Sláinte To Six! Stephanie Macleod Wins ‘Master Blender of the Year’ For Record-Breaking Sixth Time

We’re hosting a special Gathering Dram-Along livestream, and we’d love for you to be part of the fun!

Join us at 8pm on Wednesday, 4 September on our Facebook page or YouTube channel for a special evening where we’ll unveil our exclusive Gathering bottlings live! Be among the first to discover these drams, hear the fascinating stories behind them, and share in the excitement as they’re revealed.

But that’s not all – we’ll have some quizzing, Gathering stories and plenty of chances to raise a glass with fellow members from around the world. It’s shaping up to be an unforgettable night!

So, mark your calendar, grab your favourite dram and get ready for a fantastic evening!

MEET YOUR DRAM-CIERGE

To help make the most of your SMWS membership, we’ve introduced a whole new level of tailor-made member services and personal guidance. With our members at the heart of everything we do, our DRAM-cierge is here for friendly advice, whether it’s a question about us, your membership or if you’d like us to share some whisky wisdom and recommendations. And if we don’t know the answer – we’ll track it down like a whisky ninja!

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

Distillery Corner: Loch Lomond

Known for its innovative approach to whisky production, Loch Lomond produces a wide range of whiskies, including single malts, blended malts and grain whiskies. Vic says: “This is an unusual grain whisky because it was made in a continuous Coffey still but with 100% malted barley. A lot of influence comes from the wood because grain spirit typically has less congeners (less flavour) than malt spirit. I think cask finishes with grain whisky are going to be the next big thing in the market.”

🎬 Watch the Video | 📖 Read the Post

Course Spotlight: Wake Up Your Whisky Nose

Embark on a sensory journey that will transform the way you experience Scotch whisky, ensuring that your future tastings become a sensory adventure that you can unpick, analyse and enjoy. Wake Up Your Whisky Nose is a theory-based module packed with practical tips that will awaken your senses to the rich, aromatic world of whisky tasting.

💻Read More

Vic Cameron, one of our whisky lecturers says: “Toasting is one of the heat treatments that we can do to the inside of a cask. It’s when we heat the wood to breakdown some of the lignin in there to release compounds like sugars and aldehydes that can then go into the spirit.”

🎬 Watch the Video | 📖 Read the Post

Edinburgh Whisky Academy Launches Online Certificate in American Single Malt Whiskey

The Edinburgh Whisky Academy, in partnership with the American Single Malt Whiskey Commission, proudly announces the online Certificate in American Single Malt Whiskey will launch on Monday 19 August. This groundbreaking online course is designed for whiskey enthusiasts and industry professionals eager to deepen their understanding of the dynamic and emerging category of American single malt whiskey.

Course Overview

The Certificate in American Single Malt Whiskey is a self-paced online course created in partnership with the American Single Malt Whiskey Commission. The course features short, easy-to-follow multimedia lessons over seven immersive modules. Upon completion of the final assessment (a 50-question multiple-choice test) participants will receive an EWA digital completion certificate and digital badge for immediate sharing. A printed copy and a physical purple lapel pin are available to purchase.

Authored by Industry Experts

Embark on a voyage through this exciting new category with experts who are truly at the forefront of the industry. They’ll help you master the craft roots and innovative techniques at the heart of American single malt whiskey production.

Contributors include:

Steve Hawley (President, American Single Malt Whiskey Commission)

Joseph O’Sullivan (Master Distiller, Minden Mill Distilling)

Tyler Pederson (Master Distiller, Westland Distillery)

Jared Himstedt (Head Distiller, Balcones Distilling)

Murphy Quint (Master Distiller, Cedar Ridge Distillery)

Matt Hofmann (Consultant, American Single Malt Whiskey)

Clay Risen (Journalist & Author)

Kirsty McKerrow, Founder and Managing Director of Edinburgh Whisky Academy, said:

“We are thrilled to introduce the first course of its kind with our Certificate in American Single Malt Whiskey. This category is new, exciting, and growing rapidly, and our partnership with the American Single Malt Whiskey Commission allows us to pioneer a new standard of whiskey education. At the Edinburgh Whisky Academy, we believe that you never stop learning about whiskey, and this course is a testament to our commitment to providing cutting-edge and comprehensive education for whiskey enthusiasts and industry professionals alike.”

Steve Hawley, President of the American Single Malt Whiskey Commission, said:

“We’re excited to partner with the Edinburgh Whisky Academy to offer this comprehensive and pioneering educational opportunity. The category of American single malt whiskey is an intriguing blend of tradition and innovation, capturing the essence of both worlds. This course furthers our mission to establish American single malt whiskey as a recognized and celebrated category among global whiskey consumers.”

Curriculum

Module 1: The History of American Single Malt Whiskey

Module 2: The Business of American Single Malt Whiskey

Module 3: Raw Materials

Module 4: Production Process (From Grain to Liquid)

Module 5: Maturation

Module 6: Blending & Bottling

Module 7: Sensory

Final Assessment: 50 questions, multiple-choice format

Interactive & Engaging Learning Experience

In addition to engaging multimedia lessons, participants can opt to receive a tasting pack containing six American single malt whiskeys (Virginia Distillery Co., Stranahan’s, Boulder Spirits, Andalusia, Whiskey Del Bac, and McCarthy’s) to accompany the Sensory module.

The course includes video explainers, panel discussions, text, and quizzes, ensuring a rich and engaging learning experience. Each lesson features a Discussion tab for interactive engagement with peers and instructors.

Details
£125 (online course only), or £180 (online course + tasting pack)

LINK: CLICK HERE:

About Edinburgh Whisky Academy

Edinburgh Whisky Academy provides world-class whisky education, offering online and in-person whisky courses that are both rigorous and accessible. With a focus on the rich traditions and innovative practices of the whisky industry, the Academy is committed to nurturing the next generation of whiskey connoisseurs and professionals.

About American Single Malt Whiskey

American single malt whiskey is an exciting and rapidly growing category in the whiskey world, characterized by its unique production methods and diverse flavour profiles. This course provides an in-depth exploration of its history, production, and place in the broader whiskey industry.

Hidden Barn Bourbon Wins Double Gold

at Prestigious San Francisco World Spirits Competition

Series 1, “23B” Finalist for Best in Class Award

SPARTA, KY (July 24, 2024) –Hidden Barn Bourbon’s Series 1, Batch 23B has won a double gold at The Tasting Alliance’s San Francisco World Spirits Competition in the Small Batch Bourbon – up to 5 Years category and is a finalist for its Best in Class awards, which will be announced in October 2024.  The judges described 23B as “a perfectly balanced bourbon” and awarded it a score of 98 points.  This is the second year in a row a Hidden Barn Bourbon has won a double gold at the esteemed San Francisco award competition.

Batch 23B, released in the fall of 2023, was distilled at Neeley Family Distillery and blended by Jackie Zykan.  The two have paired up for six other Hidden Barn Bourbon releases, including a Seven-Year-Old bourbon, released on July 7th of this year.  Batch 23B is a blend of 20 barrels aged five to six years old using Neeley’s flagship mashbill of 70 percent corn, 20 percent rye and 10 percent malted barley.

Like all Neeley Family Distillery distillates, this bourbon was double pot distilled after fermenting with wild-crafted Appalachian yeast, a practice of the Neeley Family dating back generations.  Batch 23B was bottled at cask strength at 110.1 proof with only sediment filtration.

“We’re so humbled that Hidden Barn has won double gold medals back-to-back in 2023 and 2024, in what is one of the most distinguished and also largest spirits competitions,” said Master Blender Jackie Zykan.  “To have the judges describe it as ‘perfectly balanced’ is an enormous compliment as a blender, especially in such a crowded category as small batch bourbon.”

Zykan’s tasting notes for this bourbon call it rich and intense, with a buttery caramel corn base, dark fruit and florals, and significant baked apple.  A touch of pepper throughout ramps up into a robust finish complemented by dried peppermint and anise.

Suggested retail pricing for the Hidden Barn Series 1, 23B is $74.99. It is available at Neeley Family Distillery gift shop, online and at retail in Kentucky, Indiana, Georgia, Missouri, New Mexico and Oklahoma.

About Hidden Barn Bourbon

Hidden Barn’s name harkens back to the local communities who painted their barns black in solidarity with distillers during Prohibition.  This sense of community is continued today through the passion for quality whiskey and camaraderie shared by its three partners, Jackie Zykan, Royce Neeley and Nate Winegar.  Together, the three friends bring their own strengths – a superior palate, distilling prowess, and a powerhouse connector to form Hidden Barn Bourbon.  Previous Hidden Barn Series have earned Double Golds at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2023 and 2024 and Best Small Batch, 1st Place at the 2023 New Orleans Bourbon Festival.  Hidden Barn Bourbon is owned by Neeley Family Distillery.   The brand is available online and in select states. For more information visit hiddenbarnwhiskey.com

About The San Francisco World Spirits Competition 

The San Francisco World Spirits Competition was founded in 2000 and is the largest competition of its kind with nearly 5,000 entries.  Each entry is judged double blind by a panel of spirits experts.  A double gold medal is awarded when each judge on the panel gives a gold medal to the entry.  The SFWSC medal is a testament to the hard work of the spirits industry’s distillers and producers and is a universally recognized indicator of exceptional quality and craftsmanship.

SAZERAC COMPANY AWARDED 27 MEDALS AT THE SPIRITS BUSINESS’ 2024 AMERICAN WHISKEY MASTERS

 Among the top honors are Thomas S. Moore Cabernet Sauvignon Finished Bourbon and 1792 Aged 12 Years, both winning prestigious Master medals 

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (August 5, 2024) – The Sazerac Company, one of the world’s largest, privately-owned distilled spirits companies, is honored to receive a total of 27 medals in The Spirits Business American Whiskey Masters 2024. Top honors include two Master medals – awarded to Thomas S. Moore Cabernet Sauvignon Finished Bourbon and 1792 Aged 12 Years – as well as 15 Gold medals and 10 Silver medals. Traveller Whiskey, the first new brand release from Buffalo Trace Distillery in several years, won a Gold medal in its first year of existence.

The American Whiskey Masters is chaired by The Spirits Business and a panel of leading spirits specialists. Spirits are judged in a blind taste test and awarded by category. This year, the competition included 85 entries from 19 companies across America.

“Thank you to the judges at this year’s American Whiskey Masters, we are honored and thrilled to have received 27 medals at this year’s competition,” said Jake Wenz, President and CEO at Sazerac. “Our teams working across Sazerac’s vast portfolio of American Whiskeys are committed to the craft of making quality whiskey. These awards are a strong reflection of our team’s daily dedication to exceptional distilling and aging.”

Sazerac brands awarded medals include W.L. Weller Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, E.H. Taylor Jr. Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Traveller Whiskey, Benchmark Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Early Times Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey and more. Sazerac’s full list of winners includes:

Master

• Thomas S. Moore Cabernet Sauvignon Finished Bourbon Whiskey
• 1792 Bourbon Aged 12 Years

Gold

• Very Old Barton 90 Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• E.H. Taylor, Jr. Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• 1792 Single Barrel Bourbon (Bourbon – Super Premium Category)
• W.L. Weller Antique Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• 1792 Full Proof Bourbon
• 1792 Small Batch Bourbon
• E.H. Taylor, Jr. Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Thomas H. Handy Straight Rye Whiskey
• Benchmark Top Floor Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Benchmark Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Benchmark Full Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Benchmark Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• 1792 Bottled in Bond Bourbon
• Sazerac Rye Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey
• Traveller Whiskey

Silver

• Early Times Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• W.L. Weller Special Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• 1792 Sweet Wheat Bourbon
• W.L. Weller Full Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Benchmark Bonded Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Early Times American Blended Whiskey
• Early Times Bottled in Bond Whiskey
• Benchmark Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• 1792 Single Barrel Bourbon (Bourbon – No Age Statement Category)

About Sazerac:

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 and communities 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.

Course Spotlight: Certificate in Sensory Appreciation

Crafted in collaboration with renowned whisky writer and chef, Martine Nouet, the Certificate in Sensory Appreciation is a journey into the heart of whisky enjoyment and analysis. The art and science of whisky are brought to life in an immersive, in-person educational experience over four workshops. Taught exclusively by our handpicked global network of Approved Course Providers.📖 Learn More

Greetings Loungers!

Hot on the heels of our recent Newcastle Festival announcement …

Our warehouse clear-out continues, and to help you help us, we’ve a rather bonkers discount for you today.

In the southern hemisphere, a few smart folk started a “Christmas in July” celebration, so they could double up on the festive fun at a more wintery time of year.

To help you celebrate your own Christmas in July, we’re gifting you over £30 off our biggest-ever collection of drams; the legendary “Festival in a Box”.

We’re taking £30 off the usual £95 price AND offering free shipping (normally £6.95), reducing this remarkable collection of whiskies to just £65 (down from £101.95 total).

You won’t get this many drams of this quality at this price anywhere else, so we expect them to sell fast.

Click here now to claim a set for yourself.

Each 3.0 Edition of Festival in a Box features 20 Scotch and world whiskies, a whisky liqueur, a cognac, a rum and includes a free Glencairn whisky tasting glass and a 100ml old fashioned cocktail.

You can even partake of 12+ hours of festive-themed video content from the original live festival broadcast in 2021, for a bit of retro covid-era home-drinking entertainment!

At under £3 per dram, this is truly unbeatable value by any measure, so we hope you’ll grab a set and keep yourself in good whisky until we next get to see you in person (or until Christmas arrives for real!).

You will notice when you click the link that the product page is on our fulfilment partners website (The Dram Team). We did this because it is the quickest way to get you your box, but feel free to check out their cool stuff too!

Merry Christmas and happy dramming from the Whisky Lounge!

Slainte!

Eddie

The Whisky Lounge Team

Claim £30 off 20+ Drams now!

The Whisky Lounge Ltd
Unit 3
61a Osbaldwick Lane
York, North Yorkshire YO10 3AY
United Kingdom