December’s Outturn is here and with it we usher in a month of malty celebration. Today is St Nicholas’ Day in parts of the continent, while in other parts we’re on the sixth day of our advent calendar. Whatever traditions you enjoy, we’ve new casks ready to ease you into celebrating the most wonderful time of the year.

READ NEW OUTTURN

LATEST OUTTURN BOTTLINGS

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 DALMORE PRESENTS TWO NEW LIMITED EDITION WHISKIES

WITH THE 2024 RELEASE OF THE VINTAGE COLLECTION

The Dalmore Highland Single Malt Whisky has unveiled The Vintage Collection 2024, offering two exquisite expressions – The Dalmore Vintage 2009 and The Dalmore Vintage 2006.

Released annually, The Dalmore Vintage Collection showcases exceptional whiskies of distinguished character and celebrates a unique tradition, treasured by The Dalmore whisky makers, that dates back more than 50 years and still continues today.

For the last five decades, every November, The Dalmore whisky makers personally assess and nose the casks in each of the warehouses at the distillery in Alness. The Dalmore is home to precious spirit, laid to mature within exemplary casks and nurtured for years, yet no one can truly know what time and nature have given to these whiskies.

November is the optimum time to assess these casks, when they are at rest after the warmer summer months and the cooling temperature allows the spirit to shine. The Dalmore whisky makers take this extra step to meticulously assess and hand-select just a few casks that hold spirit which exemplifies The Dalmore’s quality and style, to be considered for the ‘Vintage Collection’ for the year ahead. Only those deemed the finest at each age, 15 and 18 Years Old, become part of the next Vintage Collection release.

The whiskies chosen for The Dalmore Vintage Collection each have to offer distinctive characteristics that distinguish those two Single Malts above all else and showcase an element of The Dalmore’s house style. For 2024, the flavours of rich decadent desserts are explored, with The Dalmore Vintage 2009 offering key notes of dark plum and morello cherries and The Dalmore Vintage 2006 presenting flavours of dark chocolate and Sherry-soaked raisins.

The Dalmore Vintage 2009 is a 15 Year Old Single Malt Whisky at 48.9% ABV that offers aromas of dark plum, cracked black pepper, whispers of Manuka honey, and hints of clove. To taste, Morello cherries and dates, with elevated notes of candied Seville orange, fresh figs, and light cacao.  To finish, rich plum is complemented by moist ginger cake, roast chestnut, and soft wood spice.

The flavours have been created from an initial maturation in American white oak ex-Bourbon barrels, followed by a dual finish in hand-selected Matusalem Sherry casks and 10 Year Old Tawny Port pipes.

These casks are exclusively sourced by The Dalmore from the finest winemakers, González Byass and Graham’s Port. The Dalmore enjoys an exclusive partnership with these expert makers and their incredible wines which work perfectly with The Dalmore’s spirit, as further showcased in the first two editions of The Dalmore’s Cask Curation Series.

The Dalmore Master Whisky Maker, Gregg Glass shares further thoughts on The Dalmore Vintage 2009: “This is a rich and decadent whisky from The Dalmore where the sweet malt, soft fruit, and citrus flavour characteristics of The Dalmore are enhanced by the influences of sweet vanilla, creamy caramel, and gentle gingerbread.

“This unique spirit was first finessed in 30 Year Old Matusalem Oloroso Sherry Casks from our exclusive partner González Byass, which gives a touch of antique oak to the whisky. The whisky spends a further period in 10 Year Old Tawny Port pipes, sourced from our partner, Graham’s Port, which provide those dark plum, Manuka honey, and gentle wood spice elements.

“The Dalmore Vintage 2009 is best savoured with a splash of water, unless preferred over ice, or at bottle strength, and would pair excellently with game meats or a fruit-forward dessert.”

The Dalmore Vintage 2006 is an 18 Year Old Single Malt Whisky at 47.2% ABV which welcomes you with enticing notes of Sherry-soaked raisins, along with roasted figs, cedar wood, and honey. To taste, dark fruit intertwines with liquorice and cacao, before developing notes of bergamot, and blood orange. Antique Sherry notes linger on the palate to finish, expressing rich berries, liquorice, cassia bark, and dark chocolate.

This whisky has been matured in American white oak ex-Bourbon barrels and enhanced by finishing in hand-selected rare and aged Matusalem, and Amoroso Sherry casks.

Gregg Glass shares additional personal notes on The Dalmore Vintage 2006: “This exquisite whisky has deep vanilla, sweet caramel, and honey notes from its maturation in first-fill American white oak ex-Bourbon. These flavours have been interwoven with antique notes, offered by finishing in those exclusively sourced 30 Year Old Matusalem Oloroso Sherry casks and 30 Year Old Amoroso Sherry casks.

“Dark chocolate, rich berries, and wood spice are present from the influence of the Matusalem casks, while Sherry-soaked raisins, and slightly drier, more aromatic, almost herbal notes are offered from the Amoroso casks.

“The result is sumptuous, warming layers of flavour, interweaving to create this rich and robust Single Malt Whisky. The Dalmore Vintage 2006 would pair well with Spanish tapas, a cheeseboard or something sweeter like dark chocolate truffles. As with the 2009 Vintage, savour this whisky with a splash of water, over ice, or neat, as per your preference.”

The Dalmore Vintage 2009 and The Dalmore Vintage 2006 are strictly limited editions and are non chill-filtered, natural colour and each bottled at specially selected strengths chosen by The Dalmore whisky makers.

The Dalmore Vintage Collection is presented in elegant packaging with tones of powder blue, evocative of the Autumn season at the Distillery, when The Dalmore whisky makers select the Vintages. The carton features a refined geometric pattern, with a striking silver accent at the base. The vintage and year of bottling are proudly displayed in silver on pack and on bottle, which both feature the iconic 12-point Royal Stag, which signifies The Dalmore’s Royal heritage, and has become an emblem for the brand recognised the world over.

This release from The Dalmore has become highly anticipated and considered a ‘must have’ collectible for whisky connoisseurs and discerning clientele in the world’s finest outlets.

The Dalmore Vintages Collection is available in select specialists and retailers from this month.

• The Dalmore Vintage 2009 is a 15 Year Old Single Malt, 48.9% ABV, £173 RSP
• The Dalmore Vintage 2006 is an 18 Year Old Single Malt, 47.2% ABV, £403 RSP

About The Dalmore:  

 Founded in 1839 on the shores of the Cromarty Firth in the Scottish Highlands, The Dalmore has been making masterpieces of whisky for over 180 years.

 The 12-point silver stag which proudly adorns each bottle was bestowed upon the first chieftain of Clan Mackenzie in 1263 by King Alexander III of Scotland. The stag became the whisky’s emblem when descendants of the clan took over the distillery in 1878.

 The Dalmore distillery’s collection of idiosyncratic stills creates a New Make spirit of unique character and depth – robust and fruity, particularly well-suited to longer and more complex maturation. This allows renowned Master Whisky Maker Gregg Glass and his team to develop spirit over longer periods, continuing a tradition of visionary whisky-making as they fully express their art using rare casks from some of the world’s finest wineries and bodegas.

The Dalmore
W: www.thedalmore.com Facebook and Instagram: @thedalmore

Our fourth and final outrun of 2024 is here!

Q4 brings a close to 2024 and we are pleased to offer a diverse range of Whiskies that are each balanced and delicious. Within the outrun we have selected some exceptional ex-sherry finishes including the MacDuff, Glenlossie and Ardmore. A Maderia cask finish Loch Lomond (Inchmurrin) and a very interesting Mannochmore Hogshead with first fill bourbon barrel cask ends! Lastly but by no means least we have 35 year old St Bridget’s Kirk Blend!

All releases are available through our stockists and importers.

MacDuff 2009 15 years old
Mannochmore 2014 10 years old
Loch Lomond (Inchmurrin) 13 year old
Glenlossie 2013 11 years old
Ardmore 2014 10 years old
North British 1998 26 Year old. Big Hearts release
Royal Brackla 2013. Myosotis release
St Bridget’s Kirk – Blended Scotch 1988. 35 years old

Please note that in order to better support our retail partners this outrun and future outruns will not be sold through our website. Links to stockists can be found via the tab on our homepage. All releases were bottled at our site in Dalgety Bay by hand.

Hannah Whisky Merchants ltd
25 West Way Business Park, Dalgety Bay
West Way
EDINBURGH, KY11 9AE
United Kingdom

Tequila Cask Finish

We are very excited to release our Evans Family Reserve Tequila Cask Finish. Aged in barrels that had arrived here direct from Mexico this is a very special single malt. Agave is immediate on the nose, what follows is a riot of stone fruits and berries underpinned by soft creamy malt, notes of graham cracker, ginger, sherbert and more delicate agave on the palate.

Now available to order on our website and in the distillery store.

Buy the Tequila Finish Now

The Evans Family Reserve range is a proprietary vatting of our finest single malt finished in select casks. We are delighted to present this limited expression finished in Tequila casks.

Tasting Notes:

Agave is immediate on the nose, both herbaceous and sweet. What follows is a riot of stone fruits and berries underpinned by soft creamy malt, notes of graham cracker and ginger, sherbert and more delicate agave on the palate. A rich long finish awaits with toffee and smooth creme brulee. A spectacular malt created for your enjoyment.

Shelter Point Distillery

At Shelter Point, we are distilling and bottling some of the most exciting single malt whiskies made anywhere. For the last decade, our 100% Canadian take on single malt whisky has been a game-changer, raising eyebrows and glasses while winning accolades and the respect and admiration of some of the world’s leading whisky writers and aficionados. Our sole focus is on the execution of the finest expressions of single malt whisky for you to enjoy. We employ a traditional approach: slow fermentations and double-distillation produce a new-make spirit full of flavour, ready for maturation in an array of woods selected from around the world for their unique flavour specialties. Sitting on the edge of the ocean in our unique setting in northern Vancouver Island, the spirit interacts with the elements as much as with the wood.

WHISKYLAND CHAPTER SIX FLOWERMORE 1985 – 38 YEAR OLD

We present to you… ‘Flowermore’! One of Whiskyland’s most infuriating yet loftily celebrated names.

Despite the 1985 vintage, don’t let memories of weighty perfume and lavender fields deter you – this whisky is a world apart. Flowermore showcases elegant yet restrained violet notes, balanced and softened by layers of gentle, elegant peat smoke and studded with pin-sharp exotic and citrus fruits. This is a fresh and pure whisky that showcases older and older style Islay single malt characteristics. Alongside our recent Caol Ila release, these two Whiskyland Chapters offer contrasting but equally stunning perspectives on aged Islay single malts.

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Ballantine’s Unveils Its First Ever Single Grain Whisky With Double Cask Finish

Ballantine’s, the world’s second most popular Scotch whisky*, has released its latest expression, Ballantine’s Single Distillery. Crafted by Master Blender Sandy Hyslop, the new Scotch was created using the finest grain whiskies from a single distillery and was selectively finished in both rum and extra charred American oak barrels.

Ballantine’s Single Distillery uses wheat grain whiskies from Strathclyde Distillery, delivering a whisky with fruity and floral flavours. Strathclyde Distillery has played a significant role in Ballantine’s blends for many decades, so it was a natural fit to honour its grain whiskies through this new expression.

The new release brings to life Ballantine’s expertise in whisky blending with its double cask finish; with the rum cask bringing exotic notes and the extra charred American oak barrels adding  aromas. The resulting Scotch boasts a beautifully balanced taste profile, with an exceptional depth of flavour and extra smoothness, offering subtle hints of white peach, charred pineapple, and red apples, lemon zest and toasted almonds.

Sandy Hyslop, Ballantine’s Master Blender at Chivas Brothers, commented:

“One of the things I enjoy most about my job as Master Blender is to be able to experiment and continue to push boundaries, just like our founder George Ballantine, who was doing things his own way and breaking conventional codes of whisky as far back as 1827. Ballantine’s Single Distillery was created to challenge perceptions of grain whisky and offers a whisky that really showcases the quality of the grain used. The addition of the double cask finish results in an exceptionally smooth Scotch, making for a refined drinking experience to savour during those finer moments in life.”

Ballantine’s Single Distillery and its delicate and refined palate offers whisky fans a Scotch that delivers on character and sophistication, without compromising on the distinctive tasting notes that make Ballantine’s so special. The new expression is housed in an amber-coloured bottle with a metallic copper crest, combining craft and elegance, whilst maintaining elements that make Ballantine’s recognisable, like its iconic square shaped bottle.

Ballantine’s Single Distillery is a permanent addition to the Ballantine’s range, and will be available from November 2024, with a RRP varying per market. For more information, and to stay up to date with all the latest Ballantine’s news, visit www.ballantines.com or follow us on Instagram @ballantines.

OLD ORKNEY MALT – 21 YEAR OLD

Our third official Old Orkney bottling. This 21 year old is composed of equal parts 1999 from an ex-bodega sherry butt, with 2003 from a plain oak refill hogshead. That mix was married for around six months in a 2nd fill sherry butt to allow it to harmonise and to emphasise the sherry aspects of its character.

This is rugged, old school, sherry-driven and intricately peaty Highland Park. A gorgeous old Orcadian dram! We decided this was pretty special and as such opted to put it in our lovely Whiskyland Cognac glass – just to add an extra wee flourish.

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AMONTILLADO CASK MATURED

The Amontillado Edition marks the midway point of our Springbank Sherry Series.

The 3rd of five annual releases, with staggered maturations in different types of sherry cask from the richest Pedro Ximenez to the lighter Manzanilla which will conclude the range in 2026.

UK RRP £90 – £95

 There is an earthy, mustiness on the nose, along with notes of hazelnut, maraschino cherries and blood orange.

PALATE

Notes of cured meats, gorse and tobacco box are balanced with sweet hints of coconut and treacle.

FINISH

A dry finish with notes of wood shavings and tarragon.

Hidden Barn Releases 3rd Annual Madeira Finished Bourbon

Limited Edition Blend Named “Perfect Harmony” Due to its Balance  

SPARTA, KY (Nov. 19, 2024) – Hidden Barn Bourbon is releasing its 2024 Madeira finished bourbon, aged for six years and then finished for seven months in Madeira casks.  Master Distiller Royce Neeley and Master Blender Jackie Zykan named this year’s release Perfect Harmony, due to the balance between the bourbon and the residual Madeira left in the oak barrel.  

Perfect Harmony is created using six-year-old bourbon distilled by Neeley using its mash bill of 70 percent corn, 20 percent rye and 10 percent malted barley, transferred to age in first-use Madeira barrels for an additional seven months, and then open-air vatted for several days allowing oxidation to occur and the entire batch to open up, contributing to the balance.  Then Zykan went to work, blending eight barrels to create Perfect Harmony.  

“It’s rare for a blender to create a blend and know instantly when we’ve hit the mark on what we’re trying to achieve. Very often we think about making tweaks here or there to see what will happen,” said Zykan.  “But this year’s Madeira blend is spot on, with the perfect balance of what I was trying to achieve – the right combination between the oak and Madeira make it come full circle.”  

Zykan’s tasting notes for Perfect Harmony describe it as having toffee, overripe red fruits, apple pie and oxidized rose on the nose.  The palate is gorgeously dense and creamy, with full-bodied vanilla and a hint of raisin.  The finish balances out the sweet viscosity with a slightly dry mint tone and notes of nutmeg and cardamom.  

Suggested retail pricing for the Hidden Barn Perfect Harmony Madeira Finished Bourbon is $89.99. This is the third in the Maderia finish series.  It is available for sale at the Neeley Family Distillery in Sparta, Ky, online, and at retail in Kentucky, Indiana, New York, California, Georgia, Colorado, Nevada, and New Mexico.  

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 releases have earned Best of Class in the Small Batch Bourbon Up to 5 years by The Tasting Alliance, 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

Overholt Whiskey Announces Chore Coat Collaboration!

Coming to you with some very exciting news from Overholt Whiskey – today, we are launching The Overholt™ Chore Coat, an exclusive, limited-edition garment, in collaboration with SEEKER Los Angeles.

Overholt is the longest-standing American Whiskey brand maintained continuously since 1810 and has always been supported by trade, which is why we developed this chore coat specifically with, noting the functionality, quality, and style needed by those managing the bar. The Chore Coat has subtle customization that nods to the brand and its founder, Abe Overholt.

Each coat is proudly made in Los Angeles by local artisans, combining rich tradition with contemporary design – just like Overholt – each coat is individually numbered.

The Overholt™ Chore Coast retails for $229 and is available for purchase on the SEEKER website. Did we mention this makes an excellent holiday gift…can’t beat a dram of Overholt in an Overholt chore coat!