Field To Cask Series

Now Available Online: Woodlands Farm #885

We’re delighted to announce that our latest single-cask whisky release, Woodlands Farm – Cask #885 (62.2% ABV), is now available to purchase for £125 a bottle. This bold, flavour-rich whisky has been drawn from a single shaved, toasted and re-charred cask, celebrating Woodlands Farm’s maturation warehouse that brought it to life. It marks the second edition in our Field to Cask Series, with each whisky named after a stage in its journey – from the farms that grow our barley to the casks that shape its character. With only 126 bottles produced, this release is extremely limited. Don’t miss out – secure your bottle before they’re gone!

Tasting Notes:
Nose: Coconut, dried pineapple, opal fruits and spiced plum.
Palate: Juicy strawberries, caramelised sugar and red apple.
Finish: Fresh strawberries with coconut and a dusting of cinnamon.

BUY HERE

A. SMITH BOWMAN DISTILLERY EXPANDS EXPERIMENTAL OAK SERIES WITH HUNGARIAN OAK, THIRD RELEASE EXPLORING OAK VARIETALS

As the final release in this limited series, Hungarian Oak will be available via online lottery running August 11 – August 18

FREDERICKSBURG, VA (August 4, 2025) – A. Smith Bowman Distillery today announces the release of Abraham Bowman Oak Series: Hungarian Oak, the third and final experimental whiskey from its Abraham Bowman Oak Series. Designed to explore cask maturation in different oak varietals from around the world, as well as the effect charring has on the flavor of whiskey, the Abraham Bowman Oak Series first launched in March 2024 with the release of French Oak and then continued in November 2024 with the release of American Oak. For its third release, Hungarian Oak boldly pushes the boundaries of whiskey making by introducing a whiskey that redefines the possibilities of flavor through innovation and craft.

“The Abraham Bowman Oak Series was about challenging everything we thought we knew about aging whiskey,” said A. Smith Bowman Distillery Head Distiller David Bock. “This experiment started more than fourteen years ago with former Master Distiller Truman Cox. French Oak and American Oak dazzled us with impressive flavors and now, Hungarian Oak has delivered another delicious and unexpected whiskey. In many ways, all positive, Hungarian Oak is the opposite of what we expect from our extended aged whiskey. I know Truman would be proud to see this innovation deliver such a wonderful product.”

Abraham Bowman Oak Series: Hungarian Oak is made from a blend of liquids aged for 12 years in charred Hungarian Oak barrels. Bottled at 115 proof, this bourbon has a brown velvet color. On the nose, the aroma of candied apricot engulfs your glass, unfolding layers of warm honey apples and a pronounced smokey dark chocolate on the pallet. The finish lingers on the sides of your tongue with notes of dried fruit and char.

“What surprises me about Hungarian Oak is the lack of pepper or spice, which we have come to expect from our barrels that are aging ten or more years,” said Bock. “Hungarian Oak barrels seem to have replaced any spicy notes with a flavor profile that is rich and glossy. Hungarian Oak is one of the most well-rounded whiskeys I have tasted and I’m excited for our fans to try this release.”

Inspired by his pioneering spirit, the Abraham Bowman Collection features limited-edition releases that honor Abraham’s legacy of innovation, mastery and adventure. More than 150 years before his great-grandson established Virginia’s oldest distillery, Abraham traversed the territories of the Thirteen Colonies as a Colonel of Virginia’s 8^th Regiment. The 8^th regiment played a vital role in the Continental Army’s fight for independence.

The Abraham Bowman Limited Edition Collection of whiskeys began in 2010 with the release of Abraham Bowman Rye Whiskey. Each edition of the Collection reflects innovation and creativity coming from Master Distillers Brian Prewitt, the late Truman Cox and current Head Distiller David Bock. Previous releases in the Abraham Bowman Collection have explored different mash bills, aging techniques, proofs, finishes and more.

The opportunity to purchase a limited bottle of Abraham Bowman Oak Series: Hungarian Oak will occur through an online lottery taking place from August 11 – August 18. Consumers nationwide are invited to enter the lottery; however, winners MUST purchase in-person at the A. Smith Bowman gift shop within three weeks of winning. Limit one entry per person. To enter, please submit a form here. Winners will be randomly selected on August 20 and notified via email immediately following the selection. Each 750ml bottle will be sold at the suggested retail price of $79.99, excluding state taxes and fees.

For more information about the Abraham Bowman Collection, visit asmithbowman.com/spirits.

About A. Smith Bowman Distillery

As Virginia’s oldest distillery, A. Smith Bowman Distillery’s rich history dates back to 1927, when Abram Smith Bowman purchased 7,200-acres in Fairfax County, Virginia. Named Sunset Hills Farm, the Bowman Family were grain and dairy farmers until the fields became so abundant that Bowman needed a use for the excess grain. In 1934, he built a groundbreaking distillery on the farmland and, with the help of his two sons, produced the first-ever batch of Virginia Gentleman Whiskey

Today, the historic distillery has relocated 60 miles away to Fredericksburg, where it operates as a small, family-owned company continuing the time-honored traditions on which it was founded, producing premium handcrafted spirits in small batches and experimental editions that embody innovation at its core. Award-winning products produced at A. Smith Bowman Distillery include Bowman Brothers Small Batch Bourbon, John J. Bowman Single Barrel Bourbon, A. Smith Bowman Cask Strength Bourbon, the Abraham Bowman Limited Edition Collection, Deep Run Vodka, Sunset Hills Gin, George Bowman Caribbean Rum and Mary Hite Bowman Caramel Bourbon Cream, among others. In 2023, Cask Strength won Gold medals at multiple competitions including the New York World Wine & Spirits Competition, San Francisco World Spirits Competition and the American Whiskey Masters.

For more information on A. Smith Bowman Distillery, visit asmithbowman.com.

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If there was ever a month for adventure, August is it. It’s a time to embrace sun-drenched weekends and further flung getaways to soak up the last of the season. Summer holidays already complete? Seize the small moments. A long weekend walk, a lazy brunch with highballs, or a dram under the stars at the end of a night all offer their own delights. The labels on our whiskies tell the stories of their liquid adventures – each label a map to find your way. How you choose your adventure is up to you.

August Outturn is now live.

PLEASE NOTE BOTTLES ARE CURRENTLY AVAILABLE ONLY IN VICTORIA AND VANCOUVER (call Legacy Liquor Store at 604-331-7900)

CRANBERRY REVERIE

CASK NO. 28.108

CASK:  1st fill ex-bourbon barrel

AGE:  12 years

INVIGORATING AND REFRESHING

CASK NO. 162.5

CASK:  New chinkapin oak barrel

AGE:  5 years

MELTS IN THE MOUTH

CASK NO. 89.22

CASK:  1st fill oloroso hogshead

AGE:  15 years

WANDERING ALCHEMY

CASK NO. N/A

CASKS:  Bourbon, Oloroso, PX & HTMC barrels and hogsheads

AGE:  10 years

CAMPFIRE CONVERSATIONS

CASK NO. 10.268

CASK:  Refill ex-bourbon hogshead

AGE:  18 years

BROWSE AUGUST OUTTURN HERE

VIEW ALL BOTTLES

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

NEW AND EXCLUSIVE:
NC’NEAN CALVADOS CASK

Exclusive to The Whisky Exchange, we’re delighted to introduce this single cask Nc’nean. We walked the warehouses of the leading light in sustainable Scotch whisky and selected our favourite cask. It’s a seven-year-old, drawn from a calvados cask, offering notes of fresh apples, lemongrass and sage, leading into a gently waxy palate, with notes of green pear, chamomile, lemon balm and a hint of ginger.

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Billy Abbott, The Whisky Exchange

Nose: Creamy toffee and hazelnuts, créme brûlée and oatcakes. Crisp barley sugar contrasts against savoury grain, alongside sweet and sour orchard fruit.
Palate: Sweet and creamy, with white chocolate, apple sauce, crunchy pears and white peppery spice. Flapjack grain notes develop along with more apple: sharp green& sweet red.
Finish: Oat cookies with dried apple chunks and a sprinkle of cinnamon.

House Malts
Celebrating the legacy of the Morrison family

Our House Malts have been carefully selected to honour the proud distilling heritage of the Morrison family – once owners of the legendary distilleries Auchentoshan (Lowlands), Glen Garioch (Highlands) and Bowmore (Islay).

EXPLORE & BUY

Lagavulin 12YO, 56.5% 2021

THE REVIEW

When you see this bottle for sale at £50, lowered from around £160, how could you say no? Well, I didn’t. We all have opinions on what Diageo and retailers have done with these bottles, from launch prices to the gradual, and pre-inflation price increases, these stocks are just sitting on shelves through shear greed, so bring on the sales! It can only benefit us, the consumers.

Moving onto the whisky, well, it’s quite fantastic. It’s a mostly bourbon cask matured, young Lagavulin, it’s simply spectacular in the way that every peat lover covets.

Whisky Reviews every Wednesday
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ABERARGIE DISTILLERY MARKS FINAL BARLEY HARVEST AHEAD OF INAUGURAL SINGLE MALT LAUNCH

‘From Grain to Glass’

Aberargie, Scotland – As harvest season unfolds across Scotland’s rolling fields, Aberargie Distillery is marking a milestone moment with the crop of its farm-grown barley – the last to be harvested before the distillery’s widely anticipated debut single malt launches in early 2026.

With its first spirit laid down in 2017, Aberargie is no ordinary newcomer. The distillery stands on a 300-acre farm near Perth owned by the Morrison family – a name synonymous with Scotch whisky for five generations. From grocers and brokers to blenders, bottlers and distillers, the Morrisons have played a central role in shaping the Scotch whisky industry for over a century. Today, that legacy continues at Aberargie: a fully independent, family-run distillery built on home ground.

Located seven miles south of Perth, Aberargie is one of the few distilleries in Scotland to use 100% estate-grown barley, cultivated entirely on the Morrison family’s land. This farm-to-bottle philosophy is at the heart of Aberargie’s ethos, which delivers full traceability, terroir, and complete control over quality from seed to spirit.

This year’s harvest includes the distillery’s signature Golden Promise barley, a heritage variety known for its full-bodied profile, buttery texture and oily richness. Once widely used in the 1960s by distilleries such as The Macallan, Golden Promise is now a rarity in modern Scotch production, favoured only by distillers who choose flavour over yield. Grown directly in front of the distillery itself in clear view of the stills, it is a testament to Aberargie’s commitment to tradition and depth of character.

In addition to Golden Promise, the team also grows Laureate barley, a modern, high-performing variety selected for its clean, bright spirit yield and reliability in Scottish growing conditions. Combining both strains ensures a balanced, structured, and flavour-forward whisky.

Every grain harvested this season will go directly into whisky production on-site, reinforcing Aberargie’s true grain-to-glass approach. With all distilling, blending, maturation, and bottling carried out in-house, and whisky matured exclusively in first-fill casks, Aberargie aims to deliver a single malt rooted in provenance and shaped by the Scottish landscape.

“This is a significant harvest for us. The last one before we bottle our very first single malt,” said Graeme Mackeddie, Head of Distilling at Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers. “Growing our own barley gives us unmatched control over flavour and consistency. Golden Promise is a heritage barley that brings richness and depth to our whisky. This barley isn’t known for its high-yielding properties; it’s chosen for quality, and that’s why we have chosen to grow this strain on our farms.”

Set to launch in 2026, Aberargie’s inaugural release promises a flavour-first single malt defined by heritage grain, natural depth, and a strong sense of place. It results from years of patient farming, careful distilling, and thoughtful maturation until the spirit is at its peak.

Aberargie also marks a symbolic return to distilling for the Morrison family, who last operated their own distillery before the sale of Morrison Bowmore to Suntory in 1994. Today, under Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers, the family’s focus is clear: building brands with legacy, maturing whisky with patience, and investing in people, all while remaining proudly independent.

For more information on Aberargie Distillery and Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers, head to https://www.morrisondistillers.com

About Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers
Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers is an independent, family-owned company based in Perth, Scotland. Rebranded in 2020, MSWD represents five generations of Morrison whisky heritage under one name, with a focus on single malt production, brand development, blending and bottling. Its flagship brands include Aberargie, Old Perth, Mac-Talla, Càrn Mòr and Bruadar.

At the heart of MSWD’s operations is Aberargie Distillery, built on a family-owned farm near Perth. From the first fill in 2017, the distillery represents the Morrison family’s return to distilling after the 1994 sale of Morrison Bowmore to Suntory. With the first release of Aberargie being anticipated for launch in 2026, this is the cornerstone of the business.

Killowen Distillery wins major accolades at the
Irish Whiskey Industry Awards 

The team at Killowen Distillery have won a range of awards at the Irish Whiskey Industry Awards by Belfast Whiskey Week. We are delighted to announce that we have won in the following categories;

– Distiller of the Year, Brendan Carty
– Irish Whiskey Distillery Experience of the Year
– Warehouse Manager of the Year, Shenda O’Hare
– Internal Markting / PR Team of the Year

Brands and businesses are nothing without people and places, we have the best of both at Killowen. Thank you to everyone who voted and nominated us, don’t our team look lovely!

Sláinte

The Killowen Distillery Team

Celebrate Oysters the Maritime Way

…….. and there’s no better way to honour the ocean’s finest than with a dram that shares its soul. Rock Island – our bold coastal Malt – is crafted from Scotland’s island distilleries and brings brine, smoke and spice in every sip. Paired with oysters? It’s a maritime match made in heaven.

Keep your eyes peeled… A special Rock Island collaboration is surfacing soon!

EXPLORE ROCK ISLAND’S COLLECTION

DIAGEO SPECIAL RELEASES OFFERS

Diageo’s annual Special Releases gives whisky lovers the chance to explore rare, limited-edition single malts-from icons like Talisker, Oban, and Lagavulin to lesser-known favourites such as Glendullan and Teaninich.

For one week only, we’re offering standout deals on past editions: £70 off Oban 11 Year Old Rum Finish from 2023, £130 off a cask-strength Mortlach from 2022, and the Talisker 2012 8 Year Old at cask strength for just £45-half its original price.

These offers span nine limited-edition, collectible single malts and end Sunday 24 August. Secure your bottle before they’re gone.

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