Only 2 weeks left to get your tickets.

Why wait longer to get relaxed? Come to Maltstock 2016 and experience the Relaxed whisky weekend. * Share and enjoy whisky. * Meet industry people from Japan, Scotland and the Netherlands. * Attend masterclasses from: Cadenheads, Chichibu, Macallan, Ian Macleod distillers, the Creative Whisky Company, Zuidam, Douglas Laing, Old Pulteney, Speciality Drinks, Tony and of course  the Loch lomond campfire tasting done by Donald MacLellan. * Sit around the campfire for even more masterclass relaxedness on Saturday night. * Attend the famous Maltstock quiz. * Listen to live music. * Or party hard in the relaxed midnight cafe. More of the program can be found at www.maltstock.com, and if you want to get relaxed: Get your ticket(s) here: SHOP

Meet the stillman and mashman of Chichibu distillery.

Both will be visiting Maltstock this year. What an absolute honour to have them as our guests. Whisky lovers just like you but from Japan. Where will you ever get the change to have a casual chat with a stillman and mashman from a Japanese distillery?  And of course the always lovely Yumi Yoshikawa, the Chichibu brand ambassador will be at Maltstock as well.

Maltstock preference link.

Like some of our guests already have seen, we have sent all our guests the maltstock preference link. This is de link you need to let us know your masterclass preferences.  If you think “I didn’t got this mail”, or “I can’t find it anymore” and you have bought a Maltstock 2016 ticket. Please search your inbox and spam folder for this topic: “Maltstock2016-Masterclass_preference“. If you really can’t find it, please send us an email: info@maltstock.com and we will send you the link.  You have till the 25th of August to let us know your preferences, if we didn’t receive your preferences by then, we will give you a minimum of two random Masterclasses. So it’s better we think to let us know your preferences. Thank you!

AUGUST TASTINGS & EVENTS

EDINBURGH

Five of the Best Tasting – The Vaults, Fri 19 Aug  More >

September Outturn Preview Tasting – The Vaults, Thu 25 Aug More >

FREE EVENTS AT THE VAULTS

Live Music Night with Hot Tin Roof – Tue 9 Aug More >

Drop-in Evening: Closed and Rare Drams – Tue 16 Aug More >

Live Music Night with Gillywolfe – Tue 23 Aug More >

LONDON

New Outturn Tasting – 19 Greville St, Sat 6 Aug  More >

Steak & Whisky Tasting – 19 Greville St, Mon 8 Aug  More >

New Member’ Sensory Tasting – 19 Greville Street, Wed 31 Aug  More >

UK-WIDE PREVIEWS WITH UISGE SOURCE

Aberdeen – Mercure Aberdeen Caledonian, Thu 25 Aug  More >

Harrogate – Hotel du Vin, Fri 26 Aug  More >

Carlisle – The Hallmark Hotel, Fri 26 Aug More >

Livingston – Mercure Livingston Hotel, Fri 26 Aug  More >

Browse All Events & 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

BENROMACH REVEALS NEW DISTILLERY EXCLUSIVE 

A new Distillery Exclusive has been released by the Benromach Distillery Company Ltd, and is available exclusively at the distillery’s visitor centre.

Only 238 bottles are available and, with visitor numbers continuing to rise after the distillery’s recent refurbishment and upgrade, the team at Benromach is advising customers not to wait too long before picking up a bottle.

The first Distillery Exclusive was launched to coincide with the 2016 Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival in April. Only 240 bottles of the whisky were available and it sold out within seven weeks.

Distilled in 2000 and bottled in 2016, this Distillery Exclusive is likely to prove as popular as the first release with whisky aficionados across the world. The golden whisky, cask number 757, has a sweet vanilla scent followed by a balance of tropical fruit, cocoa powder and peat smoke aromas. Its smooth but spicy flavour exudes sweet bursts of banana, mango and passionfruit, complemented by bonfire embers, leading to a smoky edge.

Benromach Distillery, based on the outskirts of Forres, was revived by the Urquhart family of Gordon & MacPhail and re-opened in 1998. Since then its handcrafted whisky has grown in popularity around the world with whisky fans keen to enjoy a classic Speyside malt that draws its influence from the Speyside whiskies of the pre 1960s.

The growth of the brand has led to expansion at the distillery, including new warehouses and a larger team. The four-star visitor centre at Benromach Distillery, open to the public throughout the year for tours and tastings, has recently upgraded its facilities. There are now three new tasting rooms for visitors to experience, while Benromach House – the old distillery manager’s house – has also been renovated to hold a new tasting room.

Distillery Manager Keith Cruickshank said: “The first Benromach Distillery Exclusive, a first fill bourbon barrel, has been thoroughly enjoyed by whisky lovers across the world.

“We’re sure the new Distillery Exclusive will be a similar success and the new facilities at the distillery certainly provide a wonderful setting for us to introduce this whisky, and the other products in our range.

“It’s a very busy and exciting time for us all here at Benromach Distillery.”

For more information on Benromach, and to explore the wide range of expressions available, please visit www.benromach.com.

RRP – £90 

Notes

Benromach Distillery

Originally built in 1898, Benromach Distillery was brought back to life when leading whisky specialists Gordon & MacPhail purchased it in 1993. The distillery was extensively re-equipped over a five-year period before it was officially opened by HRH Prince Charles in 1998.

In reopening Benromach Distillery, Gordon & MacPhail decided to create a classic Speyside single malt – a style that draws its influence from Speyside whiskies pre-1960s.

Benromach Distillery is located on the outskirts of the ancient market town of Forres. A four-star visitor centre is open to the public throughout the year for tours and tastings. Benromach Distillery is a member of the world famous Malt Whisky Trail.

While the weather may have gone from tropical sunshine, to wet and stormy, we were thrilled to have so many of you join us at our island home – for what is always a highlight on our distillery calendar. Whether you came along or not, we’d love to hear what you think.

Jura Tastival 2016 saw our Cooperage become home to our dramming bar for 2 days, the filling station transform into a pop up restaurant and a boat trip provide the perfect setting to sip a Jura, with fantastic views of the distillery.

A large live art installation brought the sweet and smoky flavours in our whisky to life, we picked poached pears from mini trees to pair with our drams and we toasted Willie Cochrane’s retirement at his last ever Tastival – but not before welcoming Graham Logan in his new role as distillery manager.

Thanks to everyone who made the trip to see us. And, whether you attended or not, your opinion on Tastival matters to us. We know our island is a long way from home, so what would make a journey to Jura worth it for you?

For the chance to win a bottle of the limited edition Jura Tastival 2016, tell us what you think about our whisky festival in this short survey.

It’s your festival as much as ours, and by sparing a few moments out of your day, you can help shape Jura Tastival 2017.

START SURVEY

The Team at the Jura Distillery

AUGUST OUTTURN: TOP CLASS FLAVOUR

This First Friday were being transported back to our school days with a nostalgic mix of retro sweeties, juicy fruits, sugary cakes, bubble-gum, ice-lollies, felt-tip pens and poster paints. August Outturn brings a fresh bunch of summertime single casks with a vibrant range of top-class flavours for you to discover.

If you need some extra help choosing your bottles this month, SMWS Ambassador Phoebe Brookes reviews her favourite casks online, visit www.smws.com/blog >

Lightly peated

29.188 Cowboy beans
Price: £77.60
BUY >

Deep, rich & dried fruits

37.78 Perfumed elegance
Price: £76.80
BUY >

Juicy, oak & vanilla

48.76 The freshness of citrus!
Price: £48.20
BUY >

7.130 Musky, floral, sweet perfumes
Price: £51.10
BUY >

G8.6 Jazzed up banana split
Price: £88.90
BUY >

Old & dignified

30.90 Lost in the dessert
Price: £98.40
BUY >

Oily & coastal

3.278 Dirty martinis in the boat shed
Price: £99.90
BUY >

Light & delicate – ONLINE ONLY

G7.11 Simple Pleasure
Price: £48.20
BUY >

Young & spritely

64.74 What afternoons are made for
Price: £60.10
BUY >

85.38 Hazelnut Iced Coffee
Price: £44.70
BUY >

77.44 Cheerful Childhood memories
Price: £60.10
BUY >

Spicy & dry

50.78 Ready…Steady…Bake
Price £137.50
BUY >

Spicy & sweet

55.39 No pussycat
Price: £69.50
BUY >

Sweet, fruity & mellow

9.109 Zingy blackcurrant cheesecake
Price: £50.20
BUY >

39.128 Back to primary school
Exclusive to August offers
BUY >

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

Littlemill 26 Year Old 1988 Old & Rare Exclusive

Lowland Single Malt Scotch Whisky

$304.18

This week Joe Ellis reviews Glengoyne 18 Year Old Single Malt.

https://youtu.be/CK7StPR3dKU

http://Twitter.com/whiskytube

https://www.facebook.com/whiskytube

International Beverage scoops gold again with multiple IWSC medal wins

International Beverage is adding to its extraordinary 2016 medal haul with the announcement of 31 wins at one of the world’s toughest and most established industry challenges – the International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC).

The biggest winner was Balblair Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky, the company’s premium single malt which is released exclusively in vintage format. Balblair Vintage 1990 won the IWSC Trophy for a single malt Scotch whisky over 15 Years Old, plus there were Gold Outstanding medals for both Balblair Vintage 1983 and Balblair Vintage 1990.

In a year in which IWSC organisers have seen a record number of entries to the competition, there were also impressive Gold medal wins for Old Pulteney 21 Year Old, anCnoc 12 Year Old, and for the premium blend Hankey Bannister for both its Heritage Blend and 12 Year Old expressions.

A further eight Silver Outstanding medals were awarded across the portfolio – with Old Pulteney taking four for its 12 Year Old and 17 Year Old malts, the Noss Head travel retail exclusive and the delicious Old Pulteney Stroma Malt Whisky Liqueur. The remainder were awarded to Speyburn Arranta Casks, anCnoc 24 Year Old and two Balblair travel retail exclusives – Vintage 1999 and Vintage 2004.

An additional fourteen Silver and two Bronze medals completed this remarkable IWSC medal haul – which follows in the wake of big wins for International Beverage at the International Spirits Challenge, Global Spirit Masters, World Whiskies Awards and the San Francisco World Spirits Competition earlier in the year.

International Beverage Marketing Director Karen Walker commented: “Our medal total for 2016 now sits at over 80 and counting, which is really something to celebrate and a huge achievement for the teams at our distilleries. This has been a very special year for our business and the success of our whiskies and gin, however we take nothing for granted and will continue to work hard to craft the very highest quality spirits for our consumers to enjoy.”

IWSC / International Beverage 2016 medals in full

 About International Beverage Holdings

International Beverage Holdings Limited is one of the industry’s most dynamic global drinks businesses. Established in 2006 as the international arm of ThaiBev, the company specialises in developing distinctive, premium local brands for global growth, with a portfolio that is led by a range of high quality Scotch whiskies and includes some of the fastest growing and most prestigious beers, spirits and whiskies on the market today. These high quality brands are enjoyed by consumers in over 85 global markets and include:

• Chang, Thailand’s iconic global beer brand
• Single Malt Scotch Whiskies: Old Pulteney, Balblair, anCnoc, Speyburn
• Blended Scotch Whiskies: Hankey Bannister, Catto’s, MacArthur’s
• Caorunn, a super premium small batch distilled Scottish Gin infused with 5 Celtic botanicals
• Thai spirits: Phraya, Mekhong

International Beverage’s international operation is headquartered in Hong Kong, with two major bases in China and Scotland and a growing number of regional hubs around the world. The business is focused on the delivery of winning investment, sales and marketing strategies and is committed to producing brands of character, representing the care and craftsmanship of the people that make them – from the brewers of Chang Beer in Thailand, to the distillers of the fine single malt Scotch whisky Old Pulteney in Scotland. Crucially, the global development of every brand continues to be rooted in its home territory, supporting the company’s mission to build authentic brands of outstanding character.

Tim Harfield and Sarah Bartholomew, lighting designer, apply the finishing touches to new features at The Scotch Malt Whisky Society’s Queen Street venue after a £300,000 refurbishment. The venue opens in time for hosting Fringe shows Project Flavour Behaviour (Tickets here: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/project-flavour-behaviour-personality-test) & At the Illusionist’s Table (Tickets here: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/at-the-illusionist-s-table). (Full venue images to follow later this week). 

OUR AUCTION ENDS TODAY!

The latest auction at Whisky.Auction ends tomorrow from 7.30pm BST. 

A fantastic opportunity to revive the superb taste of the past. There are plenty of intriguing bottles at excellent prices, so have a good rummage through and don’t forget to place your bids.

Get bidding, and good luck! The Whisky Auction team.