Benromach 2002 KWM Cask 969
$334.99
This is our 6th KWM exclusive cask of Benromach, and the 4th since the move to the new packaging. More precisely, it is our 3rd from the early 2000s, and it is yet another Brora-esque twenty-something Benromach with creamy smoke and tropical fruits. Matured in a First Fill ex-Bourbon Barrel for 21 years before bottling at 57.9%. Only 179 bottles!
Boutique-y Clynelish 20 Year KWM Cask
$219.99
It is finally here... we have been teasing and talking about this whisky for months, and it was worth the wait. We are thrilled to introduce you to our first ever KWM exlcusive single cask from That Boutique-y Whisky Company. Although the bottle doesn't explicitly tell you which "Highland" distillery the whisky is from, there are clues on the label... 578 bottles have been filled exclusively for Kensington Wine Market at 51%. But we have nothing holding us back from telling you that Boutique-y Highland #2 is Clynelish... That's right, this is 20 year old Clynelish!
Andrew's Note on the Whisky & Label
Could that be a cat in the clouds, a Wild Highland Cat perhaps? Is it not strange to see a waxy candle-powered balloon? Incidentally, it is lifting the KWM whisky team aloft. And what of the monument? If we told you it was a controversial monument near the town of Golspie dedicated to the infamous Duke of Sutherland, would that give you all the information you need to know? What Highland Distillery has a Wild Highland Cat as its symbol, a waxy profile, and an infamous Duke as its founder?
This label is a cheeky take on a shared memory, with embellishments, embedded details, and Easter eggs, in the tradition of the best Boutique-y Whisky Company Labels. More importantly, it tells a story, which is personally important to my family. My mother was born into the Clann Gunn in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia. Her ancestors roamed swaths of what is now Caithness and Sutherland in northern Scotland. That is until they were compelled to leave Scotland in the late 18th century, cruelly and rudely displaced to make way for sheep during the early days of the Highland Clearances.
On the label there is a ship at sea, heading to Canada presumably, as hinted at by the flags (the Canadian flag as it is today was only introduced in 1965). On the flat coastal plain at the base of the mountains sheep can be seen grazing. In front of the monument stand a pair of Canadians stand in hockey jerseys. Sam Simmons, Head of Whisky at Atom Brands, and a native Torontonian, stands closest to the monument in what appears to be a hockey jersey. Further back, a native Calgarian, yours truly can be seen waving a white hat, an iconic symbol of "Cowtown", whilst sporting a local hockey team jersey of his own. In the balloon Keith, Evan, Shawn & Curt can be seen waving at Andrew & Sam below. Speaking of those two, what are they doing atop Ben Bhraggie? Funny story that.
When TBWC offered us this cask of Highland Malt, they asked us what we wanted on the label, and I had a cheeky idea. In 2006 I made my first trip to Scotland, and on that trip, I hiked up Ben Bhraggie, a small mountain (really a foothill by Canadian standards) to see the monument of the infamous Duke. Someone had spraypainted the word "Monster" in neon green at the base. When I was sure no one was looking I dropped trow and relieved myself on it. I sent Sam an email of this tale, my connection to the area and my idea for the label. I was sure it was just a little too edgy...
Minutes later my phone was ringing... it was 3 AM in the UK, but Sam wanted to make sure I had seen his reply. He too had hiked Ben Bhraggie in 2005, and he had also paid his own respects to the infamous Duke of Sutherland...
One last little nugget, Keith, who is a personal trainer and headed to Beijing as a Team Canada Skeleton coach, felt his arm didn't look appropriately burly, in an early draft of the label. So we had the artist, Emily Chappell, 'bugs bunny' his arm... In case it isn't already apparent, nothing is sacred (especially when it comes to The Duke of Sutherland and Keith's pipes)!
And the rest as they say is history. On the back of every bottle, That Boutique-y Whisky Company includes the following text: "We are passionate about great whisky, we don't take ourselves too seriously and we LOVE a good story." No wonder these chaps are such a great fit to work with!
May Clynelish's waxiness never wane!
Rockford Cabernet Rifle Range
$132.99
Rockford Wines features high-quality traditional wines made from some of the best old Barossa vineyards. The winery and cellar door sales are part of a paved courtyard surrounded by stone buildings dating back to the early settlement of Krondorf. Founder and winemaker Robert O'Callaghan is a legend among Aussie winemakers and his wines have had a profound influence on winemaking philosophy and wine style in the Barossa. In addition to the small home vineyard, Rockford works in partnership with several independent wine growers around the Barossa, with vineyards in Kalimna, Ebenezer, Moppa Springs, the Eden Valley and central Barossa. This gives Rockford a wide variety of soil types, mesoclimates and altitudes for its grapes. Many of the vines are planted on their own rootstocks and range between 60–100 years old, giving intense, concentrated grapes that transform the wines. Winemaking is largely done using traditional methods such as basket presses, open-topped concrete fermenters and a 1880s Bagshaw (grape) crusher that was found on site when O'Callaghan purchased the property in the 1970s. This Cabernet is built for the long haul, give it a good decant if you want to drink it now.
Dagueneau Pinot Noir Les Pinottes
$39.99
This branch of the Dagueneau family, headed by father Serge, is based in Saint Andelain and owns 19 hectares of old vineyards across several of the prime sites of the Pouilly Fumé appellation, including three hectares in the nearby appellation of Cotes de la Charite. Today, the estate is run by Serge's daughter Valerie, cousin of the late Didier Dagueneau, with help in the vineyard from Serge. Light and juicy with cherry, raspberry and delicate notes of blackcurrant with roasted and slightly spicy aromas. Gentle tannins and nice acidity, an amazing Burgundy-like wine offering great value.
Carlisle Vineyard Zinfandel
$84.99
In Mike Officer's words:
I started with five gallons of Zinfandel in my kitchen. Over the next several years, I made a barrel of Zinfandel each vintage with the help of some friends and my wife, Kendall Carlisle. The results were encouraging. Kendall and I moved to Santa Rosa in Sonoma County to be closer to the “source”. I found myself increasingly drawn to the old-vine vineyards of Sonoma County. There was something special, even magical, about those ancient, twisted vines with their deep roots and long histories. By 1997 we were producing over 300 cases of “garage” wine, mostly vineyard-designated old-vine Zinfandels, and winning numerous gold medals in amateur competitions. Hence, it was with our meagre savings and some family support that Kendall and I launched Carlisle Winery & Vineyards in 1998, concentrating on our two loves, old-vine Zinfandel and red Rhône varieties (Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, and Petite Sirah). Our goal was simple but ambitious: to create small lots of distinctive, world-class wines from some of California’s most exceptional vineyards. With the belief that great wine begins in the vineyard, we sought out Zinfandel from some of the finest vineyards in the county, planted between 1888 and 1934, including our own vineyard planted in 1927 by Alcide Pelletti. In February of 2001, Jay Maddox, an old college friend who had just finished getting a second degree in viticulture and enology (with honors!) from U.C. Davis, joined Carlisle, bringing a wealth of knowledge, a keen palate, and a desire to produce nothing but the best without compromise. Together, we have been able to grow to nearly 10,000 cases, garnering high praise from wine critics and consumers alike.
Rockford Grenache Mataro Shiraz
$74.99
A soft, spicy blend that captures the rustic heartbeat of the Barossa. Moppa Springs is a place where green vines grow on one side of the fence and ripened wheat on the other. This country can be tough on grapes and vines but in this case, the Grenache, Shiraz, and Mataro give their best.
Rockford Basket Press Shiraz
$139.99
Rockford Wines feature high-quality traditional wines made from some of the best old Barossa vineyards. The winery and cellar door sales are part of a paved courtyard surrounded by stone buildings dating back to the early settlement of Krondorf. Founder and winemaker Robert O'Callaghan is a legend among Aussie winemakers and his wines have had a profound influence on winemaking philosophy and wine style in the Barossa. In addition to the small home vineyard, Rockford works in partnership with several independent wine growers around the Barossa, with vineyards in Kalimna, Ebenezer, Moppa Springs, the Eden Valley and central Barossa. This gives Rockford a wide variety of soil types, mesoclimates and altitudes for its grapes. Many of the vines are planted on their own rootstocks and range between 60–100 years old, giving intense, concentrated grapes that translate into the wines. Winemaking is largely done using traditional methods such as basket presses, open-topped concrete fermenters and a 1880s Bagshaw (grape) crusher that was found on site when O'Callaghan purchased the property in the 1970s. This Shiraz is built for the long haul, give it a good decant if you want to drink it now.
Cadenhead Old Raj Gin 55%
$59.99
Could this be the most amazing gin to hit the Canadian market? We think so! Wine Enthusiast magazine gave it 96 points. It's also exclusive to Kensington Wine Market! Like other premium gins from the UK, Cadenhead is made from a mixture of gin essence (juniper, coriander and angelica) and Scottish grain spirit. What sets it apart from others is twofold: first, saffron, a very rare and costly spice is added to give the gin a spicy flavour; second, the gin is bottled at 55% rather than being watered down to 40%. Old Raj is a premium gin, tailored to the finest tastes!
Carlisle Rossi Ranch Grenache
$72.99
From owner/winemaker Mike Officer: Booyah! We’ve produced some mighty tasty Grenaches in the past (2018, 2016, and 2013 come to mind) but for my palate, none holds a candle to this lip-smackin’ bad boy! It actually transports me back to Châteauneuf-du-Pape, reminding me of some of my favorite 100% (or nearly so) Grenache cuvées grown in safres. Picked October 18th, 20% of the fruit was not destemmed to add a bit of peppery spice to the nose and palate. After an indigenous fermentation and nearly a month on the skins, the wine was pressed to all neutral French oak. It remained unracked and on its lees until bottling. Unfined and unfiltered.
The Rossi Vineyard was originally planted in 1910 by the Rossi family which it takes its name from. The Vineyard lies in the Sonoma Valley and is planted with Zinfandel, Grenache, and other varietals.