PARTICIPATE

Wow! How do you fancy owning your very own CASK of whisky? We can make your dram dreams come true, with an exceptional prize giveaway open to all SMWS members. We’ve teamed up with fellow flavour fanatics at Holyrood Distillery to offer the chance to win one of their hogshead casks. The prize includes spirit production, maturation for up to 10 years, plus bottling and duty. We’re sure you’ll agree, this is a dream whisky prize for our members.

The collaboration celebrates the distillery’s new custom cask programme, where whisky lovers are encouraged to take the reins and create a unique flavour matched to their own preferences. Holyrood Distillery are offering a level of expertise and customisation that you won’t find anywhere else. All this means that your whisky will be truly one-of-a-kind.

MORE DETAILS

Feel free to get in touch with the lovely folks at Holyrood Distillery if you have any questions or enquiries about their new custom cask programme.

COMPETITION ENTRY

To make this dream come true, members need to complete our competition entry form before Monday, 2 November. As simple as that. There are terms and conditions that need some attention, you’ll find these online. Good luck!

ENTER

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

Welcome to this weeks episode of the show. It’s time to find out if there is some distillery character evident or is it all just a case of sherry, sherry and yet more sherry! Watch and find out!

For a limited time only, enjoy £5 off our award-winning Cotswolds Single Malt Whisky and free UK delivery when you shop online!*

Simply enter code WHISKY5 at checkout.

Don’t miss out – offer ends midnight on Sunday 13th September and is subject to availability while stocks last.

SHOP NOW

*T&Cs apply
(discount code cannot be combined with any other discount code)

This weeks episode of the Good DramShow https://youtu.be/tkqZ19TZNA4 is a general round up and features new and new-ish releases from Lindores Abbey, Mackmyra, North Star, The Spirit of Yorkshire Distillery, Bruichladdich and Kingsbarns.

BENRIACH’S CREATIVE PAST INSPIRES FUTURE WITH DISTINCTIVE NEW PORTFOLIO OF SINGLE MALTS 

Benriach Distillery, located in north Speyside, has revealed a distinctive flavour-forward portfolio of Single Malts and a new look inspired by the distillery’s creative heritage.

Known for its long-standing tradition of distilling classic, peated and triple distilled whisky and a vast eclectic cask inventory sourced from around the world, the portfolio has been artistically crafted by Master Blender Dr. Rachel Barrie and her team. Displaying the diversity and versatility of Benriach’s orchard fruit-laden style, this new range spans the full spectrum of whisky flavour.

The new packaging takes inspiration from the first Benriach Single Malt released over two decades ago, with the portfolio’s colour palette inspired by Speyside’s natural environment in which the distillery sits.

Benriach Master Blender, Dr Rachel Barrie said: “The new range perfectly marries tradition and innovation that is central to Benriach’s story. Inspired by the 1994 bottling of the Original Ten, with its fruit-laden complexity and smooth, rounded taste, the new range re-imagines the 1898 origins of Benriach, brought to life in the 21st century through fusing distilling styles with extraordinary casks.

“In the new Original Ten, a more richly flavoured, rounded malt character might be discerned, whilst The Twelve balances richly sherried malt with added layers of fruit complexity, reaching a pinnacle at twelve years old. The new Smoky Ten and Smoky Twelve explore the sweet smokiness of Benriach, enriched through innovative combinations of rum, virgin oak and marsala casks interwoven with more traditional bourbon and sherry.

“The new Benriach range is for those open to new possibilities, building on a wealth of experience and tradition. I invite the drinker to join me on this creative journey, as we explore the rich rewards of Single Malt whisky.”

In addition to Benriach The Original Ten, the Core Range will feature a new recipe for Benriach’s richly sherried twelve year old whisky, including port and bourbon casks  interwoven for seamless smooth complexity.

The extraordinarily sweet smoky whisky distilled in the distillery’s smoke season features in the new Smoky Ten and Smoky Twelve Year Old expressions. Both have their own flavour palette, created by maturing in bespoke oak casks, interwoven with Benriach’s hallmark sweet smoke.

A premium selection of Twenty One, Twenty Five and Thirty Year Old Single Malts brings an extremely rare opportunity to discover the exquisite integration of flavour resulting from decades of maturation. Matured in a diverse selection of highly distinctive oak casks, and interwoven with complex layers of refined and mellow smoke, each aged expression has been meticulously composed for aromatic finesse, sumptuous richness, and deep mellow maturity.

As one of just two distilleries in Speyside still to practice traditional floor malting on site, a new small batch and limited edition ‘Malting Season’ expression will celebrate this time-honoured practice. Benriach’s seasonal peated spirit production will also be captured in a new ‘Smoke Season’ bottling, which explores the full intensity of Benriach’s fruit-forward smoky  spirit, amplified through bespoke cask selection.

Benriach will also continue its legacy of capturing unique moments in time through its Cask Edition Programme, and will continue to offer a travel retail collection featuring the Triple Distilled aged 10 years, as well as Quarter Cask and Smoky Quarter Cask expressions.

Over 120 years since it was established, Benriach is also expected to unveil its first official visitor centre to the public later this year, allowing visitors from around the world to explore this Speyside whisky gem.

The new Benriach range will become available in global markets gradually from September 2020.

Notes 

Timings of product availability will vary by country as they transition to the new range. Benriach Smoke Season will launch later this year, and Malting Season will become available in spring 2021.

For more details on the new portfolio please visit www.benriach.com

About Benriach Distillery

A Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky as intriguing and extraordinary as Benriach could not have come to be without a unique whisky making heritage, dating from 1898, when founder John Duff built his distillery. Ruggedly beautiful, Benriach stands on the site of the old Riach farm in north Speyside, drawing water from a mineral-rich aquifer, deep beneath the distillery.

Thanks to a long-standing tradition of distilling three styles of whisky; classic unpeated, Highland peated and triple distilled, together with an eclectic selection of casks from around the world, our whisky makers are able to explore the full flavour possibilities of Single Malt, creating some of the richest, most multi-layered whiskies in Speyside.

This tradition continues today, under the guidance of Master Blender, Rachel Barrie. Benriach is the story of a hidden Speyside gem, quietly revealing its treasures to be discovered and savoured.

Facebook – @Benriach

Instagram – @Benriach

Twitter – @TheBenriach

Bimber releases UK exclusive oloroso sherry cask finish  

London’s Bimber Distillery today announced the release of Batch 002 of its Oloroso Cask Small Batch single malt, created exclusively for the UK.

Following a swift sell-out of the European market edition of the release earlier in 2020, the second bottling in the series of batched releases has now been unveiled for the UK market.

The single malt has been crafted from a vatting of carefully selected first fill ex-bourbon casks that have been finished in Spanish oloroso sherry casks. 920 bottles have been produced at an ABV of 51.7% with natural colour, no chill-filtration and an RRP of £75.

The expression will be made available to the Distillery’s ‘Bimber Klub’ members from the 9^th September, with the remaining allocation dedicated to UK spirits retailers.

The Small Batch release was crafted to Bimber’s exacting standards. The spirit was produced from the distillery’s single farm barley and malted on a dedicated floor at Warminster Maltings, before being fermented for seven days in bespoke on-site constructed American oak washbacks. Distillation took place in Bimber’s customised stills which possess an increased copper surface area, resulting in a light, fruit-forward, layered new make spirit.

Speaking of the release of the UK Exclusive Oloroso Cask, Bimber Distillery spokesperson Matt McKay said “Despite being a London-based distillery we’re thrilled by the growing worldwide interest in Bimber. As a small distillery focussed on craft, not volumes, it has been challenging for us meet the surging demand for our single malts. Whilst we continue to broaden our offerings overseas, it is still a great pleasure to unveil our next Small Batch release for our home market in the UK.”

“Our Oloroso Cask expression delivers Bimber’s distinctive fruit-focussed character, but adds additional layers of rich intensity, particularly on the palate – which will appeal to all lovers of sherried single malt whisky.”

Notes 

Bimber Oloroso Cask Small Batch 002  

Matured in first fill ex-bourbon barrels, then finished in casks which previously held Spanish oloroso sherry

Nose: Plump raisins and dried berries sit with vanilla cream, malt loaf and gingerbread men whilst dusty cinnamon joins a French crepe with a squeeze of lemon juice

Taste: Silky in texture with crushed red berries and quince jelly enriched by chocolate sauce and cracked walnuts. Banana bread and cinnamon swirls join golden syrup while roasted pineapples are tempered by fresh sweet sherry

Finish: Lingering ginger and anise spicing alongside fading berry sweetness

Limited to 920 bottles

70cl

51.7% ABV

RRP £75

Distribution: Available from the 9^th September to Bimber Klub members and via UK retailers thereafter.

About Bimber

Bimber Distillery produces world-class single malt whisky, handcrafted with passion in West London. As a leading distiller of English whisky, we combine generations of rich distilling heritage, with the finest quality ingredients to create the ultimate craft whisky experience.

Whisky Makers Whyte & Mackay Ltd toast success at ISC awards

Scotch Whisky Producers of the Year, Whyte & Mackay Ltd are raising a glass to toast the success of its whisky portfolio today after winning a grand total of 53 Double Gold and Gold awards at this year’s International Spirits Challenge (ISC).

Whyte & Mackay’s collection of Single Malt Whiskies – The Dalmore, Fettercairn, Tamnavulin and Jura received the highest recognition, scooping up six Double Gold medals, followed by 47 Gold medals spanning whiskies from across the portfolio.

The rejuvenated Fettercairn won a total of five awards including Double Gold for its 46 Year Old single malt – a new expression release from the very rare exquisite stocks at Fettercairn Distillery. The win follows a successful year for the Single Malt, with two new permanent expressions added to its core range, each showcasing Fettercairn’s special character distinctive tropical flavour profile.

The International Spirits Challenge is in its 25^th year, and is the leading event in promoting outstanding quality spirits across the world. Awards are given to spirits based on a thorough blind tasting from a panel of specialist judges.

Mr Richard Paterson, Master Distiller and Master Blender, Whyte & Mackay said:

“As whisky makers we dedicate our time to nurturing fantastic whiskies that capture the character of each distillery. We commit ourselves and our passion to produce exceptional whiskies that we hope will be perfect the moment they are enjoyed. To be recognised by the ISC is a wonderful moment that we truly appreciate. We are raising a glass today to everyone at Whyte & Mackay that played a part in this success”

Currently celebrating its 175^th anniversary, Whyte & Mackay is one of Scotland’s leading whisky makers, with single malt brands including The Dalmore, Jura, Fettercairn, Tamnavulin and blends including Whyte & Mackay, Shackleton and The Woodsman.

DOUBLE GOLD

Dalmore 35 Year Old Highland Single Malt, Dalmore Vintage “Quartet” Highland Single Malt,Dalmore 40 Year Old Highland Single Malt,Fettercairn 46 Year Old Single Highland Malt
Tamnavulin Single Speyside Malt Vintage 1970 and Jura Single Highland Malt Vintage 1993.

GOLD

Glaswegian, John Barr Blended Scotch Whisky, Whyte and Mackay Triple Matured Blended Scotch Whisky, Woodsman Blended Scotch Whisky, Quartermaster, Whyte and Mackay 50 Year Old Blended Scotch Whisky, King Of Trees, Shackleton Blended Malt, Tamnavulin French Cabernet Sauvignon Finish Single Speyside Malt Whisky, Jura “Red Wine” Single Malt, Tamnavulin Tempranillo Finish Single Speyside Malt Whisky, Tamnavulin Sherry Finish Single Speyside Malt Whisky, Dalmore Vintage “Trio” Single Highland Malt, Tamnavulin Spanish Grenache Finish Single Speyside Malt Whisky, Jura Seven Wood Single Highland Malt, Dalmore Cigar Malt Single Highland Malt, Dalmore Vintage “Quintet” Single Highland Malt, Tamnavulin Double Cask Single Speyside Malt Whisky, Fettercairn “Small Batch” Single Highland Malt
Dalmore Port Reserve Single Highland Malt, Jura “French Oak” Single Malt, Dalmore King Alexander III Single Highland Malt, Dalmore Quintessence Single Highland Malt, JURA 12 Year Old, Jura “Two – One – Two” Limited Edition Single Malt, Jura 18 Year Old Single Highland Malt, Tamnavulin Single Speyside Malt Vintage 2000, Fettercairn 16 Year Old Single Highland Malt, “The Paps” 19 Year Old Jura Single Highland Malt, 28 Y O Fettercairn Single Highland Malt, Tamnavulin Single Speyside Malt Vintage 1979, Tamnavulin Single Speyside Malt Vintage 1973, Jura Single Highland Malt Vintage 1988, Fettercairn 40 Year Old Single Highland Malt, Dalmore 25 Year Old Single Highland Malt, Jura Single Highland Malt Vintage 1975, Jura “Time” 21 Year Old Single Malt, Jura “Tide” 21 Year Old Single Malt and Dalmore 45 Year Old Single Highland Malt

About Whyte & Mackay Group Ltd.

The Whyte & Mackay collection of Single Malt Whiskies includes Jura, Tamnavilin, Fettercairn and The Dalmore – the exceptional Single Malt Whisky that celebrates its 180^th anniversary in 2019/20.

Scotch Whisky Producers of the Year Whyte & Mackay was founded in Glasgow in 1844, and today celebrates its 175th anniversary with a multi-award-winning portfolio of brands including its namesake Whyte & Mackay Blended Whisky.

The global spirits business is headquartered in the heart of Glasgow, and employs over 500 people around the globe, across five international offices, five distilleries and a state-of-the-art bottling plant in Scotland.

Today, with the support of its owners Emperador Inc., Whyte & Mackay is building a progressive, passionate and ambitious company for the future. Emperador Inc. is a subsidiary of Alliance Global Group Inc. (an international conglomerate listed on the Philippine Stock Exchange).

Suntory Hakushu 12 Year Old Japanese Peated Single Malt Whisky (750ml) ($119.99)

91 points Wine Enthusiast: “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)

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.

Andrew Whiteley | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: June 27, 2019

Hakushu has always been my favorite of the Suntory malts. The sweet and elegant malt profile is rounded out beautifully by the gentle peat smoke giving the whisky more body and texture than its brothers. The “forest distillery” also produces a verdant whisky – it feels green and fresh, cool and earthy. Moist peat and cool mint gently hold up the bouquet of flowers and cereal notes. The palate is extremely balanced with pepper and cinnamon playing off of the sweeter grain notes. The smoke is more rich body than intense fire. A long and earthy finish is sweetened by a maple syrup and caramel note that leaves a very pleasant aftertaste. With Japanese whisky being so hard to get these days, you have to get while the gettin’ is good.

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