Valfaccenda Roero Arneis
$44.19
Luca Faccenda grew up in the hills of Roero, and his family has been growing grapes in the Valle Faccenda, a small valley between Canale and Cisterna for generations. Today Luca farms five hectares of Arneis and Nebbiolo spread out across several parcels, including a small holding in one of Roero’s great crus, Valmaggiore. Stylistically, he has no desire to emulate the blockbuster wines of his more famous neighbours in the nearby Langhe, well aware that the steep, sandy slopes here have little in common with the rolling hills found south of the Tanaro. Roero produces wines of a different kind which are pretty, perfumed and full of charm. The grape Arneis nearly went extinct and was brought back by a handful of dedicated winemakers in Piedmont who recognized it's potential for making great white wine.
Pinson Chablis 2023
$52.69
In a region so steeped in history (and prehistory) as Chablis, Domaine Pinson stands out, having farmed in this famous village since 1640, making them one of the oldest families in the entire appellation. Today, the domaine is run by the dynamic Charlène Pinson and her father Laurent. They own 14 hectares of the crème de la crème of Chablis terroir, with prime holdings in six premier crus and the grandest cru of them all, Les Clos. This father-daughter team are great stewards of their famed parcels, never using any herbicides or pesticides in the vineyards, and working with organic methods to express these limestone-laden sites. In the cellar, their philosophy is defined by an informed flexibility. Some vineyards are barrel fermented, while others are fermented in tank. Aging sees a variety of vessels, including older barrels and stainless steel; Charlène and Laurent follow no dogma, only using experience to determine the best approach to express their terroir. It is an intuitive process, one which results in a stunning display of intense purity across the Domaine Pinson range, seamlessly marrying the historical grandeur found in Kimmeridgian marl and the noble Chardonnay of Burgundy.
Triennes Les Aureliens Rouge
$25.49
In 1989, two Burgundians, Jacques Seysses, founder of Domaine Dujac, and Aubert de Villaine, two of the greatest winemakers ever to walk the earth, joined by their Parisian friend, Michel Macaux, went in search of new vineyards. Their attention turned to southern France where they were convinced the potential for great wines was enormous. This wine shows the hallmark characteristics of the two blending components, Cabernet-Sauvignon and Syrah. Like biting into a ripe plum, it's juicy and goes with all sorts of dishes. Exceptional value!
La Spinetta Rose Di Casanova
$27.19
In the beginning of the 1960s, Giuseppe Rivetti, nicknamed ‘Pin’, and his wife, Lidia, were both expert and dedicated farmers with enormous appreciation and knowledge for tradition while keeping a curious interest in the future. They exemplified humility, respect, as well as ambition. These are the values that still define the philosophy of La Spinetta. In due course, their children, Carlo, Bruno, Giorgio, and Giovanna, took over the winery reins. They worked to implement the teachings of their parents and were taught to have great respect for the territory, for the indigenous vines and for the Piedmontese land. They now produce wines in Tuscany as well, with great results.
The Maligne Range Tekarra Whisky
$107.99
This whisky first appeared in our 2023 KWM Whisky Calendar, on Day 16. Here is Evan's write-up on the whisky.
You can view a video of Andrew and Bryce talking about the Maligne Range here.
The first core release from the Maligne Range, Tekarra is an unapologetically Canadian whisky, made partially from an Imperial Porter mashbill with Demerara sugar, matured in First Fill ex-Bourbon and Virgin American Oak casks before bottling at 48%.
The whisky was distilled at Last Best Brewing & Distilling in Calgary, though in time the brand's spiritual home will be the Maligne Distillery under construction in Jasper.
Producer Description
"Named after Mount Tekarra in Jasper National Park, this is a whisky of unique depth, with a bold 48% abv. It features a unique grain bill inspired by Imperial Porter (a beer style) that uses a masterful selection of malts - superior pale, crystal, dark crystal, chocolate, and midnight wheat. Rooted in the Canadian one-eleventh rule, Tekarra artfully combines malted barley and the unique addition of Demerara, creating a cascade of flavours."
About The Maligne Range
"The Maligne Range is an independent Canadian malt whisky-maker and blender. We distill small batch whiskies that are the vital essence of our expressions. These highly-flavoured whiskies from unique grain bills are the character actors on our whisky stage. We allow them to age in oak casks for a minimum of 5 years, affected by the capricious Alberta climate. We then blend with an ensemble cast of blending whiskies – some we distill, others are collaborations with renowned Canadian distilleries. The result is a range of Canadian whiskies that blaze new trails into the remote Western Canadian wilderness of possibility.
"The Maligne Range is the result of decades of experience brewing some of Western Canada’s best craft beers. The people who created Jasper Brewing, Banff Ave Brewing, Last Best Brewing & Distilling, and Campio Brewing have built on their experience and passion for craft spirits with this uniquely Canadian whisky brand. Like those breweries, The Maligne Range aspires to become a community cornerstone through the celebration of the craft of making Canadian whisky.
"In late-spring 2024 we will be inviting visitors to our new home in Jasper. The Maligne Range experience centre will be a celebration of Canadian whisky and elevated dining with a unique Jasper twist. Set against the spectacular backdrop of the Athabasca Valley, our guests will discover the full Maligne Range of products including house exclusives, curated cocktails and gastronomy that complete the experience."
Berry's Blended Malt 1999 Cask #1
$213.74
This whisky was featured on Day 24 of our 2024 KWM Not An Advent Calendar Tastings! You can read more about the whisky here.
Who doesn't love a little mystery? This 1999 vintage Blended Malt (BBR #1) has been bottled at 50.1% after maturing roughly 24 years in a Hogshead cask. Exclusive to KWM! This is not our KWM cask, but rather a sister cask.
Shakara 12 Year
$70.19
Fresh and lively. The dynamic attack wavers between flavours of cane sugar, tropical fruits of mango, papaya and fresh figs. Salted butter caramel shines with the perfectly integrated wood.
Bottled at 45.7% abv with no colouring, sugar, additives, or artifice.
Hamilton Jamaica Pot Still Gold
$50.39
This unaged pot still distilled by Worthy Park in Jamaica and bottled by Ed Hamilton's Ministry of Rum gave us notes of butter, grass and sweat, with hints of cream, flowershop, leather, and coconut.
ABV 46.5%
SMWS 78.83 HEATHERY AND LEATHERY
$164.99
HEATHERY AND LEATHERY
This 11 year old from the Highlands spent 8 years in an ex-bourbon hogshead before transfer to a 1st fill HTMC hogshead, and the abv is 57.6%.
Flavour profile: Spicy & sweet
Distilled on: 22 November 2012
Outturn: 265 bottles