For our naturally adventurous members, get ready for these exceptional whiskies to float your boat. Time to let the sea take over and to cast off with us into this truly unexpected profile.

Oily & Coastal can carry you to new flavour frontiers, from clifftops to harbours, rockpools and lobster pots. While having a lighter side made of beach walks, gorse driftwood and sea spray, finishing with light olive oil. This is the perfect time to try something new and explore an ENGIMATIC flavour profile.

OILY & COASTAL – WHERE FLAVOUR COMES ALIVE

Introducing Cask No. 4.371: Meditation mode & Cask No. 4.366: Kelp me if you can the perfect voyage in a bottling for any member setting sails for their next whisky journey.

Cask No. 4.371 brings sweet lavender, heather and cinnamon, coming from a lit incense stick, almost taking you into a state of meditation. To taste we moved to Spain and enjoyed a seafood paella accompanied by a glass of shiraz, with enticing flavours of vanilla and smoky berries in the finish.

Continuing our holiday to the seaside, Cask No. 4.366: Kelp me if you can is a mist of salty sea spray carried in the breeze onto fresh oysters, smoked mussels and battered haddock while heather honey was poured over caramel ice cream in a cone. A coastal wonder!

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

Laphroaig® unveils packaging redesign in line with long-term sustainability goals

ABBEY WHISKY

15TH ANNIVERSARY SERIES

Introducing the next two releases in our 15th Anniversary series, bottled exclusively by Berry Bros & Rudd! A dark and punchy Ardmore and a classy Speysider from Tamdhu complete this trio of drams. Both bottled in their natural form and in very limited numbers.

Head over to the Abbey Whisky website to learn more about these exciting new drams… As always, if you have any questions, please just get in touch.

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TAMDHU 15 YEAR OLD – 2008 | CASK 778

AW 15TH ANNIVERSARY

N: This classy Speysider shows a perfect balance of distillate and wood. Initially aromas of spiced gingerbread, Belgium waffle and sweet clove rock emerge, before complexity builds ripe orchard fruits, jaffa casks and tinned pineapple develop with time.

P: The palate shows a wonderful clean Moscatel character, with more sticky ginger bread, ripe apple, honeycomb and marzipan rolling round the palate. A little water shows deeper dried fruits and baking spice.

F: A long finish brings rich Dundee Cask and the suggestion of wood smoke. A rich, fulfilling and complex dram, ideal to unwind while contemplating the fifteen long years it’s taken to accomplish such a feat.

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ARDMORE 14 YEAR OLD – 2009 | CASK 2607

15TH ANNIVERSARY

N: Huge, uncompromising aromas of new leather, hog roast, prunes and peat bog barbecue barge out of the glass, complexity builds with strawberry jam, cigars, and liquorice.

P: This theme continues on the palate showing grilled pork, alongside Frazzle crisps, with lashing of fig jam, prunes and espresso.

F: The finish rolls on and on with bacon fat, peat smoke and dried fruits. An extreme, energetic whisky, this dram will swim with jellyfish infested lochs, cycle a hundred miles and still fancy running a marathon over two munros!

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Banff 46 Years Old

BANFF DISTILLERY 46 Year Old 1976 Private Collection (2023) Cask #2887

1976 vintage refill sherry butt #2887. Distillery closed 1985 then destroyed by fire 1991. Very rare and highly sought after with only 109 bottles.Banff 46 Year Old 1976 vintage Highland single malt Scotch whisky. Single refill Sherry butt #2887. Distilled 26th October 1976 & bottled 3rd February 2023 by Gordon & MacPhail for the Private Collection Lost Distilleries Recollection Series #2. Just 109 hand-blown crystal decanters have been produced.

Buy Banff 46yo »

£4,300.00

Nose: Fragrant festive spices intertwine with clove studded irange and demerara sugar. Subtle toffee notes give way to prunes and baked apple.

Taste: Rich stewed red fruit flavours complement cinnamon and ginger hazelnuts develop alongside marzipan and mature oak.

Finish: Medium bodied with lingering citrus and nuts

The Mill of Banff Distillery was established by Major James McKilligan at Mains of Colleonard Farm just south of Banff in 1824 but closed in 1863 when Simpson’s son built a new distillery on a site at Inverboyndie and named it Banff Distillery. In 1983 Banff Distillery closed, was partially demolished in 1985 and most of the rest came down during a fire in 1991. Banff is a lost Highland malt whisky distillery with rare examples from the Gordon & MacPhail Rare Old series of bottlings, and all highly sought after.

Lowrie’s Reserve Blended Scotch Whisky 

This small batch blended scotch whisky has been created by Jack Lowrie and the Thompson Bros. They have curated this experience using 20.5% V.94 Single Grain, 19.9% V.12 Speyside Malt, 51.6% V.12 blended scotch (Sherry) and 8% SRV5/ Campervan Brewery Cask Finish. It was then rested and bottled with minimal filtration.

£45.00

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The Epicurean Pays Homage to City of Glasgow with Launch of New Ex-Cuvée Oak Finished Edition

Award-winning Lowland Malt Scotch Whisky brand, The Epicurean, today reveals the latest release dedicated to “his” home City of Glasgow – also home to independently family-owned parent company, Douglas Laing & Co.

This limited-edition expression marries together the finest Single Cask Single Malts from the Lowland region of Scotland, before enduring a lengthy finish in some of the “finest” French ex-cuvée oak casks. Offered at a natural cask strength of 50.4% alcohol, proudly without colouring or chill-filtration and strictly limited to just 5,100 bottles globally, this release is expected to be snapped up quickly.

The Epicurean is said to be “the life and soul of the party and a connoisseur of fine food and drink” so this bottle was designed to embody just that. Presented in a black bottle with gold foil detailing and packaged in a premium gift tube, the black and gold design brings a “true sense of luxury” to this release. Tasting notes are said to reveal “bursts of malted barley, vanilla blossom and lemon zest,” a dram the Douglas Laing team describe as a “something truly special”.

Commenting on this new bottling, Scott Morrison, Brand Manager, said:

“This latest Epicurean Glasgow Edition is one we are particularly proud of. The unique finish is a first for the Douglas Laing team and is a credit to the continuous innovation and quality we strive to achieve. The eclectic array of flavours imparted from the French ex-cuvée oak casks combined with the exceptional packaging make this release one not to be missed!”

The Epicurean Glasgow Limited Edition will be available from specialist Whisky retailers around the world, plus online retailers, from August 2023. It carries a suggested retail price of £55.00 / €64.00.

ABOUT THE EPICUREAN

Twitter:  @DLaingWhisky

Instagram: @theepicureanwhisky

Facebook: /dltheepicurean

Meet The Epicurean – our 1930s Glasgow man, a real cheeky character who was ever the life and soul of the party and a connoisseur of fine food and drink. A master of versatility, this fresh, zesty, grassy marriage of the finest Lowland malts is perfect for cocktail hour or simply for sipping.

ABOUT DOUGLAS LAING & CO.

www.douglaslaing.com

Douglas Laing & Co. is a leading independent Scotch Whisky distillery, blender and bottler specialising in the selection and release of Single Cask Single and Small Batch Malt Scotch Whiskies.

The company was founded by Fred Douglas Laing in 1948 and is still owned and run by the Laing family – Fred Laing Jr and his daughter Cara Laing.

The company philosophy is to bottle the way the distiller intended – at a high strength and without chill filtration to preserve the robust and unique character of the Whisky. Douglas Laing’s industry reputation and many awards is testament to this ethos.

Douglas Laing’s Remarkable Regional Malts, the Ultimate Distillation of Scotland’s Malt Whisky Regions, encompasses The Epicurean Lowland Malt Scotch Whisky, Timorous Beastie (Highlands), Scallywag (Speyside), The Gauldrons (Campbeltown), Rock Island (Islands) and Big Peat (Islay).

Beyond its Blended Malts expertise, the award-winning Douglas Laing portfolio also includes Provenance, Premier Barrel, Old Particular, Xtra Old Particular and XOP Black, collectively known as the firm’s “Exceptional Single Casks”.

GLEN ALBYN DISTILLERY 43 Year Old 1979 Private Collection (2023) Cask #3857

£3,500.00

1979 vintage from this very rare lost distillery which was demolished 1986. Sherry puncheon #3857 at 56.4% and only 95 bottles. Glen Albyn 43 Year Old 1979 vintage Highland single malt Scotch whisky. Single refill Sherry puncheon #3857. Distilled 19th September 1979 & bottled 9th January 2023 by Gordon & MacPhail for the Private Collection Lost Distilleries Recollection Series #2. Just 95 hand-blown crystal decanters have been produced.

Buy Glen Albyn 43yo »

Nose: Rich roast coffee aromas give way to fruitcake. Subtle spice and beeswax polish notes. Treacle toffee and charred oak with a hint of dark chocolate.

Taste: Smooth with dried fig, ark cherries and oramge peel followed by dark chocolate flavours tempered by cracked black pepper and charred oak.

Finish: Full bodied finish revealing lasting hints of oak and liquorice.

Glen Albyn Distillery was established in 1844 on the east bank of the Caledonian Canal in Inverness. Whilst the canal opened in 1822 in order to facilitate a short cut between the Atlantic Ocean and North Sea for our navy during the Napoleonic wars, it provided ready access for shipping raw materials in and whisky casks out when the distillery opened. Glen Albyn Distillery closed in 1983 and was demolished in 1986 although some fragments of its old walls can still be found. Albyn Distillery is a lost Scottish Highland malt whisky distillery and releases are scarce with Gordon & MacPhails 1976 Rare Old an example.

Scottish Independent Bottler Announces Addition to its Award-Winning Range of Whiskies in the US with Import Partner ImpEx Beverages

August 2023. Adelphi Distillery Ltd and ImpEx Beverages are proud to announce the release of Maclean’s Nose, a new blended Scotch whisky. Adelphi has been one of Scotland’s most acclaimed independent bottlers since 1993, producing a wide range of whiskies, from iconic Single Casks to a quality blend. It is also the parent company of the Ardnamurchan Distillery.  The new addition to Adelphi’s range is Maclean’s Nose, a traditional blend, with some modern twists, which takes its name from a rocky outcrop not far from the Ardnamurchan Distillery.

What sets Maclean’s Nose apart is its high malt content of 70% and the significant presence of ex-Sherry casks, which imparts a rich depth of flavor. This unchill-filtered whisky showcases its natural color and is bottled at 46% abv, allowing the true essence of the spirit to shine through. The first batch of 25,000 bottles is available worldwide now, 3,384 of which were shipped to the US.

Enchanting the senses, Maclean’s Nose reveals a captivating array of tasting notes. Expect the delightful interplay of burnt citrus peel, invigorating sea salt, indulgent white chocolate, and the smoky essence of a bonfire by the beach. This deluxe blend encapsulates the rugged and alluring spirit of the Scottish West Coast.

A prominent feature of the Ardnamurchan coastline and only a short distance from the distillery, Maclean’s Nose is a bit of a geological and historical wonder. Its wild, rugged beauty inspired the creation of this new blend, Maclean’s Nose, as well as Adelphi’s link with well-known whisky specialist, Charles MacLean.

The Ardnamurchan Team Discuss Maclean’s Nose

Alex Bruce, Managing Director of Adelphi Distillery Ltd says: “I remember at the opening of our new distillery in Ardnamurchan in July 2014, our longstanding sensory mentor, Charlie MacLean, telling me that we were now officially the closest distillery to his nose. It didn’t sink in until sometime later that he was actually referring to the famous promontory off Ben Hiant just a few miles down the coast.

Formed some 60 million years ago from a giant volcanic eruption, Maclean’s Nose has long been used as a navigational aid by passing boats. The multi-colored agglomerate, once lava flow, also inspired our slate-blue Ardnamurchan Single Cask bottle color.

We are really proud to now be able to celebrate both our chief nose and our neighboring nose together in this exciting new West Coast blend. As with all things Adelphi, it is an unashamedly flavor-first whisky, and we hope that you enjoy it as much as we do.”

Carl Crafts, Sales Executive added, “The team from Ardnamurchan Distillery in partnership with ImpEx Beverages are thrilled to announce the arrival of its new Blended Scotch, Maclean’s Nose, to the United States! We have created a whisky that we hope reminds all of us that blended scotch does not equal a poor-quality experience. In reference to the iconic and characterful Western Highland blends of decades past, we flip the script as far as standard blend proportions go by using 70% malt whisky, sourced exclusively from Western Highland and Campbeltown distilleries, along with 30% grain whisky from the Lowlands – much of the maturation comes from Sherry casks as well.

We hope you all enjoy Maclean’s Nose and can’t wait to hear what you think. Our tremendous thanks go out to our US importer, ImpEx Beverages, for continuing to represent our products throughout the United States.”

Sam Filmus, President of ImpEx Beverages said, “The addition of Maclean’s Nose to the ImpEx portfolio was a no-brainer.  The quality we have come to expect from Adelphi and Ardnamurchan continues through to this amazing blend.  Seeing something that showcases the talent and sophistication of the team at Ardnamurchan Distillery coming through in such an approachable whisky (both from the price and taste perspective) is a real win for fans across the US.  This combined with the approval of the Chief Nose himself, Mr. Charles MacLean has brought together something truly spectacular in Maclean’s Nose.”

In addition to the remarkable whisky within, Maclean’s Nose embraces sustainability in its packaging. The Whisky is presented without a gift box, simply in a clear 700ml glass bottle with a label made from Crush Barley, the newest sustainable paper available to print. This innovative material is crafted from a combination of post-consumer waste and barley draff, which would otherwise end up in landfills. The back label features a QR code which tells the story of the whisky and its make up. By prioritizing the circular economy and responsible packaging, Adelphi sets a new standard for eco-consciousness across the whisky industry.

Adelphi worked in collaboration with young Scottish artist – Reuben Sian de Gourlay, to create the artwork for the front label. Born in Dundee in 1998, Reuben recently graduated from UAL Camberwell College of Arts with 1^st class honours. In 2020, he was awarded ‘Young Fine Artist of the Year’ in the Scottish Portrait Awards.

Maclean’s Nose is available at specialty retailers across the country, please reach out to Office@ImpExBev.com for more information on where to locate this truly lovely dram.

About Adelphi Distillery Ltd
Adelphi is the parent company of the Ardnamurchan Distillery and Adelphi Selection, Scotland’s most acclaimed independent bottler of rare Scotch whisky. The award-winning distillery produces world class whisky on the remote Ardnamurchan peninsula, Scotland’s rugged west coast. They apply a sustainable approach to distilling and were awarded the VIBES Good Practice Award in 2021.

About ImpEx Beverages
ImpEx boasts an impressive portfolio, including some of the most notable small to medium sized distilleries and independent bottlers.
ImpEx Beverages imports Whisky, Gin, Rum, and Mezcal from Scotland, Wales, Japan, Israel, Mexico, England, the Caribbean, India, and New Zealand with future anticipated additions from unexpected destinations. We also feature a fine line of Liqueurs and Cordials produced in the US.
Regardless of your preference, you are sure to find something that pleases from the ImpEx Beverages Portfolio.

St. Magdalene 40 Years

1982 vintage from the lost distillery at Linlithgow, Edinburgh. Refill hogshead #2100 at 54.5% and just 150 bottles of history. St. Magdalene 40 Year Old 1982 vintage Lowland single malt Scotch whisky. Single refill American hogshead #2100. Distilled 1st July 1982 & bottled 6th February 2023 by Gordon & MacPhail for the Private Collection Lost Distilleries Recollection Series #2 . Just 150 hand-blown crystal decanters have been produced.

Buy St Magdalene 46yo

£3,000.00

Nose: Clove-studded orange aromas combine with sweet red apple and a hint of grapefruit. Butterscotch develops alongside subtle cocoa powder and mature oak.

Tatse: Sweet, smooth citrus fruit flavours are balanced by buctle black pepper. Poached pear comes to the fore, leading to walnut and subtle marzipan.

Finish: Full and spicy finish with lingering ainseed.

St. Magdalene’s malt whisky distillery was established by Adam Dawson at Linlithgow in 1824 and opened shortly thereafter. The Union Canal flowed right by on its southern doorstep and the Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway steamed right past on its northern flank ensuring easy access to rapidly expanding markets. St. Magdalene’s Distillery closed in 1983, later converted into private housing and is now a lost Lowland malt whisky distillery. All the whisky from St. Magdalene’s four stills went into blends during its working life, the few single cask bottlings are a modern development and listed amongst their limited number is Carn Mor’s 1982 vintage.

ARDBEG EXPERIMENTS WITH SAUTERNES CASKS TO CREATE A NEW

13 YEAR OLD WHISKY

< Distillery launches The Harpy’s Tale, a smoky-sweet ‘hybrid’, as the first release in its new Anthology Collection of unusual maturation styles >

22 August, UK – Islay distillery and smoky malt, Ardbeg has unveiled the first experimental and rare release in its new Anthology Collection – Ardbeg Anthology: The Harpy’s Tale.

Aged for 13 years in a combination of classic ex-bourbon and sweet Sauternes wine casks, this whisky presents a completely unique Ardbeg, characterised by a tussle between powerful smoke and rich sweetness. In homage to this unusual ‘hybrid’ style, its packaging takes inspiration from the fabled half-human and half-bird Harpy – an elusive, winged beast from ancient mythology.

Ardbeg The Harpy’s Tale is the inaugural whisky in the distillery’s new Anthology Collection: a range of experimental single malts that will present rare and exceptional Ardbegs, each matured in cask types that are completely new to the distillery.

Dr. Bill Lumsden, Director of Distilling and Whisky Creation, said, “We have embarked on a bold maturation experiment to fuse Ardbeg’s signature smokiness with more nuanced, sweeter notes for our new release The Harpy’s Tale – resulting in a very unusual and complex breed of Ardbeg. This is a dram that represents a battle between sweet and smoke – one I believe fans are yet to experience in an Ardbeg dram, and one that I’m sure they will be excited to taste for themselves.

“Collectively, the whiskies in the Anthology Collection will form a legendary, perfectly balanced and delicious series of rare and unusual Ardbegs, rich in both lore and taste. We look forward to revealing more in the Collection in the near future.”

Priced at £141 with an ABV of 46%, Ardbeg Anthology: The Harpy’s Tale will be available for purchase on Ardbeg.com, in Ardbeg Embassies, at the Distillery Visitor Centre on Islay and in selected whisky specialists.

RRP: £141 

For exclusive Ardbeg news and releases, fans and whisky lovers can sign up to the Ardbeg Committee by visiting www.ardbeg.com/ardbeg/committee . Membership is free, and all Ardbeg fans are welcome.

www.ardbeg.com

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Instagram: @ardbeg

Facebook: @ardbeg

Tasting notes

SOARING ARDBEG SMOKINESS… WITH SWOOPS OF SAUTERNES 

SWEETNESS

ABV:               46%

Colour Amber

Aroma            Distinctively oily with touches of extra virgin olive oil, sweet briar wood and aromatic herbs, such as coriander and sage, come to the fore. A gentle suggestion of smoked lemon peel appears for a brief moment. A splash of water reveals more oiliness, with linseed oil and an ever so slight waxiness. A burst of perfumed carbolic soap takes flight, leaving behind it a faint whiff of crème brûlée.

Taste               A soft, oily mouthfeel leads the way into a rich, woody sweetness in dark treacle and balsamic. Hints of oak moss break free as smokier notes begin to emerge. Aniseed lozenges, smoked apricots and eucalyptus oil merge in a unique and contrasting patchwork of flavours.

Finish              Finally, a long and lingering aftertaste of sweetness and smoke. A touch of cumin, cardamon and the merest hint of coconut bring this incredible dram to a close.

Ardbeg:

Ardbeg prides itself on being The Ultimate Islay Malt Whisky. Established in 1815, Ardbeg is revered by connoisseurs around the world as the peatiest, smokiest and most complex of all the Islay malts. Despite its smokiness, Ardbeg is renowned for its delicious sweetness, a phenomenon that has affectionately become known as ‘the peaty paradox’. During the 1980s and 1990s, Ardbeg suffered from an uncertain future, and it was not until the brand was purchased by The Glenmorangie Company in 1997 that the Distillery was saved from extinction. Since then, the Distillery has risen like a phoenix and today Ardbeg is well-established as a niche, cult malt, with a passionate following. Today, Ardbeg is one of the world’s most highly awarded smoky single malt whiskies. 

Ardbeg Committee:

The legacy of the whisky was safeguarded in 2000 by the formation of the Ardbeg Committee. The Committee is made up of thousands of Ardbeg followers worldwide who are keen to ensure that “the doors of Ardbeg never close again”. Today there are more than 180,000 members of the Ardbeg Committee in over 130 countries. Committee Members are regularly consulted on new bottlings and expressions and are offered exclusive Committee bottlings. Members also receive invitations to special gatherings, tastings and events. The Committee, chaired by Jackie Thomson, is free to join at Ardbeg.com.

Awards:

Ardbeg is one of the world’s most highly awarded smoky single malt whiskies.  Since 2008, Ardbeg has won more than 50 gold and double gold medals in key whisky competitions.  Ardbeg has twice been awarded ‘World’s Best Single Malt’ at the World Whiskies Awards (2010, 2013).  At the 2014 Global Icons of Whisky Awards, Mickey Heads was voted ‘Distillery Manager of the Year’.  The following year, Ardbeg’s expressions took the top three spots in Whisky Advocate magazine’s review of the best single malt Scotch whiskies under US$100.  Meanwhile, both Ardbeg Corryvreckan and Ardbeg Uigeadail have been awarded gold medals at the 2016 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Ardbeg 10 Years Old also won the Best Single Malt Scotch 10 Year Old at the International Whisky Competition 2019, while the Ardbeg Distillery won the Distillery of the Year 2019. In 2020, the International Whisky Competition awarded Ardbeg Corryvreckan first place for Best Single Malt Scotch, Best Single Malt Scotch (No Age Statement), Best cask Strength (Over 57% ABV), Best Peated Scotch and Best Islay Single Malt. Ardbeg Wee Beastie also earned first place for Best Single Malt Scotch Under 10 Year Old and The Ardbeg Distillery achieved another Distillery of the Year award. In 2021, Dr Bill Lumsden was awarded Master Distiller of the Year for the fifth time, and Ardbeg Uigeadail won World Whisky of the Year in the International Whisky Competition. In 2022, at the International Whisky Competition, Ardbeg was awarded The Distillery of the Year Award, while Ardbeg Ardcore won first place in Best New Scotch Release, Best Peated Single Malt and Best Islay Single Malt. In 2023 to date, Ardbeg has been awarded four Gold and eight silver medals at the International Spirits Competition, Silver in the International Wine & Spirits Competition and Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

The Glenmorangie Company:

The Company is one of the most renowned and innovative distillers and marketers of Scotch whisky brands worldwide and is part of Moët Hennessy, the wine and spirits division of Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton. Headquartered in Edinburgh, Scotland, the Company produces Glenmorangie Single Highland Malt whisky and Ardbeg Single Islay Malt.

Responsible Drinking:

Ardbeg and The Glenmorangie Company advocate responsible drinking and suggest that drinkers savour Ardbeg whiskies in moderation and in line with recommended daily guidelines for alcohol consumption.