Enjoy another sensory journey with our April Outturn as we explore bold and balanced flavours. And be sure to download the pdf of this month’s Outturn from our website to read the latest instalment of our yearlong look at whisky and sherry, as well the background to Cask No. 53.456 chosen by Canadian member Mathieu Dureau.

LEMON AND LIME SHORTBREAD

CASK NO. 35.348

REGION:  Speyside

CASK TYPE:  2nd fill ex-bourbon barrel

AGE:  10 years

FLAVOUR PROFILE:  Sweet, fruity & mellow

BOTTLE NOTE:  “Green apples and mango coconut smoothies were followed by vanilla malted milkshakes. Reduction added papayas as well as lemon and lime shortbread.”

PUSH PINEAPPLE, SHAKE       A BEE

CASK NO. 39.284

REGION:  Speyside

CASK TYPE:  1st fill ex-bourbon barrel

AGE:  11 years

FLAVOUR PROFILE:  Juicy, oak & vanilla

BOTTLE NOTE:  “The busy bees collect pineapples, guavas and apples to make marmalades and chutneys, while others create crème brûlée and coconut sponge.”

SAY IT WITH FLOWERS

CASK NO. 46.140

REGION:  Speyside

CASK TYPE:  1st fill ex-bourbon barrel

AGE:  12 years

FLAVOUR PROFILE:  Spicy & sweet

BOTTLE NOTE:  “Presented with flowers and coconut and almond white chocolate truffles before we enjoyed malted milk biscuits, and a lemon, lime and chilli sorbet.”

GARBANZO’S CAJUN TRAIN RIDE*

CASK NO. 78.65

REGION:  Highland

CASK TYPE:  2nd fill oloroso butt

AGE:  9 years

FLAVOUR PROFILE:  Deep, rich & dried fruits

BOTTLE NOTE:  “Our journey began in a sooty, treacly old train carriage with worn leather seats and corduroy curtains. In the buffet car, we snacked on Cajun-seasoned French fries, turmeric-roasted garbanzo beans, dried mango and black cherry.” *Giving Spirit bottle – sales profits will go to charity; read more here

BRAMBLE RAMBLE

CASK NO. 68.106

REGION:  Highland

INITIAL CASK:  Ex-bourbon hogshead

FINAL CASK:  1st fill Spanish oak oloroso hogshead

AGE:  14 years

FLAVOUR PROFILE:  Deep, rich & dried fruits

BOTTLE NOTE:  “Crème brûlée, chocolate fudge sundae and peaches in syrup confronted tannic oak, burnt heather, aniseed balls, PX, espresso and charcuterie.”

‘POUDING CHÔMEUR’ AT  THE SHACK*

CASK NO. 53.456

REGION:  Islay

INITIAL CASK:  Ex-bourbon hogshead

FINAL CASK:  1st fill American oak hogshead

AGE:  9 years

FLAVOUR PROFILE:  Peated

BOTTLE NOTE:  “An escapade to a sugar shack in a room smelling of burning firewood with lots of maple syrup.” *Cask chosen and name/tasting note by Canadian member Mathieu Dureau

A FLASHING BLADE

CASK NO. 144.4

REGION:  Sweden

CASK TYPE:  1st fill ex-bourbon barrel

AGE:  7 years

FLAVOUR PROFILE:  Heavily peated

BOTTLE NOTE:  “A swooshing Swedish blade of raw peaty energy! Medicines, minerals, peat ashes, brine and suggestions of bonfires, cured fish and raw iodine.”

BROWSE APRIL OUTTURN HEREThe Scotch Malt Whisky Society Canada
Suite 160
104 – 1240 Kensington Road NW
Calgary, AB  T2N 3P7
403-969-8225
curious@smws.ca
www.smws.ca

A. SMITH BOWMAN DISTILLERY DEBUTS ABRAHAM BOWMAN OAK SERIES: AN EXPERIMENTAL WHISKEY SERIES EXPLORING OAK VARIETALS

Launching with French Oak, this limited-edition whiskey will be available through an online lottery

FREDERICKSBURG, VA – A. Smith Bowman Distillery today announces the launch of Abraham Bowman Oak Series, a new set of experimental American whiskeys joining the Abraham Bowman Limited Edition Collection. This exciting new series demonstrates A. Smith Bowman Distillery’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of American whiskey making methodologies while celebrating the legacy of Abraham Bowman, the great-grandfather of the Distillery’s founder, Abram Smith Bowman.

The Abraham Bowman Oak Series explores cask maturation in different oak varietals from around the world, as well as the effect charring has on the flavor of whiskey. For the inaugural release, A. Smith Bowman Distillery introduces Abraham Bowman Oak Series: French Oak. This unique whiskey is made from an award-winning mash bill and brings a flavor profile unlike any of its counterparts in the collection, blending a mix of liquids aged for 12 years in French Oak barrels both with and without char.

“These barrels sat for an extended period of time to maximize the differences among them,” said Head Distiller David Bock. “Once blended together, the vanilla from the no-char barrels helps balance out the pepper notes from the charred barrels, creating a dynamic and delicious blend. We are very pleased with the final result.”

Bottled at 100 proof, Abraham Bowman Oak Series: French Oak has a muted caramel color, similar to that of a newly minted penny. On the nose, the aroma of cherry and caramel engulf your glass. A sweet vanilla and a spice note are very pronounced on the pallet, as is the oak from the extended aging. The finish is a crisp cinnamon apple.

“French Oak is teaching us that experimenting with wood can bring some exciting nuances to the flavor profile of a distillate,” said Bock. “As the upcoming Oak Series releases continue to age, we are excited to explore what will come next in the Abraham Bowman collection.”

Inspired by his pioneering spirit, the Abraham Bowman Limited Edition Collection honors Abraham’s legacy of innovation, mastery and adventure. More than 150 years before his great-grandson established Virginia’s oldest distillery, Abraham traversed the territories of the Thirteen Colonies as a Colonel of Virginia’s 8^th Regiment. The 8^th regiment was heavily engaged in the battles of Brandywine and Germantown, solidifying their role in the American Revolution.

The Abraham Bowman Limited Edition Collection of whiskeys began in 2010 with the release of Abraham Bowman Rye Whiskey. Each edition of the Abraham Bowman Collection reflects innovation and creativity coming from our Master Distillers Brian Prewitt, the late Truman Cox and current Head Distiller David Bock. Previous releases in the Abraham Bowman Collection have explored different mash bills, aging techniques, proofs, finishes and more.

The opportunity to purchase a limited bottle of Abraham Bowman Oak Series: French Oak will occur through an online lottery taking place from April 4 – April 11. Consumers nationwide are invited to enter the lottery, however winners MUST purchase in-person at the A. Smith Bowman gift shop within three weeks of winning. Limit one entry per person. To enter, please submit a form here. Winners will be randomly selected on April 15, 2024 and notified via email immediately following the selection. Each 750ml bottle will be sold at the suggested retail price of $99.99, excluding state taxes and fees.

For more information about the Abraham Bowman Collection, visit asmithbowman.com/spirits.

About A. Smith Bowman Distillery 

As Virginia’s oldest distillery, A. Smith Bowman Distillery’s rich history dates back to 1927, when Abram Smith Bowman purchased 7,200-acres in Fairfax County, Virginia. Named Sunset Hills Farm, the Bowman Family were grain and dairy farmers until the fields became so abundant that Bowman needed a use for the excess grain. In 1934, he built a groundbreaking distillery on the farmland and, with the help of his two sons, produced the first-ever batch of Virginia Gentleman Whiskey

Today, the historic distillery has relocated 60 miles away to Fredericksburg, where it operates as a small, family-owned company continuing the time-honored traditions on which it was founded, producing premium handcrafted spirits in small batches and experimental editions that embody innovation at its core. Award-winning products produced at A. Smith Bowman Distillery include Bowman Brothers Small Batch Bourbon, John J. Bowman Single Barrel Bourbon, A. Smith Bowman Cask Strength Bourbon, the Abraham Bowman Limited Edition Collection, Deep Run Vodka, Sunset Hills Gin, George Bowman Caribbean Rum and Mary Hite Bowman Caramel Bourbon Cream, among others. In 2023, Cask Strength won Gold medals at multiple competitions including the New York World Wine & Spirits Competition, San Francisco World Spirits Competition and the American Whiskey Masters.

For more information on A. Smith Bowman Distillery, visit asmithbowman.com.

Jim Beam Kentucky Coolers Welcomes Fresh Wave of Flavor with Four New Varieties

Spring has sprung, offering the perfect opportunity to revel in the rich tapestry of tastes that tantalise our taste buds. Join us for an exhilarating exploration of the fundamentals of flavour, where we delve into the five taste qualities: sweet, sour, bitter, salty and umami, igniting a flavour journey like no other.

At the heart of our adventure lies whisky, the ultimate flavour magician, ready to dazzle your taste buds and leave you spellbound and thirsty for more! The diversity of flavours whisky can conjure is so extensive that we can pinpoint whiskies that perfectly encapsulate all the fundamental tastes.

If you’re thirsty for more knowledge, dive into our latest article by Kami Newton, where he uncovers the secrets of our senses, taking you on a journey beyond the glass.

Each dram goes much further than taste alone; it’s a complete experience for the palate, as Kami rightly says: “We see. We touch. We smell.” Taste is a grand place to embark on your flavour journey, but with flavours as intricate as these, it can only ever be a fraction of the story.

READ MORE

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

Lochlea reveals the final chapter of Seasonal trilogy series:

Sowing Edition (Third Crop)

Lochlea Distillery in Ayrshire is revealing the third ‘Crop’ of its renowned and much celebrated Seasonals range of whiskies, kicking off with the third and final part of the trilogy series – Sowing Edition (Third Crop) at the end of April.

The multi-award winning grain-to-cask distillery celebrates the farming calendar with the four Seasonal releases during the year, each one showcasing a different side to Lochlea’s house style of spirit. The four whiskies in the First Crop were released from early 2022, followed by Second Crop kicking off last spring with Sowing, ending with Ploughing in March earlier this year.  Once the Third Crop has been released this year, there will be no more Seasonal releases from the distillery.

This latest and final release of Sowing has been matured exclusively in ex-Bourbon barrels, allowing floral, fruity notes to really shine through in the final dram. All the casks that have gone into the final recipe have been hand-picked by John Campbell, Lochlea’s Production Director, and his team at the distillery. With each new Crop, the whiskies in the Seasonals range are getting older, with this latest release being nearly the same age as the recently released and sold-out Lochlea 5 Year Old.

Sowing marks the point of the year that the new barley crop is sown around the distillery on the farm – the start of spring and new life appearing. This spring will be the 8^th year of barley grown on the farm at Lochlea.

John said: “Our third and final Crop of the Seasonal releases will offer whisky lovers the chance to taste our maturing limited-edition releases and even compare them with the past two Crops, so they can see how our whiskies are evolving.

“The Seasonal Editions have been a brilliant platform for us to showcase our whisky in different cask types and highlight the farming calendar.

One of the main differences between our last Sowing Edition (Second Crop) and our new Third Crop is when the spirit was distilled. Second Crop was distilled in warmer months, whereas the new release in colder months. Distillation during warmer periods results in more of a stewed fruit flavour, whereas in the colder months we see much more of a crisp, fresh fruit flavour – in the case of this spirit, delicious green apple and pear.”

In terms of what the distillery plans next, John continued: “We have a wealth of ideas at Lochlea within the team and our ability to explore and innovate easily without too many constraints means there will be many more exciting whiskies to emerge from Lochlea beyond our Seasonals.”

Lochlea Sowing Edition (Third Crop) will be available from 25th April onwards via Lochlea stockists whilst stocks last, RRP: £51.50. And for those looking to enjoy other whiskies within the trilogy, First and Second Crop whiskies can be sought out via Lochlea’s retail partners here. Those who want to then taste with John and the team can take part in a live, virtual vertical tasting the distillery is planning this spring – for further information sign up to Lochlea’s mailing list at www.lochleadistillery.com  or follow the distillery on Instagram @lochleawhisky

In addition to the seasonal limited edition releases, Lochlea has a core whisky expression available all year round – Our Barley. This unpeated single malt has been matured in a combination of three different casks: first fill ex-bourbon, Oloroso sherry casks and STR barriques, all of which add depths of flavour to the spirit. Launched in July 2022, Our Barley has received much acclaim as a superb example of a young non-age statement (NAS) Lowlands whisky, made entirely from the distillery’s own home-grown barley.

Sowing Edition (Third Crop) tasting notes:

Nose: Almonds, rose petals

Palate: White pepper, a vibrant burst of apple blossom

Finish: Warm straw, fresh grass

46% ABV

Non-chill filtered

Natural colour 

About Lochlea Distillery:

Lochlea was originally a 222 acre livestock farm before being purchased by Neil and Jen McGeoch in 2006. After much consideration of the future of the farm and a successful trial to grow its own barley in 2015, the couple transformed the land and existing farm buildings into a fully-operational distillery in 2017 and started distilling the following year. The farming side has remained a unique part of Lochlea, with the move into barley production – paving the way for Lochlea to be one of the very few fully grain-to-cask distilleries in Scotland. It also has a rich Scottish heritage with strong links to Robbie Burns, with the bard having worked and lived on the farm a several years.

For a full list of Lochlea stockists, visit: Lochlea Distillery stockists

NEW RELEASE: 100% NY grain Fort Hamilton Single Barrel Bourbon completes the Brooklyn distillery’s core line up

Brooklyn’s Fort Hamilton Distillery announces the addition of a bourbon made entirely from New York grain to its Single Barrel range. Fort Hamilton Single Barrel Bourbon is a classic bourbon made from 100% New York grain that’s sourced from the Hudson Valley.

Fort Hamilton Single Barrel Bourbon will join the company’s flagship Fort Hamilton Single Barrel Rye, which is also sourced from 100% New York grain from the Hudson Valley, to complete its core lineup of Kosher-certified, craft spirits.

The mash bill for Fort Hamilton Single Barrel Bourbon is 85% corn, 10% rye and 5% malted barley, which represents the highest corn content of any of the Fort Hamilton whiskey range to date.

Fort Hamilton Single Barrel Bourbon is a 4.5-year-old bourbon matured in 53 gallon Char 3 American oak. It’s a bourbon for the bourbon enthusiast that sings of New York and is bottled at 47.5% ABV unadulterated and non-chill filtered.

Alex Clark, who co-founded Fort Hamilton alongside his wife Amy Grindeland, comments: “This is a classic bourbon for bourbon lovers with a nod to our home of New York. As our Fort Hamilton Single Barrel NY Rye comes of age, with batch 14 released this year at 5 years old, it was time to extend our hospitality into bourbon with a Single Barrel Bourbon made from all NY grain. Fort Hamilton Single Barrel Bourbon is a spirit born of that same independent, revolutionary spirit and is built for the bourbon enthusiast and is true to our New York roots.”

Tech specs:

Product name:  Fort Hamilton Single Barrel Bourbon Batch #1

Age:                     4 ½ years

Cooperage:        53 gallon Char #3 American white oak

Mash bill:           85% NY Corn, 10% NY Rye, 5% NY Malted Barley

Bottled at:          95 proof / 47.5% ABV

Barreled at:        125 proof

Filtration:           Non-chill filtered, certified kosher

SSP:                      $54.99

Tech specs:

Product name:  Fort Hamilton Single Barrel Rye Batch #14

Age:                     5 years

Cooperage:        30 gallon Char #3 American white oak

Mash bill:           90% NY Rye, 10% NY Malted Barley

Bottled at:          90 proof / 45% ABV

Barreled at:        120 proof

Filtration:           Non-chill filtered, certified kosher

SSP:                      $54.99

Fort Hamilton Distillery & Tasting room:

Fort Hamilton Distillery is a great example of a New York founder-led business with a hustle mentality and sense of community. The husband-and-wife team of Alex Clark and Amy Grindeland have built this brand from the ground up. Alex’s background in bartending influences many of the decisions behind the brand and ensures the liquid always hits the spot, behind the bar and in the glass. Amy is no stranger behind the stick either. Hospitality is in her blood, from a career spent as a flight attendant coupled with an upbringing in the South. These days, Amy’s feet are mostly firmly on the ground as she oversees the Fort Hamilton Distillery Bar & Tasting Room – a destination for whiskey lovers in New York looking for a good time and a great drink!

The mission for the Fort Hamilton Distillery was to recreate the original whiskey style of America, New York Rye. Fort Hamilton Single Barrel Rye was the first bottling and was inspired by a pre-prohibition era traditional 90% rye, 10% malted barley mash bill. Along the way, Fort Hamilton has extended into bartender-friendly Double Barrel bottlings of rye and bourbon, as well as producing the revolutionary Fort Hamilton New World Gin that’s bursting with fresh watermelon, cucumber and citrus and is inspired by the watermelon patch where the Battle of Brooklyn commenced and a NY corn-based vodka called Fortress Vodka, alongside other innovative bottlings. Fort Hamilton Single Barrel Bourbon released in Spring 2024 completes the core line up.

MEETING FINN THOMSON

Recently we had the pleasure of traveling down to Grandtully to find out more about his family story and try some amazing drams.The Thomson family has an astonishing nine generations of (documented) whisky history, so we were in for a treat. We started our day at Loch of Grandtully, where 300 years ago, John “The Rogue” Thomson sank his illegal pot still to evade the excise men.

From there, we moved to the Grandtully Distillery site, which was taken over by Donald and James Thomson. Sadly, the distillery is no longer there, but we did get to see the beautiful setting and read about the distillery from the First Edition of Barnadard’s Whisky Distilleries, painting a picture of the place and distillation techniques.

We travelled to the Grandtully Hotel to taste a delicious cocktail. Finn found the recipe in his family archives. This 1900s creation featured whisky, plum wine, pineapple and vino de color.

We had a go at rummaging through the archives ourselves. Discovering the merchant life of the Thomson family was a truly fascinating journey through the history of blending, selling, and purchasing casks.Along with the hotel and the bridge built by Finn’s family in the village, we got to see the most unique house, perfectly showing the character of Duncan “The Grand Old Man” Thomson, who met with an architect and placed two bottles of whisky on the table, instructing the man to “fill the space between” the result being the Bandarroch house with two turrets at the front.

We finished our day by paying our respects to James Thomson and visiting St Mary’s church.

James “The Rogue” Thomson marks the very beginning of the whisky history of the Thomson family and was buried near his farm, only a hill over from where he sunk his still.

We did not come back empty handed! 

In fact, we brought back highly collectible single cask bottling from Port Ellen, which features the incredible painted ceiling from St Mary’s church on the label.

Port Ellen 40 Years Old 

Private Cask Collection

This incredible single malt was distilled at Port Ellen Distillery in 1983 and was one of the last casks to be filled prior to the distillery’s closure in 1987. It was aged for 40 years in a single refill sherry butt. It is an exquisitely balanced malt. The sea-breeze smokiness combines with delicate citric undertones and delicate peaches and cream flavours, balancing the peatiness with fruit.  It was bottled without chill-filtration or artificial colouring.  Only 9 bottles were produced.

£5,000.00

Shop now