2023 FESTIVAL RELEASES

Flavour hunting season is underway here at the Society, don’t miss out on the thrill of the chase. Our 2023 festival bottlings have been carefully curated by our spirits team to WOW the senses, wherever your preferred tastes lies AND are selling fast.

Keep scrolling to see this week’s festival releases PLUS a very special offer on our Happy Hamper. Or follow your nose…and watch our Head of Whisky Creation, Euan Campbell, take us through this exciting and diverse range…

EUAN TALKS RARE RELEASES

ALL FESTIVAL RELEASES

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

Loch Lomond Whiskies Reveals Last Edition in Exclusive Remarkable Stills Series

Loch Lomond 47 Years Old completes this rare series of exceptional single malt whiskies 

Loch Lomond Whiskies has completed its Remarkable Stills series of high-aged single malt whiskies with the release of Loch Lomond 47 Years Old.

The third and final release in this exclusive collection, Loch Lomond 47 Years Old is limited to 200 bottles globally, making it one of the rarest to be released by the distillery. It joins Loch Lomond 45 Years Old and Loch Lomond 46 Years Old to complete the range.

The Remarkable Stills Series is inspired by the distiller’s unique Straight Neck pot stills. These incredible stills give master blender Michael Henry the creative freedom to explore flavour in a more inventive way, carefully shaping the character of the whisky at the point of distillation, revealing distinctive fruit notes at a higher collection strength. As the only distiller in Scotland to use these innovative stills, Loch Lomond Whiskies’ approach to whisky-making is entirely unique, and allows it to craft an extraordinary flavour profile which is unlike anything else.

First distilled in the 1970s, Lomond 47 Years Old  began its journey in refill American Oak casks where it quietly matured on the banks of Loch Lomond for 43 years before finishing in 2^nd fill Oloroso Sherry casks, which adds additional dried, tropical fruit notes to compliment the distillery’s notable style characterised by orchard fruit.

Like its predecessors, Loch Lomond 47 Years Old is an unpeated whisky. On the nose it conveys toffee, orange and green apple with floral notes of rose followed by sultanas, cinnamon and nutmeg. The palette opens with a velvety mouthfeel, hints of caramel and vanilla are met with crisp green apple, melon and kiwi fruit complement floral notes of elderflower. The finish is long, initially sweet flavours of melted brown sugar followed by mouth-watering lime citrus and gently warming cinnamon spice. It is bottled at 44.3% ABV.

Natural in colour, the final product captures the story of Loch Lomond Whiskies’ innovative and imaginative spirit, underpinned by its unique capabilities.

Loch Lomond 47 Years Old is presented in a beautifully hand-crafted oak box with a copper centre inspired by the stills themselves.

Loch Lomond Whiskies Master Blender, Michael Henry said: “It is our unique Straight Neck Stills which set us apart from others. As the only distillery In Scotland to use these stills, our whisky making process is truly innovative and entirely one of a kind.

“Created in tribute to this incredible feat of engineering, our Remarkable Stills Series is as rare as the stills themselves. With only 200 bottles of each release available worldwide, every edition is as special as the one before it.

“Loch Lomond 47 Years Old is the final piece of this collection – a distinctively fruity single malt with an array of complex and complementary notes. It is a single-malt of exceptional character that perfectly captures the imagination and curious spirit of the Loch Lomond Whiskies distillery.”

Loch Lomond 47 Years Old Single Malt has an RRSP of £5750 and is available globally.  Each edition of the Remarkable Stills Series is limited to just 200 bottles making it one of the rarest collections of whiskies ever released by Loch Lomond Whiskies. Every bottle has been individually numbered to showcase its rarity.

Loch Lomond Distillery can trace its roots back to the Littlemill distillery, which was established in 1772 and is the oldest licensed distillery in the world. Its current malt and grain distilleries, in Alexandria, Dunbartonshire, close to the banks of Loch Lomond, were commissioned in 1964 with first distillation in 1966.

For further information visit www.lochlomondwhiskies.com.

Tasting notes

Nose: Toffee, orange and green apple with floral notes of rose then sultans, cinnamon and nutmeg.

Palate: Opens with a velvety mouthfeel, caramel and vanilla with crisp green apple, melon and kiwi fruit with floral notes of elderflower.

Finish: long, initially sweet melted brown sugar then mouth-watering lime citrus and gently warming cinnamon spice. 

About the Loch Lomond Group

• Loch Lomond Group is an independent distiller based in Alexandria and is home to several award-winning brands that are sold in more than 125 countries worldwide.
• Loch Lomond distillery has been producing the finest single malt whiskies since 1814.
• Images and interviews with key staff from the Group are available upon request. lochlomondgroup.com

About Loch Lomond Whiskies

• Loch Lomond Distillery has one of the oldest heritages in the industry. It was founded by American, Duncan Thomas, the owner of the Littlemill distillery which was licensed in 1772. In the 1930s Duncan Thomas was at the forefront of innovation within the Scotch whisky industry and his innovative philosophy is ingrained into everything that is done at Loch Lomond to this day.
• The multi award winning Loch Lomond whiskies range includes the Loch Lomond 12-Year-Old which has been awarded the Platinum Award in 2020, one of only 7 single malts to be awarded this honour at the San Francisco World Spirits Challenge 2020. Other expressions in the range are the single malts Loch Lomond Original; Loch Lomond Classic; Loch Lomond 18-Year-Old; Loch Lomond 50-Year-Old; the Loch Lomond Island’s Collection which includes the Inchmurrin and Inchmoan ranges as well as the deluxe blend Loch Lomond Signature and Loch Lomond Single Grain.
• Loch Lomond Inchmoan 12-Year-Old has been awarded Best Highland Single Malt 12 Years and Under at the 2018 World Whiskies Awards and a Gold Medal at the 2020 San Francisco 2020 Awards.
• Loch Lomond Whiskies was recently also awarded the following medals at the 2020 San Francisco World Spirits Competition:
• PLATINUM: Loch Lomond 12 Year Old
• DOUBLE GOLD MEDAL – Inchmurrin 12 Year Old
• GOLD MEDAL – Inchmoan 12 Year Old
• DOUBLE GOLD MEDAL – Loch Lomond 18 Year Old
• DOUBLE GOLD MEDAL: Loch Lomond 10 Year Old

Coronation Balmoral Whisky

This exclusive limited edition Balmoral Coronation Edition Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky celebrates the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III.

In recognition of The King’s long and fond association with Royal Deeside, the whisky is drawn from specially selected casks from Royal Lochnagar Distillery, a mile from Balmoral, the Scottish home of the Royal Family.

The first two bottles, in bespoke cases on plinths of Caledonian Pine from the Balmoral Estate, have been presented by Balmoral to HM The King and HRH The Prince William, Duke of Rothesay. One bottle will be retained as a commemorative record by the Royal Lochnagar Archive.

A further 1000 individually numbered bottles, bearing a gold engraving of His Majesty’s Scottish Cypher, are available for purchase exclusively from Balmoral Estates.

PLACE YOUR ORDER FOR THIS EXCLUSIVE WHISKY AND WE WILL ARRANGE FOR COURIER DELIVERY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AFTER THE CORONATION.

The Highland style of this celebratory whisky evokes the pine forests and grassy, floral nature of the surrounding area. Only five casks were chosen for this exclusive release. Aged 18 years, the distillery character still shines, mellowed by a long, gentle maturation in refill casks: European oak butts for richness and an American oak hogshead for sweetness.

On the nose, delicate notes of orchard fruits, freshly cut grass and orange peel emerge with dried ginger and liquorice; the medium-bodied palate is sweet and malty, with an abundance of fresh fruit, creamy butterscotch and oak spice towards the finish.

This whisky is bottled at a strength of 48% abv. This is a reference to both the year His Majesty was born (1948), and the first visit from Balmoral to Royal Lochnagar by the Royal Family – Queen Victoria & Prince Albert – in 1848; it is also the optimal strength for the perfect balance of flavours; with water, the light, fruity notes become more apparent

Distilled uniquely for Balmoral Estates at Royal Lochnagar Distillery.

Please note that this product can only be purchased if you are aged 18 years of age or over and is only available for shipping within the UK.

Keen followers of Wolfburn will remember the distillery visit by (then) Prince Charles, the Duke of Rothesay, back in 2019. Given his penchant for fine single malt we felt it appropriate to mark his Coronation with a commemorative release, based on the flavour profile most enjoyed by His Royal Highness during a private tasting held in the still house.

Slàinte Mhath

The Wolfburn Team

To celebrate the historical occasion of the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III we have crafted a special release, based on the flavour profile most enjoyed by His Royal Highness during his visit to Wolfburn Distillery.

Crafted from unpeated spirit matured for a little over seven years in first-fill bourbon barrels, this whisky shows off the best of Wolfburn’s signature soft, sweet spirit, with a remarkable depth of flavour, being bottled at an undiminished 57.8%. Consisting of just 600 bottles in total, this is truly a dram fit for a king.

TASTING NOTES

ON THE NOSE – Spring blossoms meet gentle oak smoke and dried fruit, all overlaid with a subtle sweetness.

ON THE PALATE – A mouthful of fruit cake: dates, almonds, maple syrup and dark chocolate are all present.  Give it time and subtle spices reveal themselves – gentle layers of cardamom and cinnamon.

FINISH – Hints of vanilla gently fade gently away with a warming trace of caramel at the end.

Non chill-filtered / Natural Colour
57.8% ABV.
70cl

SPEYSIDE FESTIVAL SINGLE CASK RELEASE

Flavour Hunters rejoice…in celebration of the Speyside whisky festival this weekend, we’ve just released a sensational single cask. Bursting with brilliance, say hello to Cask No. 108.69 Sweet limestone pavement. This exclusive festival release brings savoury sweetness with strawberry tarts and custard with a dusting of icing sugar and gentle spice. Quite wonderful and a flavour experience not to be missed.

AVAILABLE at 2pm today, click over to our website to BUY or keep on scrolling to discover more. AND be sure not to miss our Flavour Hunter Festival RARE RELEASES, seek them out before they disappear forever.

SPEYSIDE SINGLE CASK

ALL FESTIVAL RARE RELEASES

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 MACALLAN’S LATEST ADDITION TO FOLIO SERIES:

THE STORY OF THE BOFFINS BAFFLED

The Macallan has revealed the next instalment in the iconic series that celebrates the classic advertising campaigns of the brand – Folio 7.

The seventh release from The Macallan Archival Series highlights a campaign from 1984, telling the quirky story of a curious party of scientists who were invited to the Distillery to taste The Macallan single malt whisky for the first time.

The animations created for the campaign depict the scientists visiting The Macallan Distillery and enjoying a signature dram while discerning why whisky ages best in sherry seasoned casks. They are seen to be sniffing and sipping the amber-gold nectar in awe of their new discovery, before they depart in a flurry to investigate further the magic they have tasted.

First released in 2015, The Archival Series was created to commemorate The Macallan’s legendary print, press and film advertising campaigns of the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. By gathering the stories, anecdotes, drawings and photographs that featured as part of the campaigns, the series of individual releases showcases how The Macallan grew from a remote farmstead on the River Spey to become a world-renowned whisky recognised for its incomparable craftsmanship and creativity.

Art Director, David Holmes and Copy Writer, Nick Salaman were tasked to bring the brand’s essence to life in the 1984 advert. On hearing the account of scientists visiting The Macallan Estate, David and Nick, together with illustrator Mary Hogan (Nee Roberts), created an advert with exquisite verve, The Boffins Baffled, now re-imagined once more in Folio 7.

Euan Kennedy, Lead Whisky Maker, The Macallan, said: “Crafted to pay tribute to the magic and curiosity of The Boffins Baffled advert of the 1980s, Folio 7 is a captivating single malt whisky which truly reflects the iconic status of the artwork it celebrates.

“Offering a fruity nose of apple and pear, raisins, milk chocolate and orange peel then give way to vanilla and baked fruits on the palate, leaving a long, creamy finish with warm spices. With its interesting flavours, Folio 7 offers a unique way to experience The Macallan and one of its most unforgettable advertising campaigns from decades past.”

The Macallan Folio 7 features an ABV of 43% and is priced at £350. It is accompanied by a special booklet commemorating the brand’s vintage advertising, presented in a beautiful book-shaped tin. Folio 7 will be available for sale from April 2023 when a ballot opens through The Macallan Online Boutique, as well as from The Macallan Estate Boutique and selected global travel retail Boutiques.

For further information visit www.themacallan.com.

Whisky Makers Notes

Colour: Golden honey

Nose: Dried fruits, baked apple and pear, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, chocolate, orange and oak.

Palate: Raisins, fig, milk chocolate, orange peel, vanilla, baked fruits with light spices.

Finish: Long and creamy with dried fruit and warm spices.

About The Macallan

Founded in 1824 on a plateau above the River Spey in north-east Scotland, The Macallan is renowned globally for its incomparable craftsmanship, creativity and innovation with each bottle of single malt whisky revealing its unique mastery of wood and spirit.

Social and environmental sustainability is at the heart of The Macallan, and as part of its commitment to establishing a positive legacy it revealed its award-winning new Distillery in 2018. Designed by internationally acclaimed architects, the building takes inspiration from the surrounding ancient Scottish hills and is located on The Macallan’s beautiful 485-acre Estate. To this day, the single greatest influence on The Macallan’s sought after portfolio of single malts is its sherry seasoned oak casks from which its whiskies derive their distinctive flavours, aromas and natural colour.

Crafted without compromise. Please savour The Macallan responsibly.

Double Cask by Erik Madigan Heck

Each expression within The Macallan Double Cask Collection is a complex sensorial journey,  distinctively captured through this artistic collaboration with photographer Erik Madigan Heck.

The Double Cask Collection celebrates the coming together of two styles to create a unique character, underpinned by familiar flavours of The Macallan single malt whisky.

Inspired by classic, Flemish still life paintings of the 17th century, Erik has created a series of still life images that bring the flavour notes of each whisky to life through the lens of his unique, signature style.

EXPLORE THE COLLECTION

Discover Double Cask

The Macallan Double Cask Collection has a prominent, unmistakable sweetness which is attributed to the higher proportion of American sherry seasoned oak casks used for maturation.

The Macallan Distillery Experience, The Macallan Distillers Ltd,  Easter Elchies, 

Craigellachie, Moray, AB38 9RX, Scotland, +44 (0)1340 318 000

K&L Exclusive Casks from a Rye Icon at Excellent Pricing

An early pioneer of the craft whiskey boom, Whistle Pig is a unanimous favorite among collectors and connoisseurs of the finest ryes, with limited-release bottlings often fetching several hundred dollars (or more in the secondary market). At incredibly accessible pricing, these two age-stated K&L exclusive casks offer everyone the chance to experience the singular character of one America’s great rye whiskey icons.

Whistle Pig 6 Year Old “PiggyBack – K&L Exclusive Single Barrel” 112.7 Proof Barrel #6375 100% Canadian Rye Whiskey (750ml) ($54.99)

K&L Notes: Whistle Pig has expanded their single-barrel program to include the new Piggyback line. This makes for one of the most affordable single-barrel ryes out there and means it carries a 6-year age statement. At an assertive 112.7 proof, this barrel is sure to delight.

Andrew Whiteley | K&L Spirits Buyer | Review Date: April 18, 2023

Whistle Pig has always been a premium product. While that is still certainly true of their PiggyBack label, it’s delightful to have a more affordable product in the lineup, especially for single barrels. At nearly half the price of the 10-year, this is full-throttle, 6-year-old rye whiskey as a proper cask-strength single barrel. The color is a rich copper tone, the nose a mash of sweet wood, cracked peppercorn, toasted rye bread, and zippy mint. On the palate, vanilla and rich cream really mingle in with dark pit fruits like cherry and plum, as well as old-fashioned kettle pop corn with its mix of sweet and savory. A lively herbal line acts much like acidity in wine, providing contrast and lift to all the other flavors. This is very much in the vein of Heaven Hill’s Pikesville Rye, wildly drinkable at a full proof but with so much stuffing you can do anything with it. Your Manhattan game will never be the same.

Whistle Pig 10 Year Old “K&L Exclusive” 102.1 Proof Barrel #173988 Single Barrel Cask Strength Straight Rye Whiskey (750ml) ($99.99)

K&L Notes: Whistle Pig’s 10-year single-barrel program has put out some veritable legends over the years. One of the early craft pioneers, they have benefitted tremendously from long-standing relationships for sourcing top-notch whiskey. The 10-year program still offers some of the most delicous rye around. This single cask comes in at 102.1 proof and is so sweet and easy-drinking that you’ll find yourself reaching for this bottle time and time again.

Andrew Whiteley | K&L Spirits Buyer | Review Date: April 18, 2023

This epic single barrel from Whistle Pig comes from Warehouse 1, Rick Y, Level 2. It is proper cask strength, but sits just a fraction over 51% ABV, a classic proof. It has a complex and heady aroma. While most rye has a distinct black pepper note, this is more of a roasted mild pasilla pepper, with all of the fruit, spice, and smoky notes that brings. A big dollop of sweet American oak brings vanilla and caramels into the fold. On the palate, more of a cherry cola or Dr. Pepper-type profile, sweet, a little nutty, a little fruity, a lot delicious. The finish is long and lingering with a greater focus on sweet spices like cinnamon, all-spice, and hand-frothed Mexican hot chocolate.

Email: wine@klwines.com
Phone: (877) KL-WINES (Toll Free 877.559.4637)
K&L Wine Merchants 3005 El Camino Real Redwood City, CA 94061 USA
San Francisco, Redwood City, Hollywood CA

Three American Oak Whiskies:
TD0094, TD0195 & TD0444

American Oak single casks TD0094, TD0195 and TD0444 are ready.

First-fill, second-fill, and cask strength. With these three Sullivans Cove single casks we offer the full spectrum of American oak; from the gentle and restrained influence of second-fill to the ultra-generous wrappings of first-fill, and the powerful and rare cask strength.

TD0094 Second-Fill American Oak

Lemonade icy poles and lychee galore. A superb display of citrusy, fruity Sullivans Cove spirit, complimented by the gentle vanillic, oaky-coconut spice of American oak.

TD0094 was matured for 15 years in a second-fill 300L American oak cask, and yielded 405 bottles.

FULL CASK DETAILS AND TASTING NOTES

TD0195 American Oak ex-Bourbon

Dubbed “a kids party in a pine forest” by one distiller, this single cask boasts wave after wave of exceptionally well-integrated, fresh and confection-driven American oak. TD0195 was matured for 15 years in a first-fill 200L American oak ex-Bourbon cask yielding just 197 bottles.

FULL CASK DETAILS AND TASTING NOTES

TD0444 Cask Strength American Oak ex-Bourbon

With notes of creaming soda, incense-smoked pineapple chunks, hazelnut cream and fresh earth, there’s no misunderstanding why TD0444 was chosen to be the first Sullivans Cove Cask Strength bottling in 5 years.

At 9 years old this powerfully decadent second-fill ex-Bourbon cask yielded just 191 bottles at an astounding 66.9%

FULL CASK DETAILS AND TASTING NOTES

These whiskies will be released via ballot, opening for 24 hours from 10am Hobart time on Monday 1 May. Further details, including links to the ballots, will be sent via email prior opening.
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A note on our ballot system.  Our policy is one entry per person, per household, per ballot. Our fraud detection algorithm detects multiple entries and removes them to ensure our whisky lands in the hands of our genuine supporters, so to ensure your entry counts, please enter each ballot once only. If you have any questions around our ballot process, you can email us at info@sullivanscove.com Successful entries will be notified shortly after the ballots close.

EXCLUSIVE PEATED SINGLE MALTS
HAND-PICKED BY THE EXPERTS

As part of our 50th anniversary special bottlings, we’ve released a selection of peated single malts from across Scotland and beyond, available exclusively at The Whisky Exchange. Peat has an incredible variety of flavours to discover, from the beach bonfires of Ardbeg and Islay, through the combination of sherry and peat, to exciting flavours in whiskies from from unexpected sources.

SHOP NOW

Kornog 2016 6 Year Old
Peated Refill Pedro Ximénez

£99.95

SHOP NOW

Millstone Peated 2017
5 Year Old Oloroso Sherry

£59.95

SHOP NOW  

Orkney 2006
16 Year Old Sherry Cask

£135

SHOP NOW

Islay 1991
30 Year Old

£475

SHOP NOW

Our range includes a 30-year-old from a mystery Islay distillery bottled by Signatory Vintage, with gentle sweet smoke, baked apples and chocolate limes on the palate, along with a 2016-vintage Kornog French single malt selected by our co-founder for its pronounced fruitiness and old-fashioned peat character reminiscent of peated Chichibu. Explore our full selection of smoky drams you won’t find anywhere else.