Our June 2023 collection schedule has now been finalised.

Please click HERE for the list of dates, locations and to register your interest in this service. The deadline for collection requests is 12noon on Monday 12th June 2023.

Home collections are available for those customers sending 10+ bottles or bottles to the value of £1000. Unfortunately this service is not available in London or to those customer who live within 10 miles of a collection point.

Collections are limited and offered on a first come first served basis.

It is essential that a submission sheet is completed, you can do so under the selling section on your ‘My SWA’ page.

It would be appreciated if bottles could be packed for uplift with your name clearly marked on the front of the box.

A winner in our auction? We are now offering a delivery service to customers who are dropping bottles off for a future auction. This service is charged at £12 (inc VAT), optional loss and breakage cover is available.

Submission Form & Label

The Visitor Centre is officially now in the busy season, with up to 130 visitors a day, and likely to continue thus till mid-September. There is always terrific feedback for all the Tour Guides in the Visitors’ Book and on TripAdvisor  and a whole host of nationalities visiting. Dogs are frequent very welcome visitors, and people are still keen to spot the Netflix famous cats!

Meantime we are pleased to see the return of our swallows. Currently returned and nesting, and getting quite noisy! Thank you to Zoe Barrie for the wonderful photograph.

We were delighted to welcome lots of familiar faces back to the distillery for another Bear Burning – an event held annually to thank our 1494 Members who helped us to start producing whisky again after a mere 500 years or so. The weather was typically Scottish and a bit dreich but everyone had a wonderful time, helped along with some lovely food, delicious drams and great music.

We hope to see as many of you as we can at the distillery this season.

Slàinte

Drew & Helen McKenzie Smith
Custodians of Lindores Abbey

DISTILLERY NEWS

Now back in production in the distillery, we have made some slight changes to the mashing process as our recipe had drifted a bit – not in quality, but in quantity. The cost of malt has increased by 91% over the last year or so, and therefore more than ever it’s essential to get the best we can from it. Dean and the team have brought it back in line and we’re delighted to report an increase of 5% in our yield. This equates to about 20 litres for every mash.

Cask prices are also rising. A sherry butt is now costing into four figures in pounds sterling; and of course it’s vital for us to keep ourselves well supplied. We’re aware our customers enjoy some of our more unusual cask fills. Later in the year we are intending to invest in some more new casks and that will be an exciting time for all of us.

Slàinte

Gary Haggart
Distillery Manager

THE BEAR BURNING 2023

In May 2023 we once again welcomed our 1494 Members and VIP’s to Lindores Abbey Distillery to commemorate another year of whisky making, none of which would be possible without their support.

We once again celebrated by lighting the 300 foot bear which is carved out on the hill above our distillery and hosted whisky tastings, a ceilidh and enjoyed some delicious food.

The bear and ragged staff was carved into the hill to commemorate the links between the Earl of Warwick and the first Abbot of Lindores Abbey, Guido who was a cadet of the Earl.

The lighting of the bear is a truly spectacular sight and the ancient wee town of Newburgh comes to a standstill to witness it.

HOW THE BEAR GOT UP THE HILL

Until the 1970s, Newburgh pageants were held in the abbey ruins and gave way in due course to the Newburgh Festival. Those were the days of Arts Council funding for community events, and youth workers were deployed to help set up large scale dramatic reconstructions. Jim Lee takes up the tale:

‘In 1981 when the first Newburgh Festival was formed, we were looking for a logo. The previous pageants had been held in the abbey ruins, so we decided to use something connected to the abbey. We decided on the Bear with the Ragged Staff, the Coat of Arms of the Earls of Warwick.

‘That year, one of the Scottish Arts Council people came up with the idea of putting the Bear on the hill. This isn’t as easy as it sounds – you have to take account of perspective to draw it out so that it looks right from a distance. A surveyor was brought in, and he stood in the abbey ruins, communicating with others on the hill via walkie-talkie. They used pegs to set the proportions of the Bear. The outline was then marked out using lime; it was only intended to last the one year.

Unfortunately however, the wind got up; so Tommy Howison, the landowner, sent Wendell Wilkie up the hill to plough the outline before the lime was all blown away.

‘The bear was first lit up in 1986, when I helped to set up and clear up. I took over the bear burning the following year and have done so ever since. This will be my 36th year of burning the bear, and I hope to continue for a few more yet! I’m very lucky that I have a good team. Members have come and gone through the years, but they always give their time and talents to make sure that the burning is spectacular. Without them it wouldn’t happen.’

The Bear with the Ragged Staff is still seen in many places and many a pub is named after it, in its home counties of Huntingdon and Worcestershire (the boundaries having changed through the centuries).

Closer to home, you can walk up the High Street in Newburgh and see, above the Bear Tavern, the original sculpture of the Bear with the Ragged Staff from the lintel of the Abbot’s House, which was next to the Slype in the Abbey ruins.

International Shipping Update

We want to thank you for your patience and understanding as we’ve been working on a new solution for International Shipping. We are happy to let you know that we will be relaunching International Shipping to select countries this Summer. Please be assured you will be the first to know as soon as we do.

Stock of The Distillery Pedro Ximénez Single Cask, The Teapot Dram 008 and the new Teapot Dram 009 remain reserved for our international members. We will be in touch as soon as we are ready to start shipping later this summer.

Suntory Hakushu 12 Year Old Japanese Peated Single Malt Whisky (750ml) (Elsewhere $213) ($169.99)

David Othenin-Girard | K&L Spirits Buyer | Review Date: April 05, 2023

Everybody is all over Yamazaki, but for me, Hakushu is the real gem in the Suntory portfolio. While Yama takes all the glory, Hakushu quietly produces some of Japan’s most delicious whisky. Some people look at our description and are worried that the “peat” will be too much. This is in fact a lightly peated product distilled on Hakushu’s narrow necked stills. The resulting spirit is full of vibrant complexity and the peat is so perfectly integrated that few would pick it out as the main attraction. Instead, expect a gorgeous nose of wet forest floor, candied stone fruit, citrus oils, clove oil, fresh herbs, jasmine flower, green tea, sweet malt, and tobacco leaf. On the palate, the freshness and vibrancy is paramount, offering sweet, almost candied malty character tempered with a zesty citrus note and an oily texture. The peat pops up on the finish in a lovely balancing way. In my opinion, this is the better of the two Suntory flagship single malts and certainly the one I’d hand to any expert or regular Scotch drinker who might be Suntory curious.

Andrew Whiteley | K&L Spirits Buyer | Review Date: April 05, 2023

Hakushu has always been my favorite of the Suntory malts. The sweet and elegant malt profile is rounded out beautifully by the gentle peat smoke, giving the whisky more body and texture than its brothers. The “forest distillery” also produces a verdant whisky—it feels green and fresh, cool and earthy. Moist peat and cool mint gently hold up the bouquet of flowers and cereal notes. The palate is extremely balanced with pepper and cinnamon playing off the sweeter grain notes. The smoke is more rich body than intense fire. A long and earthy finish is sweetened by a maple syrup and caramel note that leaves a very pleasant aftertaste. With Japanese whisky being so hard to get these days and the price ever increasing, you have to get while the gettin’ is good.

Gary Westby | K&L Champagne Buyer | Review Date: June 27, 2019

This expertly crafted single malt has extraordinary balance for a peaty style and a refreshing, salty lightness that makes me come back for more. I love that this has the smoke and complexity of peat but doesn’t get bogged down with oily heaviness. To the contrary, this is a refreshing whisky that is fantastic to enjoy after a big meal!

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

First International Whiskey Trail Launches in Pacific Northwest: Slàinte to the Northwest Whiskey Trail! 

The new Northwest Whiskey Trail features seven distilleries across British Columbia, Washington State, and Oregon. 

SAANICH, BC (May 18, 2023) – Whiskey enthusiasts, it’s time to pack your bags and head to the Pacific Northwest for a one-of-a-kind experience. The Northwest Whiskey Trail, the first of its kind to cross an international border, launches today and is ready to welcome enthusiasts and newcomers to the world of single malt and potstill whiskey.

The brainchild of Graeme Macaloney Ph.D., CEO and Whiskymaker at Macaloney’s Island Distillery, the Northwest Whiskey Trail is an international adventure taking visitors through British Columbia, Washington State, and Oregon. This self-guided trail features seven distilleries, each with its own character and history, offering visitors an unforgettable whiskey experience.

“We are thrilled to finally unveil the Northwest Whiskey Trail, a unique and exciting experience for whiskey lovers,” said Graeme Macaloney. “Our goal is to showcase the incredible distilleries and whiskies found in the Pacific Northwest, and to provide a fun, educational and memorable experience for visitors. Collectively, we export our whiskies to every continent and can’t wait for whiskey enthusiasts from around the world to come and explore this beautiful region and all it has to offer.”

The trail showcases the best award-winning (including World’s Best & Country Best) whiskies in the Northwest, including those made by Westward Whiskey in Portland, OR, Copperworks Distilling and Westland Distillery in Seattle, WA, Macaloney’s Island Distillery in Victoria, B.C., Goldstream Distillery in Cowichan Valley B.C., Shelter Point Distillery in Campbell River, B.C., and Deep Cove Brewers & Distillers in Vancouver, B.C. Visitors will have the opportunity to explore each distillery’s unique distilling process, sample their signature whiskey, and learn about the history and culture behind each brand.

“When Graeme first approached us with the idea of creating an international whiskey trail featuring like-minded craft distilleries in the Pacific Northwest, we thought it was a brilliant idea,” said Copperworks Distilling Co. president, co-founder, and co-owner Jason Parker. “We’re excited for more people to visit, learn about the distilleries, and most importantly, taste the difference between each distillery.”

One of the highlights of the trail is the Northwest Whiskey Trail passport. Visitors can collect stamps at each of the participating distilleries along the trail, and once they fill up their whiskey passport, they can redeem it at their final distillery for an exclusive, limited-edition Northwest Whiskey Trail Glencairn whiskey glass, pictured above.

The trail takes visitors through stunning landscapes and scenic routes, from the pristine coastlines of British Columbia to the rolling hills of Washington State and the urban landscapes of Portland. The Northwest Whiskey Trail is the perfect opportunity for visitors to immerse themselves in the Pacific Northwest’s rich whiskey culture while enjoying the region’s stunning natural beauty.

Whether you’re a seasoned enthusiast or a newcomer to the world of single malt and potstill whiskey, the Northwest Whiskey Trail is the ultimate experience. So, grab your passports, pack your bags, and head to the Pacific Northwest for a whiskey adventure you’ll never forget.

For more information about the trail, please visit www.northwestwhiskeytrail.com.

About the Northwest Whiskey Trail: The trail is the World’s first international whiskey trail. It consists of seven award-winning single malt whiskey distilleries from Portland and Seattle to Vancouver Island and Vancouver. Each distillery offers visitor centre tastings and most also offer immersive, experiential distillery tours. Participating distilleries collectively export to Europe, Asia, Australia, S. America and N. America, therefore the trail represents an opportunity for international single malt whisky consumers to come to the source of their favourite whiskies. A trail passport provides a trail map for navigation, and allows tourists and whisky enthusiasts alike to collect a stamps from each distillery. Upon completion of all seven distilleries, participants earn a complimentary limited-edition Northwest Whiskey Trail Glencairn whisky glass as a souvenir of their accomplishment. www.northwestwhiskeytrail.com

Refer-a-friend and make someone’s day…

We are happy to have just launched our Refer-a-Friend programme: give a friend 15% off The Whisky Shop, and as a thank you you’ll receive 15% off for yourself. Refer as many friends as you like! Keep up to date with successful referrals in your My Account section.

Sharing is caring. Start shopping via our Customer Favourites below for inspiration, or refer a friend now.

Refer a Friend→

As we get ready to move into our new Masterton Bond warehouse later this month, we’ve uncovered some hidden gems – the VERY last drops of some outstanding bottlings.

We’ve just added some unbelievable casks to our website at their original price. Don’t miss the opportunity to grab a bottle or two before they disappear forever… But be quick, numbers are low and limited.

LET’S GO

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

LAGAVULIN

16 YEAR OLD

70CL | 43%

£66.75

WAS £81.75

SAVE £15

SHOP NOW

An essential whisky for fans of peat from one of Scotland’s most well-known distilleries. Considered the benchmark of Islay single malts, the 16-year-old from Lagavulin is rich and distinctly smoky with flavours of Lapsang Souchong tea, pipe tobacco and a touch of iodine.

The Islay representative in the ‘Classic Malts’ series is a deep, dry and exceptionally peaty bruiser. Probably the most pungent of all Islay malts, Lagavulin is not for the faint-hearted but inspires fanatical devotion in its many followers.

Tasting Notes by David Broom for Whisky Advocate

Lagavulin is a classic example of how smoke isn’t a blunt instrument that covers everything in a fog, but an element that works with all the flavours produced in distillation and maturation. Lagavulin isn’t ‘smokey,’ its peat moves into a weird territory of Lapsang Souchong tea and pipe tobacco, fishboxes and kippers. It smells of laurel and light cereal, but is always sweet. The palate shows more creosote, with hints of kelp and a little touch of iodine. Complex.

ARE YOU GOING TO WHISKEY LIVE THIS WEEKEND IN DUBLIN?

If so, we will see you there, same stand as last year!

As a heads up for those going, and those that are not, we will have an exclusive bottling for Whiskey Live. This bottling marks the end of our Cooley stock which we loved dearly.

It’s the same good Rum and Raisin Single Malt we used to have in the early batches but it was rested for a year in Acacia wood. It’s brilliantly fruity with just enough wood spice.

The bottles are exclusive to Whiskey Live and all are purchased through the CWS shop. You must collect your hessian sack at our stand first before making your way to the shop where CWS staff will redeem your sack with your bottle purchase.

As we are not policing the shop there is no limit per person, but there are less than 200 available at a generous price of €54.95 RRP.

As usual this bottling follows the Killowen commandments: cask strength, non chill filtered, no colouring, integrity bottling and all round loveliness.

We look forward to seeing you all at Dublin Whiskey Live and if you can’t go get a friend going to pick up a bottle for you!! ;D

Sláinte

The Killowen Distillery Team

Killowen Distillery Ltd
29 Kilfeaghan Road
Rostrevor
Newry, County Down BT34 3AW
United Kingdom

We are thrilled to announce that we have been awarded a gold medal for our Cotswolds Bourbon Cask and silver medals for The Cotswolds Harvest Series: Golden Wold and Cotswolds Reserve at the San Francisco World Spirits Awards 2023. This competition is globally recognised as the standard for acknowledging the highest quality spirits in the world, and winning these medals is an exceptional achievement and a testament to the superb quality of our spirits.

Cotswolds Bourbon Cask 

Our Bourbon Cask is for those who appreciate discovering the most authentic flavours of single malt whisky. This award-winning spirit boasts aromas of honey, butterscotch, and apples, with flavours of lemon, baking spices and toffee apples.

Rob Patchett, Global Whisky Ambassador said “Our Cotswolds Bourbon Cask is our purest whisky to date, using the best quality first fill American oak casks from distilleries such as Basil Hayden’s and Bookers. These incredible quality casks help amplify our fruity spirit and really show our outstanding distillery character.”

Experience the unparalleled quality of our Bourbon Cask for yourself.

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“We’re incredibly proud to have won these awards from such a prestigious competition. It’s a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team to create spirits of the highest quality,”

Founder and Executive Chairman, Daniel Szor

We want to thank you for your continued support and loyalty to the Cotswolds Distillery. As always, we are committed to crafting exceptional spirits that you will love and enjoy. If you haven’t already, we highly recommend trying our award-winning Cotswolds Bourbon Cask. This pure and authentic single malt whisky is best served simply, allowing its delicate flavours to shine.