FREE MACKILLOP’S CHOICE WHISKY TASTING!

(BECAUSE WE’RE NICE LIKE THAT)

It’s not very often that opportunities like this come along, especially in the world of premium retail. We’ve teamed up with the indomitable Angus Dundee Distillers to bring you a free whisky tasting event of their superb Mackillop’s Choice and Montgomery independent bottlings! Needless to say some very interesting whiskies are getting opened for this one-off free event.

If you’re interested the event takes place next Monday (6th July) starting at 18:30 and concluding at approximately 20:00 at Milroy’s of Soho, If you would like to attend please sign up via our online store here. Please note we only have a limited number of spaces available so don’t hesitate!

NEW STAFF AND NEW TASTING SESSIONS

We have a new member of the team Dana who is going to help run the trip around Scotland evening events so I can concentrate on the Friday night tasting sessions and the 4 weekly vintage 21 plus tastings.

We hope you like the new selection of tasting events this will give us more variety and of course choice for the customers who attend the shops tasting rooms.

Daily tastings lasting 45 mins to 1 hour will cost £20 per person for 6×10 mil single malts aged up to 18 years old and a quick guide to the regions of Scotland.

Private daily tastings lasting 1 hour 15 mins cost £25 per person with a presentation on how whisky is made 6×10 mil single cask and small batch malts from across Scotland. Minimum of 6 people for a private tasting 1pm 3pm or 5pm Tuesday & Thursday 1pm or 3pm

Trip Around Scotland tasting evenings Tuesday & Thursday at 6:15pm to 7:45pm. A more in depth look at whisky with the presentation on how we make single malts, what effect does the microclimate have and the cask. We also look at the regions along with the wood types used in the sessions – This session includes canapés. Cost per person is £30.

NEW FRIDAY NIGHT

6:15pm to 7:45pm

This is a whisky tasting that concentrates on taste and age rather than all the regions although we will cover the regions naturally but the big thing is the taste.

I will also look at pairing a few of the malts with chocolate to help dig out those flavours.

6x15mil single cask malts aged between 15-25 years old. Cost per person is £30.

NEW VINTAGE 21 PLUS

Last Friday of the Month, 6:15 to 7:45pm

This is all about age. The youngest whisky will be 21 years old then we go up to the oldest available from our small batch and single cask range. This session is a real gem for whisky fans who would like to discover how maturing a whisky to greater age develops taste and complexity.

6x15mil single cask or small batch malts. Cost per person £40

All tastings must be booked in advance with limited space on each one.

If you already have a ticket via our web shop and wish to upgrade to the vintage 21 plus tastings or use your daily or trip around Scotland tasting vouchers call us on 0207 935 6999 between 10:30 am & 6:00pm Monday to Saturday’s. We can upgrade you over the phone so you can attend one of the new tastings.

OUR LATEST AUCTION IS NOW LIVE!

Our latest auction is now live, and will end on Tuesday 7 July. Once again, we have an exciting line-up of bottles, with plenty of single malts, everyday drinking whiskies and a superb selection of miniatures. There are bottles from Feis Ile (the Islay Festival), in case you weren’t able to make it to Islay this year. Once again, our Japanese whisky selection is very strong, with bottles from Karuizawa and Hanyu, as well as some bottles that were only released in Japan. We also have a good number of vintage spirits for your cocktail cabinet and many blended Scotch whiskies. Look out for the following bottles, and good luck with your bids!

• Bowmore 1957 38 Years Old
• Ardbeg Perpetuum – engraved with Dr Bill Lumsden’s and Brendan McCarron’s signatures
• Glenlivet 1968 Reserve Vintage 39 Years Old
• Macallan 1963 Anniversary Malt
• Midleton Distillers Selection Housewarming Edition
• Springbank 1968 Sherry Cask 40 Years Old Chieftain’s

A reminder for all UK customers: we offer FREE insurance on all parcels, with no extra/hidden charges.

 Our June auction is now live and ends on Monday 6^th July 2015!

View June Auction

This is an incredible auction with over 1,250 bottles on offer. We have a few highlights for you this month, starting with this insane Macallan Lalique, at 62 years old and only 400 decanters produced this is one of the rarest and oldest Macallans ever bottled!

This month’s ultra-rare-interesting-curio is this McBrayer 1913 Bourbon , bottled in 1923. This antique bottle is a real slice of American whiskey history, most likely distilled at the lost Cedar Brook distillery, this stunning bottle pre-dates the days of Prohibition.

Our single cask highlight of the month is this Glenfiddich 1958 Private Vintage, Distilled over half a century ago this is a very old whisky from the single malt masters.

As Karuizawa releases are becoming scarcer, we have a trilogy of Samurai single casks. All three are fantastically presented depicting Samurai, distilled in 1984 and matured for 30 years before bottling! 

Please remember! There is no registration fee, our commission structure is very competitive and we offer worldwide shipping. For our terms and conditions please click here.

With close to 20 years of experience in the whisky industry, Whisky Auctioneer specialises in auctioning whisky whether it be fine, old, rare, collectable or affordable. Formed in 2013 and based in Perth, central Scotland, we aim to be the most comprehensive website for the buying and selling of whisky online.

http://www.whiskyauctioneer.com/

Happy Bidding!

Hi folks. We are now live with the 51st auction.

Enjoy – and don’t lose your bottle!

Kind regards from Glasgow, the SWA Team

A GATHERING OF OCTOMORE

FOR PEAT’S SAKE! (apologies…)

As the fug of smoke clears, a bottle stands tall and proud on the horizon, resplendent in matt black – Octomore – the super peated single malt.

Fans of the peat will be well aware of this smoky monster, and those who shy away from Islay malt will cower from it in fear. Where George T Stagg is as big as Bourbon gets, Octomore takes the mantle for Scotch whisky; cask strength and supercharged with peat smoke, big is as accurate a description as you can give it.

We always get requests for this smoldering megadon and usually we only have availability close to release dates. However, for once the stars have aligned and we have an unprecedented four expressions for sale. From recent releases through to an exceptional independent bottling, your peat cravings can finally be satisfied!

SMOKE ON THE WATER

Bruichladdich Octomore 6.1 Scottish Barley, 57%

On its release this single malt held the record for the peatiest whisky produced, that is until Bruichladdich went and broke their own record! As you might expect this malt has notes of coal, rich peat and even a hint of parmesan. Despite its extraordinary peating level there is a sense of poise and balance. With a little time in the glass and a splash of water, gentler notes of kiwi fruit and barley join the symphony of flavour.  £94.25

Bruichladdich Octomore 6.3 Islay Barley, 64.5%

With a volcanic peat leavel of 258ppm this Octomore is BIG (record breakingly so!) but again with more balance than you would expect. In the words of our shop manager this Octomore “Floats like a butterfly, stings like a brick in a brioche bun!” (he doesn’t get out much…). Weighing in at 64.5%abv it takes water like there’s no tomorrow if you are so inclined.£150 

Bruichladdich Octomore 7.1 Scottish Barley, 59.5%

A recent release of the Bruichladdich behemoth that is Octomore. Like all that have come before it this Octomore offers masses of smoky peat with a sweeter undercurrent. This bad boy rocks in with a hearty ppm of 208, with earthy peat on the nose (surprise surprise) followed by touches of apple, caramel and grist. Well structured, rolling peat smoke and cask strength, there isn’t much not to like! £107.95

 Bruichladdich Octomore 6 Year Old, Sauternes Cask, Rest & Be Thankful, 64%

We haven’t seen much independently bottled Octomore around so we were pretty chuffed to find this little number from the Rest And Be Thankful Whisky Company. Excitingly this has been matured in ex-Sauternes casks which lend this monster a wonderful honeyed character! The sweet wine cask maturation seems to tame the peat without swallowing it, and nicely demonstrates the wider potential of this infamous Islay malt! £184.95

SPIRIT OF THE VAULTS TASTING

Join Olaf Meier for a 7 dram (15mls) tasting as we explore the history of our beloved Vaults. We’ll begin in the Underground Vaults, enjoying drams by candle light, before continuing our journey upstairs in the Members’ Rooms. A bar supper is also served. Part of a weekend-long celebration of ‑e Vaults & Giles Street.

From 7pm, Friday 10 July    

Details & Tickets >

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

EARLY JULY TASTINGS & EVENTS

New List Open Tasting – 19 Greville Street – Sat 4 July   More >

Steak & Whisky Tasting – 19 Greville Street – Mon 6 July  More >

Spirit of The Vaults – The Vaults, 87 Giles St – Fri 10 July   More >

Whisky Sensory Tasting – 19 Greville Street – Tue 14 July  More >

LAST FEW JUNE TICKETS

Dundee Preview Tasting – Malmaison – Fri 26 June  More >

Manchester Preview Tasting – Malmaison – Fri 26 June  More >

Melrose Preview Tasting – Town House Hotel – Fri 26 June  More >

FREE ENTERTAINMENT AT THE VAULTS

Monday Night drop-in: Peat Lovers Night >  Mon 29 June

Monday Night drop-in: Speyside Lovers Night >  Mon 13 July

Browse All Tastings >

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

1920’s American Prohibition Whisky Tasting at Montpelliers Bar, 6th July 2015, 8pm.   

(42 Back Turner St, Northern Quarter, Manchester City Centre).

Boom Whisky are to host ‘The Story of Prohibition’, an evening of whisky tasting taking guests through the era of 1920’s New York City.

The Volstead Act has been imposed and is in full force, but we’re anything but dry this 6th July. ​Boom Whisky cordially invites you to experience an era of Prohibition, illicit liquor and secret speakeasy’s throughout a very special evening of whisky tasting. ​Hidden away in Manchester’s Northern Quarter is Montpellier’s, where our hosts will expertly guide you through the night’s whisky and the stories of the time from 8 until late, after all, a little party never killed nobody…

Visit boomwhisky.co.uk to purchase. Tickets are £20 per person, and include all whiskies, cocktails and entertainment for the evening.

About Boom Whisky: 

Boom Whisky is a tasting event group based in Manchester. They aim to offer an entertaining yet informative take on whisky tasting. Boom Whisky are available for private events, bar staff training as well as hosting a range of themed whisky tastings across Manchester’s bars and pubs. More information available at boomwhisky.co.uk

Contact:

info@boomwhisky.co.uk

http://www.boomwhisky.co.uk/

facebook.com/boomwhisky

FEIS ILE 2015 BOTTLES AVAILABLE!
FESTIVAL BOTTLINGS BEHIND OUR BAR AND IN OUR SHOP

Last week we announced the exciting news that we will be running our first ever tasting of Islay Festival bottlings. However we didn’t go all the way to Islay to just acquire bottles for one tasting. We also stocked up our whisky bar with a host of festival bottlings (seriously pop by soon before they disappear, Bruichladdich fans you’ll be in for a treat!). Furthermore, we made sure we picked up a few bits and pieces for the shop, have a browse below of some of the selected items!

Here comes the peat!

Lagavulin 24 Year Old, Feis Ile

2015, 59.9%

Arguably this year’s most exciting Feis Ile bottling, getting your hands on a Lagavulin of this age isn’t easy, but it’s worth all the effort. Presented in a branded hessian gift bag.  The 24 year old has been matured in both ex-Bourbon and refil Sherry butts, bottled at a hefty 59.9% it’s a truly stunning dram.

Nose: Peaty and very earthy with sweet light apples, the smoke is dense and exceedingly powerful even at this old age.
Palate: Peppery bbq ribs, oily, more sweet apples. Much later lots of lovely peat, plenty of wood spice on the finish.
Finish: Full, lingering with the peat very much at the forefront. A whisky for any lover of heavily peated Lagavulins.

BUY NOW | £359.95

Laphroaig Cairdeas, Feis Ile 2015,

51.5%

Created using Laphroaig’s smaller pot stills to create an old fashioned style of this famous whisky. Bottled for the 2015 Feis Ile celebrations under the now famous Cairdeas label. For us this is one of the best Cairdeas of the last few years, a stripped back honest Laphroaig at a cracking 51.5%!

Nose: Very sweet tropical fruit on the nose, light sea salt and heaps of Laphroaig’s signature coastal peat.
Palate: Menthol and burnt pine, develops with water, the post Royal Warrant Laphroaigs of the 70’s and 80’s really have returned, there’s tropical fruit and more subdued classy peat smoke.
Finish: Long – at first dry then bitter lemon, pineapple and of course salty peat.

BUY NOW | £125

Bowmore Feis Ile 1988, Sherry Cask Matured, 48.3%

The 2015 Feis Ile bottle from Bowmore, one of just 248 bottles drawn from the hand selected Sherry cask. Is there anything better than a big sherried peaty whisky? If there is we’ve still to find it.  Just ONE bottle available!

Nose: Rich spicy peat, dark bitter chocolate a hint of dried fruit and embers of a dying bonfire.
Palate: There’s certainly nothing gentle about this dram, the rich chocolate turns into ashy smoke, like a grown up Devil’s Cask.
Finish: Stunning…is that enough? Truly wonderful the age of the malt comes through on the finish,old bookcase and raisin.

BUY NOW | £579.95

Bruichladdich High Noon 134, Feis Ile 2015, 48.7% – Signed by Jim McEwan

With just 1881 bottles produced, and a combined age of the casks that make up this stellar dram at 134 years, it’s fair to assume this is seriously old Bruichladdich! These bottles have even been signed by Jim McEwan!

Nose: Obviously the sibling of the Black Arts whiskies, the complexity is astounding, fruits of all different shapes and sizes, oak, almost tannic, leather, spice, the list could go on.
Palate: Salt, later honey, cashews and a touch of bitterness (still salty with water), a marvelous dram, one to open straight away!
Finish: Medium length, but thoroughly enjoyable nonetheless.

BUY NOW | £199.95