SMOKEHEAD MOTORCYCLE READY TO BE UNLEASHED

The Smoker will launch at The Bike Shed, Shoreditch on 12^th November with craftsman Tyler Lunceford in attendance 

Smokehead Islay Single Malt Whisky has teamed up with Tyler Lunceford over the past nine months to build a one-of-a-kind, customised Ducati, inspired by vintage motorcycles. The time has come to reveal ‘The Smoker’.

The expertly crafted motorcycle will be unveiled to media, trade and bike fanatics on 12^th November in London at The Bike Shed, Shoreditch.

Hosting the evening will be bike blogger Motobob who will run a Q&A with Tyler, while custom motorcycle helmet designer Piers Dowell paints two Smokehead helmets live on the night. Bike fans will enjoy video footage of the creation of The Smoker, including the final video of the bike on the open road.

Mind-blowing cocktails made with Smokehead, Smokehead High Voltage and Smokehead Sherry Bomb will be served throughout the night, including The Smoker serve, created exclusively for the project – a robust mix of Smokehead, lemon juice, honey syrup, ginger liqueur, a pinch of activated charcoal, shaken over ice and strained into a rocks glass, garnished with crystallised ginger.

The Bike Shed Motorcycle Club is a collective who celebrate bike builders, riders and fans, and is one of the UK’s best-known venues for customised motorcycles.

US born Lunceford of North Motorcycles is a renowned global biking sensation (known as the Ducati Whisperer of the New York tri-state) with over 20 years experience customising bikes for obsessive bikers and rock stars. He owned a workshop in Brooklyn but recently relocated to Edinburgh, Scotland to raise a family, and this is where he crafted The Smoker.

Commenting on the partnership with Smokehead and the finished bike: “Smokehead’s support of unique craftsmen and women resonated with me immediately. Building a customised bike is an incredible process. And it’s a slow process. Notching, welding, grinding, every single detail needs to be accounted for. I wanted to make sure this bike was phenomenal before unleashing it.

“I wanted to make a bike for the street, something that’s comfortable, with a really vintage appeal. This isn’t a bike that’s going to be polished and put in a museum.

“Smokehead whisky is not for everyone and neither is The Smoker – it’s bold, it’s intimidating and it’s loud. It’s really loud. It attracts a certain crowd. It’s certainly not for everyone. I can’t wait for the unveiling at The Bike Shed.”

Adding his thoughts, Iain Weir, Smokehead Brand Director, said: “We’re overwhelmed with how The Smoker has turned out. Tyler has exceeded expectations and created something incredible for Smokehead. Just like our whisky, The Smoker is bold, daring, independent and most importantly, not for everyone.”

The Smokehead Refinery
The campaign shares stories of partnerships with the boldest of craftsmen and women that Smokehead is proud to rub shoulders with. Chapter 1 of the project was unleashed in 2018, a successful partnership with Dram & Smoke creating a series of ‘Smokehead Feasts’ for media and trade across the UK. Chapter 2 celebrates the collaboration with Tyler.

In late 2018, Smokehead released Sherry Bomb, a heavily peated Islay single malt that has been boldly blasted by sherry casks; following hot on the heels of Smokehead High Voltage, along with their louder and bolder look, which was unveiled in April.

*Smokehead encourages everyone to drink responsibly. Do not drink and ride, obviously*

www.smokehead.com

f: www.facebook.com/smokeheadwhisky

i: www.instagram.com/smokeheadwhisky

#smokehead 

NOTES:

About Smokehead:

• Smokehead is an Islay Single Malt Whisky and has been given a bold new look by Ian Macleod Distillers.
• Originally launched in 2005, Smokehead has been labelled the wild one of Single Malt Whisky and is not for everyone.
• Award-winning premium Scotch whisky that has an attitude-led positioning and heavily peated taste. 

About Ian Macleod Distillers:

• Established in 1933, Ian Macleod Distillers is one of Scotland’s leading independent, family-owned distillers, blenders and bottlers.
• Ian Macleod Distillers is the world’s 10th largest Scotch Whisky company, producing and selling over 15 million bottles of spirits every year.
• Ian Macleod Distillers has built up an enviable portfolio of premium quality spirits and is proud brand proprietor of Glengoyne, Tamdhu, Rosebank and Smokehead Scotch whiskies and Edinburgh Gin to name but a few.

NEW IN
The Greedy Angel’s return, plus new
releases from Morrison & Mackay,
A.D. Rattray and The Single Malts of Scotland.
Shop new in ››

AMRUT 10 YEAR OLD GREEDY ANGEL’S
PEATED SHERRY FINISH
70cl | 60%

Peated Indian single malt highlighting the
rapid maturation of whisky in high
temperatures.

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It’s here and we’re ready to celebrate – the BIGGEST Outturn of the year has landed, featuring a whopping 45 new casks to choose from. From party starters to conversation sparkers, the vast variety means there’s a Society whisky for all occasions and celebrations this Christmas.

With so many whiskies up for grabs, we’ve highlighted them under four different categories to make it easier to find your favourite, whether you’re treating yourself or choosing for someone else.

READ OUTTURN

NEW WHISKIES

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

Today, we have what might be our largest set of new arrivals and returning favorites to date. Scotch is very well represented with exciting arrivals from Benromach, Ledaig, Laphroaig, Ardbeg, and Caperdonich, to name a few. This week’s highlights include:

Benromach Organic Single Malt Whisky (750ml) (Elsewhere $65) $44.99 View

Benromach 15 Year Old Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) (Elsewhere $80)93$59.99 View

1997 Ledaig 21 Year Old “Chieftain’s” K&L Exclusive Single Sherry Butt Cask Strength Unchill-filtered Island Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) $149.99 View

2005 Laphroaig 13 Year Old “Chieftain’s” K&L Exclusive Single Sherry Butt Cask Strength Unchill-filtered Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) $159.99 View

1997 Benriach 21 Year Old “Chieftain’s” K&L Exclusive Single Rum Barrel Finish Cask Strength Unchill-filtered Speyside Single Malt Whisky (750ml) $169.99 View

2004 Ardbeg 15 Year Old “Chieftain’s” K&L Exclusive Single Ex-Bourbon Barrel Cask Strength Unchill-filtered Islay Single Malt Whisky (750ml) $239.99 View

1995 Caperdonich 24 Year Old “Chieftain’s” K&L Exclusive Single Sherry Butt Cask Strength Unchill-filtered Speyside Single Malt Whisky (750ml) $399.99 View

ralfy.com buys a Glenlivet for a change !

https://youtu.be/_aVrXH3hZiw

GORDON & MACPHAIL REVEALS UNIQUE SINGLE MALTS FOR CHRISTMAS

Single malt whisky creator Gordon & MacPhail has unveiled a duo of special bottlings from its iconic Connoisseurs Choice range for Christmas gifting.

The Connoisseurs Choice 1999 from Old Pulteney Distillery is joined by a Connoisseurs Choice 2004 from Glenlivet in a celebration of the Speyside and Highland regions.

The Connoisseurs Choice range, which marked its 50^th anniversary last year, has featured more than 2,000 bottlings with releases from almost 100 distilleries from all over Scotland.

Stephen Rankin, Director of Prestige at Gordon & MacPhail said: “These Connoisseurs Choice releases are exceptional one-offs from some of Scotland’s most admired distilleries and are the perfect gift for whisky fans looking to explore and try unique, never-to-be-repeated expressions that are unavailable anywhere else.

“Passion for single malt Scotch whisky has been at the heart of our family business for four generations, with each sprit hand-selected from distilleries and matched with our casks before being patiently monitored throughout the maturation process, bottled only when it is ready.

“This careful process has resulted in a huge variety of vintages, finishes, flavours and strengths, creating something for every palate.”

Each whisky bottled by Gordon & MacPhail is the result of close relationships built over decades with distilleries, resulting in a collection of rare whiskies created by unique experience.

Gordon & MacPhail 1999 from Old Pulteney Distillery [RRP £141]

Located in the far north of the Scottish Highlands, Old Pulteney Distillery was established in 1826 in the historic Caithness fishing port of Wick. Known as a ‘maritime malt’, the liquid, distilled in close proximity to the coast, has an edge of salt to its otherwise sweet and malty style.

The Gordon & MacPhail 1999 from Old Pulteney Distillery is a warm and rich 19-year-old whisky laid down on 26 October 1999 in cask no.1457, a refill Sherry butt. Spending its whole life in the hand-selected cask, the liquid has taken on the spiced fruit aromas reminiscent of the festive season.

Just 554 bottles are available for purchase from selected specialist whisky retailers internationally.

Gordon & MacPhail 2004 from Glenlivet Distillery [RRP £101]

Glenlivet is one of the Gordon & MacPhail’s longest standing relationships, dating back to the 1930s when Glenlivet was one of only three operational distilleries in Scotland.

Only 162 bottles are available of this 14-year-old whisky from what has grown to become one of Speyside’s most sought-after distilleries. Following selection, the spirit was matched with refill bourbon barrel no.800670 and laid down on 10 November 2004.

A 14 year maturation in an ex-bourbon cask has left the whisky with fresh, wooded and sweet aromas combined with delicate floral notes from the distillation.

For more information visit www.gordonandmacphail.com

#GordonandMacPhail

*Prices in international markets may vary due to local taxes and import duties.

Tasting notes

Gordon & MacPhail 1999 from Old Pulteney Distillery

56.5% ABV, outturn of 554 bottles, UK RRP of £141. Matured in cask no. 1457, a refill Sherry butt.

Aroma: Rich SHERRY aromas combine with HAZELNUT and creamy MILK CHOCOLATE. A FLORAL note develops alongside sweet HONEY and CINNAMON with a refreshing hint of MINT.

Flavours: Initially smooth and sweet with STEWED FRUIT flavours. A hint of zesty LEMON develops, complementing subtle ALMOND notes with an undertone of mouth-warming BLACK PEPPER.

Finish: Long and lingering with nuances of warming SPICE.

Gordon & MacPhail 2004 from Glenlivet Distillery

64.0% ABV, outturn of 162 bottles, UK RRP of £101. Matured in cask no. 800670, a refill bourbon barrel.

Aroma: Delicate notes of LAVENDER accompany creamy VANILLA and fresh HERBS.  Cracked BLACK PEPPER complements notes of BROWN SUGAR. Hints of CUSTARD develop with nuances of OAK.

Flavours: MILK CHOCOLATE compliments fragrant PEACH notes with ALMONDS developing and leading to a hint of LIME.  Undertones of BANANA and CUSTARD linger.

Finish: A long sweet and NUTTY finish with LIME and HAZELNUT.

Laphroaig 30 Year “Limited Edition” Old Islay Single Malt Whisky (750ml) $899.99 View  

From the distillery: “In 2016, Laphroaig 30 Year Old was launched and in 2017 the 27 Year Old Double Matured Laphroaig continues this series. The entire range is presented in white wooden boxes with hand carved images of the distillery inside. To make this exquisite liquid, mature Laphroaig previously aged in refill hogsheads was transferred into first-fill ex-bourbon barrels and refill quarter casks. Patiently aged in Laphroaig’s famous Warehouse No. 1, these casks were then hand selected for a final maturation. This rare whisky features a touch of Laphroaig’s trademark peat smoke tempered by lime and sea salt. Each and every sip will be well worth the wait.”

Full, soft and sumptuous on the palate with flavours of citrus peel and pears poached in red wine and spices. Craig’s release of the year so far, this is stunning. To hear that it has a reasonable price tag makes it even better!

Official Tasting Notes:
Full, soft and sumptuous on the palate with flavours of citrus peel and pears poached in red wine and spices.
The finish is long, with hints of rich vanilla panna cotta, ripe berries and cherries.

This FIRST release – 48% of the whiskies have been aged in ex-sherry casks.

Inspired by an eponymously named bespoke whisky we recently created for a bar in New York City called The Spaniard, Compass Box decided to explore this style further to create a malt whisky blend with its core whiskies aged in Spanish Sherry and Spanish red wine casks. The result is this amazing whisky. The recipe can be viewed in images. From Compass Box.

AVAILABLE NOW

It’s only six weeks until Christmas, and we’re starting to think about choosing the ideal gifts for our nearest and dearest, or selecting the perfect bottle that will get everyone at our Christmas party talking.

It also means it’s time for our biggest Outturn of the year – a mammoth, mouth-watering release of 45 celebratory casks to get your festive season started. With so many bottles to choose from you’ll want some time to select your favourites, so head to the website and read the full Outturn now, ahead of its release on Friday, 15 November at 9am.

And if you can’t quite wait until then, we’re releasing a limited number of six preview bottlings at 2pm (GMT) today. Christmas just came early!

READ OUTURN

PREVIEW WHISKIES

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

Caol Ila 9 Year Old 2010 Strictly Limited

In the lovely new Strictly Limited packaging, comes a new Caol Ila from a line of excellent young casks. Now at 47.5% there is even more to like! Caol Ila 9 Year Old 2010 vintage Islay single malt Scotch whisky. Single cask hogshead bottled 2019 by Morrison & MacKay for the Strictly Limited series. 411 bottles.

Caol Ila Distillery is famous for the stunning view from its still house windows looking out across the Sound of Islay and for the objects which have passed by including naval battleships, submarines and whales. Caol Ila was established in 1846 by Hector Henderson on a sheltered but rocky stretch of coast on north east Islay. Now the largest malt whiskey distillery on Islay it produces peated and some un-peated malt whisky with the distillery range including Caol Ila 12 year old and the Distiller’s Edition. Caol Ila participates in Feis Ile, the annual Islay Festival of Malt and Music.

Buy – Caol Ila 9 Year Old 2010 – £41.86