HAPPINESS & JOY:
NEW VAULTS COLLECTION BOTTLING

The Society hasn’t bottled many casks from Distillery 94 but this one brings indulgence, sophistication and happiness, with leather chairs, Turkish delight, chocolate toffees and fruits on a mahogany table. This bottling is sheer JOY!

MANSION HOUSE LUXURY

Cask No. 94.14

OLD & DIGNIFIED

Cask: First Fill bourbon Hogshead

Age: 32 years

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

Award-winning distillery Glen Scotia unveils new limited-edition ‘Festival Release 2022’

Glen Scotia has unveiled its Festival Release 2022, to celebrate the return of the Campbeltown Malts Festival this year (24-26^th May).

The exquisite 8-year-old expression has been matured in heavily peated, first-fill bourbon barrels before a twelve-month finish in Pedro Ximénès hogsheads, a fortified dessert wine from southern Spain, giving it a perfect balance of gentle smoke, treacle and spice interwoven with Glen Scotia’s signature maritime notes.

The classic coastal influencer so well known in Glen Scotia drams comes through on the nose alongside notes of soft peat smoke, vanilla then fresh apples and pears. In the mouth, the liquid is smooth and silky with hints of runny treacle, spicy white pepper, sweet fruits and salted toffee – a wonderful balance of spice and the sherry cask influence. The finish picks up the mellow sea influence and light, floral honey.

Non-chill filtered, the heavily-peated and rich, amber-coloured liquid has been bottled at cask strength, 56.5% ABV. This limited edition will be available worldwide through specialist retailers, and to buy from the Glen Scotia UK online store from late April, priced at £55.

The Campbeltown Malts Festival is a pinnacle moment in the town’s calendar each year. It celebrates the exceptional whisky-production capabilities of the fifth whisky region and provides a platform for the three remaining distilleries in the town to showcase their artistry in dram-making to visitors from around the world.

Held online last year due to the restrictions of Covid-19, hundreds of whisky fans are expected to make the trip to Scotland’s west coast for a series of exclusive tours, tastings and celebrations including talks and experiments with whisky writers, Charles Maclean and Becky Paskin. Once known as the ‘Victorian whisky capital of the world’, Campbeltown’s whisky has been revived in recent years thanks to the efforts and superb quality of the spirit being produced by the last few distilleries.

Last year, Glen Scotia’s 25-Year-Old was awarded ‘Best in Class’ at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition out of more than 3,800 entries, and in December it was crowned Distillery of the Year at the Scottish Whisky Awards.

Iain McAlister, Distillery Manager and Master Distiller at Glen Scotia, said: “Our Festival Release 2022 is very special as it heralds the return of the much-loved Malts Festival and the opportunity for us to showcase our work in person once more to whisky fans from around the world. 

“The limited-edition release is an intriguing mix of characteristics, picking up our signature maritime style and the rich sticky sweetness from the Pedro Ximénès hogsheads. It is a liquid that has been crafted by our talented team and is a fantastic dram to enjoy while soaking up Campbeltown and all it has to offer.”

New for this year’s Malts Festival, Glen Scotia will also unveil an exhibition focusing on its distillery’s place in Campbeltown. Scottish artist in residence, Alice Angus, has been visiting the town since January  getting to know the people and community, the landscape and the inner workings of the distillery for her ‘Spirit Safe’ exhibition, a collection of artworks, which will be revealed on 25th May.

Like whisky production, Alice’s technique involves patience, time and experimentation. She uses pencil, watercolour and ink to draw from life, spending a long time observing her surroundings through sight,
sound, smell and touch, drawing similarities with the time and craftsmanship required in whisky production.

To find out more visit www.glenscotia.com

Tasting notes:

Nose: Signature Glen Scotia maritime scents with notes of gentle peat smoke, vanilla, fresh apples and pears.
Taste: Silky treacle, spicy white pepper, sweet fruits and salted toffee – a delightful balance of spice interwoven with the sherry cask influence.
Finish: Gentle coastal influencer and delicious lightly floral honey.

About Glen Scotia

Distiller Glen Scotia has been producing single malt whisky in Campbeltown since 1832 and is one of three surviving distilleries in Campbeltown. The distillery still maintains much of its original design, including the fermenters, the stillroom, and the dunnage warehouse dating from the 1830s.To this day, the distillery team follow in the footsteps of their founders, using traditional methods, carefully creating the unique Campbeltown maritime style the brand has become world-famous for. In 2021, Glen Scotia’s 25-Year-Old Single Malt Scotch whisky was awarded ‘Best In Show Whisky’ at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Over 3,800 entries across thirty-one categories were judged with Glen Scotia being awarded the overall winner across all countries and styles. In addition to this, Glen Scotia was also named Scottish Whisky Distillery of the Year at the Scottish Whisky Awards, an accolade it received just seven months after being crowned as the ‘Best in Show.’

Twitter: @GlenScotiaMalts
Instagram: @glenscotiamalts
Facebook: @GlenScotiaWhisky

A Spectacular, Hidden-Gem Collector’s Item in Aged Whisky

1991 North British 30 Year Old “Old Particular” K&L Exclusive Single Bourbon Barrel Cask Strength Single Grain Scotch Whisky

(750ml) (Pre-Arrival) ($149.99)
“It’s hard to argue with 30 years of patient aging for $150.”
— Andrew Whiteley, K&L Spirits Buyer

Grain whisky doesn’t carry the same caché among Scotch enthusiasts that single malt does, but in the right hands, it can present something altogether unique at a price that would make anyone grin. The most recent specimen from North British is a master class in superbly aged grain. Distilled in 1991, it’s a showcase of the indisputably great results you can find when you know where to look. As spirits buyer Andrew Whiteley explains, “the fact is when you give column-distilled whisky decades to mature in quality, first-fill casks and a Scottish aging environment, you get epic drinking of a whole different breed.” Intensely fruit-driven and easy-going, this cask is a transparently lovely dram that’s ready to impress from the very first sip. Our team was immediately taken by the profoundly luxurious profile—as David Othenin-Girard declared, “when we tasted this North British, we knew we’d have it regardless of the price.” As it so happens, the price is perhaps the most compelling feature of this under-the-radar gem. You’ll be hard-pressed to find another single-cask spirit with 30 years of age on it for a mere $150, and we suggest collectors and connoisseurs take full advantage while they can.

1991 North British 30 Year Old “Old Particular” K&L Exclusive Single Bourbon Barrel Cask Strength Single Grain Scotch Whisky (750ml) (Pre-Arrival) ($149.99)

K&L Notes:Once a bastion of ridiculous value, the single grain market has seemingly jumped the shark over the past couple of vintages. Supplies are tight and prices are high, but occasionally we come across casks that still far outpace their price point in terms of quality. This 30-year-old North British is exactly that. One of the more complex grains we’ve had in some time, it was aged for three decades in a fresh bourbon barrel, which likely accounts for the exceptional quality. The North British distillery was established in 1885 not far from Edinburgh Castle. Now controlled as a joint venture between Diageo and Edrington, it can produce upwards of 65 million liters of pure alcohol per year from mostly corn. The exceptional size of this distillery does not preclude it from making high-quality grain, and while most of the production is used in Famous Grouse and Johnnie Walker, we occasionally get access to products of high-quality at reasonable prices. The key, it would seem, to producing high-quality grain is using high-quality wood and allowing long maturation. This is exactly what we’ve got here. A gorgeous, creamy, and very approachable old grain for a very solid price.

Andrew Whiteley | K&L Spirits Buyer | Review Date: October 13, 2021

Fall in love with grain whisky all over again. The category is lost on so many drinkers because it’s not considered in its own right. It’s so often compared to single malt or to bourbon, but the fact is when you give column-distilled whisky decades to mature in quality, first-fill casks and a Scottish aging environment, you get epic drinking of a whole different breed. And often at a great price to boot (if you’re picky). What we have here is both bright and decadent. It’s got gobs and gobs of fruit ranging from tropical papaya, coconut, kiwi to fresh citrus zest and Meyer lemon flesh. A rich palate weight tickles the taste buds with a very subtle oak spice, just a whisper of cracked pepper and rye grass but loads of vanilla and cream. It’s hard to argue with 30 years of patient aging for $150.

David Othenin-Girard | K&L Spirits Buyer | Review Date: September 10, 2021

While the days of $250 dollar 50 year old grains seems to be long passed, there’s still some chances to find excellent values in this still underappreciated category. We’ve avoided most grains recently not only because the prices are high but because we’re damned picky. They need to offer something more than just value and while I don’t like to look at them as Single Malt light, there’s no reason to spend $100 on a relatively neutral 18 year old grain when there’s plenty of delicious 12-18 year old malt for the same price. But when we tasted this North British, we knew we’d have it regardless of the price. Ultimately this turned out to be a relatively good value considering the market place, but once you taste it, we think you’ll be back for more. The color is pale gold. The nose is a lovely mixture of lemon curds, bright zesty white flowers, tense green fruits (kiwi, greengage, lime), subtle aromas of sandalwood and jute. On the palate, an absolute bucket of yellow and green fruits, with some bits of vanilla extract. No need to add water here. It’s lovely just the way it is.

Glen Elgin
11 Years Old Killer Queen
Killer Queen- elegance and grace in a glass.

This is a beautifully balanced single malt whisky from Glen Elgin, aged for 11 years and finished in a Madeira Octave Casks. Glen Elgin spirit is renowned for its floral nature. Pairing the delicate spirit with this cask maturation is killer.

NOSE: Ripe freshly peeled oranges, touch of tart and lemon with faint aromas of delicate white wine, stone fruit and white blossom.

PALATE: Soft and dainty sweetness arrives first which gradually unfolds itself. Watered honey and blossom emerge accompanied by fresh lychees and a fresh and elegant white wine fades to an orange oil warmth.

FINISH: The orange fragrant warmth fades mingling with the rest of the Summer fruit basket for a long, smooth and utterly silken finish.

£95.00

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The Lakes Whiskymaker’s Reserve No.5 52% – (Bottle – 1/70cl)

£69.95

MAXIMUM 2 PER CUSTOMER

Embrace the optimism of spring and dive head-first into fresh flavour frontiers. Our Dram-cierge Team have been relentlessly exploring and have selected five of their favourite flavours available NOW in our online shop. This week we’re also delighted to announce an outstanding NEW Vaults Collection bottling. Keep scrolling to discover more.

DRAM-cierge FAVOURITES

ALL WHISKY

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

WhistlePig launches ‘No History No Rules’ inaugural UK cocktail competition

WhistlePig Rye Whiskey has launched its first ever UK cocktail competition, inviting bartenders across the country to explore the wonderful world of Rye whiskey.

The ‘No History No Rules’ competition has been borne out of WhistlePig’s ideology to rip up the rye rulebook and push the limitations of the category, rather than replicating what has been done in the past.

The inaugural competition is inviting bartenders to enter their cocktail creations that don’t conform to the norm, with the only rule being that WhistlePig 10 Year Old should feature in the recipe.

There will be five regional heats to the competition in London, Scotland, northern and southern regions and the midlands, with the final taking place on Monday 4^th July in London. The top scoring three contestants will all win a place on a superb VIP trip to Vermont to visit the home of WhistlePig later in the year, as well as receiving a special bottling from the distillery team in person. The overall winner will also receive a bottle of The Boss Hog VIII – WhistlePig’s stunning limited-edition Rye whiskey.

Dan Priseman, WhistlePig’s UK and European Steward of the brand said: “We are very excited to be launching our first ever WhistlePig Rye Whiskey cocktail competition for the UK and are hoping bartenders up and down the country will rip up the rule book and be as creative and trail-blazing as possible with their cocktail creations!”

“In the true spirit of WhistlePig, we will be celebrating the most unusual and inspiring drinks that bartenders can come up with – nothing is off the table and the only limit is your imagination.”

The competition is being hosted in partnership with BarLifeUK to help drive entries and raise awareness of the opportunity directly to the bartending community. Entrants have until 15^th May to submit their cocktail concepts online, before the regional heats begin later in May.

To find out more about the WhistlePig ‘No History No Rules’ cocktail competition or to enter online, visit HERE

A bit about WhistlePig Rye Whiskey:

On the 500-acre farm in Vermont where the distillery is located, the creative distilling team has reimagined what rye whisky could be, from finishing their 12 Year Old World Rye in a combination of wine casks, to having barrels custom made from their own Vermont oak trees to add depth of flavour to the 15 Year Old. Experimentation and innovation are at the heart of the distillery’s ethos and all the award-winning whiskies that they produce.

We’re delighted to announce the launch of our limited edition Hearts & Crafts Rum Cask Single Malt Whisky, which is now available to purchase on our website and in-store.Our Rum Cask Single Malt Whisky is the third expression in our Hearts & Crafts collection. This yearly limited edition series celebrates the Arts & Crafts movement which flourished here in the Cotswolds and stood for the importance of traditional craftsmanship – the same values upon which our beautiful rural distillery was built.For this release, we’ve selected a small parcel of premium French oak ex-red wine casks seasoned with Caribbean rum. The result is a well balanced single malt with delicious notes of baked apple, vanilla ice cream and a hint of nutmeg spice on the nose, soft brown sugar and ripe pears to taste, followed by dried tropical fruit.

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New Riff Bottled-In-Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml)

$39.99

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Whisky Advocate

 Fresh and delicate on the nose, with stone fruit—especially peaches—white pepper, orange Creamsicle, and spice. A generous oak backbone provides the foundation for plums, nectarines, black pepper, clove, chamomile tea, and piney cedar that sweeps into a dry oak, cocoa, iced-tea finish. Although a bit hot at times, the balance and array of flavors is an outstanding coup for this young distillery. (SSB winter 2018) 

K&L Notes

Quite frankly, there isn’t a project in Kentucky as exciting as New Riff if you’re a classic Bourbon fan. Ken Lewis and Jay Erisman and their incredible team have set out to make KY Bourbon and Rye in a very traditional manner, but with more flexibiltiy than the big boys in the state so they have the ability to riff on those classics for incredible special releases. The distillery is committed to their core products always being Bottled-In-Bond – the world’s strictest legal standard for spirits production. They’ve actually even gone a step further and engrained in their core production values the decision to never chill filter. They’re all about maximizing flavor. The flagship BIB bourbon is a high rye mashbill that brings a punchy spice without sacrificing that sweet caramel and vanilla profile that has made Bourbon such a beloved beverage. The quality is off the charts, everything is well aged (4 years is the minimum ever released by the distillery), the vibe is fun, and the price is right. In short – New Riff is the best new distillery to open in KY in decades.

Warehouse 2 Batch No. 003

Limited Release | 2015 Vintage | 70cl | 50.6% ABV

The third release in the Warehouse Collection, Batch No.003 has been crafted using a handpicked selection of ex-Bourbon barrels, Rum barrels and French Red Wine barriques. The spirit was distilled at the Fettercairn stills in 2015, patiently maturing in Warehouse 2 before being bottled in 2022.

Batch No.003 is a rare and remarkable Single Malt that has been shaped by its maturation; the unique dunnage environment it was produced in combination with the three cask maturation reveal a Whisky of distinctive character. It is a superb Highland Single Malt, displaying the wonderful Fettercairn house-style that is abundant with tropical flavours and soft spice.

£59.95

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Tasting Notes 

Colour: Natural golden amber.

Aroma: Warm honey, Alphonso mangos, brioche, cocoa, subtle forest fruits and waves of rose water.

Taste: Passion fruit, papaya, red berries and grape harmonised with sugared almonds, patisserie spice and heather honey.