Malmonster weighs in on two drams exclusive to the Calgary market (or as far as can be muled or shipped). Great whisky at great shops. I would recommend moving quickly if you hope to get your hands on these.
SMACKDOWN
MANZANILLA vs. MANZANILLA
“THE RUMBLE IN THE ROCKIES”
Two exclusive Manzanilla Sherry cask 12 year old single malt Scotch whisky bottlings for * (CCCUFS) Calgary from Springbank & Bruichladdich.
A little background for the benefit of the great unwashed. Sherry is a fortified wine made from white grapes in Spain. Fino is variety of Sherry that is very dry and pale as a Canadian after a long winter. Manzanilla is a very light variety of the Fino Sherry. Quality used Manzanilla Sherry casks are something that the accountants weep over because of the price. Accounts are not well loved by most master distillers.
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The contender Tommy Dreamer aka “Pretty Boy” for SPRINGBANK
Distilled 1996 – Bottled 2008 56.4% ABV Cask # 258 Manzanilla 12 Year old. Limited to 594 bottles. Bottled exclusively for Kensington Wine Market in Calgary.
NOSE: Burnt sugar, spicy Partagas cigar, nutmeg.
TASTE: Chewy vibrant spice, chocolate cake, almonds.
FINISH: Long and warm, but very smooooooth.
ASSESSMENT: Great stuff. The people that helped choose this cask did a great job and should be consulted for any future cask selection.
Kensington's 1996 Springbank
The upstart Fit Finlay aka “The Belfast Bruiser” for BRUICHLADDICH
Distilled 1998 – Bottled 2010 55.8% ABV Manzanilla cask. Limited to 240 bottles. Bottled exclusively for Willow Park Wines & Spirits Calgary
NOSE: Banana custard, chocolate fudge, honey. There is way more here than I have described, may need some help on this one.
TASTE: Creamy cappuccino, marzipan, orange peel.
FINISH: Long and sensuous.
ASSESSMENT: This will set your heart a-bubblin, on the rocky road to Dublin. One of the best and most interesting sherry casks I’ve tasted from Bruichladdich.
Willow Park's Bruichladdich
* CCUFS: Calgary Current Center of the Universe For Scotch
– MM
All Things Whisky 