Boutique-y Clynelish 20 Year KWM Cask
$164.99
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!
BenRiach 1997 24 Year Cask 14493
$487.49
Bottled exclusively for Alberta, this 24 year old BenRiach was distilled in 1997 and matured in a Bourbon Barrel (#14493) before bottling in 2022 at a cask strength of 56.5%. Selected by Rachel Barrie, only 176 total bottles have been released!
Waterford Biodynamic Luna 1.1
$63.24
This 3 year old Waterford Single Malt is billed as the world's first Biodynamic whisky. The barley was grown on a number of farms and the spirit was matured in a mix of First Fill Ex-Bourbon, Virgin American Oak, Bordeaux, and Vin Doux Naturel casks.
From the Producer
"Eccentric to some, regenerative to others, biodynamic agriculture goes beyond the ordinary ecological mindset. Drawing upon ancient lore of lunar cycles & exotic preparations, it seeks to charge soils with vitality & barley with vibrancy. Practised by the most visionary & curious, we too are intrigued about the most natural flavours we can capture in spirit. For this landmark whisky, distilled from Ireland’s only biodynamic barley, we invoke the goddess of the moon for our most esoteric & evocative bottling."
Composition
35% First Fill ex-Bourbon
17% Virgin American Oak
26% French Wine Barriques
22% Vin Doux Naturel
Waterford The Cuvee
$59.99
Bottled at 50% after 4 1/2 years in a mix of First Fill Ex-Bourbon, Virgin American Oak, Bordeaux, and Vin Doux Naturel casks, The Cuvee is "the "Difinitive Waterford Whisky!"
Producer Description
"We rigorously apply the ancient terroir methodology to today’s verdant landscape of Ireland, home of the world’s finest barley. Now for the first time in single malt whisky – unashamedly inspired by the legendary châteaux of France – we reach the apogee of this radical philosophy.
"Our distillery, the technological marvel we call the Facilitator, enables us to create elite whisky – farm by farm, terroir by terroir. State-of-the-art equipment marries with ancient knowledge, locally grown Irish barley with extended fermentations, unhurried distillation & an array of exceptional oak. It has provided a unique library of Single Farm Origins – each expressing its own identity, its own voice.
"This unprecedented spectrum of flavours must now reach its crescendo: we have celebrated & explored the singles; now we produce our more immersive concept album. For layered together inthis cerebral fusion of flavours, these component Waterford Whiskies come together, culminating in our ultimate experience: textured, complex & compelling.
"The Cuvée, a synthesis of Single Farm Origins, an enigmatic gestalt, a milestone in our journey. The definitive Waterford Whisky. Our LodeStar."
Waterford Arcadian Sr. Organic Gaia 2.1
$60.49
This is the 3rd release we've seen of the Arcadian Series, Organic Gaia. Bottled at 50% after maturing 4 years in a mix of First Fill Ex-Bourbon, Virgin American Oak, Bordeaux, and Vin Doux Naturel casks.
Composition
39% First Fill ex-Bourbon
17% Virgin American Oak
19% ex-Bordeaux
25% Vin Doux Naturel
Paolo Leo Negroamaro
$17.99
Negroamaro is a native variety of Salento. The grape gets its name from the Latin word for black due to its rich ruby colour. Despite its high concentration of tannins and full body, this wine is elegant and well-balanced. Notes of fruit and spice on the finish make this IGP wine great for roasts, cured meats, medium-aged cheese, pizza, and second (or secondi) pasta dishes.
Mont Blanc B de B
$34.29
Vineyard in the clouds
Cave Mont Blanc sits at the base of Mont Blanc in Valle d’Aosta, boasting as the highest vineyards in Europe. Their unwavering dedication extends to cultivating native vines amidst the rugged beauty of the mountains, at altitudes ranging from 900 to 1200 meters above sea level.
Using traditional techniques, they create their distinctive sparkling collection known as 'glacier bubbles' as a tribute to the cold climates they endure. Each year, specific altitude, atmospheric pressure and temperature conditions come together to create the Cuvée des Guides, a sparkling wine made using classic methods, boasting unique and exceptional qualities.
Vinyes Del Terrer Aubert 2018
$29.24
On the stunning Mediterranean coast of Spain just south of Terragona is where you will find the Vinyes del Terrer estate. Made up of nine plots just 20 metres above sea level, what makes this winery so unique is the lumaquela sediment infused into the terroir. Lumaquela is a limestone-based sediment formed over millions of years made of fossilized seashells and calcareous cement. Lumaquela provides rich nutrients to the soil and conveys a deep minerality to Vinyes del Terrer wines. The mild Mediterranean climate and marine terroir combine to make gorgeous wines. Vinyes del Terrer vintages elegantly reflect the mineral character of the land, and provide an intensely fruity bouquet due to the careful ripening of their grapes.
Vinyes del Terrer Blanc
$24.74
On the stunning Mediterranean coast of Spain just south of Tarragona is where you will find the Vinyes del Terrer estate. Made up of nine plots just 20 metres above sea level, what makes this winery so unique is the lumaquela sediment infused into the terroir. Lumaquela is a limestone-based sediment formed over millions of years made of fossilized seashells and calcareous cement. Lumaquela provides rich nutrients to the soil and conveys a deep minerality to Vinyes del Terrer wines. The mild Mediterranean climate and marine terroir combine to make gorgeous wines. Vinyes del Terrer vintages elegantly reflect the mineral character of the land, and provide an intensely fruity bouquet due to the careful ripening of their grapes.