WHISK ME AWAY TO A HAPPY PLACE:

THE SCOTCH MALT WHISKY SOCIETY CREATE WORLD’S FIRST LITERAL MEMORY BOXES

Credit: David Parry

JOIN THE FLAVOUR HUNTERS THIS MAY: The world’s most entertaining whisky club have created literal memory boxes in collaboration with a memory psychologist, chef and ‘thrill engineer’ to capture key moments in life that impact the way we experience flavour

To celebrate the SMWS Flavour Hunters festival throughout the whisky month of May, The Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS) have created a sensory experience like no other. Based on the science of memory recall and creation, SMWS have designed the world’s first literal memory boxes.

Partnering with professional psychologist Dr Ansgar Endress, Scottish chef Bruce Clyne-Watson and rollercoaster designer & ‘thrill engineer’ Brendan Walker, the boxes will be available exclusively at The National Whisky Festival Glasgow 2022 on Saturday 7^th May & 2022 London Whisky Weekender on Saturday 14^th May, and in SMWS Members’ Rooms across the UK.

Utilising tasting notes from the six small batch festival bottlings specially released by the SMWS throughout May, the six distinct boxes use touch, taste, smell, sight and sound to transport people back to happy moments or places in their life, such as ‘Nan’s House of Tea’ which includes Haggis spiced lamb breast with caramelised red wine pineapple, malt loaf and toasted oats.

Renowned Scottish chef Bruce Clyne-Watson expertly crafted the memory-evoking canapes to feature alongside each box: ‘Camping Out’ embraces those warm Autumn nights huddling around the fire with rabbit liver rillette dressed in a marmalade chutney, candied walnut, and nasturtium leaves.

Paired with a peaty whisky, ‘Watching the Harbour Boats’ is matched with smoky langoustine sprayed with sea water and a smoke gun, served on pebbles alongside a deep-fried Mars Bar with Irn bru & tobacco essence, conjuring fond memories of the seashore.

The SMWS sensory experiences engage with the episodic memory, the part of the memory that takes in a whole experience and commits it to long-term memory, creating a pathway to a positive time. Experiencing these alongside the whiskies also gives our brains the power and tools to create new, happy memories over a dram.

Adding his thoughts on the partnership, Bruce Clyne-Watson said: “It’s a real joy to be working with The Scotch Malt Whisky Society on such an unconventional and exciting project. The Society itself is an endless discovery of flavour, making it so much fun to create these canapes, which match perfectly with the SMWS bottlings.

“Memory really does affect the way we experience flavour. Sampling the produce for this campaign genuinely evoked memories of my childhood, like going to my Nan’s house for tea as a wee lad; reminiscing over those warming, joyous memories. I can’t wait to see this campaign come to life in May and witness each guest’s whisky eureka moment.”

Commenting on the campaign, Helen Stewart, SMWS Head of Membership, said: “At the Society we believe flavour is more than what’s in your glass. May is whisky month and is the perfect time to show the world what the Society is all about.

“This May we want people to join the Society in our hunt for flavour. Whisky lovers can become part of the world’s most entertaining whisky club and get involved in the Flavour Hunters festival wherever they are, through our website, Members’ Rooms and at the fabulous whisky festivals taking place across the UK.”

Credit: David Parry

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society membership is about more than just whisky, come along to one of our UK Members’ Rooms to begin a discovery of flavour with the Society now: https://smws.com/

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society

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#SMWS

About The Scotch Malt Whisky Society 

• The Scotch Malt Whisky Society was established in Edinburgh in 1983 and now has more than 30,000 members and branches around the world.
• The SMWS bottles rare single malt whisky, and a range of other spirits
• The Society bottles single malts, unique single casks and exclusive blends
• The Society has bottled whisky from 150 distilleries from Scotland and beyond
• The Society offers a new batch of around 20 single malt whiskies every month
• The Society offers a variety of membership packages that can be tailored. Please see: https://cutt.ly/aQGwfkH
• For more information about the Society, visit: https://cutt.ly/HQF6PTv
• Twitter: @SMWSUK Facebook: @thesmwsuk Instagram: @smws_uk

UK MEMBERS’ ROOMS

SMWS EDINBURGH

28 Queen St, Edinburgh EH2 1JX

The Vaults, 87 Giles St, Leith, Edinburgh EH6 6BZ

SMWS GLASGOW

40 Bath St, Glasgow G2 1HG

SMWS LONDON

19 Greville St, London EC1N 8SQ

John J. Bowman Single Barrel Virginia Straight Bourbon Receives Gold Medal at 2022 International Wine & Spirits Competition 

FREDERICKSBURG, VA (April 12, 2022) The 2022 International Wine & Spirits Competition recognized four A. Smith Bowman bourbons. The Distillery’s bourbons took home one Gold medal and four Bronze medals. Medals were awarded as follows:

Gold medal went to

• John J. Bowman Single Barrel Virginia Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Bronze medals went to

• Bowman Brothers Small Batch Virginia Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Isaac Bowman Port Barrel Finished Virginia Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• A. Smith Bowman Cask Strength Virginia Straight Bourbon Whiskey

“We are honored to accept these awards,” Master Distiller Brian Prewitt said. “We continually strive to produce quality spirits, and are thrilled the judges were impressed by our bourbons.”

The International Wine & Spirits Competition uses a double-blind tasting method, in which samples are tasted in pre-poured numbered glasses to ensure judges never see a bottle. Spirits are judged by a panel of world-renowned experts from across the global spirits trade, allowing for group discussion. For more information on the International Wine and Spirits Competition, visit https://www.iwsc.net/.

About A. Smith Bowman

A. Smith Bowman’s distilling roots date back to the years before Prohibition when the Bowman family had a granary and dairy farm in Sunset Hills, Virginia. They used excess grain from the family estate to distill spirits. In 1934, after the Repeal of Prohibition, Abram Smith Bowman and his sons continued the family tradition and built a more modern distillery in Fairfax County, Virginia called Sunset Hills Farm.  The Distillery was moved in 1988 and is now nestled in Spotsylvania County near the city of Fredericksburg, 60 miles away from the original location.

As a small and privately owned company, A. Smith Bowman Distillery continues the time-honored traditions on which it was founded. Considered a micro-distillery by today’s standards, A. Smith Bowman produces an assortment of hand-crafted spirits distilled from only the finest natural ingredients and using the latest technology. This micro-distillery focuses on the production of premium spirits honoring the legacy of Virginia’s first settlers. As Virginia’s oldest and most award-winning distillery, its various brands have earned numerous prestigious awards over the years, including John J. Bowman Single Barrel, which received a double gold medal at the 2021 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.  For more information on A. Smith Bowman, please visit www.asmithbowman.com.

Elijah Craig Partners with PGA TOUR Pro Golfer Talor Gooch, Adding to Team Elijah Craig

BARDSTOWN, Ky. – Elijah Craig Bourbon today announced a new multi-year partnership with PGA TOUR professional golfer, Talor Gooch. A native Oklahoman and whiskey-lover, Gooch’s success both on and off the course will now be supported by Elijah Craig as the “Official Bourbon of Talor Gooch.” This marks the second PGA TOUR Pro to join Team Elijah Craig, following Max Homa in January 2022.

“I’m lucky to play golf for a living, but like most people, my favorite thing about the game is who I get to enjoy it with. That drink at the turn, the 19^th Hole with our buddies after the round: it’s all part of the game we love,” said Gooch. “I’m thrilled to represent Golf’s Signature Sip as Team Elijah Craig’s newest ambassador. After all, Bourbon, and golf both take practice and finesses to produce greatness. I’m looking forward to creating some exciting new content with my buddy, Max Homa, and to raising a glass with players and fans everywhere!”

Team Elijah Craig embodies the striver mindset, endeavoring to achieve greatness and master their craft. On tour for seven seasons, Gooch continues to build upon his success. He is currently ranked in the FedEx Cup Top 10 and 34^th in the Official World Golf Rankings. Gooch will add to the golf experience for fans this season through integrated marketing campaigns, social media collaboration, and public appearances. He will also proudly display the Elijah Craig logo on his shirt starting early next year.

“We’re excited to have Talor Gooch join the Elijah Craig team, which already has a winning track record with Max Homa clinching his second PGA TOUR title this season at the Wells Fargo Championship,” said Max Stefka, Elijah Craig Senior Brand Manager. “Talor’s appreciation for the patience and perseverance required to hone his craft epitomizes the same approach our craftspeople take to produce award-winning Bourbon. We look forward to many more celebratory moments on and off the course with Talor and Max.”

Elijah Craig is debuting its 19th Hole campaign to extend the fan experience beyond the course this spring and summer. The 19th Hole campaign includes premium media placements in golf publications, digital and social media activations, and consumer contests. Elijah Craig-branded golf ball on-packs and in-store displays rounding out the 360-degree program.

ABOUT ELIJAH CRAIG BOURBON: Elijah Craig Bourbon bears the name of the Reverend Elijah Craig, known as “The Father of Bourbon,” who established his distillery in 1789 on the banks of Elkhorn Creek in modern day Georgetown, Kentucky. He is credited with being the first distiller to age his wares in charred oak barrels. The clear, unaged corn liquor became transformed into a bold amber liquid with a distinctively smooth flavor that makes Bourbon what it is today. Today, Elijah Craig’s community impact continues through Elijah Craig Old Fashioned Week, providing annual donations up to $100,000 to organizations supporting the hospitality industry. Produced by Heaven Hill Distillery, the nation’s largest independent, family-owned and operated distillery and the world’s second-largest holder of Kentucky Bourbon, the Elijah Craig lineup includes: Elijah Craig Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Elijah Craig Straight Rye Whiskey, Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, and Elijah Craig 18-Year-Old Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Elijah Craig’s accolades have included Whisky Advocate’s Whisky of the Year, Best Small Batch Bourbon and Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, and Excellent Highly Recommended honors at the Ultimate Spirits Challenge. For more information, please visit www.elijahcraig.com.

Heaven Hill reminds you to “Think Wisely. Drink Wisely.”

Come join us on our flavour hunt during whisky festival month where we’ll either be attending or hosting the following events.

Friday 27 May – Saturday 4 June

Discover the thrill of the taste this May as our Flavour Hunters Festival comes to a finale in spectacular surroundings. SMWS MEMBERS UNITE… let’s come together to share a unique whisky experience, join us at Islay House for a relaxed garden party overlooking Loch Indaal. With breath-taking views and whiskies to explore – this event is sure to be a memorable one.

From 1:00pm till late – Islay House Open Day (Free entry)

From 1:00pm – Whisky Bar (drams available)

From 4:00pm – BBQ

2:30pm to 4:00pm and 4:00pm to 6:00pm – Islay House Games
(2 sessions)

2:00pm to 3:00pm (Tickets £35.00)
Flavour Hunter Exploration:
Festival Rare Releases

6:30pm to 7:30pm (Tickets £50.00)
SMWS Masterclasses – Memorable
Malts: Old & Rare 

Wed 1 June
1:00pm to 3:00pm (Free entry / informal drop-in)
SMWS Pop-up – Flavour Hunter Session

READ THE FULL PROGRAMME

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

WORLD WHISKY DAY OFFER

CELEBRATE WORLD WHISKY DAY WITH US

This Saturday is World Whisky Day, encouraging distilleries and fans alike to come together, celebrating all things whisky! To celebrate World Whisky Day 2022, we’re offering a FREE Wemyss Malts water bottle (worth £20) when you purchase a 70cl bottle from our Core Range. Whether you fancy a hot toddy or a Hiveball on the go, our stainless steel water bottle is perfect for summer.

SHOP OFFER ⟶

Simply add your 70cl bottle of choice into your basket along with a water bottle & voila! the discount with automatically be applied at checkout.Offer running Thursday 19th May 2022 to 23:59 on Sunday 22nd May. Limited to 1 water bottle per order. Unfortunately this offer is only available to customers based in the UK while stocks last.

Big Wins at the International Spirits Challenge 2022

We’re thrilled to share the news that Smoky Shores, our latest limited release, and Spice King have both been awarded gold medals at the ISC 2022, alongside silver medals for Peat Chimney and The Hive. We couldn’t be happier to see this recognition not only for our Core Range malts but also the first win for Smoky Shores. Please join us in raising a dram tonight in celebration! Slainte!

GLEN SCOTIA GLOBAL GATHERING LIVE VIRTUAL TASTING

Join live (or catch up via recording) a tasting of five Glen Scotia drams with Master Distiller Iain McAlister and renowned whisky legend Charlie Maclean on Thursday 26th May 2022 at 17:30 BST. Live streamed directly from the distillery, the tasting marks the end of the 2022 Campbeltown Malts Festival and celebrates an incredible 12 months of achievements for Glen Scotia.

£40.00
W Club Exclusive
Buy Now

A QUADRUPLET OF GOLD AWARDS

We are delighted to announce Glengoyne scooped four gold awards at this year’s International Spirit Competition. Now in its 27th year, the International Spirit Competition continues to promote outstanding quality spirits from across the globe, and Glengoyne’s 12 Year Old, 18 Year Old, 21 Year Old and 25 Year Old were all awarded Gold.

GLENGOYNE AWARD-WINNING COLLECTION

Dead Guillemot, Fabric Plasters and Blackened Engine Grease?

Glen Moray unveils the whisky world’s wackiest tasting notes ahead of World Whisky Day and asks if it’s time for change?

We use hundreds of words to describe the taste of whisky, from the basic to the truly weird and wonderful! To tie-in with World Whisky Day this weekend (Sunday 22nd May), Glen Moray asked the experts to reveal the strangest tasting notes they’ve encountered and suggest some modern alternatives to make life easier for newcomers and accessible to all.

Leading whisky writers, including Dave Broom, Henry Jeffreys, Jim Coleman, Ian Wisniewski, Mark Gillespie, Brian Townsend and Philip Day all rose to the challenge and revealed their funniest findings, pet peeves and guilty pleasures when it comes to ‘interesting’ whisky lingo. As Henry Jeffreys confessed:

“My bete noir for tasting notes, and I’m as guilty as anyone, is being unnecessarily specific, for example saying Conference pear, rather than just pear, Manuka honey rather than just honey, wild strawberries and Columbian Coffee. I think they are used to give a false sense of exactness.

But, that’s not to say that tasting notes have to be a plain. I love silly comparisons. My favourite ever tasting though, comes from wine and it is ‘sturdier than Robert Mitchum’s trousers press’. Beat that!”

Jim Coleman revealed one tasting note that has stuck with him is ‘tastes like the left wing of a dead seagull on an Islay beach’ whilst whisky aficionado Dave Broom also has a soft spot for an avian analogy, siting Charlie MacLean’s taste of ‘dead guillemot’ as his firm favourite.

From hints of paint thinner, motor grease and Cullen Skink, to notes of rotting fish, beeswax and Germoline, Glen Moray’s findings reveal that whisky lingo is indeed an acquired taste. Below are some favourites that the experts and Glen Moray fans have flagged:

Tastes like

• Pork scratchings dusted with paprika
• Dirt
• Damp cardboard
• Spicy cigarette ash
• A touch of the tack room
• Roofing tar
• Plankton
• Driftwood campfire smoke – a tasting note that is not all together unusual, however as Whisky Cast’s Mark Gillespie points out, one he has caught holy hell for from his family over the years who always want to know “when where you ever around a driftwood campfire on a beach?” 

On the nose, with a hint of

• Sileage
• Wet Labrador
• Toilet Duck
• A wet worsted blanket
• Damp autumnal hay
• Scented candle (but which scent?)

In a word…

• Grungy
• Masculine
• Flaccid
• Inoffensive
• Gullet-warming

And the best of the rest when it comes to descriptions:

• ‘Like a young cricket bowler joining the senior squad too young: some of the delivery is wayward but the power, energy and enthusiasm is there in abundance.’
• ‘Like a liquidised Tunnock’s Caramel Log in a glass’
• ‘It’s a sit back with a cigar and show off your cufflinks kind of dram’

Dave Brooms explains: “Our sense of smell is an internalised sense and therefore the most personal. That means we all have different memories and triggers when we smell something. It depends on your background, where you live, what you eat, when you first encountered an aroma. No surprise then that you get some wild descriptors – but they are the right ones for you.

The key is to know what they mean. If I smell clean rabbit hutch/hamster cage I know I’m smelling a malty whisky …You might smell biscuits, or dusty attics … or a dead mouse…

It hinders enjoyment if you don’t allow people to relax and allow their memories to come out.”

One thing many of the experts agree on however, is that it may be time to give whisky a bit of an update by being more alive to the aromas around us and using descriptors and terms that are universally understood.

Scents of Nandos, CBD oil, candy floss, Oreo, cookie dough and peanut butter are just some of the suggestions provided in addition to considering describing mouthfeel more often, think creamy, silky, velvety, oily, juicy and delicate.

And when it comes to Scottish Whisky, Dave Broom would like to see the following used as often as possible: the Gaelic word ‘sgrìob’ which describes the itchiness of the lip when a dram is required and ‘It’s Hoorish strong/ A-hoora strong’ (used as a warning to people who are about to neck a cask-strength dram).

www.glenmoray.com

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www.instagram.com/glen_moray_whisky

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ABOUT GLEN MORAY

Glen Moray is one of Scotland’s best loved single malt whiskies. It has been crafted since 1897 in the ancient town of Elgin, the capital of the Speyside whisky region, on what was once the Elgin West Brewery site on the banks of the River Lossie. Pure waters from the river, locally malted barley, distillation in traditional copper stills and maturation in American ex-bourbon casks combine to give the whisky its smooth, well-balanced, classic Speyside character. Glen Moray has always been a place where curiosity about flavour and cask maturation has been encouraged. Records dating back to the early days show new make spirit maturing in a wide variety of different casks – a highly unusual practice at this time.

A passion for experimentation and a deep knowledge of wood have been passed down through generations of Glen Moray distillers. The result is today’s exceptional and extensive range of whiskies, offering a flavour and style to suit all tastes. Glen Moray is the 5th biggest malt whisky brand by volume in the UK and is growing in international markets.

ABOUT LA MARTINIQUAISE-BARDINET

Founded by Jean Cayard in 1934, La Martiniquaise is an independent French spirits group with a large portfolio of international brands. Headquartered near Paris, the group operates in over 100 countries with 38 subsidiaries and production sites. The Group’s four pillars are Scotch whiskies, ports, brandies, wines, rums and craft spirits from France.  www.la-martiniquaise.com

Celebrate Fèis ìle 2022 with Bunnahabhain

We have a limited amount of Bunnahabhain Fèis ìle bottles ready to send straight to your door with free delivery! The Islay festival is one of the biggest whisky events of the year and takes place during the last week of May when whisky lovers from all around the world come together to celebrate.

View all Bunnahabhain→

Bunnahabhain Abhainn Araig
Feis Ile Release 2022

An unpeated dram which has been matured in a wonderful combination of ex-bourbon and Pedro Ximénez octaves – a velvety rich whisky showcasing notes of milk chocolate, dried raspberries, honey, and macadamia nuts

£95.00
BUY NOW

Bunnahabhain 1998 Calvados Cask
Feis Ile Release 2022

A rare liquid aged for 23 years, including a two year finish in French Calvados brandy casks – a sweet and characterful dram with notes of pear, cereal, dried fruits and powerful spice, finishing up with a graceful floral departure

£400.00
BUY NOW

We can’t believe there is onlya few days before our whisky tasting event! The weather is looking amazing, the venue is beautiful, and the many whiskies are prepared for your visit. In case you needed any other reason to attend this year, here’s a few.

The sun is shining on us and it’s here to stay!

A beautiful venue, the HAC in central London is the perfect backdrop for a tasting.

A huge list of whisky for you to try from around the world.

Unlimited whisky pourings! That’s right, your ticket includes everything.

A delicious two course meal.

Meet the makers, ask those burning questions and learn how this liquid was created.

A Free Glencairn tasting glass.

Free magazines: Whisky Magazine and American Whiskey.

Did we mention unlimited pourings?!

Tickets to our Whisky Experience are now limited so we strongly advise that you secure your place at this years as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

BOOK YOUR TICKETS

Our confirmed exhibitors attending:

Aber Falls, Aceo, Ahascragh Distillery, Amathus Drinks, Angus Dundee, Arran Whisky, Bruichladdich, Cardrona Distillery, Cask Liquid Marketing, Copenhagen Distillery Whisky, Cotswolds Distillery, Dingle Whiskey, Elements of Islay, Elixir Distillers, Gelstons, Glencadam, Glengoyne, Halewood International, Hinch Distillery, Ian Macleod, Indie Brands, International Beveridge, Koval, Mackmyra, Maison Villevert, Mars, Marussia Beverages, Masthouse, Milroys, Mossburn Distillers, Murray Murray McDavid, Old Pulteney, Port Askaig, Rampur, Remy Cointreau, Signal Hill, Single & Single, Speciality Drinks, Spirit of Hven, Stauning Whisky, Stewart, Stork Club, Tamdhu, The Glasgow Distillery Co, The Whisky, Exchange, Titanic Distillery, Tomintoul, Waterford Irish Single Malt.