The final bottling in our Winter Series is here! Cask No. 88.31: Supper sipper is the ideal dram for celebrating your own Burns Supper. This 15-year-old Sweet, Fruity & Mellow whisky offers deep, dark sweetness and zesty maltiness. The bottle comes with a special ‘alternative’ Address to the Haggis by our very own ‘Whisky Bard’ Robin Laing – for those who don’t necessarily love Scotland’s national dish.

A deep, dark sweetness was reminiscent of a cup of assam tea. The scent resembled those typical aromas of maltiness, caramelised orange zest and treacle tart. On the palate we were served a slice of rocky road: milk and dark chocolate, desiccated coconut, marshmallows, roasted unsalted peanuts and glacé red cherries. After we added water we found ourselves in cocktail territory, sipping a cosmopolitan with cranberry juice, maple syrup, lime and triple sec. The taste, however, was more like a mango old fashioned, with rye whiskey, mango syrup and a dash of bitters, served with a maraschino cherry. Following 11 years in an ex-bourbon hogshead, we transferred this whisky into a first fill American oak PX hogshead.

VIEW THE BOTTLE

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 Nth Las Vegas – Connoisseur Experience 1 Day Package

Toast the Bard with this multi-award-winning Scotch for under £40

As the world prepares to celebrate the life and work of Scottish poet, Robert Burns, on Saturday 25 January, Tomatin Distillery has recommended its Legacy single malt as the ideal dram to toast Scotland’s national bard this Burns Night.

Priced at only £36.50, it’s the perfect way to enjoy a drop of Scotland for less.

One of Scotland’s most recognisable historical figures, Burns’ legacy and influence can still be felt more than 200 years later. Holding a similar legacy in Scotch production, 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.

Raise a glass of Tomatin Legacy this Burns Night – an exceptional single malt with history and heritage at its core. 

Tomatin Legacy single malt whisky (70cl, 43% ABV, £36.50)

An exceptional single malt Scotch whisky which celebrates the legacy of Tomatin Distillery and the enduring spirit of its people.

Once established in 1897 in the heart of the idyllic yet isolated village of Tomatin, the distillery needed a workforce to manage production; the local inhabitants were scattered shepherds and cattle drovers. The company began a construction project to accommodate its workforce and since then, the distillery has been at the heart of the community. Today, Tomatin is one of the few remaining distilleries which provides homes on site for the dedicated craftspeople who distil its single malt whisky. Legacy is a nod to this story.

This unpeated single malt boasts aromas of vanilla bean, white chocolate and cinnamon. Time spent in bourbon barrels and virgin oak casks brings a light sweetness to Tomatin Legacy, with a palate of gentle waves of fresh fruit peppered with ginger leading into a light, clean finish. 

Tomatin Legacy Tasting Notes

• Nose – Opens with a burst of bourbon barrel sweetness – aromas of custard cream biscuits, white chocolate, vanilla bean, white sugar and golden syrup, before hints of sandalwood, desiccated coconut and cinnamon give a nod to the use of virgin American oak.
• Palate – Waves of sweet vanilla and fresh fruit with a gentle touch of white pepper and ginger. The quality of the Tomatin spirit is on full display here, with Pink Lady apples, rhubarb, and candied orange peel.
• Finish – Fruit and oak combine to create a clean yet intriguing finish.

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/

The best of Burns Night

If you’re celebrating on 25 January, we’ve got the bottles for you.

Scots all around the world mark Burns Night on 25 January. The birthday of national poet Robert Burns, it’s a time for verse, haggis, and, of course, a dram or two. Looking for a bottle? We’ve got just the picks.

From Lochlea Our Barley (made on the very same farm Burns called home!) to Bowmore 12 Year Old, Craigellachie 13 Year Old to our very own Chain Pier bottling, our very own Chain Pier bottling, our selection offers the perfect snapshot of Scotch

Discover Burns Night recommendations

Do you have the gift of verse?

This Burns Night, we invite you to weave your words into the heart of Glengoyne’s legacy. Inspired by the devotion of Robert Burns and the artistry of our slow-crafted Highland Single Malt, your poem could become part of our timeless tradition.

Vivienne, our Distillery Ambassador, recites a poem written by the team which invites you share your poem to celebrate Burns Night.

The triumphant poet will be honoured with a bottle of our exquisite Glengoyne 25 Year Old, two Glengoyne Crystal Cut Nosing Glasses and two spaces on our Malt Master Tour.

Unveil your creativity and submit your poem, inspired by Glengoyne, by midnight on January 22, 2025. The winning entry will be revealed on January 24, 2025. This competition welcomes entries from around the globe.

We are eager to read your thoughtful and eloquent entries.

SUBMIT YOUR POEM

Exclusive Warehouse Tastings and Another Three Historic Bottles 

We are hosting two straight from the cask tastings here at our warehouse in Dalgety Bay.

2 pm, 1 March 2025 @ LOTG Warehouse, Dalgety Bay, Fife

The first tasting of 5 drams at the warehouse is a Jolly Toper charity event for a select few fans. The tickets can be purchased from our website. Profits go to the Love Oliver charity. To find out more or donate please check out their website.

First Session 11 am and Second Session 3pm 2 March 2025 @ LOTG Warehouse, Dalgety Bay, Fife

The second tasting of 6 drams at the warehouse is in conjunction with Fife Whisky Festival. A free bus is available from the Dalgety train station. Tickets can be purchased from the Fife Whisky Festival Website.

We have also added another 3 historic LOTG bottles to our website. If you missed out on them the first time or enjoyed it so much you want another one – now is the time. Please see our website for these limited  bottles. We have just added:

Caol Ila 6 year old PX Octave Finish
Port Dundas 17 year old Refill Butt with ex-Oloroso Sherry Finish
Glen Moray 12 year old ex-Amarone barrique

Victoria’s Macaloney’s Island Distillery wins CANADIAN WHISKY OF THE YEAR at 2025 CANADIAN WHISKY AWARDS

In all, 45 Canadian whisky producers were honoured at the prestigious 15th annual event

VICTORIA, B.C. (January 17, 2025) – Macaloney’s Island Distillery took home Canadian Whisky of the Year honours for its Peat Project Moscatel Barrique single malt, at the 2025 Canadian Whisky Awards, held Thursday, January 16, in Victoria, B.C. The 100% malted barley whisky received the top overall score from a panel of 14 judges, who tasted and scored around 200 competing whiskies in blind tastings.

The whisky was distilled using local barley and peat-smoked at the distillery, then matured in a European Moscatel wine barrique. “This remarkably well-balanced whisky, fully matured while brightly youthful, shows a tightly woven interplay of sweet malt, discrete fruitiness, brisk peppers and of course, peat smoke,” says Davin de Kergommeaux, chair of the judging panel and author of Canadian Whisky: The Essential Portable Expert.

De Kergommeaux added: “Canada’s distillers are bringing new practices, sensibilities and flavours to the Canadian whisky landscape, and now, for the first time ever, a Canadian peated single malt whisky distillery has won Canadian Whisky of the Year.”

Canadian Whisky of the Year was just one of more than two dozen awards presented at this year’s 15^th annual edition of the Canadian Whisky Awards. A selection of the honours includes:

• Alternative Grain Whisky of the Year – Wayne Gretzky Distillery Single Grain Oats – Craftsmanship Series
• Blended Whisky of the Year – Signal Hill Founders Select Overproof Whisky
• Corn Whisky of the Year – Bearface Triple Oak Canadian Whisky
• Best Barrel Finished Whisky and Limited Expression – Bridgeland Distillery Glenbow, Canadian Single Malt Whisky, Port Finish
• Rye Whisky of the Year – Sons of Vancouver Distillery Realms of Rye – Release No. 01 ‘Citrus & Botanicals’
• Best Whisky, International Market – Crown Royal Hand Selected Barrel
• Best Whisky Aged 9-15 Years – Alberta Distillers Rare Batch Issue No.1
• Best Cask Strength Whisky – Two Brewers Release 45
• Brand Ambassador of the Year – Chris Thompson, Forty Creek
• Best Whisky Broadcast, Podcast, or Video Series – Mark Gillespie, WhiskyCast

Held annually since 2010 during Victoria Whisky Festival, the Canadian Whisky Awards recognizes the very best Canadian whiskies. An independent panel of experts scores each whisky in blind tastings, based on ranking criteria that reflect the industry’s highest standards.

The Canadian Whisky Awards is fully independent of the Canadian whisky industry. Only whiskies that were distilled and matured in Canada are eligible to compete. The Canadian Whisky Awards Gala in Victoria is grateful to this year’s presenting sponsor, Spirits Canada.

For more information and the full results of the 2025 Canadian Whisky Awards, visit canadianwhiskyawards.com.

CELEBRATING

 25 YEARS 

OF COMPASS BOX  

Since 2000, we’ve been on a mission to make the world of Scotch a more interesting place. To challenge, to experiment, and to push the boundaries of what blended whisky can be – from the liquid on the inside, to the design on the outside and beyond.

Today’s note is a recap of last year and a preview of what is to come. It’s our way of saying: thank you for being part of our first 25 years, here’s to everything the next 25 will bring.

2024

IN REVIEW  

We unveiled a new Core Collection of four whiskies to bring balance and complexity into sharper focus. The collection is a journey through the flavour territories of Scotch, with each whisky available year-round.

We start with Orchard House, a spirit-driven blended malt that invites you for a drink outside amongst the fruit trees. From there we move to Nectarosity where whisky meets patisserie to take our long-held reverence for American oak casks further than ever before. Our journey then sweeps us back to the rugged Scottish coast for The Peat Monster, a graceful colossus enveloped in smoky whispers and velvety richness. Before we finally arrive at Crimson Casks, a king of whiskies that showcases the transformative power of Oloroso sherry casks.

With this new chapter underway, The Spice Tree and The Story of The Spaniard have gracefully entered retirement and Hedonism has stepped back from its daily duties. For the hedonists among you, rest assured that the first whisky from Compass Box endures as a Limited Annual Release, the first of which launched in February 2024, adorned with captivating artwork by Stephanie Rew. More soon on what 2025’s Hedonism will bring.

2025

IN PREVIEW 

This year’s Limited Edition releases will push what’s possible to the extreme. Our aim with these whiskies is to create interesting things, because interesting rules. It’s good, it’s provocative, it’s delicious and it matters.

Interesting comes from being curious, going against the grain, and finding ideas in divergent worlds: art, music, metropolises, science, food, places and people. These are just some of the areas we take our Whiskymaking inspiration from and, moving forward, this newsletter will be your window into that world of interestingness. It will provide a collection of thoughts, stories, and secrets that overthrow the boring, ditch the vanilla, and dive straight into the colourful detail.

This year, we say Long Live Interesting. Embrace the bold and the unexpected, because when you do, the world becomes infinitely interesting. As does your whisky glass.

INTERESTED?

The best way to be interesting is to be interested. And so, what’s interesting you at the moment? A song, a design, an idea, a dish, a city, a craft? This is your invitation to come and tell us…

Compass Box Whisky 3 Water Lane, Richmond, TW9 1TJ

Our New Film Is A Must-Watch For Bowmore’s Fans

The latest documentary from Whisky Magazine, Bowmore: The Making Of A Legend, explores the origins of whisky making on Islay and charts the history of Bowmore Distillery from its earliest beginnings to today.

With interest in Bowmore more intense than ever before, we thought the time was right to sit down with the educators, visionaries, makers, and locals who know the story best to discover how this small Islay distillery became a Scotch whisky icon.

Click the button below to watch the film today. Don’t forget to comment on the video and give it a thumbs up—we’d love to hear your thoughts. Your feedback helps us create content you’ll enjoy.

WATCH NOW

We’re already two weeks + into 2025, how did that happen!?

Firstly, a very Happy New Year to you. We hope you enjoyed the festive break, and that this year brings you happiness, health and a really good dram or two.

If you’ve been hit with a bit of the January blues, don’t worry. We’ve got some winter warmers to bring back your glow this month.

Our Visitor Centre is open from Wednesday to Sunday, 10am – 4pm, so why not come and visit us for a tour, tasting, or even a coffee. We’re 100% dog friendly and would be delighted to welcome you and your four-legged friends into the warmth of the distillery. Don’t forget, we’ve got a super offer on the Lindores Day Out voucher (two tours, tasting and charcuterie platter) which is available to purchase here for just £40 (usually £80!).

On Saturday 25th January we’ll be hosting our annual Burns Night celebration and you’re invited! Join us for a hearty plate of haggis, neeps and tatties; an address to the haggis; a piper and a dram of Lindores raised to Robert Burns. There will be entertainment for all and it promises to be a thoroughly enjoyable night. Tickets are £20 per head which includes your supper and a dram. They can be purchased at the distillery or online here.

We’ll be opening up our Legacy Bar from 5:30pm on Friday 31st January for anyone who wishes to join us for our monthly bar night. We’ll have a food truck onsite, so come down for a drink and something to eat without having to worry about the washing up! No booking required.

If you’d like something to enjoy in the comfort of your own home, don’t forget that all our bottles are available to order online, including our newest additions, the 50ml and 200ml Casks of Lindores series – perfect for gifting or drinking!

So really, January isn’t looking all that bad after all! We hope you stay warm and look forward to seeing you soon.

Slàinte Mhath!