SEPTEMBER UPDATE: UP, UP AND AWAY

It’s a bird. It’s a plane. It’s September’s bottlings streaking away towards the horizon! Bold and fearless flavours have captivated the imagination; epic tales will be told for years to come. Is your spider sense tingling yet? Delicious drams are in danger of running dry – join the quest to find the ultimate champion amongst September’s top sellers…

hampions: Last 4 Dark Voyagers

Dark Voyager Duo 

29.168 Fade to black

&

35.137 Delightful evocation of the boudoir

£155.20

Heroes: Last 8 Chilli Spice Crusaders

48.61 Concerto zenzero

&

53.227 Sweet, salty & smoky

£116.40

Chilli Spice Crusader Duo 

Daredevils: Last 8 Bitter Sweet Forces

Bitter-Sweet Force Duo

63.32 Bitter-sweet, eccentric character >

&

55.29 A barley harvest and a “fizzy buzz”

£141.20

No. 1: Young & spritely

58.16  Margarita cocktail

£41.80

No. 2: Peated

53.227  Sweet, Salty & smoky £116.40

Chilli Spice Crusader Duo

No. 3: Lightly peated

3.246  The Curious Apothecary

£60.00

No. 4: Light & delicate

55.29  A barley harvest and a ‘fizzy buzz’

£48.10

No. 5: Sweet, fruity & mellow

46.32  Summertime and the whisky is easy

£76.50

Browse New Outturn >

​Browse All Bottlings >

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

Highland Park 19 Year Old – 1995 Single Cask 2475

Released as part of Càrn Mòr’s ‘Black Gold’ Celebration of the Cask range, is this sherry monster from The Highland Park distillery. Distilled in 1995 and aged for 19 years in single sherry hogshead #2475. Bottled in 2015, only 275 bottles filled at cask strength, 51.9% vol.

£179.74

Caol Ila 26 Year Old – 1988 Single Cask 4213

A 26 year old Caol Ila Islay Scotch whisky bottled for the Càrn Mòr Celebration of the Cask range. Distilled 1st December 1988 and left to mature in single hogshead #4213 until 18th August 2015, where it was bottled at cask strength, with only 135 bottles filled.

£199.87

Mortlach 20 Year Old – 1995 Single Cask 4123

Distilled 10th July 1995 at the Mortlach distillery and left to mature in single hogshead #4123 for 20 years! Bottled at 55.5% vol by Càrn Mòr for their excellent Celebration of the Cask range on the 8th August 2015. An out-turn of 260 bottles.

£108.08

The Famous UK Shop

Take a minute to visit our online shop and browse our full range of products including; The Famous Grouse and The Glenturret, all available for UK delivery. Whisky isn’t all that we do either, we also have a fantastic range of gifts and glassware available.

Visit our UK Shop here

Award winning cult malt whisky’s pioneering world first space experiment reveals a new taste dimension 

 — Ardbeg’s research may also signal a way for whisky industry experts to build a database of ageing whiskies —

The results of Ardbeg’s pioneering space mission, released this week, in which the Distillery became the first ever to send spirit into orbit, have far-reaching implications for the unorthodox single malt – and perhaps for the entire whisky industry, experts say.

Nearly four years ago, Ardbeg distillate was sent into space as part of an experiment to investigate how micro-gravity (near zero gravity) would affect the behaviour of terpenes, the building blocks of flavour for many foods and wines as well as whisky spirits.  This maturation experiment was undertaken as research into terpenes in micro-gravity was limited.  Its findings, [revealed this week], are groundbreaking.  They pave the way for unprecedented flavour profiles, particularly for Ardbeg, the world’s peatiest, smokiest, Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky.

The experiment began in October 2011, when vials containing Ardbeg new-make spirit distillate and shards of Ardbeg casks, were sent to the U.S. National Lab on the International Space Station by the Distillery’s partner, U.S. space research company NanoRacks LLC.  Some 200 miles above Earth, the vials orbited the planet at 17,227 miles per hour, for almost three years. Following their return to Earth, the samples were analysed alongside control samples that had been kept at the Ardbeg Distillery by Dr Bill Lumsden, Ardbeg’s Director of Distilling and Whisky Creation, independent whisky experts and scientists.

In three of the four stages of analysis, major differences were identified between the two sets of samples.  Dr Bill said: “The space samples were noticeably different. When I nosed and tasted the space samples, it became clear that much more of Ardbeg’s smoky, phenolic character shone through – to reveal a different set of smoky flavours which I have not encountered here on earth before.” Dr Bill added: “Ardbeg already has a complex character, but the results of our experiment show that there is potentially even more complexity that we can uncover, to reveal a different side to the whisky.”

Further analysis, looking at ratios of different types of wood extractive compounds, found significant differences between the two sets of samples – demonstrating that gravity has a very real effect on the maturation of spirit. Dr Bill commented “Our findings may also one day have significant implications for the whisky industry as a whole.  In the future, the altered range of wood extractions could lead scientists to be able to detail the ratios of compounds expected in whiskies of a certain age.”

Jeffrey Manber, CEO of NanoRacks who partnered with Ardbeg on this experiment, commented “”It’s hard to find companies willing to be pioneers… To have a partner like Ardbeg that is willing to make this sort of commitment augurs well for the future of commercial space research into flavourings and what it changes for consumer products in general.”

Ardbeg would like to thank NASA and the Space Station Program for allowing this experiment to be undertaken.

Ian Macleod Distillers set to unveil new Travel Retail Exclusive Shieldaig Speyside Single Malt at TFWA Cannes 

Ian Macleod Distillers, one of Scotland’s leading independent family-owned distillers, is launching a new Travel Retail Exclusive bottling at the esteemed Cannes Tax Free World Association (TFWA).

The new Shieldaig Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky has been exclusively bottled for the travel retail market. The exquisite new malt is available in both a 50cl and litre size bottle, which comes complete with a specially designed gift tube.

Andy Lane, Travel Retail Director for Ian Macleod Distillers, said: “We are delighted with this new Shieldaig bottling, featuring bright and fresh packaging, it’s sure to attract the attention of consumers.”

Shieldaig, which translates to ‘Loch of the Herring’ in Old Norse, contains complex, yet balanced flavours. Smooth and elegant to taste, Sheildaig Speyside is bottled at 40% ABV.

Taking place between 19- 23 October, the TFWA is widely regarded as the world’s biggest duty free and travel retail association providing the industry with high-quality exhibitions, acclaimed conferences and workshops, and in-depth market research.

Ian Macleod Distillers is one of Scotland’s leading independent family owned distillers, blenders and bottlers. 

Shieldaig Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky can be found at stand number L7 Red Village at TFWA Cannes and will be available from April 2016.

For more information, please visit www.ianmacleod.com.

 NOTES

• Ian Macleod Distillers Ltd was established on 26 October 1933.
• Ian Macleod Distillers currently produce and sell over 15 million bottles of spirit per year. 

Shieldaig Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky  

Nose:  Blood orange, malt flour, cream sponge and sweet cinnamon

Palate: Smooth and elegant, buttery with soft fruit and a gentle sweetness

Finish: Gentle with delicate spice

BUFFALO TRACE DISTILLERY RELEASES 2015 ANTIQUE COLLECTION WHISKEYS 

FRANKFORT, Franklin County, Ky (Sept. 8, 2015) Whiskey fans rejoice, Buffalo Trace Distillery is releasing its 2015 Antique Collection in late September. The highly anticipated collection will once again feature five limited-release whiskeys of various ages, recipes and proofs. Here’s what loyal fans can expect:

George T. Stagg

The powerhouse favorite of the Antique Collection, the 2015 George T. Stagg weighs in at 138.2 proof this year.  Past releases of this uncut and unfiltered bourbon won many top awards, including twice named the number one spirit in the world by F. Paul Pacult’s The Spirit Journal. This year’s release contains bourbon from barrels filled in the spring of 2000. This batch contained 128 barrels, a similar size batch as in previous years. Unfortunately these barrels yielded very little whiskey. Some of the barrels were nearly empty, containing only 1 or 2 gallons. Storage location of these barrels varied across a number of warehouses and several floors, but 84% of the original whiskey was lost to evaporation (or some very greedy angels!). Finding a bottle this fall will be harder than ever. This whiskey tastes of expresso, molasses, chocolate, vanilla, and dates.

William Larue Weller

The Antique Collection’s uncut, unfiltered, wheated recipe bourbon is William Larue Weller. Previous editions of this wheater have won many accolades, including the Second Finest Whiskey in the World by Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible 2015 edition. The 2015 offering was distilled in the spring of 2003 and aged on the second and sixth floors of Warehouses I, K, and L.  This bourbon registers in at 134.6 proof – one of the stronger Weller releases.  The bold flavors include toffee, nougat, and figs.

Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Rye

Thomas H. Handy is the uncut and unfiltered straight rye whiskey. The 2014 edition was named “World’s Best American Whiskey” at the 2015 World Whiskies Awards.  This year’s Handy was distilled in the spring of 2009; aged on the fourth and seventh floors of Warehouses I, K, and M, and weighs in at 126.9 proof.  The flavor has been described as fig, clove, and allspice.

Eagle Rare 17 Year Old

The previous edition of this bourbon was honored with a Gold Medal at the 2014 International Wine and Spirits Competition. The 2015 edition has been aging on the first, second and third floors of Warehouses Q and I.  This bourbon was aged for seventeen years and tastes of oak, tobacco, and dates.

Sazerac Rye 18 Year Old

Last year Sazerac Rye 18 Year Old was named the third finest whiskey in the world by Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible 2015 edition, and American Whiskey of the Year by Whisky Advocate Magazine.  This 2015 straight rye whiskey release has notable flavors of molasses and allspice, with a long, dry finish.  Several years ago, barrels of fully matured Sazerac Rye 18 Year Old were put into a stainless steel tank at Buffalo Trace Distillery to prevent further aging. Since then, whiskey has been drawn each year for bottling.  This is the last edition of Sazerac Rye 18 Year Old from that tank. Next year’s batch will be comprised of whiskey that is currently aging in barrels filled in April 1998 and subsequent releases will contain barrels filled in 1999 and so on.

The Antique Collection was introduced more than a decade ago and has become a cult favorite among whiskey connoisseurs. Since 2000 these whiskeys have garnered numerous awards from such notable publications as Whisky Advocate Magazine, Spirit Journal, and Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible.

The 2015 Antique Collection whiskeys will be available in limited quantities starting in late September or early October.  Suggested retail price is $80 each.  For more information visit http://www.buffalotracedistillery.com/brands/antique-collection.

About Buffalo Trace Distillery

Buffalo Trace Distillery is an American family-owned company based in Frankfort, Franklin County, Kentucky. The Distillery’s rich tradition dates back to 1773 and includes such legends as E.H. Taylor, Jr., George T. Stagg, Albert B. Blanton, Orville Schupp, and Elmer T. Lee.  Buffalo Trace Distillery is a fully operational Distillery producing bourbon, rye and vodka on site and is a National Historic Landmark as well as is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Distillery has won 17 distillery titles since 2000 from such notable publications as Whisky Magazine, Whisky Advocate Magazine and Wine Enthusiast Magazine. It was named “Brand Innovator of the Year” by Whisky Magazine at its Icons of Whisky America Awards 2015.  Buffalo Trace Distillery has also garnered more than 300 awards for its wide range of premium whiskies. To learn more about Buffalo Trace Distillery visit http://www.buffalotracedistillery.com/.

Vote for us – IWSC Online Retailer of the Year

It’s that time of year again. The International Wine and Spirits Competition have run out of wine and spirits to judge and their eyes have turned to the world of drinks shops. It’s only the second year that they’ve had an award for Online Retailer of the Year, and again we are in the running for the prize.

Imperial 1996

New 2015 bottling of the lost distillery from Gordon & MacPhail for the Distillery Labels series.

Buy – $81.44

NEXT WEEK

Old & Rare Tasting – 19 Greville St – Tue 15 Sept More >

Burger Tasting – 28 Queen St – Fri 18 Sept More >

Dunfermline Preview Tasting – Garvock House Hotel – Fri 18 Sept More >

York Preview Tasting – Brigantes Bar & Brasserie – Fri 18 Sept More >
LATER

Liverpool Preview Tasting – Malmaison – Fri 25 Sept More >

Newcastle Preview Tasting – The Caledonian Hotel – Fri 25 Sept More >

New Members’ Tasting – 19 Greville St – Tue 29 Sept More >
FREE ENTERTAINMENT AT THE VAULTS

NEW – The Vaults Poker Night Returns > Mon 14 Sept

Monday Night Drop-In: Last Drops Night > Mon 21 Sept

Browse All Tastings >

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

Beam Suntory Names Greg Hughes General Manager, U.S.

Deerfield, IL, August 17, 2015 – Beam Suntory Inc., the world’s third-largest premium spirits company, has appointed Greg Hughes General Manager, U.S., overseeing the entire U.S. of the marketing organization. With 23 years of consumer brands experience, Hughes is charged with accelerating market share growth and driving demand for brands like Jim Beam®, Maker’s Mark®, Hibiki® and Courvoisier® in the U.S.

In this newly created role, Hughes will report to Beam Suntory Americas President Tim Hassett, and oversee vice presidents leading three key business areas: Bourbon, World Whiskey and Innovation, and Mixables, such as vodka and tequila. His appointment is effective August 17.

“Greg brings impressive marketing prowess, strategic thinking, commercial acumen and a track record of driving business results in large and small organizations,” Hassett said. “His broad functional experience is a unique mix of marketing, operations, supply chain and sales, which will be key in continuing our momentum in the Americas.”

Hughes joins Beam Suntory from The Kraft Heinz Company, where he served as Vice President of Marketing for the company’s Enhancers portfolio of just over one billion dollars, including Miracle Whip®, A-1®, and Kraft-branded products such as salad dressing, mayonnaise, and BBQ sauce.

Prior to Kraft, Hughes served as Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations and Vice President, Sales and Marketing at Bel Brands; comprised of The Laughing Cow®, Mini Babybel®, and Boursin® brands. Earlier in his career, Hughes served as Senior Director, Marketing, at Kraft, with responsibility for the company’s sandwich cheese products.

Hughes began his career at Procter & Gamble in roles of increasing leadership and responsibility before a stint in Romania with the United States Peace Corps. He holds an M.B.A. from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management and a B.A. from the University of Kansas.