March has arrived, and with it comes an exquisite symphony of flavours as we dive into the world of captivating casks. In this month’s selection, we invite you to join us on a delightful journey of exploration and celebration alongside our very own cask custodians, the Whisky Team. Learn more about what the Whisky Team do to bring you the flavour-led experience enjoyed all over the world. Discover more by viewing our March Outturn now!

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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

The Speyside Region Tasting
13th April 2024
7pm

Learn about the history of our famous Whisky Regions at the Inverurie Whisky’s Tasting Series. First up is the Speyside region, home to over 50 distilleries, Speyside was born from within the Highland region and has grown into one of the most famous in Scotland. Your line up for the event includes some great drams, with some classic Speyside flavours entwined with some historical references, fun facts and new style whisky.

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Meet like minded friends at the Shop’s Snug Bar, and take advantage of the after tasting where the bar will be open for you to enjoy some of our range of over 300 whiskies by the dram.

Alternatively, join us online via zoom from the comfort of your own home. Your Online Tasting Pack will be sent to you around a week before the event along with joining instructions. The session will also be recorded.

7pm for 7.30pm Start

Over 18’s Only

Limited Numbers

LOST LANTERN CELEBRATES THE MIDWEST

Award-Winning Independent Bottler Introduces its First Regional Collection

VERGENNES, VT (February 22, 2024)—Lost Lantern has traditionally curated and released its collections around specific themes, but the Spring 2024 collection marks the independent bottler’s inaugural regional collection. With a focus on the Midwest, Lost Lantern aims to spotlight a whiskey region it believes deserves more attention.

If you’re not yet talking about whiskey from the Midwest, Lost Lantern plans to change that. “The Midwest is one of the most exciting and dynamic whiskey regions in the United States, yet it’s one that whiskey drinkers often overlook,” says Lost Lantern Co-Founder Nora Ganley-Roper. “Other regions like the Pacific Northwest and Texas may have a higher profile, but distilleries across the Midwest are making truly wonderful, world-class whiskies. This is especially true for bourbon and rye, and we’ve found that many of the best whiskies of the Midwest exhibit a complex yet soft and creamy character. Lost Lantern’s Midwest Collection is designed to showcase some of these whiskies and help whiskey lovers explore a region that has truly come into its own.”

Midwestern whiskies stand out in the American whiskey landscape through a unique combination of the region’s rich agricultural legacy, distinctive climate conditions, and a culture that marries tradition with innovation. With unparalleled access to diverse, high-quality local grains (the region is often known as the breadbasket of the U.S.), Midwestern distillers make spirits that deeply reflect their local terroir, drawing on a farming heritage that can be savored in every bottle.

Lost Lantern’s new Spring Collection celebrates these regional attributes. The release features seven distinct bottlings, each highlighting what makes whiskey from the Midwest so compelling: Far-Flung Rye (a multi-distillery blend of rye whiskies from across the Midwest) and six single casks from distilleries across the region. The Collection features the return of three previous Lost Lantern partners—Starlight Distillery (IN), Cedar Ridge (IA), and Tom’s Foolery (OH), as well as three new distillery partners: Wollersheim Distillery (WI), FEW Spirits (IL), and Middle West Spirits (OH). This release includes Lost Lantern’s first-ever whiskies from Wisconsin and Illinois, as well as its first multi-state rye blend.

The Midwest collection will be available for purchase at the new Lost Lantern Tasting Room in Vergennes, VT, and online at LostLanternWhiskey.com and Seelbachs.com beginning March 27th. It will also be available at select retailers in New York and California. As always, the new collection is presented at cask strength, non-chill-filtered, and with no color added. In addition, Lost Lantern is launching an educational series focused on Midwestern whiskies through its website, which will highlight other great Midwestern distilleries beyond the Collection and will include guest posts from distillers across the region.

Far-Flung Rye: 121.6 Proof (486 bottles) SRP, $100

Lost Lantern’s first blend of straight rye whiskey proves that some of the country’s best rye whiskey comes from the Midwest. This special release brings together a blend of straight ryes, ranging from four to nine years old, from five of the finest distilleries in the region: Cedar Ridge (IA), Middle West Spirits (OH), Starlight Distillery (IN), Tom’s Foolery Distillery (OH), and Wollersheim Distillery (WI). It has bright rye spice and fresh-cut grass on the nose. The palate is spicy, with rich oak and hints of dark chocolate and warm bread. Age: 4 years

Starlight Distillery Indiana Straight Bourbon Single Cask: 118.7 Proof (132 bottles) SRP, $90

Starlight Distillery is part of Huber’s Orchard & Winery, an Indiana institution since 1843. Ted Huber started Starlight in 2001 to capture the flavors of Indiana grain and fruit from the place his family has farmed for seven generations. This straight bourbon whiskey was aged in a 53-gallon barrel for 6 years, including two years in Vermont. It was made with 60% corn, 20% malted barley, 10% rye, and 10% wheat. It has a rich and creamy nose, with notes of cherry, nutmeg, fresh oak, and chocolate on the palate. Very spicy and full, with a long finish. Age: 6 years

Wollersheim Distillery Wisconsin Straight Bourbon Single Cask: 131.2 Proof (200 bottles) SRP, $90

Established in the 19th century, Wollersheim is a family-owned winery and distillery. Its grain-to-glass whiskies truly reflect Wisconsin’s climate and agricultural heritage. This 5-year-old straight bourbon whiskey was made from 66% corn, 22% rye, and 12% malted barley, all locally grown. An intense and powerful cool-climate northern bourbon with notes of leather, chocolate oranges, and pipe tobacco on the nose, and hints of chocolate mousse, dry grain, and spice-blackened meat on the palate. Age: 5 years

FEW Spirits Illinois Straight Bourbon Single Cask: 124.6 Proof (200 bottles) SRP, $90

A pioneer of American craft spirits, FEW has distilled award-winning grain-to-glass whiskies since 2011 in a unique urban setting outside Chicago. This straight bourbon whiskey, Lost Lantern’s first from FEW Spirits and Illinois, was distilled from 70% corn, 20% rye, and 10% malted barley and aged for 5 years in a 53-gallon new American oak barrel. It has warm, sweet notes of nutmeg, cinnamon, and French vanilla on the nose. The palate has a rich and rounded spice, a soft, creamy texture, and notes of milk chocolate and cinnamon rolls. The finish is long and warming. Age: 5 years

Tom’s Foolery 9-Year-Old Ohio Straight Rye Single Cask: 116.5 Proof (170 bottles) SRP, $120

This family-owned distillery uses traditional, labor-intensive methods to make whiskey, including wooden fermenters and pot still distillation. Their whiskies embody the cold, snowy climate of Ohio’s snowbelt. Aged for 9 years in a 53-gallon barrel, making it the oldest whiskey Lost Lantern has released, this straight rye whiskey was made from 70% winter rye and 30% malted rye. It is fresh and elegant, with hints of fresh-cut grass and lemon on the nose and rich rye spice, lemon custard, and balanced oak on the palate. It has an extremely long, warm finish. Age: 9 years

Middle West Ohio Straight Rye Single Cask: 126 Proof (197 bottles) SRP, $90

Based in Columbus, Ohio, Middle West Spirits is one of the Midwest’s largest and most ambitious independent distilleries. This four-grain straight rye whiskey is made with dark pumpernickel rye grain, giving it a full, toasty, chocolatey, and earthy flavor. It was aged for 4 years in a 53-gallon new oak barrel from Speyside Cooperage. It has notes of rich chocolate mousse and warm rye spice on the nose, with cocoa nibs, nutmeg, cinnamon, and leatherbound books on the palate. It is Lost Lantern’s first release from Middle West. Age: 4 years

Cedar Ridge Iowa Straight Wheat Single Cask: 123.1 Proof (203 bottles) SRP, $90

Cedar Ridge has been farming and distilling spirits in Swisher, Iowa, owned by the Quint family, for decades. The area’s dramatic seasonal temperature swings help create whiskies with a soft, clean, yet spicy character. An exceptional cask, this is an elegant and powerful wheat whiskey made from 100% malted white winter wheat that was aged for 6 years in a 53-gallon barrel. It has a very spicy nose, with notes of black cherry and vanilla shortbread on the nose. The palate is bold and warm, with hints of baking spice and cinnamon coffee cake. Age: 6 years

ABOUT LOST LANTERN

Founded by Nora Ganley-Roper and Adam Polonski, Lost Lantern is an award-winning independent bottler of American whiskey based in Vergennes, VT. In 2023, they were named Independent Bottler of the Year at the Global Icons of Whisky Awards in London and named one of SevenFifty Daily’s 2023 Drinks Innovators. The company seeks out the most unique and exciting whiskies being made across the U.S. and releases them as single casks and blends, always with a deep commitment to transparency. For more information about Lost Lantern, to learn about upcoming, available, and retired whiskies, to visit the tasting room, or to subscribe to Lost Lantern’s newsletter, please visit LostLanternWhiskey.com.

As we sail into the uncharted waters of 2024 why not steady the ship with a bottle of something special from our now live 153rd auction.  They say the only two things certain in life are death and taxes, well you can add in a third, come rain, hail or shine the unflinching juggernaut that is Scotch Whisky Auctions will always produce an unrivalled selection of bottles, on time, every month!

We have some really fantastic bottles in this month with every style, region and flavour profile represented, so to narrow your search we’ve picked out a few special expressions to get you started.

Mortlach 1939 75 Year Old Gordon & MacPhail Generations

One of the oldest single malts ever bottled, the incredible Mortlach 1939 75 Year Old Gordon & MacPhail Generations was nurtured and cared for over seven decades by whisky legends Gordon & MacPhail. Cask number 2475 was filled on the 17th of November 1939 on the instructions of John Urquhart, who was the first member of the family to be involved in Gordon & MacPhail.

Four generations of the Urquhart family watched over the cask until it was finally bottled in a limited run of only one hundred handmade Glencairn crystal decanters. The decanters have 75 hand-carved grooves in them representing the years the whisky spent in this one-of-a-kind cask.

Springbank 1967 20 Year Old Prestonfield 75cl

A terrifically rare and highly sought after bottling now, the Springbank 1967 20 Year Old Prestonfield 75cl.  Bottled for the uber-swanky 5-star Prestonfield House Hotel in Edinburgh this delicious looking Springbank comes from a single cask and was aged for two decades before being bottled.

Springbanks of this sort of vintage are notoriously hard to find and single casks even more so, we can expect this bottle to be fought over by the legions of Springbank fans out there.

Glenfiddich 1939 50 Year Old

Next up is a bottle from arguably the distillery which started it all in terms of single malts as opposed to blends, this is the Glenfiddich 1939 50 Year Old.  A quite magnificent dram this expression was regarded as one of the finest single malts ever produced when it was bottled in 1991.

The label is signed by Alexander Grant Gordon, chairman of the company and great-grandson of William Grant and includes a scroll authenticating the spirit and deeming the bearer to be a `Freeman of the Glenfiddich Distillery`. This lot also comes with a wooden presentation case and a certificate which is signed by the entire production team responsible for this absolute gem of a bottle.

Macallan 72 Year Old Lalique Genesis Decanter

We started with a grand old septuagenarian so why not finish with one, this is the always impressive Macallan 72 Year Old Lalique Genesis Decanter.  Distilled in the 1940s, the whisky comes in a frankly stunning Lalique crystal decanter, which is housed in a case designed by Burgess Studios and handcrafted by renowned cabinet maker NEJ Stevenson.

A thing of genuine beauty this expression was one of the oldest Macallan single malts ever produced when it was released in 2020 to mark the opening of Macallan’s new jaw-dropping subterranean distillery premises.

As always, we have a wide range of drams with something to suit everyone, so now is the time to get moving picking out your own personal favourites for your watchlist.  Best of luck to everyone in the auction, and as always………..don’t lose your bottle.

THE WHISKY THAT STARTED IT ALL

In 2000, John Glaser released the first ever blended grain Scotch whisky to the market, and Compass Box was born. It was called Hedonism.

It was the first ever whisky to feature a female form on the label, taking a powerful female face from a late 19th century English painting, and putting it proudly on the bottle.

To us, Hedonism is more than a whisky. It’s an idea that transcends time and tradition in Scotch whisky. It’s an invitation to share in the pleasures of whisky and the creative imagination. It’s the embodiment of the Compass Box ethos.

THE NEW ERA OF HEDONISM

Over the years, the demand for high-quality grain whisky has increased throughout Scotland, making the calibre of whisky we require for Hedonism ever harder to find.

So, from 2024, Hedonism will appear in limited quantities, released just once a year – each an annual interpretation of the classic Hedonism style.

For each release, we will be asking a different female artist to bring to life – in their own, individual way – the grace and strength of the original Hedonism woman.

This inaugural release features a piece by the celebrated Edinburgh-based artist Stephanie Rew, who combines traditional Early Renaissance gilding techniques with a contemporary painterly lexicon.

FROM GRAIN TO GOLD

To mark the occasion, we’ve charted the progression of a whisky, and an idea, that transcends time and tradition with our documentary, From Grain to Gold.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH

UNMISTAKABLY HEDONISM

For this, the first Limited Annual Release, we have turned to whiskies aged almost entirely in first-fill Bourbon barrels. This delivers a complex array of patisserie aromas, with exotic vanilla and clove-infused caramel.

We’ve also utilised the last of our stocks of grain whiskies distilled in the 1990s, a period when some of the distilleries featured still used maize in their mashes. This brings an enhanced buttery weight, with layers of creamy custard on the palate, and accents of honey and mascarpone.

Join us in indulging in a new era of Hedonism.

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DOUBLE PRODUCT RELEASE

NOTABLE AGE STATEMENTS NO.8 :

50-year-old Vatted Grain

For the eighth bottling in our Notable Age Statements series we’ve selected this 50 year old vatted grain whisky.Distilled in 1972, aged for 50 years in a refill barrel and bottled at natural cask strength.  This has all the hallmarks of a great aged grain whisky, lots of coconut, subtle wood spice, citrus fruit notes and complex flavours of fruit and herbal teas. All presented at a perfect natural strength that balances finesse with power.

£285.00 incVAT

The Good Dram Show – Episode 545 ‘Claxton’s Exploration Series’

Welcome to this week’s episode of the show in which I’m welcoming the return of the Independent bottler Claxton’s. This week I’ll be reviewing a selection of bottlings in their new Exploration Series. The Good Dram Show with Chris Goodrum Episode 545 – Mariage, Divorce And Reconciliation..! Filmed in The Study Nottingham

Featuring

Claxton’s Grain Barm 30 year old 48%

Claxton’s Exploration Series Lowlands (Dalrymple) 2012 (8 year old) 50%

Claxton’s Exploration Series Blair Athol 2015 (8 year old) 50%

Claxton’s Exploration Series Glen Elgin 2006 (14 year old) 50%

Claxton’s Exploration Series Orkney (Highland Park) 2012 (8 year old) 50%

Claxton’s Exploration Series Islay ‘Trails End’ (Ardbeg) 2017 (6 year old) 50%

www.claxtonsspirits.com

HIGHLAND PARK ANNOUNCES UK BRAND AMBASSADOR, MICHAEL MCLELLAN

London: Edrington UK announces the appointment of the latest UK national brand ambassador for Highland Park, Michael McLellan.

Mike started his career in Edinburgh, working in some of the most celebrated cocktail bars in the city, such as The Bon Vivant and Lucky Liquor Co., before moving to Newcastle and eventually down to London, where he took on the role of Head Bartender at acclaimed cocktail and steak restaurant Hawksmoor Spitalfields before moving to the famous East London speakeasy Happiness Forgets to hone his skills behind the bar.

The appointment is exciting for Highland Park as it embarks on a transformation journey, refreshing its take on authenticity and meaning and renewing its brand values and aspirations.

Mike will be responsible for advocating for Highland Park’s products and increasing brand awareness in the UK, helping to educate consumers and bar staff about the magic of Highland Park’s whiskies, leading whisky tastings, and attending trade shows, seminars, and workshops. As the face of the Highland Park brand in the UK, he is also responsible for consumer engagement programs, bringing the brand to life in the minds of consumers.

Andrea Montague, Head of Advocacy, Edrington UK, explains: “I am delighted to welcome Mike into our growing advocacy team. He arrives at a pivotal time for Highland Park, where increased focus and support are needed. A dedicated Brand Ambassador in Mike will help us demonstrate our commitment to Highland Park in the UK market as we go into next year”. 

Mike comments on his new role: “I am hugely proud to be the ambassador for such a distinguished and historic brand. I have been utterly fascinated with whisky since I first stepped behind a bar. From the way it connects us to our traditions and history to the immense value it holds in shared rituals of kinship, bringing people together both at times of celebration and commiseration. 

“I look forward to working with the Highland Park team to create an inspiring advocacy platform which will champion Highland Park’s Orkney home whilst highlighting the creativity, bravery, and progressive nature of the Island’s community. We have lots planned for 2024, and it will be an exciting year”.

For further information, visit www.edrington.co.uk

About Edrington UK:

Edrington UK is the UK’s number one whisky supplier, part of the global Edrington family and responsible for the UK sales, marketing, and distribution of a portfolio of ultra-premium brands including The Macallan, Highland Park, The Glenrothes, The Famous Grouse, Naked Malt and Brugal.

As a valued distribution partner of Beam Suntory, Edrington UK also represents many of its brands in the UK marketplace, such as Jim Beam, Maker’s Mark, Bowmore, Laphroaig, Courvoisier and The House of Suntory range of Japanese craft spirits. 

About Highland Park:

We’ve been crafting our award-winning whisky at the Highland Park Distillery in Kirkwall, Orkney since 1798. Now, 225 years later, we are one of the ten oldest working distilleries in Scotland. Age, experience, and respect for tradition may define our whisky but it’s Orkney that differentiates us.

It’s not just the influence of the finest sherry seasoned oak casks on our whisky as it matures, it’s the salty sea winds that batter Orkney’s rugged coastlines, the intensely floral character of our treeless but heather-rich peat, and the fiercely independent Viking spirit that drives us. These are the elements that go, untamed, into our whisky-making to create a wild harmony of sweet-smoky flavours that is, uniquely, Highland Park.

www.highlandparkwhisky.com

 ImpEx Beverages Announces the Arrival of Meikle Tòir Peated Expressions from The GlenAllachie

Independent Scotch whisky distillery The GlenAllachie revealed its new peated Single Malt Scotch whisky brand: Meikle Tòir (pronounced mee-kuhl tor) in the UK late last year.  ImpEx Beverages is proud to announce that this very special line of 5 year old expressions has arrived to the US and is making its way to specialty retailers across the Nation.

Spearheaded by celebrated Master Distiller Billy Walker, the launch introduces Walker’s first core releases to have been fully overseen by him since he took ownership of the distillery in 2017.

Meikle Tòir, which means ‘big pursuit’, represents Walker and his expert team’s relentless seasonal peated campaign at The GlenAllachie, which began in 2018.

Using mainland peat from St. Fergus, the peated production runs for around six weeks per year, producing approximately 100,000 Liters of Alcohol annually.

The peated label’s core range consists of The Original (50% ABV), The Sherry One (48% ABV) and The Chinquapin One (48% ABV), as well as annual small-batch release, The Turbo 2023 Edition (50% ABV). Each whisky carries a five-year age statement.

All Meikle Tòir expressions were subjected to a lengthy fermentation time of 160 hours – nearly triple the industry average – which adds a fruity, ester-rich character to the subsequent whisky.

Commenting on the new brand, Walker remarks “This incredibly exciting launch is a key milestone for us all at The GlenAllachie. Five years in the making, it represents the culmination of our endeavors since we took over the reins at the distillery. Our intention has always been to release a peated Single Malt, and this is no surprise to those who have followed our journey from the start.

Every element of the production process was carefully considered to ensure our vision was met. It’s not about accelerating the journey; it’s about expanding the experience. One of the key decisions was to significantly extend the fermentation period to 160 hours, creating thick, ester-rich distillate. Another was to use mainland peat, which delivers a more oaky style of smoke. These choices, along with the use of quality Oak casks, are all factors steering us in our pursuit of peated perfection”.

The Original 5-year-old was aged in expertly sourced first-fill Bourbon barrels, American Virgin Oak casks and Rye barrels, imparting “waves of stem ginger, sweet spice, and Oak-smoked sugar”.

After an initial period in American Oak, The Sherry One underwent additional maturation in quality Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso Sherry puncheons. The result is a Single Malt with “impeccable balance between dark fruits, mocha, treacle, and puffs of earthy peat smoke”.

The Chinquapin One was first aged in American Oak before being transferred into superior Chinquapin Virgin Oak barrels from the Northern Ozark region of Missouri, USA. Drinkers can anticipate “smoked spices, roasted nuts, campfire smoke, and crème brûlée”.

The Original, The Sherry One and The Chinquapin One all have a spirit PPM level of 35, with the mainland peat delivering a more sweet and oaky smoke style in comparison to the flavor contribution of a coastal peat.

The Turbo, a super limited annual bottling, captures ‘the heart of the heart’ of the peated distillate: the spirit cut with the highest phenol content.  The 2023 Edition, a run of just 2,500 bottles (600 for the US), was left to slumber in three American Virgin Oak casks and five Oloroso Sherry hogsheads for five years. The resulting whisky is said to offer “a powerful punch of peat, amounting to a spirit PPM of 71, alongside notes of toasted honeycomb, burnt orange peel, and worn leather”.

All Meikle Tòir expressions are proudly bottled without added coloring and non-chill filtered for optimum drinking experience.

The eye-catching packaging features a hand-drawn illustration by prominent Scottish artist Iain McIntosh that depicts the rugged terrain surrounding the distillery, including the iconic peak of Ben Rinnes. The complementary “earthy” color palette was chosen to hint at the smoky flavor profile.

For more information on where to find these incredible Meikle Tòir offerings, please email the office at Office@ImpExBev.com

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