A BLIND DATE WITH A WHISKY BOTTLE

Take a chance on a new dram and have a Blind Date with a Whisky Bottle. We’ve chosen six delicious whiskies, each with different flavours, lowered the price, and hidden their identities.

These gems hail from Scotland, Japan and Ireland, and are whiskies packed with rich fruit and spice, cherry and chocolate, dried fruit and nut or fresh fruit and vanilla. Or try a dram that is rich and peaty, or another that is filled with fresh fruit and smoke – you might discover a new favourite whisky.

 DISCOVER 

KENTUCKY BOURBON TRAIL® GROWS TO 60 DESTINATIONS 

BUCKET LIST BOURBON ADVENTURE WELCOMES VISITORS 

FROM AROUND THE GLOBE

FRANKFORT, Ky. – The Kentucky Distillers’ Association is proud to welcome more than a dozen new experiences to its Kentucky Bourbon Trail® tour, growing opportunities for visitors worldwide to explore Kentucky Bourbon and benefiting local communities throughout the state.

Since its launch in 1999, the Bourbon Trail™ adventure has seen tremendous growth, elevating tourism for the entire Commonwealth and consistently breaking attendance records with more than 2.5 million visitors annually.

The latest expansion includes new distillery offerings and satellite tasting rooms, bringing the Bourbon Trail™ to 60 total destinations in 27 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. The growth is part of the new KBT® campaign that encourages visitors to “Build Your Own Bourbon Trail®” tour.

“As Bourbon tourism continues to thrive, our members are creating more opportunities for the world to experience the heart and soul of America’s spirit in a variety of ways that meet every visitor’s interests,” said Colleen Thomas, KDA Vice President of Operations.

“What began as a small group of distilleries now has grown into an ever-expanding bucket list destination with global appeal,” she said. “Each new addition is more than a stop on a map – it’s a celebration of Kentucky Bourbon’s rich history and proud heritage.”

More than 80% of all KBT® visitors come from outside Kentucky. Research shows Bourbon Trail™ visitors have a much higher household income than typical Kentucky tourists, trend younger, stay longer, come in larger groups, and spend more money in Kentucky communities.

Bourbon is a $9 billion economic and tourism powerhouse for Kentucky, generating more than 23,100 jobs with $2.2 billion in salaries and benefits. The industry continues to break records in aging Bourbon barrel inventory (14.3 million) and production (3.2 million barrels filled in 2023).

Even as all alcoholic beverages are seeing a slowdown in sales, KDA President Eric Gregory said he does not believe Bourbon tourism will be impacted by headwinds like shifts in consumer trends, snowballing taxes, and the threat of retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods.

“Kentucky is the one, true and authentic home for Bourbon,” he said. “While we keep breaking attendance records, there are plenty of people around the world who have never made the pilgrimage to the Birthplace of Bourbon — and many more who are planning to return.

“Now with 60 different destinations — from small craft distilleries to iconic Bourbon landmarks and urban satellite tasting rooms — there is more for fans to see and taste on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® tour than ever before.

“We’re proud to welcome them to our beloved Commonwealth.”

Build Your Own Bourbon Trail® at www.kybourbontrail.com.

The Kentucky Bourbon Trail® now offers more ways to experience Bourbon. By region, the new experiences include:

Bardstown

Chicken Cock Distilling

Central

Bluegrass Distillers, Elkwood Farm — Midway (coming soon)

Heaven’s Door Distillery — Pleasureville (coming soon)

Larrikin Bourbon Co. — Lawrenceburg

Lexington

Bespoken Spirits, Inc. (coming soon)

Garrard County Distilling Co. — Lancaster

RD1 Spirits – The Commons (new location coming soon)

Louisville

Buzzard’s Roost Spirits

Bardstown Bourbon Co. Tasting Room

Monk’s Road Boiler House Tasting Room

Whiskey Thief Distilling Co. Tasting Room

Northern

Becker & Bird Winery & Distillery— Augusta

Wenzel Distilling Co. — Covington

Western 

B.H. James Distillers — Adairville

Southern Kentucky Distillery — Burkesville

Our Outturn podcast video now has its own dedicated YouTube channel, Whisky Talk. Ready for the February Outturn podcast? Head over to the new channel to watch and subscribe.

WHISKY TALK ON YOUTUBE

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

SAZERAC COMPANY TO HOST CALIFORNIA WILDFIRE RELIEF FUNDRAISER FEATURING THREE ULTRA RARE BOURBON OFFERINGS

Offerings include the first-ever single barrel of Pappy Van Winkle 15 Year Old, a complete set of the Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon Collection and a bottle of Eagle Rare 25 with 100% of proceeds benefitting World Central Kitchen and Another Round Another Rally charities

LOUISVILLE, KY (February 11, 2025) – Sazerac Company today announces it will host a first of its kind fundraiser in support of California wildfire relief efforts, offering consumers the chance to purchase three ultra-rare prize packages featuring some of Buffalo Trace Distillery’s most sought-after bourbons. One hundred percent of funds raised through Sazerac’s California Wildfire Relief Fundraiser will go toward two non-profit organizations committed to ongoing relief efforts in the state: World Central Kitchen (WCK), which is working with restaurant and food truck partners in Southern California to provide meals to those in need; and Another Round Another Rally, which is collecting funds for real-time financial support for hospitality workers impacted by the wildfires.

“Our hearts break for those who have been impacted by the devastating wildfires that have swept across California this year,” said Jake Wenz, President and CEO of Sazerac. “The fires have caused immense destruction, and the toll on the Los Angeles community is profound. Through this program we hope, humbly, to offer a small bit of aid to World Central Kitchen and Another Round Another Rally as they continue their much-needed support of the California community during this difficult time.”

Offerings available through the Sazerac California Wildfire Relief Fundraiser include:

1. Auction*: the first-ever single barrel of Pappy Van Winkle 15 Year Old will be available for auction as part of the initiative
   1. This is the first single barrel of Pappy Van Winkle to ever be made available for purchase. The barrel was specially selected from the heart of the aging warehouses at Buffalo Trace Distillery for this auction. On average, a single barrel yields approximately 125 bottles of bourbon.
   2. Funds raised via auction will be evenly split between WCK and Another Round Another Rally
2. Sweepstakes 1**: a complete bottle set of the Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon Collection
   1. The very rare, limited-edition Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon Collection features six unique bourbons, each reflective of a craft that blends generational knowledge dating back to the late 1800s. This highly coveted collection features Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year, Pappy Van Winkle 12 Year, Pappy Van Winkle Family Reserve Rye 13 Year, Pappy Van Winkle 15 Year, Pappy Van Winkle 20 Year, and Pappy Van Winkle 23 Year.
   2. Funds raised by the Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon Collection sweepstakes will benefit WCK
3. Sweepstakes 2**: one bottle of Buffalo Trace Distillery’s ultra-rare Eagle Rare 25
   1. At 25 years old, Eagle Rare 25 marks the oldest expression ever released from the Eagle Rare portfolio and defies existing perception of ultra-aged bourbon with its smooth, complex flavor profile. Eagle Rare 25 is the first bourbon aged in Warehouse P, a purpose-built, state-of-the-art warehouse, constructed to test if it was possible to extend favorably both the aging and maturation processes typical for American whiskey and bourbon.
   2. Funds raised by the Eagle Rare 25 sweepstakes will benefit Another Round Another Rally

In early January, wildfires broke out in the Palisades and Eaton communities of Los Angeles and quickly spread to neighboring communities. It is estimated more than 50,000 acres have burned, with the wildfires destroying more than 16,000 structures and killing at least 28 people. From the beginning, both WCK and ARAR have been on the frontlines in Los Angeles helping the communities hardest hit.

• WCK’s Relief Team mobilized immediately in Southern California to support first responders and families impacted by the wildfires. In collaboration with 80+ restaurant and food truck partners, WCK is distributing free hot meals to those in need at several locations throughout Southern California. Since the wildfires began in early January, WCK has served more than 600,000 meals to those affected by the wildfires.
• As the fire’s devastation began to overtake Los Angeles and surrounding areas, Another Round Another Rally jumped into action immediately knowing bar and restaurant workers would face an uphill battle with regard to loss of businesses and loss of income opportunities. Their Disaster Relief Fund enables the organization to provide real-time financial support to hospitality workers impacted by California’s wildfires. In the month since the fires started, Another Round Another Rally has given out over $100k in financial assistance to bar and restaurant workers affected by the disaster.

Those looking to support the Sazerac California Wildfire Relief Fundraiser can participate in multiple ways:

• For the Pappy Van Winkle 15 Year Old single barrel auction, bidding will begin at $10,000 and those interested can bid as many times as they wish. Bidding will increase in increments of $1,000. The winner of the auction will receive a monetary prize equal to the value of the lot, which may be used to purchase the bottles yielded from the barrel, as well as the empty barrel.
  • Link to bid: www.sazeracgivesback.com
• For both the Pappy Van Winkle Collection and Eagle Rare 25 sweepstakes, entrants will receive one entry for every $50 donation made through the registration site. There is no cap on the amount a person can donate. The winners of each sweepstakes will receive a monetary prize equal to the value of the bottle they won, which may be used to purchase the bottles.
  • Link to donate and enter: www.sazeracgivesback.com

The Sazerac California Wildfire Relief Fundraiser begins on Tuesday, February 11 at 12pm noon EST. To enter and make a donation, and to view the full official rules, visit www.sazeracgivesback.com. All entries must be received by 11:59PM EST on Sunday, February 23. One winner for each prize package will be randomly drawn and notified via phone and email the week of March 3.

About Sazerac Company

With over 400 years of history, Sazerac is one of the world’s largest distilled spirits companies. Now in the fourth generation of the current family ownership, Sazerac strives each day to bring the finest spirits to consumers around the world.

Over 500 of the world’s most extraordinary brands are part of the Sazerac portfolio, including Buffalo Trace Bourbon, Eagle Rare, Weller, The Last Drop Distillers, Fireball Cinnamon Whisky, Southern Comfort, Wheatley Vodka, Meyers’s Rum, White X Cognac, Sazerac de Forge Cognac, Paddy’s Irish Whiskey, and many more.

Sazerac is also the steward of many fine distilleries internationally, including Buffalo Trace Distillery in Kentucky, United States; Domaine Sazerac de Segonzac in Cognac, France; Paul John Distillery in Goa, India; and Lough Gill Distillery in County Sligo, Ireland. Additional impressive locations can be found in New Orleans, Montréal, London, Cork and Sydney, to name a few.

To learn more visit www.sazerac.com.

About World Central Kitchen

Founded in 2010 by Chef José Andrés, World Central Kitchen (WCK) is a nonprofit organization that is first to the frontlines providing fresh meals in response to crises. Applying our model of quick action, leveraging local resources, and adapting in real time, WCK has served more than 450 million nourishing meals around the world.

When disaster strikes, WCK’s Relief Team mobilizes with the urgency of now to start cooking and serving meals to people in need. By partnering with organizations on the ground and activating a network of local restaurants, food trucks, and emergency kitchens, WCK serves comforting meals to survivors of disasters quickly and effectively. To support regional economies, WCK prioritizes purchasing local ingredients to cook with or distribute directly to families in need.

We know that good food provides not only nourishment, but also comfort and hope, especially in times of crisis. Learn more at wck.org. 

About Another Round Another Rally

Another Round Another Rally is a nonprofit financial and educational resource for the hospitality industry. They provide professional development resources and immersive educational scholarships to further the education of historically excluded voices in the community, and supply emergency assistance to those employed in restaurants, bars, and hotels who have fallen on unexpected hardship.

*To win the available online silent auction, you must be the highest bidder at the end of the registration period.  **No purchase or donation necessary to enter or win. Purchasing a product will not improve your chances of winning. Must be legal resident of 50 U.S. or D.C, excluding NY, age 21 or older. Registration begins at 12:00pm ET 2/11/2025 and ends at 11:59pm ET 2/23/2025. To enter, and for complete official rules including eligibility, prize descriptions and ARV, visit www.SazeracGivesBack.com. Odds of winning one of the available sweepstakes are based upon number of eligible entries received to each sweepstakes.  No alcoholic beverage is part of any prize award. Void wherever prohibited or restricted by law. SPONSOR: Sazerac Company, Inc., Louisville, KY.

Scallywag Glass Pack

Looking for the perfect gift for your Valentine?

Treat the Whisky lover in your life to something truly special with our Scallywag Malt Whisky Glass Gift Set. This beautifully crafted set includes an award-winning 70cl bottle of Scallywag Speyside Malt Scotch Whisky, a stylish tumbler glass with frosted silk screening, and a premium wooden coaster with elegant gold etching. Thoughtful, refined, and perfectly indulgent—it’s a Valentine’s gift sure to fill both their heart and glass.

SHOP NOW

Use Code VALENTINE10 For 10% Off Select Speyside Products

Share a dram this Valentine’s Day with Tomatin 14 Year Old Tawny Port single malt

Valentine’s Day is an occasion to celebrate love, and whether that’s romance or friendship, Friday 14 February warrants an exceptional whisky to be shared with someone special.

Tomatin Distillery has recommended its 14 Year Old Tawny Port single malt as the ideal dram to raise a toast this Valentine’s Day – a befittingly aged whisky to celebrate this much-loved date in the calendar.

Tomatin Distillery has a proud heritage dating back to the 15th century. It has been a home for the whisky-making team’s dedicated craftsmen and their families since the current distillery was established in 1897. Crafting whisky in this beautiful Highland location is a labour of love. The distillery’s brand platform, ‘To What Matters’, celebrates special shared moments, such as enjoying a dram together with loved ones.

Raise a glass of Tomatin 14 Year Old Tawny Port this Valentine’s Day – an exceptional single malt crafted with exceptional care. 

Tomatin 14 Year Old Tawny Port single malt whisky (70cl, 46% ABV, £77.50)

A remarkable single malt Scotch whisky which reflects Tomatin Distillery’s style and craftsmanship, Tomatin 14 Year Old is a soft, smooth and sweet single malt.

This exquisite dram has benefitted from its time spent in tawny port casks, which previously held port for around 50 years and are testament to Tomatin’s first-class wood policy. Rich yet balanced aromas of red berries, sweet honey and rich toffee develop into aspects of light fruits and nuts on the palate, leading into an abiding finish of smooth fruit salad.  

Tomatin 14 Year Old Tawny Port Tasting Notes

• Nose – Top notes of fresh peach, mandarin, watermelon and apple with deeper forest fruits like cherry and blackberry. There’s a touch of milk chocolate and a pop of honeycomb. Notes of clove and cardamom grow in intensity before another wave of fruit.
• Palate – The freshness on the nose has been preserved into a raspberry and strawberry jam, apricot compote, glace cherry and crystallised ginger. Caramelised figs, prunes and nutty tones are indicative of the rich tawny port that once occupied these casks.
• Finish – A silky texture coats the mouth with jammy fruits and Byzantium spice.

Available at https://tomatin.com/shop and specialist whisky retailers.

Notes 

Tomatin is located in the Scottish Highlands, 16 miles south of Inverness, and is famous for its portfolio of refined and elegant whiskies.  The distillery has a proud heritage stretching back to the 15th century when illicit production was likely to be taking place, but it wasn’t until 1897 that the first formal distillery was established by John MacDougall as the Tomatin Spey Distillery Company.

In 2022, Tomatin was awarded ‘Scotch Whisky Producer of the Year’ and ‘Outstanding Spirits Producer of the Year’ at the International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC). 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 success continued when the distillery’s ‘Legacy’ was awarded Gold at IWSC. That same year, Tomatin also took home seven awards at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, while Cù Bòcan, took home three. Tomatin’s 36 Year Old was crowned the ultimate winner at SFWSC for malts, being named ‘Best in Show’, officially making it one of the best whiskies in the world.

Building upon this triumph, 2024 saw Tomatin’s 18 Year Old secured Double Gold for the third consecutive year at the SFWSC, elevating it to Platinum status. Meanwhile, both Tomatin’s 45 Year Old and 12 Year Old, alongside Cù Bòcan’s 15 Year Old took home Double Gold Awards, and Cù Bòcan’s 12 Year Old also secured a prestigious Gold Award.

‘To What Matters’ is the latest chapter in the brand’s evolution; it is a positive call to arms that represents the spiritual DNA of Tomatin – a belief in savouring what is truly important in life and time spent together.

Tomatin is owned by the Japanese company Takara Shuzo International: www.takara-intl.co.jp/en/

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS 

We are delighted to announce the Cadenhead’s, Kilkerran and Springbank events which will take place during the Campbeltown Malts Festival 2025. Events will run from Monday 19th – Saturday 24th May.

HOW TO PURCHASE TICKETS

All events will be bookable via Eventbrite, with the exception of our Springbank Society member tastings, which will be via www.springbank.scot and our Cadenhead’s Club member tastings, which will be via experience.cadenhead.scot.

There will be a maximum of 2 tickets available per person for each event, with the exception of the Springbank Society and Cadenhead’s Club Tastings where the limit is 1 per person. Please note that tickets do tend to sell out quickly so we strongly recommend that you register with Eventbrite/the relevant member sites ahead of the ticket launch to make the process quicker on the day of the ticket sales.

PLEASE NOTE IN ADVANCE THERE IS A STRICT NO REFUND POLICY FOR FESTIVAL TICKETS. IN AN EFFORT TO MINIMISE OUR PAPER WASTE, QR CODES MUST BE SHOWN TO GAIN ENTRY INTO EACH TASTING EVENT. WE ALSO HOPE THIS WILL HELP SPEED UP THE ENTRY PROCESS.

Monday, 19th May 2025

13:30 | Cadenhead’s Warehouse Tasting – Festival Edition 1 | £50.00 |

Our week of festival events will officially commence on Monday when we host the first festival edition Cadenhead’s Warehouse Tasting. This tasting will be repeated every day from Monday to Saturday, times varying.

Enjoy six exceptional whiskies drawn straight from the cask within our bonded warehouse on Bolgam Street. These whiskies have been specially selected for the 2025 Malts Festival. Three of these whiskies will be available to purchase at the end, exclusively to those attending the tasting.

This tasting will be available to book via pre-sale to Society & Club members on Eventbrite from Tuesday 18th February at 14:00 (GMT). All remaining tickets will go on sale to the public the following day at 14:00.

19:00 | Springbank Charity Tasting | £500.00 |

Thanks once again to the generosity of Mr Peter Greve, the grand Campbeltown Malts Festival charity tasting is back for 2025! Last year’s tasting was such a tremendous success – raising over £12,000 for charities and good causes close to Campbeltown’s heart – that when Peter offered some more bottles from his private collection for 2025 then we just couldn’t say no.

We’ll be discovering and enjoying Springbank distillations from the 1960s, 70s and 80s in what promises to be yet another magical evening in the Washback Bar. Limited to just 30 tickets, the evening promises to be a real highlight in the Malts Festival week.

This tasting will be available to book on Eventbrite from Wednesday, 26th February at 14:00 (GMT).

Tuesday, 20th May 2025

11:00 | Cadenhead’s Club Tasting – Session 1 | Free |

Join fellow Club members and familiar faces from our Cadenhead’s team for a few drams.

We will run two sessions of this tasting, the first on Tuesday at 11:00 and the second on Wednesday at 14:00. Please note that both tastings will be exactly the same and members will only be permitted to attend one tasting. Please do not book both time slots as both bookings will be automatically cancelled. Available to book by registered Cadenhead’s Club members only.

The Cadenhead’s Club Tasting will be free to attend but you must book your place in advance. Bookings will be made available to members via experience.cadenhead.scot on Thursday 20th February at 14:00 (GMT). On this date, a link will be sent to all members to direct you to the booking page.

13:30 | Cadenhead’s Warehouse Tasting – Festival Edition 2 | £50.00 |

A second opportunity to take part in our exclusive festival edition Cadenhead’s Warehouse Tasting. Enjoy six exceptional whiskies drawn straight from the cask within our Bolgam Street bonded warehouse. These whiskies have been specially selected for the 2025 Malts Festival. Three of these whiskies will be available to purchase at the end, exclusively to those attending the tasting.

This tasting will be available to book via pre-sale to Society & Club members on Eventbrite from Tuesday 18th February at 14:00 (GMT). All remaining tickets will go on sale to the public the following day at 14:00.

14:00 | Springbank Society Tasting – Session 1 | Free |

Join us for our annual Malts Festival Tasting, exclusive to members of the Springbank Society.

We will run two sessions of this tasting, the first on Tuesday at 14:00 and the second on Wednesday at 11:00. Please note that both tastings will be exactly the same and members will only be permitted to attend one tasting. Please do not book both time slots as both bookings will be automatically cancelled. Available to book by registered Springbank Society members only.

The Springbank Society Tasting will be free to attend but you must book your place in advance. Bookings will be made available to members via www.springbank.scot on Thursday 20th February at 14:00 (GMT). On this date, a link will be sent to all members to direct you to the booking page.

Wednesday, 21st May 2025

11:00 | Springbank Society Tasting – Session 2 | Free |

Join us for our annual Malts Festival Tasting, exclusive to members of the Springbank Society.

We will run two sessions of this tasting, the first on Tuesday at 14:00 and the second on Wednesday at 11:00. Please note that both tastings will be exactly the same and members will only be permitted to attend one tasting. Please do not book both time slots as both bookings will be automatically cancelled. Available to book by registered Springbank Society members only.

The Springbank Society Tasting will be free to attend but you must book your place in advance. Bookings will be made available to members via www.springbank.scot on Thursday 20th February at 14:00 (GMT). On this date, a link will be sent to all members to direct you to the booking page.

13:30 | Cadenhead’s Warehouse Tasting – Festival Edition 3 | £50.00 |

A further opportunity to take part in our exclusive festival edition Cadenhead’s Warehouse Tasting. Enjoy six exceptional whiskies drawn straight from the cask within our Bolgam Street bonded warehouse. These whiskies have been specially selected for the 2025 Malts Festival. Three of these whiskies will be available to purchase at the end, exclusively to those attending the tasting.

This tasting will be available to book via pre-sale to Society & Club members on Eventbrite from Tuesday 18th February at 14:00 (GMT). All remaining tickets will go on sale to the public the following day at 14:00.

14:00 | Cadenhead’s Club Tasting – Session 2 | Free |

Join fellow Club members and familiar faces from our Cadenhead’s team for a few drams. We will run two sessions of this tasting, the first on Tuesday at 11:00 and the second on Wednesday at 14:00. Please note that both tastings will be exactly the same and members will only be permitted to attend one tasting. Please do not book both time slots as both bookings will be automatically cancelled. Available to book by registered Cadenhead’s Club members only.

The Cadenhead’s Club Tasting will be free to attend but you must book your place in advance. Bookings will be made available to members via experience.cadenhead.scot on Thursday 20th February at 14:00 (GMT). On this date, a link will be sent to all members to direct you to the booking page.

18:00 | The Malt Barns Dinner | £300.00 |

Our annual Malt Barns Dinner will take place on Wednesday 21st May at 18:00. Guests will be welcomed by members of the Springbank, Kilkerran and Cadenhead’s teams and will enjoy a champagne reception accompanied by a range of locally sourced canapés.

A member of the production team will then hand draw a selection of whiskies straight from the cask. Guests will vote for their favourite dram with the most popular being bottled on the evening. Each guest will receive a 70cl bottle of the winning choice upon departure.

A four course meal will then be served with a specially selected wine to accompany each course. There will be a set menu on the evening. A member of our Events Team will contact you following your successful booking regarding dietary or any other special requirements.

The cost of our Malt Barns Dinner is £300.00. Tickets for this event will be available via pre-sale to Society & Club members on Eventbrite from Tuesday 11th February at 14:00 (GMT). All remaining tickets will go on sale to the public the following day at 14:00.

SPRINGBANK OPEN DAY

Thursday, 22nd May 2025

The Springbank Open Day will commence at 10:00 when the sale of our special Open Day bottles will begin. In addition to the tastings listed below, we will be offering free distillery tours of Springbank and Kilkerran, a range of local craft and food stalls, bars, exclusive festival bottlings, live music and much more. Events at Springbank will conclude at 18:30.

The tastings taking place during the Springbank Open Day (excluding events that are only bookable on the day) will be available to book via pre-sale to Society & Club members on Eventbrite from Tuesday 18th February at 14:00 (GMT). All remaining tickets will go on sale to the public the following day at 14:00.

Details of each can be found below:

11:00 | The Hazelburn Tasting | £40.00 |

Making up only 10% of our annual production and thus typically in scarce supply, we thought it was time to put the spotlight on the often underrated Hazelburn. Join us for a rare opportunity to sample a range of Hazelburn whiskies, from old archive drams to samples of future releases.

11:00 | The Art (and Science) of Fermentation | £40.00 |

Do you know your viability from your vitality, or your amino acids from your aldehydes? Fear not, Production Director Findlay Ross and Bottling Operations Manager Lea Watson are here to guide you through the exciting world of yeast, ethanol, and congeners alongside a few handpicked drams as they delve into the art (and science) of fermentation.

12:15 | Springbank Warehouse Tasting 1 | £40.00 |

Led by a member of our knowledgeable production team, the Springbank Warehouse Tastings offer the chance to sample straight from the casks in the atmospheric setting of our on-site warehouses, with casks selected especially for our Malts Festival to ensure an interesting and unique range of whiskies on offer.

12:15 | Live Malting Demonstration | Free |

Always a popular feature of our Springbank Open Day, our live malting demonstration serves as an excellent opportunity to learn about our traditional malting process from a member of our production team. You may even get the chance to turn the barley yourself! Tickets are only available to book on the day so make sure you head straight for the ticket point to book.

13:00 | Cadenhead’s Archive Tasting | £200.00 |

Following the success of the 2024 edition, we are delighted that the Cadenhead’s Archive Tasting will be returning for the 2025 Campbeltown Malts Festival. Experience an incredible lineup of 6 rare whiskies selected from the depths of our archives.

13:00 | Springbank Tasting | £40.00 |

The Springbank tasting presents an eclectic range of whiskies from the distillery, guided by a member of the sales team. A portion of tickets for this tasting will be available online, with the remainder purchasable at the Open Day.

14:00 | Springbank Cage Bottles Tasting | £40.00 |

The Cage Bottle tasting returns for a second year, giving attendees the chance to try unique cask samples available exclusively here at the Springbank Distillery shop, whilst learning more about our famous “cage” from members of our sales and shop teams.

14:15 | Springbank Warehouse Tasting 2 | £40.00 |

Led by a member of our knowledgeable production team, the Springbank Warehouse Tastings offer the chance to sample straight from the casks in the atmospheric setting of our on-site warehouses, with casks selected especially for our Malts Festival to ensure an interesting and unique range of whiskies on offer.

14:15 | Live Malting Demonstration | Free |

Always a popular feature of our Springbank Open Day, our live malting demonstration serves as an excellent opportunity to learn about our traditional malting process from a member of our production team. You may even get the chance to turn the barley yourself! Tickets are only available to book on the day so make sure you head straight for the ticket point to book.

14:30 | Cadenhead’s Warehouse Tasting – Festival Edition 4 | £50.00 |

Another opportunity to take part in our exclusive festival edition Cadenhead’s Warehouse Tasting. Enjoy six exceptional whiskies drawn straight from the cask within our Bolgam Street bonded warehouse. These whiskies have been specially selected for the 2025 Malts Festival. Three of these whiskies will be available to purchase at the end, exclusively to those attending the tasting.

16:00 | Springbank; New & Forthcoming Releases | £40.00 |

A sneak peek into the future of the Springbank, Longrow and Hazelburn ranges, this tasting offers the opportunity to be among some of the first to try a range of exciting new whiskies from the distillery.

16:15 | Springbank Warehouse Tasting 3 | £40.00 |

Led by a member of our knowledgeable production team, the Springbank Warehouse Tastings offer the chance to sample straight from the casks in the atmospheric setting of our on-site warehouses, with casks selected especially for our Malts Festival to ensure an interesting and unique range of whiskies on offer.

KILKERRAN OPEN DAY

Friday, 23rd May 2025

Events will begin at Glengyle Distillery from 10:00 when the sale of our special Kilkerran Open Day bottle will commence. The day will feature a range of tastings which are listed below as well as free distillery tours of Kilkerran and Springbank, local craft and food stalls, the popular Cadenhead’s Lucky Dip Bar, live music and much more. Events will conclude at 18:30.

All tastings taking place during the Kilkerran Open Day will be available to book via pre-sale to Society & Club members on Eventbrite from Tuesday 18th February at 14:00 (GMT). All remaining tickets will go on sale to the public the following day at 14:00.

Details of each can be found below:

11:00 | The Big Kilkerran Tasting | £40.00 |

Kicking off the Kilkerran Open Day, this tasting caters to longstanding Kilkerran fans and newcomers alike. Join a member of our sales team for the chance to enjoy firm favourites in the range, and preview exciting unreleased expressions.

11:00 | Kilkerran Blending Session 1 | £80.00 |

An exciting first-time offering, exclusive to our Malts Festival, the Kilkerran blending sessions will offer attendees the chance to blend and take home their own 20cl bottle of Kilkerran Single Malt, guided by a member of the team.

12:45 | Kilkerran Warehouse Tasting 1 | £40.00 |

If you have not yet had the chance to join our Kilkerran Warehouse Tastings, added to our tour offerings last year, this tasting is a great opportunity to sample whiskies directly from the six casks on offer as part of our day-to-day distillery tastings, with the chance to purchase a 35cl bottle from each cask after the tasting.

13:00 | The Big Cadenhead’s Tasting | £50.00 |

Join the Cadenhead’s Sales Team for the chance to experience some of their favourite drams, drawn from casks currently maturing in our warehouses. This tasting will demonstrate the variety of distilleries, ages and cask types that Cadenhead’s has onsite in Campbeltown. In addition to these samples, there will also be the opportunity to sample our 2025 Campbeltown Malts Festival bottling.

13:30 | Kilkerran Blending Session 2 | £80.00 |

An exciting first-time offering, exclusive to our Malts Festival, the Kilkerran blending sessions will offer attendees the chance to blend and take home their own 20cl bottle of Kilkerran Single Malt, guided by a member of the team.

14:30 | Cadenhead’s Warehouse Tasting – Festival Edition 5 | £50.00 |

Another opportunity to take part in our exclusive festival edition Cadenhead’s Warehouse Tasting. Enjoy six exceptional whiskies drawn straight from the cask within our Bolgam Street bonded warehouse. These whiskies have been specially selected for the 2025 Malts Festival. Three of these whiskies will be available to purchase at the end, exclusively to those attending the tasting.

15:00 | Kilkerran 20th Anniversary Casks Tasting | £40.00 |

Last year’s 20th anniversary celebrations saw us bottle a range of Kilkerran single casks and distribute these to our importers worldwide. This tasting offers the chance to try these limited celebratory bottlings released around the world, here in Campbeltown.

16:15 | Kilkerran Warehouse Tasting 2 | £40.00 |

If you have not yet had the chance to join our Kilkerran Warehouse Tastings, added to our tour offerings last year, this tasting is a great opportunity to sample whiskies directly from the six casks on offer as part of our day-to-day distillery tastings, with the chance to purchase a 35cl bottle from each cask after the tasting.

16:15 | Clash of the Cocktails | £40.00 |

Taking a new approach to our cocktail tasting this year, we welcome you to witness a showdown between Cameron McGeachy, David Allen, Findlay Ross and Ranald Watson, each presenting their own cocktail. Come along to sample and have your say on the winning cocktail!

Saturday, 24th May 2025

13:30 | Cadenhead’s Warehouse Tasting – Festival Edition 6 | £50.00

Our final event of the festival and the last chance to enjoy our exclusive festival edition Cadenhead’s Warehouse Tasting. Enjoy six exceptional whiskies drawn straight from the cask within our Bolgam Street bonded warehouse. These whiskies have been specially selected for the 2025 Malts Festival. Three of these whiskies will be available to purchase at the end, exclusively to those attending the tasting.

This tasting will be available to book via pre-sale to Society & Club members on Eventbrite from Tuesday 18th February at 14:00 (GMT). All remaining tickets will go on sale to the public the following day at 14:00.

ADDITIONAL EVENT INFORMATION:

• All tastings during the week are scheduled for 1 hour, with the exception of Springbank Warehouse Tastings on Thursday which will last for 45 minutes, Malting Demonstrations on Thursday which will last for 30 minutes and Kilkerran Blending Sessions on Friday which will last for 1.5 hours. • Some of the tastings will overlap each day so please be aware of this when making your selections. • Tasting locations will be shared when bookings commence. Tickets for events that are only bookable on Thursday are not available on Eventbrite and must be purchased from our ticket point at Springbank Distillery on the morning of the Open Day. • You must present your QR code to gain entry into each tasting. • In our continued effort to reduce plastic waste, we encourage attendees to bring reusable water bottles to the festival. We will have various water stations available to fill your bottles throughout the week. We also have branded water bottles available to purchase from our Springbank Distillery Shop and Cadenhead’s Whisky Shop. • For enquiries regarding our events, please email festival@springbank.scot.

Springbank Distillers Ltd, 9 Bolgam Street, Campbeltown, Scotland, PA28 6HZ

Website

A new month means a new Outturn. As we head to our next flavour adventure we’re focussing on an innate part of the Society: the Tasting Panel. Since 1983, these expert noses have been assessing every sample before it can make it into a Society bottle. Their mission? To leave no nose upturned. The full February Outturn is available NOW. What delights await this month? Take a look…

NEW OUTTURN

This month we’re sniffing out all kinds of discerning noses, from learning more about the Tasting Panel, to sensory experiences beyond whisky with tea and coffee experts. Elsewhere we’ve rounded up cocktail serves as a new way to experience our experimental small-batch Heresy whiskies. Last but not least, we introduce some new faces as we meet member and astronaut-hopeful, Dr Mason Robbins, and our new Vaults custodian, Joshua Hampshire.

BEAD 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

Valentines Day
14th Feb 2025

Ready to feel the love this Valentines Day? 

Let us be a part of your unforgettable moments with a special 3-course Valentine’s menu for £39.95 pp, available throughout the week of 10th – 15th Feb 2024. Special menu available in addition to our usual a la carte menu, this offering is specially crafted for you and your loved ones.

Come & create lasting memories with us.

See Whiski Rooms Valentine’s Menu here

J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery Offers Custom Bourbon for Valentine’s Day

Give Your One-of-a-Kind Sweetheart a One-of-a-Kind Bourbon

FRANKFORT, KY (Jan. 21, 2025) –  Gifting your valentine their very own custom bourbon just got a little easier with J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery’s custom bourbon experience, available online or in person at its distillery in Kentucky. Choose your own bottle, and have it filled with J. Mattingly 1845’s double-staved™ bourbon or rye.  Choose your wax colors for the bottle’s seal. Then romanticize your personal message for the bottle label.  The J. Mattingly 1845 cupids will hand bottle it to your custom specifications and have it shipped to your sweetheart’s door just in time for Valentine’s Day. 

Named one of Maxim.com’s Top Bourbons of 2024, J. Mattingly 1845’s double-staved bourbon and rye whiskey are created using a proprietary method that adds additional charred oak staves to each barrel at just the right moment in its aging cycle to coax out extra flavor. These custom bottles are made using the same double-staved process, resulting in the same superior taste that whiskey reviewers are praising with descriptions such as “a real bourbon-lovers bourbon” and “thoroughly original and highly flavorful.” 

“The popularity of personalized gifts is on the rise, with 80 percent of consumers believing they are more thoughtful,” said Harry Richart IV, president of J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery.  “Our personalized bourbon experience, which allows you to choose everything down to what the label will say and the color of the wax on the top, ensures you’ll give a gift that is both thoughtful and appreciated.”   

J. Mattingly 1845 Bourbon and its custom bourbon creation experience are available online at jmattingly1845.com and in person at its Distillery in Frankfort, KY.  Orders placed by Feb. 3 are guaranteed to arrive by Valentine’s Day. Gift cards are available for the online custom bourbon experience and make a perfect date night experience for couples looking for an interactive activity.  Prices for the online bottles start at $99 for a 750 mL bottle, a sweetheart of a deal, considering they are usually $155.  Shipping is available to 46 U.S. States. 

About J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery 

The Mattingly family has been synonymous with distilling in Kentucky for more than two centuries, having a hand in the development of at least nine separate distilleries in the Commonwealth. 

            In 2010 Jeff Mattingly took up the family mantle and started his own craft bourbon business.  Today, Jeff’s son Cameron has joined the team as Vice President of Production, continuing the legacy into the latest generation for J. Mattingly Distillery 1845 in Frankfort, Kentucky. Together, father and son offer their proprietary double-staving™ process as well as a custom bourbon blending experience unparalleled in the spirits industry, available on-site in Frankfort or online at www.jmattingly1845.com