News

Scotch Malt Whisky Society “Discovering the world of casks” – Scotch Whisky News

From the forest to the cooperage, each cask type brings its own character to the whisky. Our specialist casks include a variety of wood types and treatments, each contributing unique notes and complexities. Experience the diversity that these casks offer, from rich and spicy to smooth and fruity. Experience the rich complexity of our specialist and experimental casks, each adding its own character to our exceptional whiskies.

Explore our specialist casks, the best examples of the vast variety we offer, where different wood-types add unique flavours and complexities to the whisky. These casks are crafted with specific toasting and charring levels, unlocking new flavour possibilities through innovative wood treatments.

SPECIALIST & EXPERIMENTAL CASKS

Ever wondered about the origins of our casks? At the Society, we guarantee the quality of each cask used for sherry maturation. From the heart of the forest to the artistry of the cooperage, get the full scoop with Richard Goslan.

READ MORE

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

SMWS LOGO 2017 NEW

Isle of Harris Distillery “Awards Galore!” – Scotch Whisky News

The distillery team have been getting their gladrags on and enjoying the glitz and the glory of some glamorous award ceremonies recently. We’ve been delighted to add to our already over-burdened award cabinet over the last few months with a slew of new trophies and medals for our island spirits.

The Hearach Single Malthas been recognised by professional judges and juries from across the world and we’re very proud to be putting Harris on the map in this way.

Here’s the accolades so far this year…

Berlin International Spirits Competition 2024: The Hearach – GOLD
London Spirits Competition 2024: The Hearach – GOLD
World Whisky Awards – Best Islands Single Malt – GOLD
San Francisco Spirits Awards 2024: The Hearach – SILVER
International Spirits Challenge 2024: The Hearach – SILVER
International Wine & Spirit Competition 2024: The Hearach – SILVER

Oran Mor Whisky Awards 2024: The Hearach – BEST NEWCOMER WHISKY
Oran Mor Whisky Awards 2024: The Hearach – BEST MALT (ISLAND)
The Scotsman Scran Awards 2024: The Hearach – BEST WHISKY

Slàinte to continued success!

LOCH LOMOND 18 YEAR OLD Whisky of the Year 2024 – The Whisky Exchange News

LOCH LOMOND 18 YEAR OLD

Our Whisky of the Year 2024 is the full-bodied and fruity 18-year-old single malt from Loch Lomond. Matured in three types of American oak casks, this whisky is the perfect representation of the distillery’s signature style, with layers of rich fruit, sweet honey and subtle warming smoke.

This stunning single malt was matured in American oak casks from Loch Lomond’s on-site cooperage, adding a full-bodied and creamy texture to the spirit as well as aromas of tobacco leaf, buttered toast and vanilla. The palate is filled with notes of baked apple, grapefruit, honeysuckle and gooseberries, while the finish bring gentle wisps of smoke and hints of rich oak.

A fantastic display of what Loch Lomond is capable of and the worthy recipient of our Whisky of the Year 2024 award.

Ambassador Billy Abbott Tried Loch Lomond 18

  SHOP NOW  

The Whisky Shop “JOHNNIE WALKER DELIGHTS” – Scotch Whisky News

JOHNNIE WALKER DELIGHTS

If there is one brand that is synonymous with the words ‘blended whisky’, then it is Johnnie Walker. Old Highland Walker as it used to be known, rose from small beginnings in Kilmarnock, Ayrshire to become the world’s best selling Scotch whisky. The expressions are made primarily using single malt from the ‘Four Corners of Scotland’: Glenkinchie (Lowland), Caol Ila (Islay), Cardhu (Speyside) and Clynelish (Highland).

Johnnie Walker’s influence cannot be denied, nor can its exemplary taste. Pick up a bottle to remind yourself just how fantastic blended whisky can be.

Johnnie Walker Red Label

The world’s best selling Scotch whisky. With its combination of light whiskies from Scotland’s east coast and dark, peaty whiskies from the west coast, Red Label holds an extraordinary depth of flavour. The taste travels right across your palate to deliver a flavour experience no ordinary whisky can match.

£23.00
SHOP NOW

Johnnie Walker Blue Label

The rare casks used in the blending of Johnnie Walker Blue Label are drawn from the largest reserves of whisky in the world. The casks are hand-selected and set aside for their exceptional quality, character and flavour. Only 1 in 10,000 containing whisky of sufficient character to deliver its remarkably smooth taste.

£160.00
SHOP NOW

EXPLORE JOHNNIE WALKER

A Day at the Johnnie Walker Experience

On an extremely grey June day, The Whisky Shop team headed to Edinburgh to attend the capital city’s premier whisky attraction: The Johnnie Walker Journey of Flavour Experience. Let’s see what we thought!

READ ARTICLE 

Free Next Day Delivery for 12 Months For just £14.95 you can enjoy free next day delivery on all your orders for a whole year! Geographic restrictions apply, see full T&Cs. Find out more

Clermont Steep ‘The Single Malt Sidecar’ Sips for 4th of July – Whiskey News

Clermont Steep – Suntory Global Spirits’ first foray into the American Single Malt category, this whiskey focuses on a single grain – 100% malted barley. ABV: 47% | SRP: $60

The Single Malt Sidecar

2 oz Clermont Steep American Single Malt

1 oz Orange Liqueur

.5 oz Fresh Lemon Juice

Lemon peel, for garnish

Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

Ardray Blended Scotch Whisky – Milroy’s of Soho News

Ardray Blended Scotch Whisky 48% 70cl

£55.00 £49.95

Ardray Blended Scotch Whisky 48% 

Think you know blended Scotch? Ardray has come along to put a fresh perspective on all that. An exactingly crafted combination of malt and grain aged for up to 20 years, Ardray is a celebration of the art of blending. Two years in the making, it’s been created by the Suntory blending team – the very same people that make Hibiki, Yamazaki and Hakushu. The result is remarkable. Ardray is rich and sumptuous with a honeyed mouthfeel delivering florals, citrus, and a hint of smoke. An extraordinary blended Scotch that’s a masterclass in balance and finesse. 

Tasting note:

Nose: Ardray opens with an elegant gentleness which develops into orchard fruits and subtle spices that sit above an understatedly savoury smoke. 

Palate: The theme continues but this time with a mouth-coating, silken texture. More florals come through, along with vanilla custard and more smoke. 

Finish: Long, mellow and pleasantly warming with the smoke whispering on.

COUNCIL releases new Scotch Whisky Documentary “MASTERS OF WHISKEY” – Whisky News

COUNCIL releases new Scotch whisky documentary “MASTERS OF WHISKEY”

Masters of Whiskey (2024) follows twenty-three candidates on their journey to whiskey mastery, and to the top ranks of the world’s leading study and certification body devoted to whiskey. The rigorous three-day exam takes place on the remote Isle of Raasay, in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland, at one of the nation’s newest and most picturesque distilleries.

THE FILM

The film peers behind the scenes of the world’s most challenging whiskey exams, where candidates must pass a blind tasting exam, an oral theory exam, and an essay exam overseen by many of the world’s leading authorities on whiskey—including Charles MacLean, Dave Broom, Hans Offringa, Becky Offringa, Steve Beal, Martin Duffy, Bernhard Schäfer, Sébastien Gavillet, Monique Huston, Arthur Nägele, Tobias Gorn, Alasdair Day, Guy Sporbert, Dan Crowell, Adam Edmonsond, Nik Kosobucki, Tom McCormick, Siddharth Sawkar, John Wabeck, and Sam Wright. In addition to sixteen first-time Master of Scotch and Master of Bourbon candidates, seven current Masters of Scotch or Bourbon return for their shot at the top global title, Master of Whiskey.

The Harris Journal: MEET THE PEOPLE BEHIND OUR DRAM – Scotch Whisky News

Our historic island dram flows from Harris hands…

Meet Shona Macleod, one of the key people behind the development of The Hearach single malt whisky ‘recipe’. Shona grew up only few steps from the distillery doors and after studying Hospitality Management in Glasgow felt a strong pull home to her roots here in the Isle of Harris.

In December 2014, she joined the distillery as part of the Tarbert 10, the original ten members of staff, and began her journey as our Guest Services Manager. Her involvement in the sensory and quality aspects of our Isle of Harris Gin naturally led Shona to develop an interest in whisky production and tasting.

Today, Shona now proudly serves as our Distillery Blender, focusing on The Hearach she was instrumental in creating, and the art and science of maturation cask selection.

MEET THE PEOPLE BEHIND OUR DRAM

WELCOME TO MIAMI! REVEL IN A GLAMOROUS MOMENT WITH THE NEW ROYAL SALUTE 21 YEAR OLD MIAMI POLO EDITION – Scotch Whisky News

WELCOME TO MIAMI! REVEL IN A GLAMOROUS MOMENT WITH THE NEW ROYAL SALUTE 21 YEAR OLD MIAMI POLO EDITION

Royal Salute, the master of exceptionally aged Scotch whisky, invites whisky lovers and cultural appreciators alike to savour a taste of Miami with the latest addition in its iconic Polo Collection; the Royal Salute 21 Year Old Miami Polo Edition, where every sip encapsulates the glamourous city’s vibrant backdrop.

Royal Salute’s link to polo has been a long and illustrious one, dating back over 15 years, and the newest polo-inspired expression comes endorsed by celebrated player and Royal Salute World Polo Ambassador Malcolm Borwick. The Royal Salute 21 Year Old Miami Polo Edition is the sixth edition in its renowned Polo Collection and continues the Scotch whisky’s ethos of entering new kingdoms by capturing the culture of emblematic polo locations around the world. Celebrating its famed polo clubs and vibrant scene, Miami is a modern-day polo destination and takes the spotlight as the inspiration behind this new blend.

Expertly crafted by Royal Salute’s Master Blender Sandy Hyslop to embrace the essence of Miami’s sun-kissed energy, the new expression presents a first in Royal Salute’s blending history, with a bespoke whisky finished in a blend of classic first-fill bourbon and first-fill rye casks. The result of this all-American oak cask finish is superbly smooth with vanilla and coconut notes resonant of Miami’s golden beaches, and a subtly spiced finish that captures warm city sunsets.

Commenting on the latest release, Sandy Hyslop said:

Miami is such a dynamic city, so we wanted to craft a blend that would echo this with an exciting new dimension. Selecting the finest first-fill bourbon and rye casks to finish the special formulation of whiskies aged for a minimum of 21 years allowed us to impart some incredible flavours and emphasise the sweet and spicy notes of the final blend, perfectly nodding to Miami’s vibrant scene.”

Capturing the playful allure of the city, the 21 Year Old Miami Polo Edition is presented in a striking pink flagon, itself housed in a stunning presentation box adorned with an illustrative design depicting glamorous post-polo match gatherings, set against Miami’s infamous art-deco architecture.

Royal Salute World Polo Ambassador, Malcolm Borwick, comments:

Miami is a special place and somewhere I’ve spent a lot of time, being such an integral stop on the international polo circuit. The city’s cultural energy is electric, and as a contemporary capital of polo, it’s a fitting destination to honour within the Royal Salute Polo Collection. Capturing its dynamism within a high-aged Scotch whisky is no easy feat, and this new blend will be a perfect dram to enjoy after my next polo match there.”

The Royal Salute 21 Year Old Miami Polo Edition will be officially unveiled in Palm Beach in April 2024 through a two-day event, including a high-energy polo match at Grand Champions Polo Club in Wellington, when Malcolm Borwick will take to the field in front of a crowd of over 300 guests for the ‘Royal Salute Polo Challenge in Support of Sentebale’. The event will bring together guests championing the charity’s work supporting vulnerable people and their communities to address issues of health, wealth inequality and climate resilience in Lesotho and Botswana. Royal Salute has been a long-term supporter of the charity which was co-founded in 2006 by Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex and the Prince Seeiso of Lesotho.

The Royal Salute 21 Year Old Miami Polo Edition is available in limited quantities at specialist retailers globally from 11th April 2024 at an RRP from $190 USD. Follow @royalsalute and visit royalsalute.com to discover more.

The Harris Journal: Meet Donald Mackay – Scotch Whisky News

The Hearach whisky takes its name from the Gaelic word for a native of Harris. So, every box of our single malt features portraits of local men and women from our community.

Meet Donald Mackay, better know here as ‘Mossie’, from Scalpay who is planning to celebrate his 91st birthday in July of this year. Born in 1933, he was born and brought up on the island but spent much of his life at sea and has seen plenty of the world as a result.

Today, he is happily retired and still lives in Scalpay with views of the south harbour, where he’s a proud ‘seanair’ to his 7 grandchildren. A legendary dancer, after seeing him in action at our launch weekend cèilidh last year, we’re happy to confirm his energy and love of life remains undiminished! A huge thank you to him for allowing us to capture some of his Hearach spirit…

ORDER THE HEARACH


Powered by WordPress