Drinks with… Maltstock!

Last newsletter we’ve had to announce we’ll be taking a relaxed break and there will be no Maltstock this year. Well, that’s only partly true! Although we won’t be able to host a regular relaxed whisky weekend, we will be online to share a few drams.

The past years we’ve been doing the “Drinks with…” sessions at Maltstock. They are greatly appreciated by both our guests and our session hosts. Fun and relaxed. They are always for just a small group of people, first come, first serve.

This year you can all join our online “Drinks with… Maltstock!”

The Maltstock team will go online Saturday evening 12 September. We would love to connect with you, hear how you’re all doing. And of course, there will be some whisky to share and enjoy!

Annette, Bob, Klaas, Stan, Teun

12 September

We have six whiskies to try together with you. You can order a tasting set so you can join us in tasting the whisky. The whiskies will be presented by the one that donated them:

• Glenfarclas – Ian McWilliam
• Single Cask Nation – the 3J’s (Jason, Jesse and Joshua)
• Waterford – Ian O’Brian
• The Whisky Exchange – Billy Abbott
• Teeling
• To be announced soon

The evening will most likely be a couple of hours. Everyone that donated a bottle for the tasting will join us live and chat a bit about the whisky and possibly other relaxed nonsense.

We also welcome questions. Either for us or for our guests.  Please feel free to send us any questions you might have already. Serious questions, fun questions, relaxed questions, anything you always wanted to ask but never got around to. Send them to info@maltstock.com and we’ll try to answer them all when we’re live.

If you have some relaxed Maltstock stories/memories you would like to share, let us know and we can have you as a virtual guest during the Drinks with… Maltstock evening.

Order your tasting set!

…and join us! We have a limited number of tasting sets available. You can order yours here:

Order here

• Sets are just € 29,95 for six very relaxed whiskies, including shipping in the Netherlands.
• If you want to join us outside the Netherlands the sets are € 39,95 including shipping within the EU.
• If you would like to have your set shipped to a non-EU country please contact us for shipping costs.

We hope to meet you on Saturday 12 September, and remember, any questions or stories to share please contact us!

Stay healthy stay relaxed

Relax! We’ll be back in 2021!

Dates for next year are

10-12 September 2021

Ticket sales will start in September 2020.

We hope to see you all next year. That would be very relaxed!

TyndrumWhisky.com

Brings you

Macduff 1990 30YO XOP

One of only 146 bottles available.

From Macduff Distillery
Extraordinary and Ridiculously Rare.

Distilled February 1990, bottled April 2020, from one sherry butt- DL13918. The nose is wonderfully spiced with nutmeg developing to toffee and brown sugar. The palate reveals ripe, juicy plums, treacle with allspice and sweet malt. The finish lingers long – anticipate mocha, raspberry conserve and cinnamon. One of only 146 bottles available. From the ‘XOP Old Particular’ range of whisky by Douglas Laing. From Macduff Distillery. Extraordinary and Ridiculously Rare. Distilled February 1990, bottled April 2020, from one sherry butt- DL13918 Natural Cask Strength, Natural Colour – No Chill Filtration. Official notes from Douglas Laing: The nose is wonderfully spiced with nutmeg developing to toffee and brown sugar. The palate reveals ripe, juicy plums, treacle with allspice and sweet malt. The finish lingers long – anticipate mocha, raspberry conserve and cinnamon. Cask Strength – Set in a gorgeous wooden presentation box. Cask Number – 13924. Distilled at Macduff Distillery. Matured and bottled by Douglas Laing.

Order Now >

Suntory Hakushu 12 Year Old Japanese Peated Single Malt Whisky (750ml)

SKU #108013291 points Wine Enthusiast $119.99

 This golden, silky single malt mingles vanilla and honey with fresh apple and pear aromas. These notes are echoed on the palate alongside a wave of peat smoke. Add a splash of water to offset the modest but persistent alcohol heat and further coax out the fruity-smoky flavors. (KN)  (12/2015)

Whisky Advocate

 Although only two years older, this expression of Hakushu — the first to be launched in the U.S. — shows a fleshier side to the distillery’s wares. While it has retained the freshness of the 10 year old, it shows more pineapple and grapefruit on the nose, with a little fragrance of jasmine and osmanthus. On the palate, it’s fresh and lively with a hint of persimmon and a tickle of smoke. Recommended. (DB, Spring 2012) 

Wine Spectator

 This Suntory distillery is located in a mountain forest in the southern Japanese alps. The whisky has cool, mint/basil, bamboo, kiwi and green melon aromas with the faintest hint of smoke.  (10/2014)

K&L Notes

Suntory’s Hakushu, known as the “forest distillery,” was built in 1973 as a sister distillery to Suntory’s Yamazaki (previously the only Japanese single malt available in the United States). The facility is located at a high-elevation site next to the pristine waters of the Ojira River, which are used to dilute the whisky itself. Hakushu distillery uses different styles of oak barrel to age their single malt, but mainly hogshead, which, according to the distillery is, “suitable to the clear air and cool humid climate.” The 12-year old from Hakushu is lightly peated and very delicate in its flavor profile. The light and fruity style of the whisky is quite similar to the Yamazaki 12, but the smoke really makes up for any lack of richness. We’ve seen insane price increases over the last five years on Japanese whisky and inventory getting tighter and tighter, but for a limited time, we have Hakushu 12 in stock and available to sell, and at a fraction of the price you’ll see at many other retailers across the country.

The Loch Fyne Gift Builder From £38.00

THE LOCH FYNE GIFT BUILDER

Create a beautiful gift pack with your favourite expression from The Loch Fyne range – complete with two Loch Fyne Whiskies Glencairn glasses, all handsomely presented in a lovely Loch Fyne gift box.Create a beautiful gift pack with your favourite expression from The Loch Fyne range complete with two Loch Fyne Whiskies Glencairn glasses, all handsomely presented in a lovely Loch Fyne gift box. Choose from any of the bottles in The Loch Fyne range including our famous blended Scotch and gin, our popular liqueurs, the award-winning Living Cask series, or any of our limited edition single cask single malt whiskies.

Buy Now ›

MISUNDERSTOOD WHISKEY BECOMES FIRST DOMESTIC BRAND TO JOIN SAZERAC’S GROWING

375 PARK AVENUE SPIRITS PORTFOLIO 

Louisville, KY (August 5, 2020)— 375 Park Avenue Spirits, a division of the Sazerac Company, is pleased to announce its national partnership with Misunderstood Whiskey as they expand distribution across the U.S. beginning October 1^st, 2020. The partnership comes on the heels of Misunderstood Whiskey’s success in its hometown market and growing national demand for its Ginger Spiced Whiskey. Under this agreement, 375 Park Avenue Spirits and Sazerac Company’s Bond and Royal craft division will assume responsibility for all sales, distribution, and will support the brand’s marketing efforts. This partnership marks the next phase of growth for Misunderstood Whiskey and adds another innovative brand to 375 Park Avenue Spirits as they strategically scale their portfolio of premium spirits.

“Misunderstood is a brand that’s in the early stages of its life cycle and that youthful exuberance permeates from the brand and is central to what creates such a loyal base of consumer evangelists. The success that Chris and JD have been able to achieve in that brief window is a testament to the strength of the brand and the stewardship they’ve provided,” said Jason Schladenhauffen, president and CEO of 375 Park Avenue Spirits.  “The meteoric rise of the category is well documented and we feel strongly that this brand is ripe to become one of the next rising stars.”

Misunderstood Whiskey started as a kitchen recipe by childhood friends, JD Recobs and Chris Buglisi. The duo quickly realized how unique their product was as it drew growing attention from a widely diverse audience, many of whom were newly converted whiskey drinkers after trying their Ginger Spiced Whiskey. Misunderstood is an American whiskey blended with all natural ginger for a mellow finish while maintaining the integrity of the whiskey. In addition to being enjoyed neat or on the rocks, Misunderstood Whiskey’s early success can be attributed to its versatility in premium cocktails and regard as a fun tool for bartenders.

“We’re extremely humbled to join Sazerac’s 375 Park Avenue Spirits Portfolio,” said JD Recobs, Co-Founder of Misunderstood Whiskey. “We couldn’t have asked for a better group of people to work with and are confident that 375 Park Avenue Spirits and Bond & Royal will play a major role in the continued success of Misunderstood. We’re thrilled to take our brand to the next level and share Misunderstood with the rest of the Nation. It’s going to be a lot of fun!”

“We’re excited to have partners who understand and align with our company’s vision to create the whiskey for everyone,” added Chris Buglisi, Co-Founder of Misunderstood Whiskey.  “With 375 Park Avenue Spirits and Sazerac’s infrastructure behind Misunderstood, we can focus on product innovation, brand strategy, and connecting more with our amazing customers who are the backbone of the brand.”

About 375 Park Avenue Spirits:

375 Park Avenue Spirits specializes in the premium- to luxury-spirit categories and our portfolio includes numerous expressions from leading international producers.  Founded as Luctor International, LLC in 1981, 375 Park Avenue Spirits joined the Sazerac Company in early 2015 to act as an independent, yet fully integrated sales and marketing affiliate. The company is known today for creating an environment of growth for supplier partners in the domestic market for renown brands like Van Gogh Vodka from Holland, Sobieski Vodka from Poland, Cutty Sark Blended Scotch, J.P. Wiser’s Canadian Whisky, Paul John Single Malt Whisky from India, Scapegrace Gin from New Zealand, Novo Fogo Cachaca and many others. For more information on 375 Park Avenue Spirits, please visit www.375park.com.

About Sazerac: 

Sazerac is one of America’s oldest family owned, privately held distillers with operations in the United States in Louisiana, Kentucky, Indiana, Virginia, Tennessee, Maine, New Hampshire, South Carolina, Maryland, California, and global operations in the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, India, Australia and Canada. For more information on Sazerac, please visit www.sazerac.com.

About Misunderstood Whiskey: 

Starting from a kitchen recipe by two childhood friends, JD Recobs & Chris Buglisi, Misunderstood Whiskey is an American Whiskey, aged in American oak barrels, blended with all natural ginger, and bottled at 80 proof in Bardstown, Kentucky. Misunderstood Whiskey’s award winning Ginger Spiced Whiskey is approachable for rookies, yet complex enough for whiskey connoisseurs. With a refreshingly smooth ginger finish, Misunderstood Whiskey can be enjoyed neat, on the rocks, or in your favorite cocktail.

For more information about Misunderstood Whiskey, follow their journey on Facebook and Instagram (@misunderstoodwhiskey) or contact the team directly at info@Misunderstoodwhiskey.com.

Caskshare allows whisky lovers to reserve ‘shares’ of whisky casks from their favourite distilleries, choosing between a wide variety of wood types and ages as the whisky matures. Single cask bottles will then be sent directly to buyers upon maturation, or even traded between them on this new leading-edge technology platform. Described as ‘crowdfunding for whisky’, the aim of Caskshare is to allow whisky-lovers the chance to experience different cask variations by lowering the financial barrier to cask-ownership.

New casks

The new casks range from a 31 year-old cask, from Cambus which is now no longer even a distillery to the deep red of the Glen Moray, a 1st fill red wine barrique. The new range of casks allow customers to sample whiskies of different ages and finishes from the world’s oldest and newest whisky regions.

Cambus – Cask number 41752 – Refill bourbon hogshead, filled 12/06/1989.

Rich & Complex: 3

Fruity & Floral: 7

Sweet / Aperitif: 8

Spice: 2

Smokiness / Peaty: 0

Est. ABV of Bottling: 52.0%

Price per Bottle: £139

Expected # of Bottles: 277

Tullibardine – Cask number 800165 – 2nd fill Jim Beam Rye cask, filled 07/06/2007

Rich & Complex: 1

Fruity & Floral: 7

Sweet / Aperitif: 6

Spice: 4

Smokiness / Peaty: 0

Est. ABV of Bottling: 60.0%

Price per Bottle: £49

Expected # of Bottles: 148

BenRiach – Cask number #293/2013 – Bourbon matured, Marsala finish (from June 2019), filled 09/09/2013

Rich & Complex: 1

Fruity & Floral: 7

Sweet / Aperitif: 8

Spice: 2

Smokiness / Peaty: 0

Est. ABV of Bottling: 60.0%

Price per Bottle: £69

Expected # of Bottles: 298

Glen Moray – Cask number 2956- 1st fill red wine barrique, filled 01/07/2018 

Rich & Complex: 4

Fruity & Floral: 6

Sweet / Aperitif: 8

Spice: 6

Smokiness / Peaty: 0

Est. ABV of Bottling: 60.0%

Price per Bottle: £57

Expected # of Bottles: 158

We’re excited to announce a new online Unfiltered magazine, exclusively for members of The Scotch Malt Whisky Society. 

Unfiltered has been through several incarnations since the Society started out in 1983, growing from a short newsletter written mostly by Pip to the full-colour 44-page printed magazine delivered to members four times a year. Now we are refocussing all of our efforts on creating a new digital Unfiltered for members every month.

We have invested in a new platform that helps us make the transition from our beautiful printed publication to something that allows our creativity to shine on any digital device. And what we’re saving from no longer printing and distributing Unfiltered is being reinvested to bring you the best whisky-related content available anywhere, more frequently, with more use of multimedia and with an emphasis as always on top quality and high-end design and production values.

The August issue of Unfiltered will be the last one in its current printed format, and today we’re delighted to unveil the same magazine on our new digital platform, hosted on smws.com. We will now send you a new digital magazine every month, as well us uploading stories regularly between issues. Call it ‘constant content’, with a compelling mix of whisky news, Society insights, member stories, distillery profiles, interviews with leading figures from the wider whisky world, videos to bring these to life  and much, much more. From September onwards, we will be implementing a member log-in system. You’ll have to be part of the Society to access our beautifully designed monthly whisky magazine.

Apart from anything else, our new digital publication gives you the opportunity to get more involved in what we’re presenting and for you to have your say. We hope you are impressed with what you see with your first online Unfiltered, and as always we welcome your feedback.

Slainte and happy reading,

David Ridley 

MD and Chief Member Champion

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

On Friday 28th August, 8pm BST we will be streaming a rare cask tasting live on Facebook and YouTube.

“Casks Unlocked” Virtual Live Tasting – not to be missed!

This unique event, affectionately named, “Casks Unlocked” will see Robbie Hughes, Gordon Dundas, and a panel of key industry figures dissect four hand-selected single cask whiskies that have never been tried before.

The destiny of the next Glengoyne Single Cask is in your hands.

On the night we invite you to vote which of the four cask whiskies will become our next Glengoyne “Cask of the Moment” – our special series of single casks hand bottled at the distillery.

Watch this short clip for an insight into what to expect on the evening, and Robbie’s perspective on these four unique whiskies.

Tasting kits are available to purchase ahead of the event, allowing you to participate in debating the drams from the comfort of your home.

Priced at £50.00 the tasting kit contains 30ml samples from four extraordinary casks, including an ex-bourbon barrel from 2004, port pipe from 2005, re-fill hogshead from 2006 and a Madeira cask from 2007. Also included in the kit is a Glengoyne Glencairn glass.

We have 230 kits and have made 100 exclusively available for family members. Buy now for delivery in time for the Live Tasting, Friday 28th August, 8pm BST.

BUY NOW

To cast your vote, all you have to do is tune in on the night and then vote live from our website for the cask you would like to be bottled as Glengoyne’s next distillery exclusive single cask.

We look forward to you joining us with a dram in hand on the night of the 28th August.

The Good Dram Show – Episode 374 ‘Canadian Whisky’ 

Welcome to this weeks episode of the show in which I’ll be looking at two new releases from Two Brewers and a few other Canadian whiskies.

https://youtu.be/kBqsFfIyjHU

LOCH LOMOND WHISKIES REVEALS COMPLETE BRAND REFRESH  

Loch Lomond Whiskies has unveiled a complete brand refresh which includes redesigned packaging across its domestic and Global Travel Retail single malt Scotch whisky ranges.

The investment comes after strong business growth over the past five years which has seen Loch Lomond Whiskies become one of the top five fastest growing single malt brands in the world, listed in over 125 markets.

The new look packaging introduces a more contemporary aesthetic alongside simple flavour descriptors allowing consumers to easily navigate their way through the portfolio.

The restructured portfolio brings the Inchmurrin 12 year old and Inchmoan 12 year old under the Loch Lomond Whiskies brand, forming the heart of the range alongside Loch Lomond 12 year old.

These three expressions demonstrate the capability of Loch Lomond’s innovative distillation and long fermentation, which can deliver a range of flavour profiles, from the light and fruity Inchmurrin to the heavily peated Inchmoan, with Loch Lomond 12 year old in between.  Loch Lomond Original, Loch Lomond Classic, Loch Lomond 10 year old and Loch Lomond 18 year old complete the domestic portfolio.

A further three aged Loch Lomond single malts are due for release later in 2020, building the appeal of the range.

John Grieveson, Chief Marketing Officer, commented: “We recognise that in a growing and increasingly fragmented market the continued success of the Loch Lomond Whiskies portfolio depends on our ability to clearly communicate what makes our whiskies so unique. The breadth of flavour characteristics available across the range is unrivalled across the industry. Our investment in this brand refresh allows us to better communicate this range of flavour profiles to consumers, as well as improving stand out of the Loch Lomond Whiskies brand, and celebrating our much-loved location close to the banks of Loch Lomond.”

The new look packaging retains the familiar stag icon and features a more prominent Loch Lomond brand name and age statement to increase visibility on shelf. The outline of the famous Loch Lomond has been incorporated into the background of each gift box, celebrating the distillery’s enviable location. A simple flavour descriptor also features on both the gift box and bottle.

The design will also be rolled out across the Loch Lomond Whiskies Global Travel Retail range, better aligning the two collections, and improving brand recognition.

In 2018, Loch Lomond Whiskies entered a prestigious, five-year partnership with The Open, golf’s original championship. The partnership with The R&A includes support of the AIG Women’s British Open and showcases the full range of Loch Lomond Whiskies on a global scale.  In February 2020, Loch Lomond Whiskies concluded a new agreement with the Professional Golfers’ Association (The PGA) to become a ‘PGA Partner’ and the title sponsor of the Scottish PGA Championship. More recently Loch Lomond Whiskies, have confirmed their commitment to golf as new sponsor of the European Tour’s newly launched ‘UK Swing’ in July and August.

Founded in 1814, the Loch Lomond distillery can trace its roots back to the Littlemill distillery, which was established in 1772 and is the oldest licensed distillery in the world. Its current malt and grain distilleries, in Alexandria, Dunbartonshire, close to the banks of Loch Lomond, were commissioned in 1964 with first distillation in 1966.

When it opened, Loch Lomond distillery’s ground-breaking straight necked stills were a revelation, enabling production of a lighter, fruitier spirit and greater control over the whisky’s character. Under the later ownership of the Bulloch family further distilling innovation took place with the aim of being self-sufficient. It is among only four distilleries in the Scotch whisky industry to maintain an onsite cooperage which makes and maintains 20,000 casks annually.

For further information visit www.lochlomondwhiskies.com .

Loch Lomond Whiskies Domestic Portfolio:

• Loch Lomond Original (70cl)
• Loch Lomond Classic (70cl)
• Loch Lomond 10 year old (70cl)
• Loch Lomond 12 year old (70cl)
• Loch Lomond 12 year old Inchmurrin(70cl)
• Loch Lomond 12 year old Inchmoan(70cl)
• Loch Lomond 18 year old (70cl)

Loch Lomond Whiskies Global Travel Retail Portfolio:

• Loch Lomond Original (1 litre)
• Loch Lomond 12 year old (1 litre)
• Loch Lomond 14 year old (1 litre)
• Loch Lomond 18 year old (1 litre)
• Loch Lomond Madeira finish (1 litre)

Notes: 

About the Loch Lomond Group 

• Loch Lomond Group is an independent distiller based in Alexandria and is home to several award-winning brands that are sold in more than 125 countries worldwide.
• Loch Lomond distillery has been producing the finest single malt whiskies since 1814.
• Images and interviews with key staff from the Group are available upon request. www.lochlomondgroup.com

About Loch Lomond Whiskies 

• Loch Lomond Distillery has one of the oldest heritages in the industry. It was founded by American, Duncan Thomas, the owner of the Littlemill distillery which was licensed in 1772. In the 1930s Duncan Thomas was at the forefront of innovation within the Scotch whisky industry and his innovative philosophy is ingrained into everything that is done at Loch Lomond to this day
• The multi award winning Loch Lomond whiskies range includes the Loch Lomond 12-Year-Old which has been awarded the Platinum Award in 2020, one of only 7 single malts to be awarded this honour at the San Francisco World Spirits Challenge 2020. Other expressions in the range are the single malts Loch Lomond Original; Loch Lomond Classic; Loch Lomond 18-Year-Old; Loch Lomond 50-Year-Old; the Loch Lomond Island’s Collection which includes the Inchmurrin and Inchmoan ranges as well as the deluxe blend Loch Lomond Signature and Loch Lomond Single Grain
• Loch Lomond Inchmoan 12-Year-Old has been awarded Best Highland Single Malt 12 Years and Under at the 2018 World Whiskies Awards and a Gold Medal at the 2020 San Francisco 2020 Awards
• Loch Lomond Whiskies was recently also awarded the following medals at the 2020 San Francisco World Spirits Competition:
  • PLATINUM: Loch Lomond 12 Year Old
  • DOUBLE GOLD MEDAL – Inchmurrin 12 Year Old
  • GOLD MEDAL – Inchmoan 12 Year Old
  • DOUBLE GOLD MEDAL – Loch Lomond 18 Year Old
  • DOUBLE GOLD MEDAL: Loch Lomond 10 Year Old