Killowen Distillery Peated Single Malt –
Rum & Raisin Irish Whiskey wins Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition

Not only has our new Peated Single Malt – Rum & Raisin Irish Whiskey received a Double Gold medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, but it is also a finalist for Best of Class Single Malt Irish Whiskey. We are absolutely delighted that the newest addition to our portfolio has been so highly awarded after only a few short months on the market. The SFWSC judges its entrants via a panel of industry experts and is the oldest and most respected blind tasting competition in the world. We are delighted to have received such a prestigious accolade.

A Peaty Twist on our Classic Signature Finish – 

100% Peated Single Malt Irish Whiskey

After ageing in bourbon casks, this Peated Single Malt has been divided and finished in Killowen’s own Dark Rum Casks & PX Sherry Casks.

Proudly Sourced from GND County Louth and finished on site in Killowen Distillery, this peated single malt is the perfect compliment to the marriage of PX Sherry flavours of prunes, figs & raisins combined with rums tropical Caribbean notes of coconut & vanilla.

If you haven’t already tried this absolutely wonderful whiskey, it is available at the Duty Free in both Dublin & Cork’s Aiports, local independent off-sales and currently available on our website.

Try it here

Sláinte

The Killowen Distillery Team

The oldest expression in Jura’s new signature range, this 18 year old Island single malt is matured in American white oak ex-bourbon barrels and enriched in Premier Grand Cru Classe red wine barriques from France. This is a verified award-winner, with prizes at major competitions including:

•  Silver – International Wine & Spirits Competition 2024

NEW ARRIVAL:
JAMESON 23 YEAR OLD

This stunning whiskey has been partly matured in oloroso sherry casks to create a luxurious palate of tropical fruits, subtle spices and warm chocolate brownies. At the heart of this remarkable blend is a fruity core of aged Irish pot still whiskey. Midleton in County Cork is the only distillery in the world with pot still whiskies of this age and maturity, making this limited-edition bottling all the more special. A Jameson blend of this age and quality would make an ideal centrepiece for any collection and an unforgettable gift for any lover of Irish whiskey.

 SHOP NOW 

Highland Laird Longmorn 17YO, 43.2%

THE REVIEW

It isn’t every day that we get our hands on a good value, old anything. The folks at Bartels Whisky are happily changing that with this rather classic example of Longmorn.

You have to really go back a good decade to see mid-teen Longmorn on the shelf for below £70 a bottle. This is such a wonderful example of how tropical, sweet and delicious Longmorn is, with an attractive price tag, from a company who are clearly here to offer good value to the whisky drinker.

Other companies could have amped this price up with a pretty box and a fancier bottle, nope, not here. We get a well age, gently oak driven Speyside that has all of the grace and style that we know Longmorn to have. I’ve left the company website below, so please do go and check out their options.

BARTELS WHISKY

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#Ardbeg #ArdbegDay2025 #ArdbegSmokiverse

 LIMITED EDITION EXPLORES A FRUITY NEW DIMENSION IN TIME FOR ARDBEG DAY

< Distillery’s first “high-gravity” whisky invites Ardbeg fans into the Smokiverse >

Ardbeg Day is a global celebration of all things Ardbeg, held annually on the last Saturday of Islay’s Festival of Music and Malt, Fèis Ìle. Marking 25 years of the Ardbeg Committee, this year’s festivities on Saturday 31^st May are set to be out of this world. At the Distillery and across the globe, Ardbeg will transport smoky malt lovers’ tastebuds to a fruity new dimension, with Ardbeg Smokiverse. This limited edition will be the Islay Distillery’s first whisky crafted from a high-gravity mash, resulting in a distinctly vibrant, tropical and fruity spirit.

Ardbeg’s Whisky Creation Team began experimenting some years ago with the mashing process, in which malted barley is converted into fermentable sugars. One of their experiments involved reducing the amount of water used in the packed mash tun. This unconventional “high-gravity” mash magnified the intensity of flavour-active compounds known as acetate esters, leading to a fruitier, more tropical spirit. Aged in bourbon casks, this Ardbeg whisky unveils layers of muscovado sugar, ripe barley, and toasted sourdough bread, all culminating in a burst of ripe tropical fruits and sweet peat.

Dr Bill Lumsden MBE, Ardbeg’s Director of Whisky Creation, said: “The first whisky we have ever made with a high-gravity mash, Ardbeg Smokiverse takes our single malt’s classic peaty character to a new frontier of flavour. By ramping up the density of our wort to new heights, we’ve drawn in fruitier, sweeter flavours from the deepest corners of the mash tun. Upon first sip, you can expect a vibrant burst of fruity, ester notes, rather like smoked bubblegum, along with aromas of barley. Then peaty notes collide with juicy, tropical fruits, before sinking into a rich depth of muscovado sugar.”

Inspired by this high-gravity mash, the Distillery will bring to life a space-inspired universe on Ardbeg Day. Committee Members and their smoky-malt-loving friends can experience the delights of high gravity in the Smokiverse: a place filled with cosmic games, space-themed cocktails, whisky tastings and smoky bites.

Jackie Thomson, Ardbeg Distillery Visitor Centre Manager and Ardbeg Committee Chair, said: “We’re inviting whisky fans from all corners of the world to join us – both at the Distillery, the beating heart of the Smokiverse, and beyond – to celebrate Ardbeg Day. We’re thrilled to share this whisky with smoky-malt lovers everywhere and send their tastebuds into overdrive with the release of this extraordinary new expression.”

Ardbeg Smokiverse will be available to buy exclusively from Ardbeg.com and Ardbeg embassies from 28^th – 30^th May, and will then be available from 31^st May via other whisky specialists and online retailers, RRP: £93.

For more news on Ardbeg Day 2025 and all things Ardbeg, smoky malt whisky fans can join the Ardbeg Committee at ardbeg.com/en-gb/committee

www.ardbeg.com

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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Ardbeg

Instagram: @ardbeg

Ardbeg Smokiverse Tasting Notes:

ABV:      48.3%

Colour: Bright Gold

Aroma: A burst of fruity, ester notes, almost like smoked bubblegum, along with a beautiful aroma of ripening barley and toasted sourdough bread. With water, more of the smoke notes appear, but in this instance the peat smoke is very sweet and aromatic, almost reminiscent of juicy tropical fruits which have been gently smoked.

Taste:    A rich, creamy texture is followed by some sharp sooty and spicy notes, like tar, creosote, aniseed and clove, but these are tempered with a distinctive sweetness, like muscovado sugar. There are some structured, woody notes, like sweet oak and leather.

Finish: Some earthy peat moss, bonfire embers and charcoal. 

RRP: £93

Ardbeg

Ardbeg prides itself on being The Ultimate Islay Malt Whisky. Established in 1815, Ardbeg is revered by connoisseurs around the world as the peatiest, smokiest and most complex of all the Islay malts. Despite its smokiness, Ardbeg is renowned for its delicious sweetness, a phenomenon that has affectionately become known as ‘the peaty paradox’. During the 1980s and 1990s, Ardbeg suffered from an uncertain future, and it was not until the brand was purchased by The Glenmorangie Company in 1997 that the Distillery was saved from extinction. Since then, the Distillery has risen like a phoenix and today Ardbeg is well-established as a niche, cult malt, with a passionate following. Today, Ardbeg is one of the world’s most highly awarded smoky single malt whiskies. 

The Ardbeg Committee

The legacy of the whisky was safeguarded in 2000 by the formation of the Ardbeg Committee.  The Committee is made up of thousands of Ardbeg followers worldwide who are keen to ensure that “the doors of Ardbeg never close again”. Today there are more than 200,000 members of the Ardbeg Committee in over 140 countries.  Committee Members are regularly consulted on new bottlings and expressions and are offered exclusive Committee bottlings. Members also receive invitations to special gatherings, tastings and events. The Committee, chaired by Jackie Thomson, is free to join at ardbeg.com.

Awards

Ardbeg is one of the world’s most highly awarded smoky single malt whiskies.  Since 2008, Ardbeg has won more than 50 gold and double gold medals in key whisky competitions.  Ardbeg has twice been awarded ‘World’s Best Single Malt’ at the World Whiskies Awards (2010, 2013).  At the 2014 Global Icons of Whisky Awards, then Distillery Manager Mickey Heads was voted ‘Distillery Manager of the Year’.  The following year, Ardbeg’s expressions took the top three spots in Whisky Advocate magazine’s review of the best single malt Scotch whiskies under US$100.  Meanwhile, both Ardbeg Corryvreckan and Ardbeg Uigeadail have been awarded gold medals at the 2016 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Ardbeg Ten Years Old also won the Best Single Malt Scotch 10 Year Old at the International Whisky Competition 2019, while the Ardbeg Distillery won the Distillery of the Year 2019. In 2020, the International Whisky Competition awarded Ardbeg Corryvreckan first place for Best Single Malt Scotch, Best Single Malt Scotch (No Age Statement), Best cask Strength (Over 57% ABV), Best Peated Scotch and Best Islay Single Malt. Ardbeg Wee Beastie also earned first place for Best Single Malt Scotch Under 10 Year Old and The Ardbeg Distillery achieved another Distillery of the Year award. In 2021, Dr Bill Lumsden MBE was awarded Master Distiller of the Year for the fifth time, and Ardbeg Uigeadail won World Whisky of the Year in the International Whisky Competition. In 2022, at the International Whisky Competition, Ardbeg was awarded The Distillery of the Year Award, while Ardbeg Ardcore won first place in Best New Scotch Release, Best Peated Single Malt and Best Islay Single Malt. In 2023, Ardbeg 25 Years Old was named the World’s Best Scotch Whisky at the New York Wine Spirits Competition. In 2024, Ardbeg 25 Years Old received a platinum award at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and Best Islay Single Malt at the World Whisky Awards. 

High-gravity mashing

Gravity is a measure of a wort’s density (a wort is a liquid created during mashing). A high-gravity mash uses a more concentrated wort with more grain and less water. The more concentrated wort results in a fruitier, juicier and more tropical style of Ardbeg’s spirit.

The Glenmorangie Company

The Company is one of the most renowned and innovative distillers and marketers of Scotch whisky brands worldwide and is part of Moët Hennessy, the wine and spirits division of Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton. Headquartered in Edinburgh, Scotland, the Company produces Glenmorangie Single Highland Malt whisky and Ardbeg Single Islay Malt.

There are brighter days, lighter evenings and of course plenty of weekends for getting off the beaten track. Our May Outturn is now available and offers another great selection of whiskies to keep you on your whisky adventure!

CONIFERS IN THE RAIN

CASK NO. 60.34

CASK:  2nd fill ex-bourbon barrel

AGE:  9 years

AND ME AND MY TRUE LOVE WILL YET MEET AGAIN

CASK NO. 135.62

CASK:  HTMC new oak hogshead

AGE:  16 years

MOROCCAN MEDJOOL MYSTIQUE

CASK NO. 85.77

CASK:  1st fill PX hogshead

AGE:  15 years

OLDE FUNKEY BUTTE

CASK NO. 78.68

CASK:  2nd fill oloroso butt

AGE:  9 years

GASTRONOMIC FUSION

SMALL BATCH SINGLE GRAIN

CASKS:  1st fill ex-bourbon barrels & 2nd fill ex-bourbon hogsheads

AGE:  8 years

A DIFFERENT SHADE OF PEAT

CASK NO. 11.55

FIRST APPEARANCE FROM
THIS DISTILLERY FOR SMWS CANADA

CASK:  2nd fill charred oak hogshead

AGE:  9 years

BROWSE MAY OUTTURN HERE

VIEW ALL BOTTLINGS

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society Canada
Suite 160
104 – 1240 Kensington Road NW
Calgary, AB  T2N 3P7
403-969-8225
curious@smws.ca
www.smws.ca

What do 30, 13 and 11 make?  

(Whisky lovers very happy…)

Yes, we know age doesn’t matter. Much. Except, sometimes it does, sometimes a whisky has been aged to just the perfect point where it’s the best it’s ever been. Recognising that point is the hard bit. It’s also the fun bit. Whiskies age differently and are dependent on so many factors. One of the most important factors is actually owning the whiskies at the perfect time. Fortuitously we had in our possession three very interesting barrels at just the right time. Is that a lifetime of knowledge, experience and know-how on display or just dumb luck? We’ll let you decide.

For the peat lovers…

Our Ardmore 2013 Single Cask has been aged 11 Years and is cask strength, natural colour and non chill filtered, not something every Ardmore from that time can say. Happily aged in a 1st fill bourbon barrel filled with the rarer, heavily peated Ardmore. Big whisky this, great oily texture and some of the best Ardmore we’ve tasted. Label is the colour of the tiles that line the old direct fire furnaces under the stills at Ardmore.

Speyside Stages…

Speyside seldom disappoints and we hope you’ll agree our 13 year old Glen Elgin 2012 is one of Fogwatt’s better bottles. Single cask, cask strength, natural colour and non chill filtered as you’d expect from us.

Full maturation in 1st fill oloroso cask. We’d normally be careful of 1st fill sherry and delicate Glen Elgin distillate, but this was an American oak cask and it just works really well.

This has also given us the opportunity to show-off (not like us, we know). These bottles have white caps and the label represents the colour of our own 1993 BMW M3 rally car that we won(!) the 2025 Speyside Stages with in April this year. It’s been nearly 20 years since Chris and I did any form of motorsport and this is our first rally together so we thought that was a good enough reason for the label. The fact we actually won the S3 Class means you now have to buy at least one bottle, so you can bask in the reflected glory of the victory…

Glasgow Grain

Almost as old as our car is our final release, a 30 year old Strathclyde 1994 Single Grain Scotch Whisky.

As ever it’s cask strength, natural colour and non chill filtered.

Gorgeous grain from a refill sherry butt to us this conjures up tastes like marshmallow, milk chocolate and shortbread. When we combined this with our lack of geographical knowledge of Greater Glasgow there could only be one inspiration for our label; a Tunnocks Teacake. Iconic, beloved and an example of Scottish cuisine at it’s finest, and so is the teacake.

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New Diploma Dates for 2026

We’re delighted that our flagship in-person Diploma in Single Malt Whisky will return to the stunning Arniston House for three dates in 2026:

📅 16 & 17 March
📅 7 & 8 May
📅 14 & 15 September

Tailored for both industry professionals and passionate enthusiasts, this two-day immersive course combines online prep modules with in-person teaching by Vic Cameron, a whisky veteran with 30+ years of experience (and stories!). You’ll deep-dive into production, sensory analysis and world whiskies, explore a working distillery and take on the final 250-question challenge to earn your SQA-certified Diploma and that well-earned black lapel pin.

 📖 Book Now

Remarkable Regional Malts With A Twist

ABV: 48% | Vol: 70cl

The “Remarkable Regional Malts – With A Twist” bottling encompasses Single Malts from all of Scotland’s Whisky producing regions, representing the various brands in the range. Aged for 10 years, bottled at 48% alcohol strength and offered without colouring or chill-filtration, the resulting Whisky reflects the very best of Scotch Malt Whiskies.

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Heaven Hill Distillery Announces Spring 2025 Edition of the Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond Decanter Series

BARDSTOWN, Ky. (May 2025) – Heaven Hill Distillery have announced the release of the Spring 2025 edition of Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond Decanter Series, a 9-year-old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Comprised of barrels produced in the spring of 2016, and bottled in the spring of 2025, the fifteenth national release ushers in the latest hallmark series to the bottled-in-bond legacy.

Bottled in an ornate decanter, the spring edition bares a green label, consistent across each of the brand’s spring releases. This edition’s tax strip, which has always been a signature of transparency on bottled-in-bond products, will disclose when the liquid was produced and bottled. The Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond Decanter Series Spring 2025 edition will be available in the 750ml size on an allocated basis, reaching store shelves in the coming weeks. It meets the strict requirements of a bottled-in-bond: the product of a single distillery from a single distilling season, aged a minimum of four years, and bottled at 100 proof or 50% alcohol by volume. The edition is available at a suggested retail price of $129.99.

This release of the Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond Decanter Series Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey bares a bright copper color, with a nose of apple pie, especially the crust. The taste leads with classic bourbon notes of vanilla and butterscotch, followed by toasted cereal with apple pie spices. Its finish is creamy and viscous, baked apples fading to oak and more cinnamon spices.

“With each release of the Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond Decanter Series, we aim to honor both the tradition and craftsmanship that define this storied label,” said Conor O’Driscoll, Master Distiller at Heaven Hill. “This 9-year-old Spring 2025 edition showcases the richness of time. It’s a proud reflection of the bottled-in-bond legacy and Heaven Hill’s enduring commitment to excellence in American whiskey.”

As a leader of the Bottled-in-Bond category, Heaven Hill is proud to offer a premium, allocated product within this special class which showcases the authenticity and quality of the company’s American Whiskey portfolio. The legendary Old Fitzgerald line, which was acquired by Heaven Hill in 1999, is well known for its distilling pedigree and its history as a luxury brand first sold in the finest rail lines and steamships. The packaging was inspired by an original 1950’s Old Fitzgerald diamond decanter and pays homage to the history of the brand being traditionally bottled in artistic decanters of all shapes and sizes. The green label features the time-honored graphic of a key, commemorating an important element in original labels and the brand’s slogan since the 1940’s, “Your key to hospitality”.

ABOUT HEAVEN HILL DISTILLERY: Founded in Kentucky by the Shapira family in 1935, Heaven Hill Distillery continues its legacy as one of the foremost American Whiskey producers. Heaven Hill has cultivated the traditions and history of America’s Native Spirit with its fierce independence, passionate family ownership, dedication to quality, and thoughtful innovation. Today, Heaven Hill Distillery maintains over 2 million barrels aging in more than 70 warehouses throughout Nelson and Jefferson Counties. It is home to an award-winning collection of American Whiskeys including Elijah Craig Bourbon, Larceny Bourbon, Evan Williams Bourbon, Pikesville Rye Whiskey, Rittenhouse Rye Whisky, Parker’s Heritage Collection, and Old Fitzgerald along with its extensive Bottled-in-Bond label collection. Heaven Hill Distillery currently holds the title of 2024 and 2023 Whisky Magazine Distillery of the Year and 2023 World’s Best Small Batch Bourbon from the Icons of Whisky, as well as the 2022 Large Spirits Producer of the Year from the Ascot Awards. Heaven Hill Distillery held the title of 2020 Whisky Advocate Whisky of the Year, the second Whisky of the Year for Heaven Hill Distillery in the past four years. In 2019 Heaven Hill Distillery was named San Francisco World Spirits Competition Distillery of the Year, Best in Show Whisky, and previously held the titles of 2018 San Francisco Spirits Word Spirits Competition Best Bourbon, 2016 Whisky Magazine Distillery of the Year. For more information, please visit www.heavenhilldistillery.com.