OUT-OF-THIS-WORLD WHISKIES

To celebrate the return to Earth of British astronaut Tim Peake, we’re not only launching our 29 year old homecoming bottle 39.124 ‘A toast to Tim Peake’s return’, we’re releasing a bunch of new, out-of-this-world whiskies for you to taste and explore.

Read Ambassador Phoebe’s review on our blog HERE >

NEW BOTTLINGS ONLINE

Old & dignified

39.124 A toast to Tim Peake’s return
Price: £176.70
The nose – elegant and sophisticated – hints at things you would miss while in space – flower markets, old-fashioned ice-cream parlours and perfumed ladies in vintage cars.

BUY >
29 years old,
Second-fill sauternes hogshead
*Available in our Members’ Rooms too

Peated

3.267 Brunch with a difference
Price: £73.00
The taste was like chocolates filled with a nutty cream ganache infused with peat smoke, followed by a vanilla ice-cream sundae with hot fudge and caramel sauce whilst in the long finish, surprisingly, grilled bacon.

BUY >
14 years old,
Refill ex-bourbon hogshead

Spicy & sweet

55.37 Choc a l’orange
Price: £59.10
“It’s like being in an orange grove at Christmas”. Sweet and warm fruits of pineapple and dried orange skin mingled with crystalised ginger, cloves, nutmeg and allspice

BUY >
15 years old,
Second-fill sauternes hogshead

Sweet, fruity and mellow

64.69 Sweet sensuous indulgence
Price: £110.00
We got spiced chicken, Japanese teriyaki and Portuguese piri-piri style as well as oysters with lemon and tabasco sauce. Water added aromas of a lady’s handbag; perfume, lipstick, cigarette packet and soft mints.

BUY >
25 years old,
Refill ex-bourbon hogshead

Browse Current 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

Longrow, Ardbeg, Glenmorangie & more!

This week we welcome the all-new 2016 bottling of the Longrow 18 Year Old from our friends down the road at the Springbank Distillery. We take a look at what makes it so different and explore some of our other whiskies with peat and sweet tendencies!

Longrow 18 Year Old 2016 Edition

This peated and twice-distilled expression comes from Campbeltown’s oldest remaining distillery. This time round, Springbank have matured the spirit in 60% rum casks and 40% refill sherry casks where before it spent its 18 years in 100% sherry casks.  The nose is spicy with cinnamon, ginger, pear and pastry. The palate is buttery with ginger developing into marzipan and coconut. Juicy apples and a thick sweetness of sugar cane molasses emerges thanks to the rum cask influence. The finish is peat and spice with hints of nutmeg and burnt embers.

£110 Buy Now

Ardbeg Dark Cove

This brand new expression from Ardbeg was released to mark Ardbeg Night during the Islay Festival and celebrates the long gone days of illicit stills and bootleggers trying to slip casks past the dreaded Excise Men.  Matured in a combination of ex-bourbon and dark sherry casks, the nose entices with dark chocolate, treacle toffee and distant bonfires. The palate is smouldering with charcoal and wood polish with raisins and dates emerging, while the finish is long and spicy with cured ham and squid ink noodles lingering.

£110 Buy Now

Lochside 52 Year Old Sovereign

This Single Grain Scotch Whisky was distilled at the Lochside Distillery in Montrose before being aged for more than half a century in a single refill hogshead. Bottled at a cask strength of 48.1% abv.  The nose is complex with notes of dark fruits, candle wax and furniture polish. The palate is ripe with rich forest fruits and hints of green moss and wood fire smokiness. The finish is long and warm with lingering oak notes gathered over 52 years.

£960 Buy Now

Jura Tastival 2016

Only available while stocks last, this limited edition was released to celebrate the 2016 Jura Tastival festival. With only 2000 bottles made available to the UK market, this is one to catch before it’s gone!  Offering flavours of toffee apples, vanilla and ginger tantalising the palate, this expression is the result of a triple sherry finish combining 19 year old, 15 year old and 14 year old malt from the Isle of Jura.

£95 Buy Now

Glenmorangie Milsean

Matured in a bourbon cask, this expression would have already been sweet as is, but determined to replicated the flavours of traditional sweet shops Glenmorangie finished this expression off in flame toasted Portuguese wine casks. Truly remarkable this expression has a hint of tingling spice and chilli, which gives way to a sweet boastful flavours. Candy, citrus zest, tart, plummy fruits, cherries, nectarines, plums and melons to name but a few of the flavours present in this whisky… this is a whisky with a difference.

£76 Buy Now

Bruichladdich PHD_135 Feis Ile 2016 Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky

This week Joe Ellis teams up with Ben from “A Dram A Day” YouTube reviewer and reviews The Glenlivet Guardians Chapter Single Malt,

https://youtu.be/G1Az8i2NCtE

http://Twitter.com/whiskytube

https://www.facebook.com/whiskytube

EAGLE RARE BOURBON LAUNCHES 2017 RARE LIFE AWARD

National contest seeks nominations to award $80,000

FRANKFORT, FRANKLIN COUNTY, Ky. (May 31, 2016) – Eagle Rare Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is seeking nominations of people who dedicate their lives to helping others for its annual Rare Life Award competition. Now in its seventh year, the contest will award $80,000 to winners. To date, the Rare Life Award program has donated a total of $320,000 to 42 charities across the United States.

Nominations are now being accepted online at www.eaglerarelife.com. The 2017 Grand Prize winner will receive a $50,000 donation to the charity of their choice. Six runners-up will receive $5,000 for their charities.

The Rare Life Awards honor individuals who exhibit courage, leadership, survival, devotion, character and heroism. Those making nominations will identify which Rare Life value their nominee’s story best represents. The general public will vote for the person who most embodies the “Rare Life” core values, with the top 30 across all categories considered for the Grand Prize and the top five in each category considered for a runner-up prize. Nominations and voting are open beginning today and continue through Jan. 4, 2017. Winners will be announced in March of 2017.

“The accomplishments of our past winners are incredible, and we look forward to more stories of everyday people making a difference,” said Kris Comstock, Eagle Rare Bourbon brand manager. “We are honored to help bring awareness to charities working to make the world a better place, and to people who truly embody what it means to live a rare life.”

About Eagle Rare Bourbon

Eagle Rare Bourbon Whiskey is part of the award-winning Buffalo Trace Distillery, an American family-owned company based in Frankfort, (Franklin County), Kentucky. The Distillery’s rich distilling 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. Eagle Rare Bourbon is a 10-year-old bourbon that has won multiple awards, including five double gold medals from the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. To learn more about Eagle Rare, visit www.eaglerarelife.com.

Introducing a new core expression from Isle of Arran: Arran 18 yr old

~ Independently Owned & Independently Minded ~

THE ARRAN 18 YEAR-OLD SINGLE MALT BAKED PEACHES & TOASTED ALMONDS

We are proud to present the first ever 18 year-old in Arran core range when distillery turns 21. The Arran 18 year-old is a wonderfully balanced expression of The Arran Malt which displays the tremendous depth of character of our Distillery.

Caramelised citrus and tropical notes on a background of toasted oak have created an intense, well rounded dram with charm and personality. A balanced mix of our finest aged ex-Sherry and ex-Bourbon Casks, this fully mature expression of The Arran Malt is exceptional. We are the only Distillery on the Isle of Arran and a proudly independent Scottish Company. We celebrate 18 years of independence with pride.

Tasting Notes

Color: Honeyed gold

Aroma: Baked peaches with syrup and toasted almonds. Vanilla and light cinnamon spice.

Palate: Sweetness dances on the tongue with chocolate, ginger, caramelised brown sugar and vanilla. Water uncovers floral notes and aromatic orange fondant creams.

Finish Long, lingering and luxurious. The classic Arran citrus and orchard fruits mingle with milk brioche and dark chocolate. A memorable depth of character, Arran is fully mature at 18 years-old.

RRP  $140.00

MS Society auctions rare whisky to raise vital funds for research

The MS Society is auctioning a rare bottle of 1980 Bowmore Single Malt Whisky from the Queen’s Cask to raise money for multiple sclerosis research. This is only the sixth bottle to ever be released from the cask; the five previous have all raised substantial sums for charities.

A cask of whisky was given to Her Majesty the Queen when she visited the Bowmore Distillery on the Isle of Islay in 1980. In 2002, the cask was bottled to mark the Queen’s Golden Jubilee – the bottles were specially designed and placed in commemorative boxes with individually numbered labels.

629 bottles were delivered to various Royal Palaces – but only six bottles have ever been released, with the permission of the Queen, to be auctioned to raise money for charities. One of those bottles made more than £60,000.

Michelle Mitchell is chief executive of the MS Society: “We’re incredibly grateful to have been given this bottle of whisky from the Queen’s Cask. We want to use this amazing opportunity to raise as much as we can to fund multiple sclerosis research.

“More than 100,000 people are living with MS in the UK and it’s an unpredictable and debilitating condition. We’ve already made important breakthroughs and we’re now at the start of a generation of MS research that holds incredible promise. The money raised from this auction could make a huge difference.”

The silent auction ends on 30 June at midday and there’s a reserve of £10,000. Anyone who wants to make a bid should email Fiona Foulkes, Special Events Manager at the MS Society on fiona.foulkes@mssociety.org.uk

About multiple sclerosis

• MS affects more than 100,000 of us in UK
• MS symptoms typically appear when people are in their 20s or 30s
• MS attacks the nervous system. Symptoms include sight loss, pain, fatigue, incontinence and disability
• MS is unpredictable – one day you can be fine, the next you might lose your sight or be unable to move

About the MS Society

• The MS Society is the leading UK charity for people with MS
• We have a free helpline – 0808 800 8000 and information can be found on our websitewww.mssociety.org.uk/
• We’re funding research to stop MS, we’re now at the start of a generation of MS research that holds incredible promise
• With your help we’ll beat MS

The Exclusive Dram Team are thrilled to announce that we are now open for pre-orders with order fulfilment to take place from the 14-07-16. We are a new family run business set up to fulfil everyones needs to sample the Rare and Luxurious whisky the world has to offer. We have whisky ranging from the 47 year old Glendronach to Mackmyra – Moment Bärnstvn, come in and have a look there is something for everyone. 

Come visit us at www.theexclusivedram.co.uk.  

Best Regards
David Smith
The Exclusive Dram Team

Get ready for Independence Day!

It’s just a couple of weeks until 4 July – Independence Day – and to celebrate, we’ve selected some of our favourite whiskies, all ideal if you’re planning a party, whether you’re in the US or not. We’ve chosen whiskies from across the globe – smooth bourbons, complex Scotch, whisky from the Far East and a mix of ages and prices, so you’re sure to find something good.

BOURBON

First up, two great bourbons from Blanton’s. Blanton’s Original is an award-winning textbook example – each bottle is filled from a single unblended cask. The Gold Edition is sensational, too. Bottled at 103 proof, it’s bursting with aromas of dried fruit, milk chocolate and honey. Ironically, it’s very hard to find in the US itself – but we have it!

SCOTCH

A trio of tasty Scotch whiskies next, all exclusive to The Whisky Exchange. We are lucky enough to be able to taste individual whiskies straight from the cask and bottle them for our customers. One example is Clynelish 1996 18 Year Old, a big, rich, sherried whisky we selected from independent bottler Signatory Vintage. Another is Kilchoman 2010 PX Finish, a delicious mix of peaty Islay whisky given an extra layer of rich fruit and spice from extra maturation in Pedro Ximénez sherry casks.

The third Scotch is a mature, venerable example from one of the best-known Speyside distilleries: Glenlivet. This sherry-matured example was distilled back in 1981, and adds a rich layer of spice to Glenlivet’s fruity spirit. You won’t find these whiskies anywhere else.

IRISH

Our two Irish whiskeys have more in common than just provenance. Both were chosen by our customers at an Irish Distillers tasting we held in London (read more about it here). The first, Redbreast 1999 Sherry Cask, was aged for around 15 years, with vanilla, coffee and wood spice the dominant notes. The second is a 1991 Midleton aged for 24 years in a first-fill bourbon cask – a cinnamon-tinged whiskey with delicious vanilla and tropical-fruit notes. Both are exclusive to The Whisky Exchange.

JAPAN and TAIWAN

Our final two whiskies are from Asia. The Nikka 12 Year Old is the latest release from this revered Japanese distillery – it’s an excellent blend, with toffee, butterscotch and fruit cake the key notes. And from Taiwan, we have Kavalan Solist Bourbon Cask – a rich, fruity whisky aged in ex-bourbon oak. Kavalan has won acclaim from renowned whisky writers around the world – definitely one to try.

Nine whiskies covering a wide range of styles, flavours and ages – all are available here. Choose your favourite and have a great 4th of July!

Tasting Recap: Gordon & MacPhail with Joe Swanson

Last weeks Gordon & MacPhail Tasting with Joe Swanson was a very nice evening and the malts showed very well.  If you weren’t able to join us, but are looking to maybe get a gift or for yourself or somebody else (perhaps a father), we want to make sure the chosen scotch will be enjoyed. To better assist with that, use the notes to see what works best for you, and if you need any help call Joe at 617-367-8605.

Blair Athol  9 Y.O. 46%   regularly $74.99  –  on sale $67.99  delicate sherry influences with toasted malt and citrus fruit aromas. Hints or white pepper, orange and strawberry initially on the palate, with a lingering milk chocolate edge.

Longmorn 12 Y.O. 43% regularly $72.99 –  on sale $65.99 Sherry and fruit aromas with influences of ripe summer fruits and figs. A little pepper with a milk chocolate edge. Stewed fruits and almond flavors develop. This is a great malt for the season and all year round.

Mortlach 15 Y.O. 43%  regularly $94.99  –  on sale $84.99 On the nose initially sweet, fresh and fragrant with a distinct malty nose. Citrus elements develop – fresh orange peel. Well rounded. Palate:  More subtle sweetness, hints of candied fruits. A rounded sherry edge is evident and some raisin and sultana notes emerging. Add a little water and it opens nicely. Every one should try a Morty. Precious single malt .

Secret Stills Islay 14 Y.O. 45% regularly $79.99 – on sale $71.99 Light fresh and malty with some smoke.  Not heavy on the peat, really nicely balanced, intricate and very special. A very morish malt. Very Bowmoreish.

Highland Park 24 Y.O. 43%  regularly $239.99  –  on sale $219.99 Sweet vanilla with pear and toffee aromas. A subtle smokey undertone develops. The palate is peppery initially with sweet  strawberry and raspberry  flavors. The finish is creamy with a milk chocolate edge. Just Splendid.

Caol Ila Cask Str. 59.5% regularly $119.99 – on sale $107.99 – Sweet cured bacon, with banana and vanilla aromas. The palate is peppery with apple, peat complimented by a lingering peat smoke edge.

Sale prices in effect until Friday, June 24th

Joe Howell

Federal Wine & Spirits

Email: info@federalwine.com

Phone: (617) 367-8605

Web: http://www.federalwine.com/