SMOKEHEAD TWISTS TRADITION THIS VALENTINE’S DAY WITH NEW LIMITED-EDITION STOUT CASK EXPRESSION

STILL PACKS A PEATY PUNCH: SMOKEHEAD UNLEASHES BOLD & UNEXPECTED FLAVOUR COMBINATION WITH RELEASE OF TWISTED STOUT 

Smokehead Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky, one of the fastest growing single malts in the UK and globally, is once again twisting tradition with their latest release, Twisted Stout. The brand-new limited-edition expression has been part finished in stout casks, priced at RRP £49.99 and with an ABV of 43%, it is only available to purchase exclusively from www.smokehead.com

Still packing that unmistakably Smokehead peaty punch, Twisted Stout brings a smoother, sweeter, and silkier experience with this delicious and different whisky.

Intertwined with the intense smack-in-the-tastebuds smoke you’d expect from Smokehead, the creamy, malty stout flavour adds unfamiliar notes of rich chocolate and treacle toffee, vanilla ice cream, roasted nuts, and toasted biscuits.

Wrapped up in a striking new pack design, the ever-courageous brand’s new and innovative release is available to buy now only from www.smokehead.com

Commenting on the launch Iain Weir, Smokehead Brand Director said “Our unique  and disruptive Smokehead thinking has led to some convention challenging, trail blazing, rule breaking whiskies over the years that don’t follow the usual traditions and rituals.

“We’ve clearly struck a chord with those who do things their way, live life on their own bold terms, and pick a whisky that’s as disinterested in the status quo as they are. Twisted Stout is as far away from a standard single malt as the combination of tastes, aromas and flavours inside the bottle.

“So, while all our releases come with an original twist, our latest might just be our most twisted yet. Which is just how we like things.”

SMOKEHEAD TWISTED STOUT TASTING NOTES:

THE FIRST IMPRESSION

The usual island intensity of Smokehead comes cloaked in sweet aromas of chocolate and treacle toffee. Maritime air meets a decent pint on the shore. Unexpected. Unusual. And unsettling for the senses.

THE FULL-ON FLAVOUR

You’re past the point of no return now. Hot and soothing at the same time. Salty smoke weaves its way around dry roasted nuts, toasted marshmallow, vanilla ice-cream and… is that someone putting a pot of fresh coffee on?

THE FINALE

New flavours unlocked. Old favourites reunited, wood smoke and spices. Malty, toasted biscuits. Zingy citrus. Dark and delicious. A fitting sign-off from the twisted lovechild of whisky and beer.

Smokehead also grabbed the headlines recently with the launch of the first-ever pre-mixed single malt in a ready to drink can serve. Kick-starting the brand-new ready to drink range with two eye-popping serves: ‘Smokehead mixed with Cola’ and ‘Smokehead mixed with Ginger and Lime’, both available to buy online via Amazon, Smokehead.com and other UK selected retailers.

The Smokehead core range (see below) is also available globally via online and instore. 

CORE SMOKEHEAD EXPRESSIONS:

SMOKEHEAD

Smokehead Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky is the original expression, an intensely rich yet subtly sweet dram. With immense smoke and notes of sea salt and spice, this is a vigorous whisky that stands out from the crowd.

HIGH VOLTAGE

If Smokehead is an assault on your senses, then High Voltage is an all-out attack. The breath-taking intensity of the peat and smoke is a red light for the faint of heart.

RUM REBEL

The rich, smoky, salty Islay whisky rebel is finished in spicy, sweet Caribbean rum casks creating culture colliding carnage and a melding of mouth-watering tastes.

SHERRY BOMB

Smokehead Sherry Bomb is a peaty Islay single malt that has well and truly earned its name. Blasted by rich, sweet and spicy Spanish sherry casks, it had emerged as a fiery, explosive, heavy hitting dram that has even turned our skull red. 

*Smokehead always encourages responsible drinking* 

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NOTES:

About Smokehead:

• Smokehead is an Islay Single Malt Whisky and has been given a bold new look by Ian Macleod Distillers.
• Smokehead has been labelled the wild one of Single Malt Whisky.
• Award-winning premium Scotch whisky that has an attitude-led positioning and smoky sweet 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.

Benromach Cara Gold (2022)

Cara Gold barley is typically used for brewing golden ales. Bottled 2022, Benromach Cara Gold is a one off expression of 6,300 bottles distilled in 2010. Matured in first fill bourbon barrels the resulting whisky is bursting with tropical fruity notes along with toffee and caramel flavours and intertwined with peat smoke.

Nose: Perfumed and sweet with passionfruit, lychee and lime complemented by a hint of malted biscuit.

Flavour: Smooth and sweet flavours of pineapple, apricot and subtle pepper lead to toasted malt and a hint of butterscotch.

Finish: Vibrant and fruity with sweet smoke.

Buy – Benromach 11 Year Old 2010 Cara Gold >>

Benromach Distillery was designed by Charles C. Diog and constructed at Forres in the Speyside whisky region for D. McCallum and F.W. Burickman in 1898. Following numerus periods of closure, it was purchased in 1993 by Gordon & MacPhail who charged up its single pair of stills in 1998 and have nurtured Benromach ever since. Striking new labelling combined with an increasing range of single malts is forging a very popular brand of single malt whiskies which includes Benromach Organic, Benromach Peatsmoke and Benromach 10 Year Old.

FALL IN LOVE WITH FLAVOUR 

They say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder – and when it comes to our whisky, as in life, there’s a perfect match out there for everyone. This First Friday we’re falling head over heels with a new selection of diverse drams from across our flavour spectrum. Make an instant attraction, click over to our website now to explore the range ahead of release on Friday, 4 February (9am).

OUTTURN BOTTLES

ALL WHISKY

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

A FIRST FOOT INTO 2022

First Footing is a time-honoured Scottish tradition. The first person to enter your household on New Year’s Day is expected to bring whisky, shortbread, coal and a great deal of luck for the year ahead.

Our first foot into the distillery this January took us on a pilgrimage to where our whisky’s journey begins. We toasted the year ahead with a special dram at one of our private water sources. And we enjoyed a quiet moment of contemplation for all that the last year brought us, and of curiosity for what the next one will bring.

The distillery is once again beating to the rhythm of our on-site cooperage, and the heady aroma of new-make spirit flowing through our unusually tall stills. And we are excited for what is ahead in 2022.

• A very limited release of 270 bottles bearing the signature for the first time of our Master Whisky Maker, Laura Rampling

• A truly special release with an exclusive partner in the USA
• A unique perfectly aged spirit with a creative twist, and a new version of a current favourite

We did have some other first footers at the distillery albeit they didn’t bring any whisky, shortbread or coal. We are very fond of our family of resident ducks.

Interestingly, the symbolism of the duck bears resonance. Their spiritual meaning is attached to ‘going with the flow’, having patience and gaining wisdom.

We like to think they’ve chosen to live with us because that meaning is the very essence of what it takes to make our elegant and coveted spirit.

As we say in Scotland, Slàinte Mhath for the year ahead.

The Glenrothes

Benriach The Thirty 30 Year Old

This four cask matured single malt has spent 30 years quietly slumbering at the Speyside distillery. The result is a delectable dram full of rich, smoky flavours. As a recent Double Gold Medal winner at the 2021 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, we are dealing with some of the best of the best right here!

Benriach have pulled it out of the bag yet again! This four cask matured single malt has spent 30 years quietly slumbering at the Speyside distillery. The result is a delectable dram full of rich, smoky flavours. Still needing more convincing that this whisky is the best of the best? It was a recent Double Gold Medal winner at the 2021 San Francisco World Spirits competition. You better get your hands on a bottle before it’s gone for good!

£650.00
Buy Now

Nose: orange peel, roasted nuts, cinnamon infused hot chocolate.

Palate: fruitcake, honey, raisins.

Finish: long, smokey, honeyed

We are continuously adding new and exciting whiskies to our range of independent bottlings, where you can discover great value, high-quality drams.

Our recent releases include well-aged whiskies from the Connoisseurs Choice and Old Particular series by leading independent bottlers Gordon & MacPhail and Douglas Laing. There are also plenty of gems from less well-known bottlers worth discovering, such as a fruity Penderyn and a smoky 11-year-old Ardmore from Dumangin, both finished in sweet Ratafia Champenois casks, and an 11-year-old Highland Tullibardine from That Boutique-y Whisky Company.

SHOP INDEPENDENT BOTTLINGS

Welcome to this weeks episode of the show in which I’ll be looking at the second release of the Mackmyra Intelligens AI:02 and asking the question – “Can computers make good whisky?”

https://youtu.be/sT3hWvjs91c

You’ve worked hard to find those allocated bottles.  Isn’t it time you displayed them in a cabinet worthy of such a collection?

Introducing the Whisky Vault – MINI,  a secure bulletproof display for 10-15 bottles.  Compact and perfect for the bar or countertop.  The handcrafted, bulletproof and patented luxury safe was built exclusively with the whisky and bourbon collector in mind.  If you have a larger collection, that’s fine, we have the original Whisky Vault for 42 bottles and also custom Whisky Vaults to hold up to 180 bottles.  The Whisky Vault is perfect for that home or office bar, restaurant, whisky bar, game room or just something super cool for the living room.  Keep those top shelf unicorns safe from accidentally being opened by drunk friends.  The Whisky Vault – MINI offers serious protection with a 19 mm bulletproof window and weighs 50 kg (110 lb).  You can rest assured your expensive bottles are protected.

Currently available through https://uncrate.com/whiskey-vault-mini/

The individually numbered Whisky Vault – MINI will retail for US$3680 (price includes shipping / import duties may apply).

(23” (L) x 12” (W) x 18” (H) / 110 pounds)

(58 cm x 30 cm x 46 cm / 50 kilograms)

Patented: US, EU, TWN, JPN, CN

New Hibernian

 6 top tips for first-time whiskey investors – Part – 1

Investing in whiskey has been trending for a decade and people are resorting to this option for investment due to high returns and ample opportunities. With the huge attention that whiskey casks have gained in a few years, there are also some points that need to be considered before you opt for investing in whiskey.

If you are a first-timer, looking to invest in whisky, then here are a few quick tips for you. Be aware of these few points when you enter into this market. So, here it goes –

• Understand flipping – Flippers are those who buy limited releases of whiskey and sell them shortly with an intention to make huge profits after the stock sells out. Flippers do not consider the craftsmanship and tradition when it comes to buying and selling whiskey, which can be frustrating at times. However, the best option is to have patience and wait for the right time to buy and avoid the flippers.
• Be Aware – As the demands for bottles rise, the scammers see an opportunity and make fake bottles of whiskey available in the market. The best thing to do in such a situation is to keep track of the rare bottles in the industry and if you are totally new, don’t feel ashamed to ask for a second opinion from the experienced ones.
• Store properly – The quality of unopened whiskey stays good for a longer period of time. However, it is still important to properly store whiskey bottles so that no harm is caused to the whiskey. If the bottles are solely bought for investment purposes, they should not be opened in any case. Additionally, they should be stored upright to avoid contact between the cork and the spirit inside.

With these 3 tips we end this blog here and promise to bring you 3 more interesting tips for your first time investment journey in whiskey casks. No need to be worried or scared about the factors out there that can harm you. We are here to keep you aware about what not to do when you invest in whiskey for the very first time. Stay connected with New Hibernian Whiskey Advisory and you won’t have to worry about your investment journey.

The Golden Cask Whisky

Shop all The Golden Cask Whisky, including some stunning TWB exclusives! The House of MacDuff, owned by Cumbre Supply dates back to the 1950s. In 1987 the MacDuff family took over intially focussnig on novelty whisky items such as the ‘world’s smallest bottle’. In 1993 House Of MacDuff brands took focus with The Golden Cask label of single cask Scotch whisky becoming the flagship product. Whiskies have included Macallan, Port Ellen, Ben Nevis and more.

Shop The Golden Cask »

We celebrate a big birthday at TWB this year.  We have plenty in store to celebrate our anniversary with some superb exclusive whiskies and plans for very exciting and game changing new releases. Watch this space.