Classic Lowland elegance meets rich fruit and spice in our next exclusive, limited-edition Black Friday whisky. Our 2023-release lands at 6am GMT on 24 November and only 2,000 bottles have been produced so when they’re gone, they’re gone.

GET READY!

Almost eight weeks have passed since we launched The Hearach single malt and revealed our first historic whisky to the world.

From the raising of ‘The First Dram’ among friends at the distillery to ‘The First Release’ online and here in Harris, the launch weekend unleashed a whirlwind of which the dust is just now settling.

On release day, over 25,000 eager purchasers joined the online queue to secure our first 8 batches until supplies were exhausted in under five hours .

At the same time, over a thousand people queued happily outside the distillery to buy a first release bottle, travelling from as far away as Canada for the occasion.

Since then, we’ve release many more bottles to stockists across the UK which have also sold out in record time, with any last remaining bottles few and far between for those who hunt hard enough.

And, we’ve been bringing our island dram to over 20 countries across the world as our intrepid team travel far and wide to launch our dram at special gatherings from New York to New Zealand.

The story is just beginning however, and early 2024 will bring forth more batches of The Hearach single malt whisky as well as some special elemental explorations and expressions for you to enjoy.

Meantime, a heartfelt thanks to you, and those like you, who have made all this possible. Only in our wildest dreams did we imagine the ongoing successes of this special moment.

Slàinte mhor, and here’s to the best of Harris spirits!

Mike Donald, Chief Storyteller

EXPLORE OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE

We make The Hearach single malt whisky in batches of around 12,000 bottles, each to the same recipe. However, there will be subtle, natural variations between them which reflect the casks chosen and the length of time we ‘marry’ the vatting.

There’s a special combination of letters and numbers on every stopper seal which helps you to learn more about the dram in the bottle you’ve bought or plan to buy. Each code has an accompanying ‘batch sheet’ to help you learn about the way your whisky was made, read tasting notes from an islander, and enjoy a short story from Harris…

DISCOVER YOUR BATCH

We are pleased to work with Uig Lodge Smoked Salmon again this year, by adding our historic first single malt whisky, The Hearach, to their exclusive smoked salmon hampers. They already offer our Isle of Harris Gin with its winning combination of maritime flavours, and this has been a popular gift for many, so we are delighted to grow the partnership with our whisky. Enjoy this lightly-peated, elegant island dram with its spirit of complexity and character while hand-prepared smoked salmon brings another element of deliciousness just in time for the gifting season!

SPRINGBANK 10 YEARS
PALO CORTADO 55%
6 Years in Bourbon/4 Years in Palo Cortado

UK RRP £90 – £95

Nose
There are notes of parma violets, buttercream icing and peaches on the nose, along with hints of cola and grated ginger.

Palate
Soft peat smoke comes through on the palate, complemented by notes of red velvet cake, strawberry laces and icing sugar.

Finish
There is a waxiness in the finish with notes of orange rind and the continuation of the peat smoke.

Available via ballot from various retailers

Ailsa Bay 1.2
£15 off

Developed by Master Distiller Brian Kinsman, this is the only Scotch whisky to undergo ‘micro-maturation’. This unique process involves maturing the new-make spirit in small ex-bourbon casks for six to nine months, giving an intense, accelerated maturation, before being transferred to virgin, fist-fill and refill American oak casks for a number of years.

£59.00

£44.00

SHOP NOW ❯

BRUICHLADDICH DISTILLERY 24 Year Old Black Art 11.1 (2023)

The new 2023 release from Bruichladdich.Black Art 11.1 is a limited release. A beguiling dram shrouded in mystery with details only known the the Head Distiller. Matured for 24 years and bottled at 44.2%.

BRUICHLADDICH 24YO BLACK ART 11.1
£420 / $425* / c$595* / €400*

Nose: Dried fruits, leather and a hint of citrus immediately open on the nose, followed by a fresh sea breeze. Sweet fruit and floral notes come to the fore, with poached pear, delicate rose hip syrup, black cherry, and sweet mango. The complexity of the single malt is apparent as the aromas continue to open, with cedar and mellow oak complemented with butterscotch, praline, honey, and a hint of cinnamon. Warming oats are balanced with fragrant notes of rose and pear drops.

Taste: Dried fruits, dates, raisins, barley sugar, leather and oak open on the palate, followed by butterscotch sweetness, praline and hints of coconut and fresh citrus. Sweet apple and pear are married with toasted oak, warming wood spice, dark plums and marzipan, with layers of depth opening with each sip.

Finish: Oak and dried fruit come to the fore, with Christmas cake notes of sultanas, fig, marzipan, and lingering honey adding to the beautifully rounded finish.

Bruichladdich Distillery was established in 1881 by the Harvey family of distillers based in Glasgow. Situated on the Rhinns peninsular on the island of Islay close and close to the sandy bays of Loch Indaal. Re-opened in 2001 with much of the original Victorian equipment restored to working order. The first release of Bruichladdich’s new whisky was the highly acclaimed PC5, the first release in the limited Port Charlotte range. Also producing very highly peated Octamore, Organic using Islay grown barley, and triple and quadruple distilled single malt and single cask releases. Bruichladdich distillery participates in Feis Ile, the annual Islay Whisky Festival.

THE MAGIC OF CHRISTMAS GIFTING 

Are you searching for the ultimate Christmas gift this year? Well, your search ends here! Our very own Santa’s little helper, Mads Schmoll, has the ideal presents in store. Discover a selection of hand-picked introductory sets and educational resources that will not only kindle their passion but also serve as a guide through the enchanting world of whisky.

GIFT GUIDE

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

Michter’s Single Barrel Bourbon 10YO – The Unbottling With Special Guest James Bornn

BOWMORE® AND ASTON MARTIN ANNOUNCE US DEBUT OF NEWEST BOTTLE COLLABORATION: MASTERS’ SELECTION THIRD EDITION 

Masters’ Selection Third Edition Celebrates Unity and Constancy 

NEW YORK, NY – November 1, 2023 – Bowmore® Islay Single Malt Scotch is pleased to unveil the latest bottle in the storied collaboration with fellow iconic luxury brand partner, Aston Martin: Bowmore Masters’ Selection Third Edition.

The 22-year-old single malt is crafted in the spirit of intentionality by both brands’ creative masters: Bowmore Master Blender Ron Welsh and Aston Martin Chief Creative Officer Marek Reichman. It has been double matured in purposefully selected European Oak, and Oloroso Sherry seasoned casks along with an optimal mix of American Oak hogsheads. The result yields the definitively constant character of Bowmore.

Now available in the US for an SRP of $400 per 750-ml. bottle, Bowmore Masters’ Selection Third Edition arrives to the US after a global rollout in markets including the UK, Germany, Canada, and China. Marking the fifth bottle collaboration in a series of marvellous releases since 2020, Masters’ Selection Third Edition represents a partnership driven by a constancy, inherent in each of the Masters’ own approach that comes to life, informed by beauty, knowledge, and inspiration.  Strength and depth unite, just as sweetness and intensity combine to create a powerfully rich and captivating symphony of flavors.

Ron Welsh, Master Blender, Bowmore, said of the latest release: “In the creation of every individual Bowmore, we undertake an endless search for depth; of character, of flavour and with every step we capture the very essence of the past 240 years. This stunning whisky celebrates this defining constant which drives, inspires and immerses us in this quest. Working with Marek and his team has highlighted how this is fundamental to both our creative processes and outcomes.  It is my absolute pleasure to be able to work with Aston Martin as we challenge ourselves and our perceptions together, learning and growing as we go, this is without doubt the most exhilarating and rewarding of collaborations.”

Crafted with consideration over 240 years, Bowmore has an inherent appreciation as to how each moment comes to bear on the character of the whisky, and how time past has shaped today.  Rooted in intentionality, Bowmore’s whiskies are made with purpose, shaping every drop, adding depth and distinction of flavor to shape each single malt. It is this precise ethos which drives the collaboration: sharing the intention to manifest beautiful, timeless creations that define a collaborative legacy, with a firm eye on the future, inspiring what comes next.

For Aston Martin it is restless perpetuity which defines the ambition, the vision, and the focus in the creation of the world’s most desirable, ultra-luxury British performance sportscars, capable of unimaginable feats of engineering and breath-taking performance.

Marek Reichman, Executive Vice President and Chief Creative Officer, Aston Martin, said, “Our quest is without compromise and could be called obsessive, but that is what makes us relentless in our approach. Like Ron and his team, we push the bespoke nature of our craft to the limits in our pursuit of perfection. We never stop short or settle for anything but the best to achieve the beauty which defines us. This whisky is testament to their passion, talent and human skill.  I remain eternally inspired by the whisky making process and believe this masterpiece of flavour creation perfectly captures the spirit of Aston Martin.”

For more information, please visit:

www.bowmore.com

Facebook.com/BOWMORE
Twitter.com/BOWMORE
Instagram.com/BOWMORE

Tasting Notes:

COLOR: Russet.

NOSE: Rich and sweet, with initial notes of lemon peel, poached peaches and vanilla giving way to indulgent tones of treacle, salted toffee, antique oak, roasted chestnuts and soft leather.

TASTE: Rich and intense. Sherried, complex and nutty in character, with hints of cocoa beans intermingled with sundried raisins, Muscovado sugar, red berries and an elegant layer of peat smoke.

FINISH: Long and sweet with lingering oak spices and sea salt.

ABV: 51.0%

ABOUT BOWMORE®

For over 240 years, the Bowmore Distillery has been capturing the essence of Islay from the shores of its remote island home. Shaped by centuries of skill and tradition, Bowmore’s single malt harnesses the power of this time in every single drop, defined by the past and savoured in the present.

Time is defining at Bowmore® and we tirelessly harness the power of time to shape our whiskies. Our distillery’s adherence to traditional production methods helps to shape the character of our fruity and smoky single malts. Today, we are amongst one of a few distilleries which still produces its own floor malted barley, hand-turned by a traditional wooden malt shovel and hand drawn machinery.  Water for the whiskies is specially drawn from the Laggan River, with its rich peaty overtones – the same Islay peat that fires the malt-drying kiln.

Bowmore® Distillery’s proximity to the sea is also vital in determining the final character of its spirit and gives a hint of sea air to the character. The legendary Bowmore® No. 1 Vaults is where most of the whiskies spend their long lives resting quietly in the cool, dark, damp cellars below sea level, oblivious to the waves thrashing the vault’s sea-facing wall.

Matured in oak casks, previously used for bourbon, sherry, or claret, over time developing rich and mellow flavours until the expertise of our whisky makers deems them ready for bottling.  It is this combination of peat, barley, sea breeze, water, wood, people, and tradition that makes Bowmore the exceptional single malt it is today.

Time is marked on each and every bottle of Bowmore, proudly and boldly as a marker of where and when each one’s journey began.  This is our story of time. This is Bowmore; the Art of Time since 1779.

www.bowmore.com 

ABOUT BEAM SUNTORY

As a world leader in premium spirits, Beam Suntory inspires the brilliance of life by delivering great consumer experiences through its world-class portfolio of brands.  Known for its craftsmanship of premium whiskies, including Jim Beam®, Maker’s Mark®, Basil Hayden® and Knob Creek® bourbons; Japanese whiskies, including Yamazaki®, Hakushu®, Hibiki® and Toki™; and leading Scotch brands including Teacher’s, Laphroaig® and Bowmore®, Beam Suntory also produces leading brands such as Courvoisier® cognac, Tres Generaciones®, El Tesoro® and Hornitos® tequila, Roku™ and Sipsmith® gin, Canadian Club® whisky, and is a world leader in ready-to-drink cocktails, with brands like -196 and On The Rocks™ Premium Cocktails. 

A global company with approximately 6,000 employees in more than 30 countries, one of Beam Suntory’s core values is Growing for Good and through its Proof Positive sustainability strategy, the company has committed to ambitious goals and investments to promote environmental sustainability in its operations, ensure the company has a positive impact on the communities where employees live and work, and programs to educate and inform consumers to make the right personal choices about drinking. Headquartered in New York City, Beam Suntory is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings Limited of Japan. For more information on Beam Suntory, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, please visit www.beamsuntory.com 

ABOUT ASTON MARTIN LAGONDA

Aston Martin’s vision is to be the world’s most desirable, ultra-luxury British brand, creating the most exquisitely addictive performance cars.

Founded in 1913 by Lionel Martin and Robert Bamford, Aston Martin is acknowledged as an iconic global brand synonymous with style, luxury, performance, and exclusivity. Aston Martin fuses the latest technology, time honoured craftsmanship and beautiful styling to produce a range of critically acclaimed luxury models including the Vantage, DB12, DBS, DBX and its first hypercar, the Aston Martin Valkyrie.

Based in Gaydon, England, Aston Martin Lagonda designs, creates and exports cars which are sold in 56 countries around the world. Its sportscars are manufactured in Gaydon with its luxury DBX SUV range proudly manufactured in St Athan, Wales.

Lagonda was founded in 1899 and Aston Martin in 1913. The two brands came together in 1947 when both were purchased by the late Sir David Brown, and the company is now listed on the London Stock Exchange as Aston Martin Lagonda Global Holdings plc.

2020 saw Lawrence Stroll become the company’s Executive Chairman, alongside significant new investment, a move that led to Aston Martin’s return to the pinnacle of motorsport with the Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula One™ Team and commenced new era for the iconic British marque.

www.astonmartin.com

The Perfect Fifth Introduces Oran Blended Scotch Whisky

Jim Murray, Famed Whisky Critic, Created Both Blends

NEW YORK (Nov. 16, 2023) – The Perfect Fifth, an American independent Scotch Whisky bottler known for its rare, ultra-premium single cask Scotch Whiskies, is introducing a new line, Oran, a blended Scotch Whisky created by whisky expert Jim Murray, author of “Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible.”   Murray has long served as a behind-the-scenes blender for many distilleries world-wide, but his partnership with The Perfect Fifth is his first public foray into an official blending role with a company, allowing his 40 years of sensory experience as a whisky taster, blender, and evaluator to shine in his new position.

Murray designed Oran to be an “old school” blend recognizable to whisky lovers of the heyday of blended whisky some 100 years ago, Oran’s grain and malt components are created separately but ultimately combined as the perfect complement to one another.  Oran, which means “song” in Gaelic, is a harmonious blend of the finest grains and single malts, unveiling layers of flavor much like the musical layers in a melody.

“There is a temptation to disregard blended Scotch in this time of single malt, yet the blend of grain whisky and malt is a creation which offers myriad possibilities,” said Murray.  “The objective in the creation of Oran is to offer delicate complexity and finely tuned balance. I believe we have achieved that in the first two releases, and we look forward to creating additional bends in the future which showcase the same attributes.”

The first two releases, Blend No. 1 and Blend No. 2, are both 50-50-50 blends, 50 percent single malt Scotch Whisky, 50 percent single grain Scotch Whisky, and 50 percent alcohol by volume (ABV). Both blends are limited releases, containing only 465 bottles each.

A total of 11 different casks were used to make both blends. Some of the casks were split between both blends but with differing ratios. Blend No. 1 is composed exclusively of Ex-Bourbon casks.  Tasting notes for Blend No. 1 describe it as having a nose with the lightest of smokiness heralding the fruitier elements.  The taste has a beautiful mouth feel in which the malt and grains form juicy layers through which the spices easily permeate. The finish has a distinct chocolatey feel.

Blend No. 2 distinguishes itself with the addition of a sherried cask component.  It is described as having a sweet grassy and lush nose, followed by a salivating delivery with beautiful honeydew melon sweetness, giving the malt a pleasant softness.  The finish is described as being long and linear, with tingling spice.

“Throughout my travels to Scotland, I’ve always been touched by its beauty.  Not only the physical beauty in the landscapes but also the beauty in the craftsmanship of its whiskies and the flavor of its single malts,” said Karl Schoen, founder and chief executive officer, The Perfect Fifth.  “Oran is an extension of those experiences, meant to blend together the appreciation for the rugged beauty of the land with the homage to its whisky makers, united in perfect harmony.”

Oran Blend No. 1 and Blend No. 2 are available in limited quantities at retailers in New York, New Jersey and California. It is also available online at www.theperfectfifth.com.  Suggested retail pricing is $189 per 700 mL.

About The Perfect Fifth

The Perfect Fifth was created in 2019 by Karl Schoen, who was inspired by watching his family members toast milestones with Scotch Whisky as he grew up.  As Karl began his own exploration into the world of Scotch Whisky, he enjoyed finding stellar single cask bottlings and sharing them with others.  This led to the formation of The Perfect Fifth, where Karl and his brother Ben source the best quality whisky from all over Scotland.  Together they travel throughout Scotland, sampling cask after cask until they find those worthy to be selected for The Perfect Fifth. Few casks make the cut, which is why The Perfect Fifth releases are limited editions.  Like the musical interval, The Perfect Fifth releases consist of multiple layers, each one broad and deep, which when combined, make a beautiful assembly meant to be shared with family and friends.

With December on the horizon, we’re getting into the seasonal spirit by sharing some ultra-rare gems – and we have one truly exceptional bottling that is sure to surprise and delight the senses.

Say a BIG festive hello to our new Vaults Collection Cask 27.114: Sticky Toffee Axle Grease Pudding. From Distillery 27, casks like this simply don’t come along very often and we’re delighted to be able to share it with our Society members.

This one came from within the ranks of our own membership – someone who bought it from this Campbeltown distillery in the 1990s and who subsequently approached the Spirits Team to see if we might be interested. We certainly were!

Keep scrolling to learn more about this fantastic bottling…

STICKY TOFFEE AXLE GREASE PUDDING

Cask No. 27.114

Step into our steam-powered kitchen, where swirling funnel smoke meets grease-coated cogs and buckets of petrol marinade. With sizzle and sizzle, beef cheeks simmer in a sweet bramble and sherry jus, while parsnips get a glaze of heather honey and shisha tobacco.

And now, the pièce de résistance: a whisky that has spent a remarkable 25 years in an ex-bourbon hogshead. It then ventured into a first-fill Spanish oak Pedro Ximénez hogshead for its final 5 year, infusing it with a depth and complexity that’ll leave you speechless.

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