OUR TOP PICKS FOR MARCH

Our top picks for the month are a great place to find inspiration for a new bottle. With St. Patrick’s Day around the corner, we’re showing some love for our favourite Irish whiskies – from the single pot still Redbreast Lustau Edition to the 12-year-old Connemara Peated single malt – alongside our favourite vibrant Irish gins made with locally-foraged botanicals from its stunning seashores, hills and countryside.

TOP 10 WHISKIES

Dive into the vibrant Irish whiskey universe, including traditional drams from Bushmills and Irish Distillers, and modern favourites like Waterford and Dingle.

Loch Lomond Whiskies Unveils Limited Single Grain Scotch Whiskies

Innovative duo grow the distiller’s Single Grain collection

Loch Lomond Whiskies has unveiled two limited Single Grain releases which exemplify the distiller’s innovative range of whisky-making techniques.

Loch Lomond Single Grain Distiller’s Choice and Loch Lomond Single Grain Cooper’s Collection Mizunara Cask Finish are brought together by Master Blender, Michael Henry.

Using only 100% malted barley with an additional long fermentation time then distilled in Loch Lomond’s bespoke all copper, Continuous ‘Coffey’ Still, it creates a spirit with layers of deep and elegant floral fruit notes, showcasing Loch Lomond’s capability in flavour creation through distillation.

Loch Lomond Single Grain Cooper’s Collection Mizunara Cask Finish is the first in a series of annual limited releases. Limited to just 3,000 bottles, the special edition is one of the rarest Single Grain whiskies to be released by Loch Lomond Whiskies.

Loch Lomond is one of only four distilleries in Scotland to have an on-site cooperage. This ensures that barrel repairs and charring are carried out to an exacting standard, so every cask is perfect for maturing Loch Lomond Whiskies’ characterful spirits.

Michael has worked closely with Loch Lomond Whiskies’ dedicated team of coopers to craft this release, carefully selecting higher age-statement whiskies to be matured in first and second fill American Oak Bourbon barrels. This special Single Grain is then finished for six months in the finest hand-crafted, rare Mizunara Japanese Oak casks, to elevate the natural flavours found within. The result is a whisky of wonderful character, enhanced with rich, fragrant spice derived from the Mizunara Oak casks.

Complementing this, Loch Lomond Single Grain Distiller’s Choice marries a careful selection of Loch Lomond Whiskies’ aged single grains with more vibrant liquids, resulting in a whisky with layers of elegant fruit and floral character. This exquisite Single Grain is matured in a selection of both first fill and second fill American Oak Bourbon barrels.

Both Single Grain whiskies are non-chill filtered and natural in colour, just as nature intended.

Each bespoke black grain bottle is embossed with the Loch Lomond Whiskies logo in striking silver and carries Michael’s signature as a personal guarantee of quality.

Loch Lomond Whiskies Master Blender, Michael Henry said:

“We’re proud to introduce the latest additions to our Single Grain portfolio. Crafted using our innovative Coffey still, these are two very special whiskies with distinct and diverse flavours.

“Each expression has been crafted to showcase the floral fruit notes through distilling and influence finishing has on our grain whisky through cask selection.”

Loch Lomond Whiskies is truly unique in its craftsmanship, using innovative techniques to explore flavour in a distinctive way. As the only distillery in Scotland to use its bespoke design of continuous Coffey Still, Loch Lomond Distillery has a whisky-making capability like no other.

This continuous still provides Loch Lomond Whiskies with greater control over the distillation process by allowing spirit to be taken off at different plates and at specific strengths, shaping the flavour profile and character of the whisky at the point of distillation.

Loch Lomond Distillery can trace its distilling heritage back to 1814. 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.

Product specific detail 

Loch Lomond Single Grain Distiller’s Choice

The nose of Loch Lomond Single Grain Distiller’s Choice carries deep floral and fruit notes of rose, violet, peach, pear and blackcurrant with vanilla and coconut, some honey and

chocolate. The silk like mouthfeel glides over the tongue, bringing tart fruits of blackberry and green apple with golden barley before a long finish of vanilla fudge sweetness and

gently warming cinnamon spice.

It is bottled at 48.8% ABV and has a RRSP of £50. 

Loch Lomond Single Grain Cooper’s Collection Mizunara Cask

Loch Lomond Single Grain Cooper’s Collection Mizunara Cask combines rose, honeysuckle,

blackcurrant and toasted oak on the nose. On the palate there is sweet spice character with apple, sandalwood, honey and cinnamon, with a dry, warming oak spice finish.

It is bottled at 50% ABV and has a RRSP of £60.

Both releases are available globally.

For further information visit www.lochlomondwhiskies.com.  

Tasting notes 

Loch Lomond Single Grain Distiller’s Choice

Nose: The nose carries deep floral and fruit notes of rose, violet, peach, pear and blackcurrant with vanilla and coconut, some honey and chocolate.

Palate: The silk like mouthfeel glides over the tongue, bringing tart fruits of blackberry and green apple with golden barley.

Finish: Long, with vanilla fudge sweetness and gently warming cinnamon spice.  

Loch Lomond Single Grain Cooper’s Collection Mizunara Cask

Nose: Rose, honeysuckle, blackcurrant and toasted oak.

Palate: Sweet spice character with apple, sandalwood, honey and cinnamon.

Finish: Dry, warming oak spice.

About 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.
• For further details, please visit: 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.
• In 1814, the original site of the Loch Lomond Distillery was established near Tarbet, towards the north-west end of Loch Lomond; an area which has been at the heart of the whisky industry for centuries. With at least nine distilleries around the loch lost over the years, Loch Lomond Distillers has maintained a proud local tradition into the 21^st
• 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

We’re embracing flavour this month with another superb selection of whiskies, including a distillery code that’s new to SMWS Canada, and happens to be from Ireland which seems appropriate for March – enjoy!

HAZELNUT BUBBLE GUM

Distillery 19 Rare Release

REGION:  Highland

CASK TYPE:  1st fill ex-bourbon barrels

AGE:  18 years

FLAVOUR PROFILE:  Spicy & dry

BOTTLED FOR THE 2022 HIGHLAND WHISKY FESTIVAL

PRETTY WACKY!

Cask No. 128.19

REGION:  Wales

INITIAL CASK:  Ex-bourbon barrel

FINAL CASK:  2nd fill custom barrel

AGE:  11 years

FLAVOUR PROFILE:  Juicy, oak & vanilla

BOTTLE NOTE:  “Wow, amazing, exotic fruits from a different planet, tropical, silky, smooth, sweet, and juicy as we ‘tasted the rainbow of fruit flavours.”

SANDALWOOD OLIVE PRESS

CASK NO. 150.4

REGION:  Ireland

INITIAL CASK:  1st fill ex-bourbon barrel

FINAL CASK:  1st fill ex-rye barrel

AGE:  7 years

FLAVOUR PROFILE:  Sweet, fruity & mellow

BOTTLE NOTE:  “Green apples, green mango and banana skin fused with sandalwood, cinnamon and tobacco leaves before juniper berries and olive oil combined.”

OLD-SCHOOL WITH A TWIST

CASK NO. 4.312

REGION:  Highland Island

INITIAL CASKS:  Ex-bourbon hogsheads

FINAL CASK:  1st fill ex-bourbon barrel

AGE:  13 years

FLAVOUR PROFILE:  Lightly peated

BOTTLE NOTE:  “‘Smoked’ accompanied by scallops with a Spanish touch. A single malt originally from bourbon hogsheads, married in a 1st fill bourbon barrel.”

MARMALADE MATURED COGNAC

CASK NO. 35.310

REGION:  Speyside

INITIAL CASK:  Ex-Oloroso butt

FINAL CASK:  1st fill heavy char #4+ puncheon

AGE:  20 years

FLAVOUR PROFILE:  Deep, rich & dried fruits

BOTTLE NOTE:  “Heavy aromas of marmalade, cognac, chocolate coated figs and walnuts in rich cake joined cranberry sauce and espresso with roast venison.”

‘FOR PETE’S SAKE’

CASK NO. G15.14

REGION:  Highland

CASK TYPE:  2nd fill ex-bourbon barrel

AGE:  8 years

FLAVOUR PROFILE:  Peated

BOTTLE NOTE:  “A chimney fire in a Scottish laundry was the pub-talk – enlivened by a hoppy IPA, intensely sweet smokiness with a burst of citrus flavours.”

FORTUNE FAVOURS THE BRAVE!

CASK NO. 93.174

REGION:  Campbeltown

CASK TYPE:  1st fill ex-bourbon barrel

AGE:  8 years

FLAVOUR PROFILE:  Peated

BOTTLE NOTE:  “Go for it, peppered smoked mackerel, rustic smoked Greek cheese, smoked eels, smoked cockles in brine and spicy, smoky, sweet and sour dill.”

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society Canada
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403-969-8225
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The Lakes Whiskymaker’s Reserve No.6

Transport yourself to the Cumbrian beauty spot within The Lake District! The latest dram to drop from The Lakes Distillery is the sixth edition of Whiskymaker’s Reserve. Matured in a combo of Oloroso, PX and red wine casks, bottled at a lovely 52% abv. The Lakes distillery, of Cumbrian beauty spot The Lake District, present this complex and aromatic English single malt, released as part of their Whiskymaker’s Reserve series. The range is a showcase of The Lakes’ sherry-led house style, and for No.6, the whisky was matured in only the best Oloroso, PX and red wine casks. At natural colour, and bottled at 52% abv.

£85.00
BUY NOW

Nose: cardamom, lemongrass, cumin, ginger and rose water.

Palate: dates, fruit cake and five-spice.

Finish: spicy and rich.

JAMESON

18 YEAR OLD

70CL | 46%

£155

WAS £180

SAVE £25

SHOP NOW

An 18-year-old blended Irish whiskey from Jameson that was matured in American and European oak casks, before being married in virgin American oak barrels for six months. Expect notes of sherry-soaked raisins, toffee and vanilla alongside nuttiness and oak spice.

Women have been instrumental in making the Society what it is today. The three As of Anne Dana, Anne Griffiths and Annabel Meikle came from different backgrounds and hadn’t planned to have a whisky career. But driven by a thirst for knowledge, an encouraging environment and openness to new ventures, these women ended up shaping some of the most recognisable parts of the Society.

As we celebrate International Women’s Day today, let’s raise a toast to these AMAZING Society women. We’ve asked our two Helens, Trine, Ebba and Anja in our DRAM-cierge team to select some suggestions in their honour. Plus –  find a NEW Maverick Dram-Cierge Mystery Malt trio with bottles from three different regions.

Keep on scrolling to discover more or click over to our website to read this month’s International Women’s Day-inspired Unfiltered.

DISCOVER MORE

ALL OUTTURN BOTTLES

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

Blair Athol

10 Years Old

‘Strawberry Fields’

NOSE: Pronounced fruity aromas are immediately detectable, followed by oak, strawberry jam, a touch of chocolate and warmth of spice.

PALATE: A quick strike of cracked black pepper fills the mouth and dissipates. A softer red fruit and sweetness ooze onto the palate. Unctuous and rich jam, chocolate and dried fruits follow close behind. A touch of leather, oak and a hint of vanilla meander through.

FINISH: The warmth remains long in the mouth, accompanied by the more mature chocolate and leathery tones. A drying spice lingers on.

£66.99

Shop now

13 Years Old

‘Tapestry’

NOSE: A bright fruit-driven nose of apricots, stewed apples, brown sugar and a touch of sticky toffee.

PALATE: A complicated dram indeed. Layers of delicate stone fruit, tinned fruit syrup and icing sugar weave in and out of richer classic sherry influences of sticky toffee pudding, dates and chocolate.

FINISH: Bright sugars and fruity syrup mellow first, leaving the headier notes to share centre stage with cinnamon spices and black pepper. Long warmth mellows in the mouth over the next few minutes.

£66.99

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Miltonduff

16 Years Old

‘Let’s Stay Together’

NOSE: Bold sherry initially cloaks the intricacies, but time and a touch of water reveal more delicate cooked fruits, cinnamon and cloves. A touch of milk chocolate skulks around the back.

PALATE: Rich sweetness washes over the palate with bright sparks of pepper from the alcohol. As the dram mellows, deeper stewed fruits and milk chocolate give way to lighter stone fruits and layers of spice.

FINISH: Milk chocolate and fruit fade first, revealing Christmas cake and a touch of nuttiness. Bags of spices loiter for a lengthy, balanced finish.

£98.99

Shop now

Mortlach 15 Year Old Distillery Labels 46% Description

WATERFORD DISTILLERY ANNOUNCES LAUNCH OF CUVÉE: ARGOT SINGLE MALT WHISKY

Waterford Distillery has today launched their new single malt whisky, Cuvée: Argot

Cuvée: Argot marks a new entry point for Waterford Whisky, available worldwide

The new product forms part of the distillery’s Cuvée Concepts, each of which layer distinct Single Farm Origins to give even greater complexity of flavour

1^st March 2023: Ireland’s Waterford Distillery, producer of natural whiskies, has announced the launch of Cuvée: Argot, a permanent addition to its single malt whisky range and accompanying Cuvée Concept.

Launching from 1^st March, Cuvée: Argot is the distillery’s first permanent global bottling, marking a more accessible entry point to the world of Waterford Whisky.

Cuvée: Argot – pronounced “ar-go” – , is created as a vibrant, enthusiastic bottling, bringing together several of Waterford Whisky’s’s Single Farm Origins adding depth and ultimate complexity, with a hint of true Irish peat following the success of the distillery’s bottlings of Ballybannon and Fenniscourt launched last year – the first whiskies to use real Irish peat for generations.

Waterford Whisky’s Cuvée Concept, inspired by the legendary châteaux of France, is the first of its kind in the single malt whisky industry. By harvesting, distilling and maturing Irish barley farm by farm, each with its own distinct terroir-derived flavour profile, the Cuvée: Argot’s complexity combines a number of distinct Single Farm Origins – each one a unique whisky in its own right – to create a signature bottling from the distillery.

Full transparency and traceability of the Cuvée: Argot is accessible by its game-changing TÉIREOIR code. Utilising pioneering technology, drinkers have full access to how the barley was harvested, stored, malted, and distilled – ensuring the diligence and veracity of each Single Farm Origin.

Mark Reynier, Waterford Distillery Founder and CEO, says:

“We are delighted to introduce the Cuvée: Argot as part of our continued quest to uncover whisky’s most natural flavours. At Waterford Distillery, our view is rather than a manufactured product, Waterford Whisky is an agricultural produce. It’s of the land; our reverence for its raw material, barley. And Argot is our introduction to that Waterford Whisky world.

“On the one hand we can express barley by letting Ireland’s farmlands do the talking via our Single Farm Origins; or as in this case, with ultimate creativity, we can bring these flavours, those barley ingredients together for ultimate harmony and complexity in  the same way as Bordeaux Grand Vin and Champagne Grand Marques.

“With this new addition to our ever-growing collection of bottlings, Argot is a refreshing, more accessible bottling for whisky lovers and flavour enthusiasts to experience our Cuvée Concepts.”

Tasting Notes by Ned Gahan, Head Distiller at Waterford Distillery:

Cuvée: Argot is matured fully in a mixture of 37% first-fill US Oak, 19% Virgin US oak, 19%

Premium French Oak and 23% Vin Doux Naturel.

The whisky has aromas of orange peel, almonds stewed apple, bread crust, green foliage, mixed berries, fennel and white chocolate, with the flavours of bell peppers, granola, grapefruit, smokey barbecue, banana milkshake, green apple skin – the finish is long, warming, peppery and dry.

About Waterford Distillery  

Waterford Whisky, the world’s largest producer of organic and biodynamic whiskies, is on a quest to unearth whisky’s most natural flavours.

Unashamedly influenced by the world’s greatest winemakers, Waterford Whisky obsessively brings the same intellectual drive, methodology and rigour to barley – the very source of malt whisky’s complex flavour.

Extolling a hundred exclusive farms of Irish-grown barley, the distillery searches for natural flavours via three paths: its Single Farm Origins pursue the individualism of terroir-derived flavour; its Arcadian Farm Origins express the intensity of flavour from alternative philosophies and long-forgotten varieties; whilst its Cuvées revel in the ultimate sophistication, where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

With this unique commitment to natural and profound flavours, Waterford Whisky is agricultural produce, not a manufactured product.

For more information, visit https://waterfordwhisky.com/

1995 Glenallachie 26 Year Old “Hart Brothers Finest Collection” K&L Exclusive Cask Strength Single ex-Bourbon Barrel Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

$226.34 View

The excellent distillery that’s garnering so much hype these days was unheard of just a few years ago. While the distillery is focused mainly on the heavy sherry offerings, this exciting first fill ex-bourbon cask is a window into the unique character of this special distillery. Opened relatively late in 1967 just outside of the town of Aberlour, it’s in very good company geographically. Directly to the north is the wonderful Aberlour distillery and to the west Dailuaine. Due south you’ll find Benrinnes and a bit further GlenFarclas. Finding an expression of this age and caliber from any of these distilleries is rare, but a until recently GlenAllachie at this age and quality was nearly unheard of. That’s because all the stocks went to the blends. Now, with the change in ownership, some things have shaken loose a bit. Expect a quintessentially Speyside ex-bourbon style here with tons of fruit, honey, and whiffs of blooming heather. A truly special barrel from an equally special distiller. Bottled at cask strength of 111 proof and without chillfiltration or coloring.

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