A cask experiment combining whisky and chilli, 27 years in the making. We did it for the thrill of it.

You may be thinking what on earth possessed us to make this experiment? Well, the story goes back to a previous ‘maverick moment’ at the Society, when we matured whisky in casks which had been used to ferment and age Tabasco® pepper sauce.

Once upon a time this spirit was a single malt that had matured for 10 years in a refill ex-bourbon hogshead. That was until we added around 100 pre-sliced Scotch bonnet chillis into the cask – stripping it of its title as a Scotch whisky. The curious concoction was then left to fuse with the spices for a further 17 years before being bottled as the fiery fusion it is today.

At 55.6% abv these 10cl miniatures offer members the chance to continue the experiment, by sipping, mixing and cooking with this spicy spirit at home.

You can read much more about the origins of Exp.01 in this month’s, Unfiltered.

JULY UNFILTERED

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

Lux Row Distillers Introduces Lux Row Four Grain Double Single Barrel Bourbon 

Latest offering, featuring Lux Row’s ryed- and wheated-bourbon mashbills, will be offered in limited allocations starting in August

ST. LOUIS (July 17, 2023) – Bardstown, Kentucky-based Lux Row Distillers is offering the best of both worlds by combining its ryed- and wheated-bourbon mashbills with the introduction of Lux Row Four Grain Double Single Barrel Bourbon. A limited allocation of 7,500 (6-pack) cases will start arriving at retail this August at a suggested price of $79.99 per 750 ml bottle.

Offered at 115 proof, Lux Row Four Grain Double Single Barrel Bourbon is the combination of a single barrel of 4-year-old wheated bourbon and a single barrel of 4-year-old ryed bourbon. The wheated mashbill produces a smoother bourbon with caramel and citrus notes and velvety oak finish, while the ryed mashbill produces a spicier bourbon with hints of caramel and vanilla and smooth, mellow finish. Together, the bourbon’s four grains (corn, wheat, rye and malted barley) come together in a balanced, flavorful mix of both mashbills.

“The enormous popularity of our Lux Row 12 Year Bourbon, despite being a Kentucky-only distillery-exclusive offering, inspired the creation of a bourbon that could be offered in all markets. The result is Lux Row Four Grain Double Single Barrel Bourbon,” said Eric Winter, whiskey brand manager at Luxco. “The ‘double single barrel mashbill’ is a direct innovation from Lux Row 12 Year’s double barrel mashbill. Combining Lux Row Distillers’ two mashbills in this fashion has created a unique four-grain bourbon with a well-balanced taste that is certain to become a favorite of both ryed- and wheated-bourbon drinkers.”

Lux Row Four Grain Double Single Barrel is offered in the same high-end bottle as Lux Row 12 Year and will feature a front metal-plate Lux Row logo and custom metal-plate collar. The customized bottom label features each bottle’s barrel number and fill date for each of the two single barrels utilized. The side and neck label call out the four-grain aspect of the bourbon’s mashbill.

About Luxco

Founded in St. Louis in 1958 by the Lux Family, Luxco is a leading producer, supplier, importer and bottler of beverage alcohol products. Our mission is to meet the needs and exceed the expectations of consumers, associates and business partners. Merged with MGP Ingredients, Inc. in 2021 (Nasdaq: MGPI), Luxco operates as MGP’s Brands Division and manages all MGP/Luxco brands. This extensive and award-winning spirits portfolio includes well-known brands from four distilleries: Bardstown, Kentucky-based Lux Row Distillers, home of Ezra Brooks, Rebel, Blood Oath, David Nicholson and Daviess County; Lebanon, Kentucky-based Limestone Branch Distillery, maker of Yellowstone Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Minor Case Straight Rye Whiskey and Bowling & Burch Gin; Jalisco, Mexico-based Destiladora González Lux, producer of 100% agave tequilas, El Mayor, Exotico and Dos Primos; and Ross & Squibb Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, where Remus Straight Bourbon Whiskey and Rossville Union Straight Rye Whiskey are produced. The innovative and high-quality brand portfolio also includes Penelope Bourbon, Everclear Grain Alcohol, Pearl Vodka, Saint Brendan’s Irish Cream, The Quiet Man Irish Whiskey, Green Hat Gin and other well-recognized brands. For more information about the company and its brands, visit luxco.com.

JULY CÀRN MÒR RELEASE

Are you ready…for our newest and super exciting July Càrn Mòr release, in stores from 18th July! Comprised of 4 expressions, including a remarkably limited Celebration of the Cask and a truly exceptional collaboration with Wasted Degrees. Alongside these we also have some outstanding Strictly Limited expressions from both the Highlands and Speyside Regions.

This exciting new collaboration with Wasted Degrees offers a unique bottling in ex-porter casks. This beautiful Glen Ord 2012 has spent 9 years of its life developing in American oak before finishing in some beautifully seasoned Wasted Degrees porter casks for 12 months. This was a vatting of 2 casks; cask #800173 & #800238, which has allowed us to experiment and create a very special product.

Glen Ord 2012 –  yep you heard us right… another Glen Ord 2012! A sister cask to the two which we matured in ex-porter casks, however this has had a full maturation in American Oak, making it especially interesting to try with the Wasted Degrees Càrn Mòr, fully understanding the impact that different casks can have on a whisky.

Our first Celebration of the Cask for 2023! Glen Grant 1996. We specially selected the single Sherry Butt as it is a sensation for the taste buds. This expression has been patiently maturing for 27 years, creating layers of sweet spice. This whisky has been bottled at a cask strength of 55.3%, making for a beautifully juxtaposed sweet and spicy palate.

Our final whisky in this release is the Glentauchers 2015.  This expression has been maturing in Oloroso Sherry for 7 years. The sherry wood really comes out on the palate whilst retaining the distillery’s floral character. If you enjoy a super fruity and sweet dram to enjoy in these summer months, then you will love this Glentauchers!

These expressions and more are on their way to a retailer near you.

CÀRN MÒR x WASTED DEGREES

This collaboration between 2 Perthshire drinks companies began a number of years ago when we sold some of our whisky casks to Wasted Degrees (a brewery company founded in 2016 by 2 brothers). These casks were then used to season some of their porter and experiment with the new flavours found in different cask types. The result was a beautifully brewed porter, seasoned in these whisky casks and named ‘FEART ‘O’ THE DARK’. These were an absolute sell-out, showing the popularity in these experimental drinks.

The casks were then returned to us where we decided that this was the perfect opportunity to experiment in our own way. We finished some Glen Ord spirit in these casks which had previously been maturing in some American oak barrels. The porter maturation has given the whisky a beautifully complex flavour of salted caramel, pink peppercorns and honeycomb. In tandem to this whisky, we are also releasing the sister cask of Glen Ord that has been fully matured in American oak barrels as this is a truly unique pairing to compare side by side. Full bourbon maturation offers a lighter and fruitier palate. Both expressions are available from 18th July.

This release will be available firstly at Dunkeld Whisky Box followed by other selected retailers.

Glencadam Reserve De Burgundy

​Glencadam Reserve de Burgundy Single Malt whisky is carefully crafted by the Master Distiller in small batches.

From Glencadam’s historic dunage warehouses, he has carefully selected single malt matured in exceptional ex-bourbon American oak casks. The single malt in these casks has been expertly married then finished in hand selected Pinot Noir wine barrels from Burgundy France.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Rich aromas of dark fruits, morello cherry jam, stewed plums and chocolate mousse.

Palate:  Sweet and oily with layers of cooked blackcurrants, Brazil nuts, brambles and banana bread with hints of espresso, clove and star anise.

Finish: Mocha coffee and black Forrest gateaux grading into warming ginger, nutmeg and cedar spices.

Glencadam Pinot Noir Wine
£42.99

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Glencadam Reserva PX

The second small batch from Glencadam is this sensational Pedro Ximenez Sherry Cask finish.

Rolling out a who’s who of sherry tasting notes, Glencadam spirit is rounded off in ex-bourbon casks before being finished in pretty active casks to add a great tasting sherry influence to the whisky.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Rich aromas of Christmas pudding, dried figs and dark chocolate bound with cedar and clove spices.

Palate: Sweet layers of maple syrup, treacle toffees and prunes mingle with maraschino cherries, brandy butter and Black Forest gateaux.

Finish:  Warming impressions of cinder toffee, fruit cake and crystalised ginger trailing off into cherry jam and espresso coffee linger

Glencadam PX Sherry Cask
£42.99

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Glencadam 18 Year Old

The new release of Glencadam 18 Year Old has been bottled at 46% vol and packaged in a striking dark emerald colour complementing the look and feel of the Glencadam portfolio.

ike all the editions in the range with age statements, the 18 years old has not been chill-filtered and no colouring has been added.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Elegant aromas of fresh stone fruits, pear blossom, dried pineapple and panna cotta with hints of baking spices.

Palate: Creamy layers of baked peach, rice pudding, lemon curd and crème caramel mingled with cosy nutmeg and cinnamon.

Finish: Poached pears, ginger biscuits and apricot. Danish fading into a sweet spice linger

Glencadam 18 Year Old
£135.00

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Preview:
Wolfcraig 14 Year Old Deluxe Blend

Hand Selected Casks for the
Richest Finish

The second release from the ultimate partnership of Master Blenders, with over 100 years experience in crafting some of of the world’s finest Scotch Whisky.

Coming Soon

Crafted with specially selected casks from Bodega San Andreas, Spain, hand-picked by Wolfcraig Master Blenders, Richard Paterson and Ian Macmillan. The chosen Muscatel, Amontillado and PX Sherry Casks were individually matured, then expertly blended together to create the perfect harmony. Wolfcraig 14 Year Old Deluxe Blend will launch on the Wolfcraig website in August 2023, RRP £80.

When we say hand selected, we mean it. Richard personally went out to meet his great friends at the heart of the famous bodega where the original sherry is aged. It has been essential for Richard and Ian to use the very finest casks available in the industry for influencing and shaping the rich finish of their second collaborative Wolfcraig release.

As always, please get in touch with any questions oninfo@wolfcraig.com.

Slainte mhath,

The Wolfcraig Team

Benromach 10 Year Old

2012 vintage limited edition Contrasts

From Speyside’s Benromach distillery, a pair of 10 year old 2012 vintages matured in contrasting oak casks. One matured in air dried oak and the other in kiln dried oak. Remarkably different flavour profiles for otherwise identical whiskies. Ideal for a side-by-side whisky tasting.

Benromach 10 Year Old 2012 Contrasts: Air Dried Oak (2023)
Benromach 10 Year Old 2012 Contrasts: Kiln Dried Oak (2023)

Both at £62.12 / u$68* / €60*

Shop – Benromach Whisky

Unwind at the end of a summer’s day by savouring a dram from our NEWEST bottlings crafted to amplify your night-on-the-couch or moments by the campfire. Keep on scrolling for more details or click over to our website to browse all bottlings.

NEW OUTTURN

ALL BOTTLINGS

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

Tomatin takes home the gold at this year’s San Francisco World Spirits Competition

Award-winning Highland distillery, Tomatin, has added another ten accolades to its growing collection, after sweeping up at this year’s San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC).

Located in the heart of the Highlands, the Tomatin distillery is known for its elegant spirit which has continued to excite the industry and consumers with a remarkable range of premium single malt whiskies.

Judges at the SFWSC 2023 awarded Tomatin:

• 36 Year Old single malt – Double Gold
• 30 Year Old single malt– Double Gold
• 18 Year Old single malt – Double Gold
• 12 Year Old single malt – Gold
• Legacy single malt – Gold
• Cask Strength single malt – Gold
• 14 Year Old – Silver

It is the second year in a row that the distillery’s 18 Year Old has picked up Double Gold at the world renowned competition.

Judges at SFWSC 2023 also recognised Cù Bòcan, a single malt brand distilled at the Tomatin distillery in limited batches every winter, focusing on unusual cask maturations.  Judges awarded the Cù Bòcan Signature and 15 Year Old with Double Gold, while its Creation #5, the latest release which was only revealed last month, took home a Gold.

The SFWSC is one of the world’s most prestigious spirits contests, with experts from the drinks industry leading the judging process. The 2023 event was held at Hotel Nikko in San Francisco from April 13th until April 15^th and was another record-breaking year with more than 5,500 entries from all corners of the world.

Graham Eunson, Master Distiller at Tomatin Distillery, said:

“What an honour to receive such praise of our distillery at one of the world’s best spirits competitions. The breadth and depth of our liquid profile has really shone through, with judges selecting the best of our core range and premium editions.

“These kinds of accolades serve as fantastic recognition of our efforts, and the great work of the Tomatin team, who are central to the quality of whisky that we produce here.”

Tomatin’s origins date back to the 15th century, with the first formal distillery established in 1897. Passing through generations of craftspeople working at Tomatin, many for their entire lives, the distillery is embedded in the community. Today Tomatin is renowned for its collection of smooth whiskies.

Tomatin is located in the Scottish Highlands (near Inverness) and is famous for its portfolio of soft and mellow whiskies, including a core range, a limited-edition range and a premium archive range (prices range from £35 – £17,500). Tomatin Single Malt is owned by Japanese company Takara Shuzo International: https://www.takara-intl.co.jp/en/

Tomatin has been dedicated to protecting its craft, its environment and particularly its community, which is at the very heart of the brand. Many of the craftspeople working on site have been doing so their entire working lives – all working towards producing a wide range of single malts, beloved across the world.

In 2022, Tomatin launched its new brand platform, ‘To What Matters’ – designed to remind people about the important things in life. ‘To What Matters’ is the latest chapter in the brand’s evolution; a positive call to arms that represents the spiritual DNA of Tomatin – a human belief in what’s truly important in life. The significant moments.

Recognition of the Highland distillery’s craftsmanship continues to grow globally.

In 2022, Tomatin was awarded ‘Scotch Whisky Producer of the Year’ and ‘Outstanding Spirits Producer of the Year’ at the International Wine & Spirit Competition. Later that year, it was recognised as ‘Sustainable Distillery of the Year’ at Whisky Magazine’s Icons of Whisky 2023, in recognition of its continued contribution to sustainably at the distillery.

In 2023, Tomatin’s Legacy single malt, part of the core range, was awarded Gold at the International Wine & Spirit Competition. It also took home seven awards at the San Fransisco World Spirits Competition, while Cù Bòcan, which is produced at the distillery in limited batches every winter, took home three.

Purchase Loch Lomond and receive a free gift…

Today is the final day of The 151st Open at the stunning Royal Liverpool. Get in the spirit of the golfing occassion and shop the latest limited edition releases from Loch Lomond’s The Open collaboration. Get a free limited edition bottle bag with each purchase from their whole range.

SHOP LOCH LOMOND →

Our July auction is now LIVE!

Place your bids Until Sunday 23rd July 2023 3pm.

www.whiskyhammer.com

Every month, we present an incredible selection of whiskies and other fine spirits to our members right across the globe. You will find everything here from limited edition releases and vintage bottles to whole casks of rare whisky. There is certainly something for everyone – whether you are looking to collect, invest or enjoy!

Macallan – 71 Year Old (1950) Tales of Macallan Volume 1

Midleton – 47 Year Old (1973) Very Rare (Silent Distillery Collection 3^rd Release)

 Kawasaki – 1976 Ichiro’s Choice

Brora – 39 Year Old (1982) Single Cask #582 (Distillery Collection – Hidden Beneath)

Buffalo Trace – Double Eagle Very Rare (20 Year Old) 2022 Release (75cl)

Selling whisky? Why not arrange the pick-up of your bottles using our global courier service? If you’re based in Scotland, you might want to arrange the personal collection of your bottles. Wherever you’re based in the world, we will make getting your bottles into our monthly auction as simple as possible. Get in touch with the Whisky Hammer team now by dropping them a message at sales@whiskyhammer.com.