Kensington Wine Market

Tasting Schedule

*** FOR IN - STORE TASTINGS: PLEASE SELECT THE PICKUP OPTION - WE DO NOT SEND TICKETS - YOUR NAME IS ADDED TO THE GUEST LIST ***

VIRTUAL TASTING SAMPLES CAN BE PICKED UP OR DELIVERED ( FOR A FEE)

**NOTE** We are now offering Both Virtual and in-store tastings. Virtual tastings will clearly state that above the name of the tasting.

Liquor tasting samples for virtual tastings are typically 15ml each unless otherwise indicated.

We offer Free City Wide Delivery within the Calgary city limits for Orders Over $ 250 ** ONLY if all samples can be delivered at the same time. If you are purchasing multiple events - logistically, we may not be able to have all samples ready to go in one delivery. As you do have the option of picking up your samples, we will deliver as much as we can in the first delivery for free, any subsequent deliveries will be $10.
We can arrange shipping within Alberta for a fee. - packaging and shipping fees apply.
We do Not ship out of the Province.

Please be sure to include a valid email address in your order as we will contact participants a few days before the tasting with instructions on how to participate.

Cancellation Policy:

Registrations can be gifted or transferred - you are welcome to allow someone else to take your place if you cannot take part in the tasting.
- For virtual tastings you will need to arrange getting them the samples if you have already received them, You are also responsible to send them the link for the tasting as it will be emailed to the purchaser.
- For in person events, You would need to give us their name for the list if you are not attending.

Tastings are non refundable – For both virtual and In Person events, you will receive a ** store credit for the value if you cancel more than 48 hours in advance of the event. *** PLEASE NOTE: Larger group cancellations (3 or more) for in store tastings require the cancellation request be submitted a minimum of 4 days prior to the tasting for a store credit to be applied.
Due to the logistics of pickup and delivery of samples for virtual , cancellations will not be considered within 7 days of the tasting,** or if you have already received the tastings samples. Once delivered or picked up, we cannot take the tasting bottles back.
Store Credits can be used for anything KWM sells - you do not have to use them specifically for tastings.

Tastings typically start at 7:00 pm unless otherwise noted. Please make sure you are aware of the start time.
We encourage participants to drink responsibly.

April 2024

Virtual Tasting
Compass Box Curiosities & a New KWM Cask

April 23, 2024
7 PM
$40.00

THIS IS A VIRTUAL TASTING

KWM's 5th Compass Box Marrying Cask is landing soon, so we have convinced Scott Eliis to join us remotely for another virtual session. The range will include three versions of the Glasgow Blend, two of which were bottle for KWM. We will also be featuring a couple of very limited new releases, Metropolis from the Extinct Blends Quarter, as well as Art & Decadence. How limited are these two, well they are so limited that we have decided to hold 4 bottles of each back, to offer them for sale to tasting participants! Because we always do at least 7 whiskies, we are rounding out the lineup with the superb new Flaming Heart, and a blast from the past, Juveniles!

** Samples are ready!

Tuesday, April 23rd @ 7 PM

Seats Remaining: 2

Virtual Tasting
Crazy About Craigellachie

April 25, 2024
7 PM
$45.00

THIS IS A VIRTUAL TASTING

We love ourselves some Craigellachie at KWM, and there is a decent selection of it in the market right now. So it seemed like an appropriate time to sample a wee selection of them... the only thing is, it isn't so wee a selection... sometimes less is not always more... but we had to draw a line somewhere, so we capped the range at 8! We'll sample the distillery-bottled 13 and 17 year olds, a trio of Craigellachie independent bottlings from the early 2000s, and three others aged 10-15 years. We think you'll leave this tasting feeling crazy for Craigellachie too!

Thursday, April 25th @ 7 PM

*TASTING KITS ARE READY FOR PICKUP!*

Seats Remaining: 5

Wine and Pizza Pairings with Nataliia & Stan

April 26, 2024
7 PM
KWM
$50.00

The best thing you can do with grapes is make wine, so making pizza must be the best thing you can do with dough, cheese, and sauce. Right? Having a glass in one hand still leaves one hand free to hold a slice, and having both at once is probably what Italians had in mind with the term La Dolce Vita. Join us for a sip (and bite) of The Sweet Life on Friday, April 26th at 7 PM!

Seats Remaining: 4

The Saturday Sake Tasting with Bernard & Eli

April 27, 2024
7 PM
KWM
$30.00

This intro to Sake tasting is for those who are interested in exploring the world of sake, a traditional Japanese rice wine. Participants will learn about some of the history, production methods, and varieties of sake, as well as the proper techniques for tasting and appreciating this unique beverage.

Saturday, April 27th @ 7PM

Seats Remaining: 1

Virtual Tasting
New GlenAllachie Pt.2 - Classic Speyside

April 30, 2024
7 PM
$35.00

THIS IS A VIRTUAL TASTING

For the second of our New GlenAllachie tastings, James and Andrew will be showcasing two new single casks, both from 2011 and bottled for Canada, and a trio of 10 Year Cask Strength bottlings (batches 8, 9, and 10). To round out the range we will also be sampling the 15 Year, and 21 Year Cask Strength Batch 4. KWM is receiving but four bottles of this last whisky, and accordingly, we will only offering it for sale by ballot, to tasting participants.

Tuesday, April 30th @ 7 PM

TASTING KITS ARE READY FOR PICKUP

Seats Remaining: 1

May 2024

Virtual Tasting
SMWS May 2024 Virtual Outturn

May 1, 2024
7 PM
$50.00

THIS IS A VIRTUAL TASTING

Log in, pour your drams and join us from home, the cabin, a cruise ship, another country, or work... for the May 2024 Scotch Malt Whisky Society Canada Virtual Outturn Tasting. The KWM team will be your guide as you sample through an exciting range of 7 new SMWS bottlings...

Wednesday, May 1 @ 7 PM

Seats Remaining: 16

SMWS May 2024 In-Person Outturn 6PM

May 2, 2024
6 PM
KWM
$55.00

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society Canada’s May 2024 Outturn tasting will feature 7 new SMWS bottlings... The range will be the same as the virtual tasting the night before but will also include nibbles from our friends at Peasant Cheese and the camaraderie that can only come from 18 SMWS Members in our tasting room. Please note: we will not be holding back stock of the Outturn bottles specifically to purchase for this in-person tasting, though there are usually bottles of most whiskies still available.

Thursday, May 2nd @ 6 PM

Seats Remaining: 7

SMWS May 2024 In-Person Outturn 8PM

May 2, 2024
8 PM
KWM
$55.00

Mezcal and Cookies - Smoky Meets Sweet with Harmony

May 3, 2024
7 PM
KWM
$40.00

When you think about what pairs well with agave spirits, cookies might not be the first thing to come to mind. But cookies pair with everything! For this tasting, we are pairing a range of Mezcal with cookies made by the great Beth Havers - AKA Aunt Beth Bakes. Aunt Beth has infused her love for spirits and whisky - along with actual whisky - into the cookies her company creates. We know these cookies work well with whisky, so why not Mezcal?

Friday, May 3rd @ 7 PM

Seats Remaining: 9

Virtual Tasting
High West Distillery Virtual Tasting with High West and Harmony

May 7, 2024
7 PM
$30.00

THIS IS A VIRTUAL TASTING

Straight outta Utah. It might surprise you that this state is the location of one of the best whiskey makers and blenders in the USA, but it is! High West Distillery has been operating in Park City, Utah since 2007 and has been responsible for many fantastic bottlings of Bourbon, Rye, and more ever since. Join us and High West virtually as we tour through their whisky lineup (including the Midwinter Night's Dram). Maybe we will get a virtual peak at their distillery along the way, too!

This tasting will include samples of, High West Rendezvous Rye, Double Rye, Bourbon, Campfire, High Country Single Malt, A Midwinter Night's Dram, and the highly sought-after High West Cask Collection Rum Finish.

A few bottles of Midwinter and the Cask Collection Rum Finish will be made available for purchase only to those who purchase a tasting kit.

Tuesday, May 7th @ 7PM

TASTING KITS ARE READY FOR PICKUP

Seats Remaining: 10

32nd Birthday Wine Festival & Sale

May 9, 2024
7 PM - 9 PM
KWM
$50.00

We are marking KWM's 32nd trip around the sun with a wine festival to kick off our Birthday Sale Weekend! We will be cracking at least 50 of our favourite exclusive wines. And do not worry - there will also be cheese, charcuterie and appetizers from our neighbours - Peasant Cheese!

Thursday, May 9th from 7 PM to 9 PM

Seats Remaining: 15

Torabhaig Distillery with Bruce Perry

May 10, 2024
7 PM
KWM
$25.00

When Torabhaig Distillery opened in 2016, it was only the second distillery on the Isle of Skye... it even forced Talisker to change its branding to the "Oldest (formerly Only) Distillery on the Isle of Skye"! The distillery uses heavily peated malt, and employs long fermentations, to create a smoky, citrusy spirit, what the producers call well-tempered peat! We will be sampling two expressions of Torabhaig, plus two expressions each from Mossburn Distillers (the parent company), and Caisteal Chamuis, a Blended Malt named for a ruined castle in front of the distillery. Our guide to the whisky, and the distillery's vision will be Bruce Perry & Anna Kruggel. Join us to find out why Torabhaig is turning heads!

Friday, May 10 @ 7 PM

Seats Remaining: 6

G&M KWM Casks Launch with Richard Urquhart

May 14, 2024
7 PM
ZOOM / FACEBOOK
$60.00

THIS IS A VIRTUAL TASTING

WE HAVE ADDED SPACE TO THIS TASTING - In addition to being an all-around great guy, Richard Urquhart is also a trooper... he's going to get up at 2 AM UK time to help us mark the launch of our latest KWM exclusive casks from Gordon & MacPhail. We are launching a gorgeous new Ardmore 25 Year, and a dumpy sherried Glentauchers 22 Year, but that is not all... we will also be sampling a pair of new G&M Islay single casks bottled exclusively for Canada. We are rounding out the range with a 1988 Tomatin, our recently arrived Glentauchers 2006 KWM Cask, and a Dailuaine 2009 bottled for the Whisky Explorer Society.

Tuesday, May 14 @ 7 PM (2 AM Wednesday in the UK!)

Seats Remaining: 27

KWM's 32nd Birthday Whisky Festival

May 16, 2024
7 PM - 9 PM
KWM
$50.00

As we do every year, we're celebrating our birthday with an in-store whisky festival. Participants will have the opportunity to sample from a range of around 100 Single Malts, Blends, Bourbons, Ryes and other whisky styles. There will be some really big deals too... as the festival is just days after our Annual Birthday Sale. All this as well as food from our neighbour Peasant, and a KWM logo glass for you to take home as a keepsake!

Until we come up with something better, enjoy this AI-generated image: "an oil painting of scots in kilts on their way to an Islay whisky distillery in a boat carrying casks of whisky in stormy seas, in the heroic style of George Washington crossing the Delaware by Emanuel Leutze"

Is it just me, or does the guy 2nd from the left vaguely resemble Andrew?

Thursday, May 16th from 7 PM to 9 PM

Seats Remaining: 11

Singling Out Signatory Sherry Casks

May 21, 2024
7 PM
ZOOM / FACEBOOK
$120.00

THIS IS A VIRTUAL TASTINGv

Yes, this tasting is a bit pricey... but not when you consider it includes two 1st Fill Sherry Cask, cask-strength Macallans: an 18, and a 25-year-old... and that is just for starters. There is also a cask-strength Highland Park 18 Year, a 28-year-old Glenrothes from the Symington's Choice range, and three other single malts. And everything was matured in First Fill Oloroso Sherry. If that doesn't tempt you, we're not sure what will!

Tuesday, May 21st @ 7 PM

Seats Remaining: 12

Lochlea Distillery - 5 Years & Counting with John Campbell

May 24, 2024
5 PM
ZOOM / FACEBOOK
$25.00

THIS IS A VIRTUAL TASTING

Almost no one knew about Lochlea Distillery until they were nearly ready to release their first whisky. That they were able to build and operate a distillery for nearly 3 years, almost completely under the radar, was quite a feat. Two years on from their first release, the distillery has a new 5-year-old single malt, and we'll be sampling it along with 6 other Lochlea expressions. Barely more than 50 bottles of the Lochlea 5 Year are coming to Alberta, and our allocation is only a small fraction of that. We will be giving participants in this tasting a first crack at the bottles!

Friday, May 24 @ 5 PM

Seats Remaining: 31

Gin is In with Harmony

May 24, 2024
7 PM
KWM
$25.00

Gin has gone by many names over the centuries: Mother's Milk, White Satin, Strip Me Naked, Dutch Courage, Ladies Delight and Royal Poverty are just a few of the best. You can make gin with practically any flavouring or botanical. It is akin to a blank canvas begging for paint. The spirit has gone through something of a 'gin-aissance' in the last decade, and there is much to choose from. We'll guide you through some of our favourites both new-school and old. The gin is in... are you?

Friday, May 24th @ 7PM

Seats Remaining: 6

Glen Garioch Glen Rothes... Whisky is for Closers!

May 28, 2024
7 PM
ZOOM / FACEBOOK
$75.00

THIS IS A VIRTUAL TASTING

'When you die, you are going to regret the things you don't do'... don't let one of those things be this tasting! We have assembled an assortment of 7 Glen Garioch expressions, 4 of them official bottlings, and three of them independent. We have topped off the range with a single bottling of Glenrothes, just so we could give this tasting its name. One of KWM's mottos is ABC... Always Be Clever... or at least laugh at your own jokes!

Tuesday, May 28th @ 7PM

TASTING KITS ARE READY FOR PICKUP

Seats Remaining: 27

Feis Isle: The KWM Islay Whisky Festival

May 30, 2024
7 PM - 9 PM
KWM
$60.00

'You don't need ferries, you don't need planes, you don't need to sleep in a tent on the beach or line up for bottles in the rain...' At the suggestion of one of our industry friends, this year's KWM Islay Whisky Festival is being held during the actual Feis Isle on Islay. We'll be cracking as many Islay malts as we can, as well as some Islayternatives (trademark the Scotch Guy!) all in the name of peat and Scottish West Coast culture. The price includes a KWM logo glass, a chance to sample from 100 odd whiskies and some delicious bites from our neighbour Peasant Cheese. There will also be a few bottles available by ballot!

Thursday, May 30 from 7 PM to 9 PM

Seats Remaining: 12

Cheese Please: Mix & Matchup

May 31, 2024
7 PM
KWM
$50.00

KWM and Peasant Cheese clash once more! Join us for an interactive cheese and wine showdown. There will be 6 cheeses paired against 6 wines. Neither will know what the other is bringing to the table. Round 1: Michelle will present a cheese and Marnie will match a wine to it. Round 2: Marnie will present a wine and Michelle will match a cheese to it. The challenge will go back and forth for 6 rounds total. At the end, you can weigh in and declare your favourite match-up of the night.

Friday, May 31st @ 7 PM

Seats Remaining: 8

June 2024

Ardbeg Day 2024 - Master Class 1 - 11AM

June 1, 2024
11AM
KWM
$35.00

North America's First Ardbeg Embassy, KWM, will be marking Ardbeg Day as we do every year, with a pair of back to back Master Classes at the shop, ahead of the main Ardbeg Day festivities. We can't tell you about this year's Ardbeg Day release just yet, but it will be featured, along with 5 other Ardbeg releases including Ardbeg 10 Year, Anthology 13 Year, Anamorphic, Heavy Vapours, and one more to be determined bottling.

11AM to Noon - Saturday, June 1

Seats Remaining: 11

Ardbeg Day 2024 @KWM Master Class 2 1PM

June 1, 2024
1PM
KWM
$35.00

North America's First Ardbeg Embassy, KWM, will be marking Ardbeg Day as we do every year, with a pair of back to back Master Classes at the shop, ahead of the main Ardbeg Day festivities. We can't tell you about this year's Ardbeg Day release just yet, but it will be featured, along with 5 other Ardbeg releases including Ardbeg 10 Year, Anthology 13 Year, Anamorphic, Heavy Vapours, and one more to be determined bottling.

1PM to 2PM - Saturday, June 1

Seats Remaining: 1

Virtual Tasting
More Cooper's Choice Curiosities

June 4, 2024
7 PM
$40.00

THIS IS A VIRTUAL TASTING

You asked for it, you got it... we do listen! We have a range of 8 whiskies from the Cooper's Choice range selected for this one, Aberfeldy 7 Year, Ardmore 2003, Bunnahabhain Smoking Sherry Beast, Campbeltown Blended Malt, Caol Ila 14 Year, Caol Ila Smoking Blackberries, Highland Park Heather Smoke, and Strathclyde 1993.

Tuesday, June 4, 7 PM

TASTING KITS ARE READY FOR PICKUP

Seats Remaining: 33

Cheese Please: Beer Edition

June 7, 2024
7 PM
KWM
$30.00

If you think wine and cheese make the perfect match, think again! Beer is cheese's true soul mate. Join Elijah in an exploration of different beer styles along with the cheese that will make them tick.

Friday, June 7th @ 7 PM

Seats Remaining: 12

Judging A Wine By Its Label - The How To Guide

June 8, 2024
5 PM
KWM IN STORE
$30.00

Reading a wine label can be a lot like trying to work your way through an escape room solo. You have no idea what information is relevant and there is nobody to ask for help. Worst of all, it seems like most of the clues are in a different language! Luckily. Nataliia is here to help you decode some of the mystery found on wine labels. Plus, sampling wine while reading the labels will surely help us all crack the code!

Saturday, June 8th @ 5 PM

Seats Remaining: 8

Virtual Tasting
Benromach Single Casks, a New Contrast, & Two 40 Year Olds!

June 11, 2024
7 PM
$125.00

THIS IS A VIRTUAL TASTING

Fancy a lineup of 8 Benromachs, never before featured in a KWM tasting... we thought you might. For this one we will be sampling 5 single casks, from 2002, 2003, 2011, and 2013 (two), as well as the new Contrasts Bordeaux, and not one but two different bottlings of Benromach Aged 40 Years. You won't want to miss this incredible lineup or our special guest. Andrew will be joined by not only James Bornn but also Adam Bradshaw of The Strath in Victoria!

Tuesday, June 11, 7 PM

Seats Remaining: 25

SMOS Reserve Casks - Scotland in 7 Malts

June 13, 2024
7 PM
KWM
$30.00

The Reserve Casks, from Single Malts of Scotland, are some of the best value independent bottlings around, and the liquid never disappoints. Harmony has selected 7 of the whiskies for a virtual tour of Scotland: Ben Nevis 10 Year, Benrinnes 12 Year, Caol Ila 8 Year, Glen Elgin 13 Year, Glen Garioch 10 Year, A Lowland Distillery 13 Year, and An Orkney 11 Year. This lineup will cover all flavour profiles while taking your palate on a tour of the Highlands, Islands, Islay, Speyside, and the Lowland.

Thursday, June 13, 7 PM

Seats Remaining: 15

Podere Forte: Not to be missed

June 15, 2024
5 PM
KWM
$60.00

You may not have heard of Podere Forte's wines but they are carving out quite a name for themselves with a range of Sangiovese-based wines that can rival Tucsany's best, and that includes Brunello di Montalcino. The Val d’Orcia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2004, encircles the Podere Forte winery and vineyards and wines are certified biodynamic. We will taste the full range of five wines, including the Guardiavigne, Melo and Anfiteatro ($275 per bottle), this special tasting is limited to 12 persons due to the cost of the wines.

Saturday, June 15th @ 5 PM

Seats Remaining: 12

Intro to Wine with Eli

June 22, 2024
5 PM
KWM
$30.00

Have you ever been into a liquor store and felt completely overwhelmed and confused by the selection? Have you ever been to a dinner party and had no idea what people were talking about when it comes to the wine? Ripasso? Traditional Method? Carbonic Maceration? What do all these things mean?

WELL, Elijah has the tasting for you! In this Intro to Wine course, Eli will show all the essentials you'll need to begin understanding the hows and the whys of the wine world without getting overwhelmed. And you'll get to drink some good vino while you're at it!

Saturday, June 22nd @ 5 PM

Seats Remaining: 12

The Stan Is Finished WSET Diploma Tasting

June 25, 2024
7 PM
KWM IN STORE
$50.00

Will he pass with flying colours or crash and burn? No matter what happens Stan will be ready for a drink and is committing to this tasting. He will either start the tasting off with a celebratory pour of Champagne or drown his tears with something stronger. Join Stan for some social tasting of some of his favourite discoveries over his past few years of wine indoctrination - I mean education. He is going to need the company!

Tuesday, June 25th @ 7 PM

Seats Remaining: 12

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