Maltbarn Bruichladdich 2006
$229.99
There was a time when Bruichladdich sagged the shelves of every liquor store around. Following the distillery's sale to drinks giant Remy Cointreau in 2012, we saw a slimming down of the range. Quality remained high, but the expansive variety dipped dramatically. And unfortunately, independent releases from Islay's most island-centric distillery have been few and far between. At least locally. Thanks to our friends at Maltbarn, however, we have a crack at this rather stellar little Laddie. The yield was low - only 155 bottles - but the flavour is huge. Bourbon cask matured and wine cask finished. Expect subtle wood influence. This is no wine-monster.
51.8% abv, uncolored, non-chill filtered.
700 ml
Maltbarn Inganess Bay 2000 Highland Park
$209.99
There is, of course, no Inganess Bay distillery. But if you want to get a bit geeky with your geography, you'd soon learn that Inganess Bay lies just off the northeast coast of Orkney, not far from the Highland Park distillery. The only other Orkney distillery, Scapa, lies on the other side of the mainland. So, let's just assume that proximity wins here.
We've been seeing more and more indie Highland Park expressions this last year or so, and its hard not to concede that they've largely been more exciting than the standard distillery bottlings. After all, what's not to love about cask strength versions of one of our favorite distillates? This release from German bottler, Maltbarn, is an 18 year old, offered up at a respectable 52.7% abv and not chill-filtered. Only 180 bottles from an ex-bourbon barrel.
700 ml
Maltbarn Ben Nevis 1997
$299.99
Maltbarn Tobermory 1995
$324.99
North Star Tobermory 10 Year
$104.99
Only 6 bottles are coming to KWM of a very sherried looking Tobermory from North Star Spirits. Bottled at 10 years and 56.5% from a single Sherry Butt.
Producer's Tasting Note
Nose: cold rain on hard tarmac.
Palate: dark chocolate & marischino cherries.
Finish: sherry poured over toasted oranges.
Scotch Malt Whisky Society 73.54
$149.99
DECADENT AND DELICIOUS
This 20 year old Speysider is 57.2% after maturing in a refill barrel
Flavour profile: Old & dignified
Outturn: 214 bottles
Panel's tasting note: "The nose, delicate and sophisticated, evoked an elegant lady (perfume, leather handbag, silk purse) in a tea-shop with jasmine tea, Battenberg cake, pear tarte tatin, sweet Muscat wine, flowers and pine cones on her table. The palate was rich, decadent and delicious – buttery fruit cake, jellied fruits, lots of orange (mandarin flan, Fry’s Orange Cream, orange blossom) and cinnamon spice in the finish. The reduced nose found Oreos, carrot cake, chocolate limes and glorious dark chocolate raspberry brownie. The palate now rewarded us with soft vanilla fudge, perfumed nectarines, teasing ginger and Old English Spangles."
G&M Discovery Bunnahabhain 11 Year
$97.99
Thank goodness for the independent bottlers! We've struggled to keep Bunnahabhain on the shelves for some time now, but thankfully the indies have kept us afloat. Proper distillery bottlings seem to be somewhat scarce lately, but fear not Bunna-Babies! We've got you covered.
Islay's gentle giant, Bunnahabhain, has been knocking out brilliant malt as far back as we can remember, but there was a period where the cask policy perhaps left something to be desired. Thankfully, those days are looooooooong gone. Pretty much every Bunnahabhain we've seen lately has been a winner. And this one, like all the others, will go quickly. Especially a G&M bottling at this sort of price!
43% abv
Producer Tasting Note
Nose: Rich and sweet with fruitcake and vanilla aromas. Sherry influences intertwine with zesty citrus notes.
Palate: Spicy with cinnamon, stewed plum and orange marmalade.
Finish: Smooth milk chocolate.
Eau Claire Single Malt Whisky Batch 002
$102.99
The 2nd ever release of Alberta Single Malt from Turner Valley's Eau Claire Distillery! - Limit 1 per customer!
Batch 002 of Eau Claire Single Malt has been made with Alberta barley and is bottled at 43%. We were impressed with Batch 001, and are excited to be able to sell a handful of bottles of Batch 002. Limit 1 per customer.
Producer Description: "Alberta’s first craft distillery, Eau Claire, is proud to announce its second, limited edition release of Single Malt Whisky. A farm to glass whisky that encapsulates the best of Alberta – blue skies, mountain fresh water, malted barley and entrepreneurial spirit."
This subtly complex whisky has flavours of sweet red fruit with underlying vanilla and caramel. A long oaky finish and raisin undertones, this whisky is a testament to traditional craft – it is remarkably mature for its age, but young and innovative in its outlook."
Scotch Malt Whisky Society 26.121
$194.99
A REAL PICK-ME-UP
From the Northern Highlands, this 13 year old is 53.3% after maturing in a 1st fill barrel.
Flavour profile: Juicy, oak & vanilla.
Outturn: 214 bottles.
Panel's tasting note: "A potpourri of dried petals and leaves from a variety of flowers infused with tangerine oil combined with a new Barbour jacket, a hint of stem ginger spice and a spritz of sea salt spray made this an invigorating zesty, oily, waxy fragrant experience. Mouth-filling sweet poached pears in honey, ginger and cinnamon syrup before a gentle spiced apple cake with a salty sweet lemon drizzle topping took over in the long finish. Diluted, like a snuffed out vanilla-scented candle next to a plate of gravlax (cured salmon served in a honey mustard sauce) and on the palate salted caramel sauce and a tangy vanilla lime smoothie."