G&M Strathisla 1960
$3,219.99
Bottled in 2014, this 1960 vintage Strathisla was matured 54 years in Sherry Butts. Only 3 bottles are coming to Canada, exclusively to KWM. 43%. A sister 1960 cask scored 90pts with Serge. Interesting fact, KWM's first ever exclusive single cask was a 1960 Strathila, the whisky, darker than coke, was a stunner.
Producer's Tasting Note
Without Water
Nose: Sweet wine notes with defined rum and raisin influences and a hint of rich brown sugar. Fruity notes linger - prunes.
Palate: Silky and sweet, heavily sherried, well balanced with fruitcake and brown sugar elements.
With Water
Nose: Delicate sweet wine notes, suggestion of rich dark sugar, elements of cigar box wood and heavy fruity notes.
Palate: Silky with a well defined sweetness, and a more subtle sherried edge. Reminiscent of rich fruitcake.
Finish: Long and smooth.
90pts Whisky Fun (2009 bottled Sister Cask)
"Strathisla 1960/2009 (50%, Gordon & MacPhail for LMdW, 1st fill sherry hogshead, cask #2548, 177 bottles) Five stars Colour: deep amber. Nose: very close to the ‘43%’ at first nosing, only bigger and maybe a tad more liquorice. Gets then more and more chocolaty, the sherry influence being bigger than in the ‘general’ version. Old precious wood, thuja wood, bitter oranges, juniper, cloves, cardamom… Quite some rancio too, dried mushrooms, even black truffles… Gets even earthier after a moment. I’m curious about the palate, it can be hit or miss with this kind of nose, let’s see… Mouth: it’s a hit! Sure there’s a lot of oak but it’s much more polished here, and the extra 7% vol. probably do wonders here. Prunes, chocolate, Christmas cake, also that kind of cake that our German friends call ‘Stolle’, marmalade, touches of cumin, thyme tea, cocoa powder… In short, it’s great. Very classic old sherry. Finish: long, all on chocolate and coffee, with just hints of orange liqueur in the aftertaste as well as more oak (strong black tea) and mint. Comments: big, concentrated and very exuberant, but you have to like them heavy! SGP:461 - 90 points."
More About Strathisla - Gordon Macphail
"Strathisla Distillery, the oldest continuously operating distillery in Scotland, is a delightful distillery to visit because of its fairy-tale quality with its distinctive double pagodas and old cobbled courtyard. Founded by George Taylor and Alexander Milne, the distillery originally known as Milltown became operational in 1786. The distillery flip-flopped between names (Milltown, Strathisla, Milton) until 1951, Chivas Brothers officially settled on Strathisla as this was the name of the actual whisky produced. Today, much of Strathisla's production is used for blending and the distillery is the home of one of the world’s most famous blends – ‘Chivas Regal’."
G&M Strathisla 1953
$6,899.99
Filled into cask on the 19th of December in 1953, it was bottled on the 21st of November in 2012 at 43% from a single Sherry Butt.
85pts Whisk Fun
" I can’t wait, let’s try it… Colour: amber. Nose: we’re visiting an antique shop, with these whiffs of furniture polish, precious woods (rose, teak, snakewood – yes made that one up), old curtains, turpentine, linseed oil, carbolinium, opening an old wardrobe that had remained closed for decades… Oops, almost forgot to mention the obligatory fruitcake. A little parsley too, marrow soup… The whole remains quite dry all along. Mouth: I think it was bottled at the right time, just before the oak would have taken over. It’s rather chocolate-dominated, with really a lot of cinnamon and black tea, but a few fruits keep singing high and clear, especially oranges and plums. I’m also finding quite a lot of herbal teas, rosehip, thyme… Finish: medium, dry, and a little drying. As when you left the teabag in the teapot for a little too long. Comments: I think I liked this rare old glory almost just the same. SGP:471 - 85 points."
Signatory Bruichladdich 1990 55.5%
$434.99
Old Bruichladdichs are starting to get rare and expensive, This 27 year old is still a good buy though, matured in a Refill Sherry Butt (#166) and bottled at 55.5%. Distilled: 09/26/1990. Bottled: 03/09/2018. Only 18 bottles in Alberta, exclusive to KWM.
Andrew's Tasting Note
Nose: brandy soaked cherries, polished leather shoes, cracked walnuts and peanut brittle; chocolate fudge and salted caramel; a touch vegetal: sauteed carrots and turnips with a touch of wood varnish.
Palate: big, round and sweet; the salted caramel hits first, followed by the brandy soaked cherries and chocolate fudge; soft and smooth with almost no heat at 55.5%; polished leather shoes, rum soaked Christmas cake and a touch of sauteed root vegetables; still nutty but also showing a sweet-maple syrup character too.
Finish: long and coating with candied fruit, Christmas cake, leather and dark chocolate; it dries leaving nutty tones and a touch of dark spice.
Comment: if you are a fan of old sherried malts, complex pre-closure Bruichladdich or simply good whisky, you find a lot to love here; this is a beauty!
Signatory Glenturret 1989 42.4%
$309.99
Another cracker from Signatory. Man, these guys have their stuff together. It's quite obvious that the folks behind Signatory still have warehouses full of great barrels slumbering away, waiting for their chance to shine. We've seen some other independent bottlers struggling to bring well-matured malts to the market, but Signatory continues to wow us.
Andrew's Tasting Note
Nose: apricots, nectarines and raisins; very creamy, sour cream with herbs and juicy Wine Gums; apple strudel, cantaloupe and poached pear; soft, floral and elegant.
Palate: stay creamy, very creamy with loads of vanilla and more sour cream (in a herbal crema); fresh peaches, apricots and nectarines; juicy Wine Gums and raisins, with a touch of sweet & sour sauce (without the pork); more apple strudel and poached pear, melons too.
Finish: light, fresh, fruity and balanced with a surprisingly long length given its delicacy.
Comment: this doesn’t quite stray in to tropical fruit, but it is very, very fruity; a bit of sweet, sour and even savoury here; lots of layers, and definitely my kind of dram; these 1989 Signatory Glenturrets are not disappointing!
This Glenturret is a brilliant example of what Signatory does best: give us truly singular examples of what these distilleries are capable of. 29 years in a single hogshead have given us a Glenturret of distinction and subtlety far beyond what the distillery bottlings offer. And jeez...what a squeaker. 42.4% abv? After only 29 years? If this had managed to sleep much longer (one more tap of the snooze button, perhaps) it likely would have dropped below that 40% threshold. Thankfully that wasn't allowed to happen.
Beautifully oily and rich, even at this low abv. Natural colour and not chill filtered.
The future of Glenturret is uncertain under new owners Lalique, but it's very probable that it's now in more loving care than it was in the past. We look forward to finding out.
700ml
Signatory Glenallachie 1996 54.8%
$153.99
Now's the time, folks. The world's watching Glenallachie. When Billy Walker sold off BenRiach, GlenDronach and Glenglassaugh we all thought the big guy was done. Y'know...bag of cash in hand, ride off into the sunset, live happily ever after.
But why do that when you've got the Midas touch and the whisky legions are itching to scoop up the fruits of your labours?
So, in 2017, when Billy bought the young (by Scottish distillery standards) Glenallachie distillery, an awful lot of people sat up and took notice. Not least, your good mates at KWM. Since then we've seen the launch of a new core range and some rather spectacular single casks meant to commemorate the distillery's 50th anniversary.
But if you really want a peek behind the curtain - an opportunity to see what the flowed from the stills before Billy got himself tucked in - then it's well worth pursuing the indie bottlings, and this Signatory 1996 is a pretty incredible place to start. I can't imagine we'll see these kind of vintages at these sorts of prices for much longer.
A very robust 54.8% abv, naturally coloured and not chill filtered. Beauty.
700ml
Signatory Glenburgie 1995 55.2%
$179.99
A pair of Hogsheads (presumably Refill Ex-Bourbon, casks: 6534 & 6536) filled in 1995, have been married and bottled at 55.2% after 23 years!
Andrew's Tasting Note
Nose: Starburst fruit candies and Skittles; bright citrus tones, vanilla icing and mango sherbet; floral and decadent with creamed honey and strawberry puff candies.
Palate: silky, creamy and floral; thick with honey and caramel; more Skittles & waxy Starburst fruit candies; it becomes increasingly floral, buttery and waxy; white chocolate and candied orange make way for hot-sweet spices: candied ginger and cinnamon hearts.
Finish: creamy, honeyed, floral and fruity; long in length and elegant, the spices, oak and decadent fruits linger longest!
Comment: Glenburgie is almost exclusively produced for blending, and as such it is predominantly matured in Refill casks; the younger expressions often disappoint, because the whisky simply hasn't had enough time in the wood; mid-20's and older Glenburgie however seem to have the potential for greatness, and this single cask is no exception; it is delicious.
Signatory Glentauchers 1997 49.4%
$214.99
A 21 year old Glentauchers bottled from two Bourbon Barrels, filled in 1997 and bottled after exactly 21 years at 49.4%. Only 18 bottles are coming to Calgary, exclusively to KWM. Distilled: 23/07/1997. Bottled: 23/07/2018.
Andrew's Tasting Note
Nose: seductive... tropical... honeyed... and creamy... oh-boy, this is starting off very promising, my-style of old malt; decadent beeswax, sultry honey and sinful clotted cream; floral and fruity with lovely tropical tones; I want to be enveloped by the aroma.
Palate: the palate doesn't disappoint, easing in subtly the first sip is a bit muted but second blooms; more honey, beeswax and clotted cream; it retains its balance of floral and fruity tones; the former hints at rose petals with a minty freshness and the latter ranges from white fruits to melons and more exotic tropical tones.
Finish: long, soft, coating and elegant; creamy, honeyed, floral and very fruity.
Comment: the oak character is at once prominent, but balanced and delicate; this is a very elegant and dangerously drinkable malt.
Signatory Tormore 1988 45.8%
$274.99
A very well priced 29 year old cask strength (45.8%) Tormore from Signatory. Filled in to Hogsheads in 1988. This is a fine example of something we love talking about. Older whiskies from Refill Oak which develop beautifully if given enough time.
Andrew's Tasting Note
Nose: soft doughy and waxy with lychee fruit, sliced orange and melons; honeyed and decadent; soft, floral and delicately spiced with a touch of white pepper; a touch perfumed.
Palate: sweet, toasty and spicy with delicate floral top notes: roses, geraniums and violets; still decadent with some chewy malt, white chocolate and lots of spice: more white pepper, a touch of cayenne and chili flakes; melons, citrus and lychee fruits are still there, but they are overpowered by the oak spices and floral tones.
Finish: long, toasty and drying; still floral, fruity and spicy; soft coating oils.
Comment: almost 30 and not even close to over the hill; this is a delicate, floral and spicy malt with lots of staying power; a great summer sipper, and very well priced for its age.”
Curt's Thoughts
"It's truly a shame just how much amazing malt whisky gets buried on innocuous and unexciting blends. That's one of the reasons we at KWM hold the independent bottlers in such high esteem. Companies such as Signatory have, for long years now, been shining a light on some of the lesser known distilleries of Scotland. And Speyside giant Tormore is a perfect example of a distillery that deserves much more attention than it gets. While the standard bottlings may be a little...safe...these well-aged, cask strength beauties are knockout fare. This particular beauty was a marriage of two Hogsheads that had been left to mature for nearly three decades. The results are stunning. Deep fruits and gorgeous cream tones. Only 296 bottles in the world."
700 ml
Elements of Islay Peat Full Proof
$63.99
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.