst candies, more sliced mango and papaya and more of a melon liquor than straight melon; the honey, cream and buttery tones are still there too with some soft leather and gentle earthy notes; late spices.
Finish: medium in weight, but with good length; very fresh and fruity.
Comment: this is superb for a sub-10 year old single malt; loads of layers and good complexity; fresh decadent and fruity, this is "good morning" whisky!
Producer Tasting Note
"Nose without Water Sweet Sherry aromas mingle with brown sugar, orange, and cinnamon. Creamy vanilla custard notes combine with milk chocolate. Palate without Water Sweet initially with a peppery notes. Stewed fruit flavours lead to a fresh orange marmalade and hints of ground coffee. Charred oak is accompanied by a grapefruit edge on the finish. Nose with Water Sweet Sherry influences are still present along with creamy milk chocolate notes and a clean citrus edge. Subtle undertones of toffee and raisin mingle with a touch of cinnamon. Palate with Water Sweet and smooth with rich chocolate flavours leading to a burst of lime. Charred oak on the finish combines with a menthol edge. Body Medium. Finish Medium in length with lingering citrus notes. Add water with caution."
About Glen Grant Distillery (Gordon Macphail): "Built in 1840 by brothers John and James Grant, previously illicit distillers, this landmark Rothes distillery overlooks the majestic River Spey. Glen Grant Distillery draws its water from the Caperdonich Well, the same water source as its now mothballed sister distillery, Caperdonich. Legend has it that a spirit pipe ran between the two; this was prone to ‘interference’ at night from the local townsfolk who fancied a sly, illicit dram or two! Today, Glen Grant is famed internationally for its smooth, elegant whisky produced by the distillery’s unique stills – these have an almost square section between the pot and neck and purifiers on the lyne arms. These uncommon additions lend to the world renowned deliciously light, fruity, and gentle character that mature wonderfully in both bourbon and Sherry casks."
About the Distillery Labels Range: "Building and nurturing long-lasting relationships has always been key to curating our collection of single malt whiskies. It’s our relationships from the Sherry bodegas in Jerez, Spain, and the American Oak cooperages in Kentucky – where we source casks of the finest quality – to those who distil the Scottish malt spirit – which we fill into our casks – that has helped shape our foundations and continue to develop the future of Gordon & MacPhail."
G&M Strathisla 2006
$115.99
Distilled in 2006 and bottled in 2017 at 11 years of age. This Distillery Label bottling from Strathisla was matured in Refill Sherry Butts before bottling at 43%. Exclusive to KWM.
Andrew's Tasting Note
Nose: stewed rhubarb pie right from the oven, Wine Gums and Jujubes; apple crumble rich with brown sugar; loads of candied lime and lemon; fresh, floral and creamy.
Palate: still creamy, coating and very floral; a touch of green grassy malt before the citrus and oak take over (a touch of Mezcal); some earthy-leathery tones, liquorice and candied fruit; the rhubarb pie element shows its head a little later; becomes more rich and spicy with time.
Finish: fresh, coating, creamy and fruity with fading spices; medium length with pleasant flavours.
Comment: this is G&M Strathisla as you are not accustomed to seeing it; young, vibrant and layered, before the sherry starts to dominate.
Producer's Tasting Note
"Nose without Water Fresh citrus notes initially followed by stewed apple and vanilla. A hint of spice develops and leads to toasted walnut aromas. Palate without Water Creamy with white pepper initially leading to subtle spice and hints of raisin. Cooked apple and charred oak flavours combine with a roasted hazelnut edge. Nose with Water Delicate floral notes - rose petals followed by gooseberry and apple. Sweet white chocolate with hints of strawberry develop. Palate with Water Creamy and sweet with ripe fruit flavours. A herbal undertone develops and leads to oak and a touch of aniseed. Pepper still lingers on the tongue. Body Light to medium. Finish Long and fruity with lingering pepper."
About Strathisla Distillery (Gordon Macphail): "One of the contenders for the ‘most picturesque distilleries in Scotland’ boasting a water wheel and beautiful grounds. Strathisla sits in the town of Keith, where it was founded by George Taylor and Alexander Milton. Originally known as Milton - named after the nearby Milton Castle, Strathisla was the name of the actual whisky produced and eventually became the name of the distillery. The whisky is robust as a spirit and deserves time in the cask where it becomes a highly regarded single malt."
About the Distillery Labels Range: "Building and nurturing long-lasting relationships has always been key to curating our collection of single malt whiskies. It’s our relationships from the Sherry bodegas in Jerez, Spain, and the American Oak cooperages in Kentucky – where we source casks of the finest quality – to those who distil the Scottish malt spirit – which we fill into our casks – that has helped shape our foundations and continue to develop the future of Gordon & MacPhail."
Springbank Local Barley 10 Year
$169.99
!!!Strictly Limited 1 Per Person!!!
Bottled at 57.3% after maturing in a mix of 70% Ex-Bourbon and 30% Ex-Sherry Barrels. Only 9000 bottles have been released Worldwide with less than 150 coming to Alberta!
Producer's Tasting Note
Nose: The nose on this dram is constantly changing and always exquisite. Pick your favourite dessert: vanilla ice-cream with butterscotch sauce, pecan pie or creme caramel. Custard cream biscuit and chocolate honeycomb are also present. The tasting panel has a sweet tooth.
Palate: The whisky has a lovely delicate floral quality of lemongrass and citrus tea. There’s also the sweetness of almonds and marzipan which is balanced with a hint of peat and ends on a note of luxury, pure smooth velvet.
Finish: You can tell this was matured in a dunnage warehouse, with the soft earthy finish. At the end you can taste salted caramel and the spiciness of freshly baked cinnamon buns drizzled with honey.
G&M Ardmore 1998
$119.99
This 1998 vintage 18 year old Ardmore has been bottled under Gordon Macphail's Distillery Label line. It is bottled at 43% after maturing in Refill Sherry.
Andrew's Tasting Note
Nose: still creamy like the 1996 and buttery, but more of a cultured butter; grapfruit pith, Maroccan marmalade; lemon sherbet and honey baked ham with pureed eas.
Palate: brighter than expected: big ctirus, chocolate covered coffee beans and Tiramisu; still ashy, a touch of Christmas cake, black licorice pipes and honey baked ham with cloves.
Finish: bigger and brighter with more sherry than the 1996; rich spices and more perfectly cooked honey baked ham (with sweet mustard).
Comment: a lovely, sweet and fruity malt; it is curious how much it contrasts with the 1996 G&M Ardmore, which is also 18 years old!
Producers Tasting Note
Nose: Sherry influences with clementine and green apple, complemented by hints of beeswax polish. Subtle charred oak aromas mingle with treacle toffee.
Palate: Sweet and creamy with a touch of chilli spice. Raspberry, orange, and milk chocolate flavours are complemented by underlying hints of charred oak. A delicate tobacco edge develops on the finish.
Finish: Long, smooth, and with a trace of smoke.
G&M Cask Strength Glenrothes 2005
$137.99
Distilled in 2005 and bottled in 2017 at a cask strength of 58.7% ABV, this Glenrothes was matured entirely in a first fill Sherry Butt. - Cask number 4789.
Cotswolds Single Malt Whisky
$74.69
The first release of Cotswolds single malt to find its way to Canada! The whisky is made from locally grown floor malted barley. It is matured in American oak and reconditioned ex-red wine casks. The whisky is bottled at 46% without colouring or chill-filtering.
This whisky was featured on Day 14 of our 2018 KWM Whisky Advent Calendar.
From the Producer
We use traditional production processes and equipment to produce our Cotswolds Single Malt. Locally-grown malted barley is milled and then mashed in our 0.5-tonne mash tun, mixing the milled grain with hot water to produce worts. Yeasts are then added. We run the fermentation for more than 90 hours in order to generate plenty of fruity flavour compounds alongside the alcohol produced.
Then the distillations begin. First, in the wash still (Mary), and a second in Janis, our spirit still. In the spirit run, we only select a small section – the heart cut – which is taken unusually early in the distillation to capture the fruity notes and avoid the heavier, rougher elements that appear at the end of the run. The end result is a light, colourless, fruity new make spirit. This is diluted to 63.5%ABV and put into casks to mature. This release has been aged for just over three years, and is bottled non-chill filtered, with no added colouring, at 46%ABV.
G&M Cask Strength Balblair 1993
$279.99
Only 6 bottles are coming to KWM, limit 1 per person. This is a beautiful big, sherried Balblair. Distilled in 1993 it was bottled after 24 years at 49.6% after maturing in a 1st Fill Sherry Puncheon.
Producer's Tasting Note
"Nose without Water Rich Sherry influences with demerara sugar and hints of roast coffee beans. Dark chocolate aromas lead to a beeswax polish note. Palate without Water Sweet and creamy with intense stewed fruit flavours developing. Raspberry, spicy clove, and a undertone of liquorice combine on the finish. Nose with Water Fresh tangerine notes followed by dried fruit and spicy accents. Ripe blackberry and chocolate truffle aromas are accompanied by a subtle oak edge. Palate with Water Sweet and creamy with stewed apple, clove, and cinnamon flavours. Summer berries lead to dark chocolate and charred oak. A touch of liquorice develops. Body Medium. Finish Long lasting with plenty of fruit and spice."
Scotch Malt Whisky Society 3.229
$259.99
!!!SOLD OUT!!!
A MERMAID IN A MEADOW
This 26 year old from Islay comes in at 51.3% after maturing in a refill barrel
Flavour profile: Old & dignified
Outturn: 195 bottles
Panel's tasting note: "Our mermaid sits amidst fresh lavender and kelp delicately nibbling on salted ciabatta with chorizo. She has prepared a rockpool bath with fragrant lemon and petal bath bombs. Hints of parma violet and sherbet emerge as she dips her fishy tail. After bathing she reclines on a freshly laundered blanket scented with wild flowers. She found seaweed sushi spritzed with lemon juice with wasabi and salmiak. To finish there was toasted cereal, American in style, pops, loops and flakes all in attendance. And with all said and done and a flick of her tail she disappeared into the misty depths."
Scotch Malt Whisky Society 10.121
$141.99
ROMANTIC MOMENTS AT SUNSET
From Islay, this 10 year old was matured in a refill barrel and is 62.8%
Flavour profile: Spicy & sweet
Outturn: 199 bottles
Panel's tasting note: "The initial nose was ‘all over the place’ – definite wood (sawn pine, balsa, star anise), undeniable sweetness (golden syrup, spun sugar) and some bitter salad suggestions. The palate had interesting perfumed notes and spicy heat, but the buttery fudge and cinnamon swirl sweetness helped it soar over any heat hurdles like a trim athlete. Water gave the nose attractive jellied fruits, Havana cigars and a deep, heady ‘rose gardens at dusk’ floral delight. The reduced palate was mouth-tingling, delicious, sweet and floral - Turkish Delight, coffee, perfume and tobacco – like a summer evening with someone special in a Greek seaside taverna."