DUNCAN TAYLOR SCOTCH WHISKY

LAUNCH FIRST MIZUNARA OCTAVE CASK

Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky has further expanded its award-winning Octave portfolio, with the introduction of its first-ever Mizunara oak cask finish.  The launch marks another milestone in the company’s continued innovation within this range.

Directly sourced from Japan, the rare Mizunara oak cask was chosen to finish a triple-distilled Auchentoshan single malt over an initial four-month maturation period. The result is a distinctive Octave whisky that showcases the unique influence of this highly prized Japanese oak.

Ian Logan, Senior Spirits Manager at Duncan Taylor, said:  “The ongoing success of our Octave range gave us the opportunity to push the boundaries and experiment with new cask finishes. Auchentoshan’s lighter, triple-distilled spirit, allowed the Mizunara oak to fully express its natural character and the results far exceeded our expectations.”

The Mizunara cask arrived at Duncan Taylor’s headquarters in Huntly, Aberdeenshire, in March after being exported directly from Japan. Although Mizunara is renowned for being one of the most challenging oak species to work with due to its porous nature, it is equally celebrated for producing exceptionally elegant and complex whisky finishes.

Distilled in October 2011, the Auchentoshan matured for 14 years before spending four months in the Mizunara octave. Bottled at 52.1% ABV, the whisky has developed a rich and distinctive flavour profile.

Before octavation, the whisky displayed notes of vanilla yoghurt, honey, ginger, gentle citrus and soft spice. Following its time in the Mizunara octave, those flavours evolved into creamy rice pudding, golden syrup, mandarin, cedarwood and a lingering ginger warmth.

Logan added:  “We started experimenting for this project and the Auchentoshan quickly stood out as the ideal match for the style of the cask. The transformation has been remarkable and we’re delighted with the outcome. This is just the beginning of our exploration with Mizunara and we’re excited to see what other spirit styles work equally well with this exceptional wood.”

To mark the release, Duncan Taylor collaborated with Japanese photographer Kato Shu (FRPS) to capture the bottle alongside a Mizunara oak in an ancient forest at the foothills of Mount Fuji. While much of Japan’s native woodland has changed since the Edo period, this remarkable landscape remains home to towering Mizunara oaks, some more than 300 years old, which continue to thrive against the odds.

The Octave Mizunara finish has yielded just 76 bottles, making it an exceptionally limited release. It will be available exclusively through The Spirits Embassy, priced at £125.

There is more to come from Duncan Taylor’s innovative Octave range, not just with Mizunara casks but also further experimental finishes and new wood types are already in development and will be released later in the year.

HISTORY OF DUNCAN TAYLOR SCOTCH WHISKY 

Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky is an independently owned scotch whisky specialist which was established as a cask broker and trading company on May 27^th, 1938.

Nearly 90 years after the company was first registered, Duncan Taylor is recognised on the global stage as one of the most innovative and dynamic whisky companies.  The company’s devotion to the principles of providing exceptional casks for filling at the finest distilleries, has been a key feature of its history.

The multi-award-winning company has built a reputation for its ownership of one of the largest privately held collections of some of the world’s most sought after vintage and rare whiskies and it continues to act as a reputable whisky merchant, blender, bottler and cask broker.

Today, the company sits on the periphery of Speyside, in the heart of scenic Huntly, Scotland, where it has its own facilities of a cooperage, cask storage, blending and bottling hall.  It also owns The Bank Restaurant & Café, The Club Room and Whiskies of Scotland shop all located in the Aberdeenshire town centre, close to its headquarters.

Its award-winning portfolio of brands includes Black Bull® Whisky, The Octave®, The Rarest®, Tantalus, and Dimensions®, among others. Find out more at https://www.duncantaylor.com/.

Introducing the Glenfarclas Family Cask 2011: A New Vintage Unveiled

We are delighted to announce the launch of our 2011 vintage, the latest addition to the exclusive Family Cask Collection. Selected during the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival, this exceptional single cask release has been matured in a first-fill Oloroso Sherry Hogshead and bottled at its natural cask strength of 59.8% ABV.

With just 276 bottles available worldwide, this is an extremely limited release that offers whisky enthusiasts and collectors the opportunity to own a unique piece of Glenfarclas history.

The Family Cask Collection is believed to be the largest consecutive collection of Scotch whisky in the world, with 59 vintages from 1952 through to 2011. This remarkable collection showcases a diverse range of cask types, fills, production methods and ages, with each bottle representing a distinct moment in time. Together, they provide a unique insight into the history, craftsmanship and character of Glenfarclas, creating whiskies that can be enjoyed and admired for generations to come.

This very limited release is now available to purchase from our Visitor Centre and will also be available through selected local retailers around the world.

For more information about Glenfarclas and our award-winning whiskies, please visit www.glenfarclas.com

Macallan Cask #601648 Macallan 30 Year Old 1993 Murray McDavid ULTRA

£3,432.95

Macallan 30 Year Old 1993 is an extraordinarily rare and luxurious Speyside single malt Scotch whisky, bottled by Murray McDavid for the prestigious ULTRA series. Macallan 30 Year Old 1993 is an extraordinarily rare and luxurious Speyside single malt Scotch whisky, bottled by Murray McDavid for the prestigious ULTRA series. Distilled on 7th December 1993 and bottled on 19th February 2024, this exceptional whisky spent more than three decades maturing in single cask #601648, quietly evolving within Scotland’s atmospheric Victorian warehouses. Bottled at an elegant 43.3% ABV, it represents the pinnacle of long-aged Scotch whisky craftsmanship.

The Murray McDavid ULTRA collection is reserved for exceptionally mature whiskies where time itself becomes a defining ingredient. Three decades of careful maturation have created a whisky of remarkable refinement, complexity, and balance. Rich honeycomb sweetness, creamy malt sugars, dried fruits, polished oak, and gentle spice intertwine seamlessly, showcasing the extraordinary elegance that has made Macallan one of the world’s most sought-after single malt distilleries.

• 30 year old Speyside single malt Scotch whisky from Macallan
• Distilled 7 December 1993, bottled 19 February 2024
• Matured in single cask #601648
• Bottled at 43.3% ABV
• Part of the prestigious Murray McDavid ULTRA series
• An exceptionally mature whisky showcasing the influence of time and traditional warehouse ageing

The Macallan 30 Year Old 1993 Murray McDavid ULTRA is a masterpiece of mature Scotch whisky, delivering extraordinary elegance, complexity, and depth after three decades of patient ageing. Rich with honeyed sweetness, baking spices, chocolate, and delicate sherry influence, it is a truly remarkable whisky for collectors and connoisseurs seeking a rare vintage Macallan experience.

Nose Fresh honeycomb, sweet toffee, creamy barley sugars, and ripe fig with hints of pastry, polished oak, and soft spice.

Palate Silky and indulgent, revealing flavours of milk chocolate, cinnamon, nutmeg, dried fruits, coffee notes, and warming ginger biscuits.

Finish Long and satisfying, with lingering sweet sherry richness, gentle spice, mature oak, and elegant sweetness.

The Macallan Distillery, founded by Alexander Reid in 1824 as Elchies Distillery near Easter Elchies House—a site dating back to 1700—is a prestigious Speyside malt whisky distillery. Re-commissioned in 2008, the distillery now operates with two still houses housing twenty-one copper stills. A new state-of-the-art facility is under construction, expanding capacity to thirty-one stills and solidifying Macallan’s position among the top whisky producers by volume. On-site maturation occurs in traditional dunnage warehouses and modern large warehouses on the estate. Renowned for its exquisite single malts, popular releases include the Macallan 18 Year Old and the Macallan 30 Year Old.

Midleton Very Rare 2026 Edition Irish Whiskey 70cl · 40% ABV

The 2026 vintage is composed from five distinct distillate styles, including a specially selected grain whiskey produced from a mash bill of barley and malted barley. This component contributes additional sweetness, floral character and complexity while complementing the richer texture and characteristic spice of the pot still whiskeys. The result is an elegant and finely balanced blend that retains the polished, fruit-led style for which Midleton Very Rare has become renowned.

Maturation in American oak brings vanilla, soft tannins, toffee and gentle wood spice, framing vibrant notes of citrus, apricot and orchard fruit. Bottled at 40% ABV, the whiskey delivers a smooth, coating texture with enough depth and structure to reward slow sipping, while its freshness makes the flavours immediately approachable.

Each Midleton Very Rare release is produced as an individual annual vintage, with its own carefully judged combination of mature pot still and grain whiskeys. The 2026 Edition therefore holds particular appeal both as a refined Irish whiskey to enjoy and as a collectable bottle for those building a vertical collection of Midleton Very Rare vintages. Presented in its ornate original gift box, it also makes an impressive gift for an Irish whiskey enthusiast or collector.

JOIN OUR WHISKY CLUB…

A fan of Murray McDavid?

Want to be part of an exclusive whisky community? Join our Murray McDavid Whisky Club for  a look behind the scenes and opportunities to join in with unique tasting sessions.

Douglas Laing & Co. Continues Strathearn’s Evolution with the Launch of Batch 03

Independent Scotch Whisky specialist Douglas Laing & Co. proudly unveils Strathearn Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky Batch 03, the latest small batch release from one of Scotland’s smallest traditional distilleries.

Continuing the distillery’s journey of refining its distinctive Highland Single Malt, Batch 03 builds upon the foundations laid by its predecessors while introducing a richer, more indulgent interpretation of Strathearn’s evolving house style. Remaining faithful to the distillery’s signature cask recipe of ex-Bourbon, Virgin Oak and ex-Sherry Oak casks, this latest release places a greater emphasis on Sherry Oak maturation, adding further depth and richness to Strathearn’s naturally characterful spirit.

Comprising a vatting of 31 carefully selected casks, Batch 03 draws upon both inherited stocks and spirit distilled under Douglas Laing’s ownership, demonstrating the continued development of the team’s understanding of Strathearn’s unique spirit character.

On the nose, rich aromas of toasted malt and barley sugar are complemented by dark honey and warming spices. The palate delivers layers of buttery biscuit sweetness, chocolate and toffee before a long finish of oak, cocoa and soft leather leaves a lasting impression. Bottled at 50% ABV, with no colouring and no chill-filtration, Batch 03 continues Douglas Laing’s commitment to presenting whisky as the distiller intended.

Every production shift at Strathearn Distillery continues to produce just a single cask of whisky, reflecting the meticulous small-batch approach that has become synonymous with the Perthshire distillery. Crafted by a dedicated team of three distillers using Maris Otter Malt, Strathearn remains focused on producing a rich, creamy Highland Single Malt that balances tradition with innovation, while never compromising on quality.

Presented in Strathearn’s distinctive bespoke acorn bottle and premium packaging, Batch 03 proudly continues the distillery’s philosophy that “From small acorns, great oaks grow.”

Angela Brown, Lead Distiller at Strathearn, comments:

“Every batch is an opportunity to better understand and refine Strathearn’s unique spirit. With Batch 03, we’ve carefully increased the influence of our Sherry casks to add further richness and complexity, while ensuring the distillery’s signature creamy character remains at the forefront. It’s a whisky that balances tradition with progression, showcasing the quality of our spirit and the thoughtful approach we take to every stage of the maturation process.”

Strathearn Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky Batch 03 is now available at select retailers, whisky specialists and online at a suggested RSP of £65.00.

If you cast your mind back to the most basic parts of whisky-making you’ll know that Scotch whisky can only be matured in oak casks. Ergo, no oak, no whisky. But if you’ve ever looked at the cask types in our Outturns, you’ll notice there are quite a few to choose from.

This month sees SMWS Canada’s first appearance of a Cabernet Sauvignon cask, and the Society’s first ever whisky to have spent time in ex-Mezcal casks. It’s time to get into the wood stuff.

We’re continuing with the roll out of the Society’s new flavour profiles. The original twelve flavour profiles have evolved into eight mouthwatering categories – each with a new name, colour and character. This is a refinement and a refocus on flavour based on our historical archive of Tasting Notes and member feedback. Discover more here.

More of the new profiles will be introduced over time as we slowly retire the old profiles.

PEACHY KEEN

CASK NO. 113.86

AGE:  15 years

PROFILE:  Sweet & zesty

CASK:  2nd fill Cabernet Sauvignon hogshead

BREAKFAST, BUT MOSTLY DESSERT

CASK NO. 9.278

AGE:  19 years

PROFILE:  Juicy, oak & vanilla

CASK:  1st fill ex-bourbon barrel

BRIGHT AND CHEERFUL

CASK NO. 122.83

AGE:  11 years

PROFILE:  Ripe, fruits & honey

CASK:  2nd fill ex-bourbon barrel

CHERRY MAKE MERRY

CASK NO. 24.184

AGE:  16 years

PROFILE:  Deep, rich & dried fruits

CASK:  2nd fill Pedro Ximenez hogshead

SMOULDERING MOJO

DETAILS

AGE:  10 years

PROFILE:  Peated blended malt

CASKS:  Mezcal, bourbon & oloroso barriques, barrels & quarter casks

IN THE STEAM TRAIN DRIVER’S CAB

CASK NO. 16.99

AGE:  12 years

PROFILE:  Smoky & fruity

CASK:  2nd fill oloroso hogshead

BROWSE AUGUST OUTTURN HERE

RE-VISIT JULY OUTTURN HERE

VIEW ALL BOTTLINGS

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society Canada
Suite 160
104 – 1240 Kensington Road NW
Calgary, AB T2N 3P7
403-969-8225
curious@smws.ca
www.smws.ca

THE MACALLAN HARMONY COLLECTION

We are delighted to introduce the sixth and final release in The Macallan Harmony Collection, Inspired by Fresh Coconut and Inspired by Toasted Coconut. These single malts are inspired by coconut; a note rarely present in The Macallan, brought forward through precise cask selection and maturation expertise. By drawing out these unique flavour notes, the Whisky Mastery Team has created two distinct whiskies defined by balance, complexity and natural character.

DISCOVER THE COLLECTION

THE MACALLAN COCONUT DREAMS

Spend time with us at The Macallan Coconut Dreams at The Macallan Estate, as we celebrate the final release in The Macallan Harmony Collection. This unique beach-inspired outdoor space invites guests to discover a series of tropical serves and sweet pairings, crafted by one of the world’s most innovative pastry chefs, Jordi Roca, served in collaboration with TimeSpirit. Open from 6 August – 27 September 2026 on select dates and times, subject to availability and weather conditions.

BOOK

Our newest Creators Collection, Elgin Marvels: Icons from Speyside presents two whiskies from the same town with two very different creation stories.

At 33 years of age, Cask No. 7.286: Fruit bomb frieze has been matured in a refill bourbon hogshead for the entirety of its creation. By contrast, Cask No. 35.405: Statuesque elegance has had a more complex journey – long before it ever arrived with the Tasting Panel.

The result is two whiskies that are united not only by their lengthy maturation but also by their intense fruitiness. Together they emphasise the diversity that can come from one small corner of Speyside.

Get into the Elgin Marvels tomorrow, Wednesday, 19 August at 9am UK time.

DISCOVER THE COLLECTION

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, The Vaults, 87 Giles Street, Leith EH6 6BZ

Contact: sales@smws.com or call 0131 555 2929 (Mon-Fri 9am-4.45pm). Visit the Society at here for membership information

This is your chance to join and to take advantage of their great offers!

Spot the SMWS bottles in this amusing You Tube video

The final ever Talisker from G&M

THE VIDEO

The last Talisker to ever be bottled by Gordon & MacPhail…what a sentence.

G&M have announced the winding down of their independent bottling ventures, although we’re lucky enough to have plenty of stocks to see us out for the future. This 1987 39 year old Talisker was from a single refill sherry cask, producing 451 bottles and showing off how radically different old Talisker can really be when compared to the younger releases.

Older doesn’t mean better, but this whisky is quite the remarkable release. The nose opens with some excellent old fruit notes, chocolate and hazelnut, along with some excellent notes of botanicals and orange oil. The taste is classic Talisker, but dialled upto 11. The age, the cask influence and the balance of the sherry in this liquid is truly special. What a way to see out the last of the G&M Taliskers.