Welcome to this weeks episode of the show in which I’ll be taking a look at a selection of bottlings from Scotland’s oldest Independent whisky bottler, Cadenhead’s.
Benromach releases limited edition Peat Smoke Sherry Cask Matured single malt
Benromach Distillery in Speyside has launched a new limited edition single malt, Benromach Peat Smoke Sherry Cask Matured, with fewer than 2,000 bottles available in the UK.
Only ever produced in limited runs, Benromach Peat Smoke Sherry Cask Matured uses the finest Scottish barley malted with high levels of peat smoke at 55ppm.
Laid down in 2012 before being bottled in 2021, this expression is natural in colour and non-chill filtered. It has been matured exclusively in first-fill sherry hogshead casks which results in cinnamon and ginger aromas with rich dark chocolate and stewed red berry flavours. This leads to a full finish of peat smoke and sweetness.
Keith Cruickshank, Distillery Manager at Benromach, said: “This small batch vintage expression has been created in a style which is deliberately different to the subtle smokiness Benromach is well-known for. This is only the second time we’ve released a heavily sherried peat smoke expression and we’re very proud of its unique flavour profile. Although it is different from the first sherry matured peat smoke expression we released in March 2019, given the enthusiasm we received from whisky fans we expect this release to be very popular.
“Like all expressions in the Benromach range, what always remains consistent is our traditional approach to whisky making. Made by hand for genuine character, our small team of distillers rely entirely on their expertise and senses to make the finest handmade whisky, matured exclusively in first-fill casks.”
Benromach Peat Smoke Sherry Cask Matured is available at selected retailers worldwide. Stockist information can be found on the brand website: https://www.benromach.com/stockists
Benromach Peat Smoke Sherry Cask Matured has an RRP of £49.99. Prices in international markets may vary due to local taxes and import duties.
Tasting Notes:
Benromach Peat Smoke Sherry Cask Matured is natural colour, non-chill filtered and is bottled at 46% ABV
About Benromach Distillery
Originally built in 1898, Benromach Distillery was brought back to life when the Urquhart family realised a lifelong dream to own a distillery and purchased it in 1993. The distillery was extensively re-equipped over a five-year period before it was officially opened by HRH The Duke of Rothesay in 1998.
In reopening Benromach Distillery, the Urquhart family wanted to create a single malt whisky that has a classic Speyside character: beautifully balanced with a light touch of smoke.
Benromach Distillery is located on the outskirts of the ancient market town of Forres. Its five-star visitor centre is closed to the public at present and is due to re-open in spring 2022 for tours and tastings. Benromach Distillery is a member of the world-famous Malt Whisky Trail.
For more information, visit: www.benromach.com
The Grand Whisky Auction is live…
2900+ lots will close Monday 16th Aug at 9pm!
Interested in selling whisky in our next auction?
T. +44 (0)1463 210 427
E. sales@thegrandwhiskyauction.com
POWER PAIRINGS
Feel the flavour force and get creative in the kitchen. We’re exploring alternative food and whisky pairings alongside this month’s new casks.
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
We are very pleased to announce the launch of our new book – Everything You Need To Know About Whisky (but are too afraid to ask).
Written by whisky commentator and industry veteran Nicholas Morgan, it dives deep into the world of whisky, from how it’s made to who makes it and how we drink, collect and talk about the world’s greatest spirit. The book is packed with insider information about the industry, as well as history and new research that debunks long held ‘truths’ about whisky.
It’s not a guide to whisky and doesn’t tell you what to drink, but it will inspire you to looker deeper into your favourite whiskies and discuss them with like-minded whisky fans, hopefully over a dram.
“This book should whet anyone’s appetite for whisky, be they expert or novice. It debunks a few myths, sets the record straight here and there, and will I hope provoke both discussion and debate.”— Nicholas Morgan
“This is a book for anyone who loves whisky. They don’t have to be experts, far from it, and there will be plenty to discover (and reconsider) for even the most impassioned and well-informed whisky fan.”— Sukhinder Singh, co-founder of The Whisky Exchange.
Everything You Need To Know About Whisky (but are too afraid to ask) is available now, exclusively from The Whisky Exchange, both in-store and online.
New inaugural release:
Benriach Malting Season has arrived!
The first in a series of annual releases, Malting Season is an ode to Benriach’s historic past in using one of only two floor maltings in the Speyside region – and their first bottling in over a century to be made entirely with barley malted in this highly skilled process!
Master Blender Rachel Barrie has selected 23 barrels with an out-turn of 6672 bottles at a strength of 48.7% abv. Double matured in ex-bourbon and American virgin oak casks, this is a luxuriously nutty dram with real barley presence shining through. Due to expected popularity we are limiting this one to one bottle per customer. Secure yours today!
Rare 1990 vintage single refill first fill bourbon barrel bottled 2018 by Hart Brothers for the legends Collection. Just 2018 bottles. Laphroaig 28 Year Old 1990 vintage Islay single malt Scotch whisky. Single American first fill bourbon barrel #3689 bottled May 2018 by Hart Brothers for the Legends Collection series. 218 numbered bottles. This expression has all the usual suspects. Medicinal, surgical gauze, smoked kipper, brine and new laid asphalt.
Laphroaig Distillery was established in 1815 on the rocky south coast of the Isle of Islay off the west coast of Scotland. This malt whisky distillery continues to malt barley using its traditional malting floors and malt kiln. In 1994 the distiiley was awarded the Royal Warrant. The core range is quite extensive and supplemented by limited releases including a 21 year old was issued in 2015 to celebrate 21 years of Friends of Laphroaig. Independent bottlings are also available from Signatory, Cooper’s Choice and Hunter Laing. Laphroaig distillery also participates in Feis Ile, the Islay Festival of Malt and Music.
Shop Now – £1,108 / €1,083* / US$1,287* / C$1,615*
Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 400: Lagavulin 2003 & 2005 Distillers Editions head-to-head
Mark Dermul, Belgian whisky blogger, puts two consecutive Distillers Editions head-to-head. Lagavulin is sometimes described as the ‘Aristocrat of Islay’. This whisky is so popular that the distillery sometimes has to cope with stock shortages. It is, by the way, the Lagavulin Distillers Edition, of which Mark has tried the most expressions. Seven so far and today he will put the 8th and 9th head-to-head.
Heaven Hill Distillery announced today the release of the fall 2021 edition of Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey at 11 years old. Comprised of barrels produced in spring of 2010, and bottled in spring of 2021, the eighth national release ushers in the latest hallmark series to the bottled-in-bond legacy.
Bottled in an ornate decanter, the fall edition denotes a black label, consistent across all fall releases. As was the case for the past editions, this edition’s tax strip, which has always been a signature of transparency on bottled-in-bond products, will disclose when the liquid was produced and bottled. The Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond fall edition will be available in the 750ml size on an allocated basis. It meets the strict requirements of a bottled-in-bond: the product of a single distillery from a single distilling season, aged a minimum of four years, and bottled at 100 proof or 50% alcohol by volume. The edition is available at a suggested retail price of $110.
The fall 2021 edition of Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey features Bourbon pulled from rickhouse EE and is the second 11-year-old of the nationally released series, with the first released spring 2018. As a leader of the Bottled-in-Bond category, Heaven Hill is proud to offer a premium, allocated product within this special class that showcases the authenticity and quality of the American Whiskey portfolio. Acquired in 1999 by Heaven Hill, the legendary Old Fitzgerald line is well-known for its distilling pedigree and intriguing story behind its namesake, John E. Fitzgerald.
Heaven Hill reminds you to “Think Wisely. Drink Wisely.”
Feel the flavour force and get creative in the kitchen! We’re encouraging members to explore food and whisky pairings alongside this month’s new casks.
From sweets to seafood we’ve got a whisky to pair with whatever craving catches your fancy!
VARNISHED CRUMPETS
CASK TYPE: Refill ex-bourbon hogshead
AGE: 12 years
FLAVOUR PROFILE: Juicy, oak & vanilla
MAJOR SWEETIE
CASK TYPE: 1st fill ex-bourbon barrel
AGE: 17 years
FLAVOUR PROFILE: Sweet, fruity & mellow
FOUR-LAYERS AND FUDGE-FROSTED
CASK TYPE: 1st fill ex-bourbon hogshead
AGE: 11 years
FLAVOUR PROFILE: Juicy, oak & vanilla
QUEEN OF TARTS
LIMIT ONE BOTTLE PER MEMBER
INITIAL CASK: Ex-bourbon hogshead
FINAL CASK: 1st fill STR barrique
AGE: 12 years
FLAVOUR PROFILE: Deep, rich & dried fruits
DARK AND FILTHY
LIMIT ONE BOTTLE PER MEMBER
CASK TYPE: Refill ex-bourbon barrel
AGE: 14 years
FLAVOUR PROFILE: Oily & coastal
WINE AND BRINE
INITIAL CASK: Ex-bourbon hogshead
FINAL CASK: Refill ex-Madeira hogshead
AGE: 7 years
FLAVOUR PROFILE: Peated
TO PURCHASE BOTTLES PLEASE CONTACT ONE OF OUR RETAIL PARTNER LIQUOR STORES
The Scotch Malt Whisky Society Canada
Suite 160
104 – 1240 Kensington Road NW
Calgary, AB T2N 3P7
403-969-8225
curious@smws.ca
www.smws.ca
