In long anticipation of spring finally arriving, May Outturn brings a colourful bouquet of fresh single casks to warm your heart and soul.

CASK NO. 30.98  BRING ON THE DANCERS

25 years old; refill barrel; 46%; Juicy, oak & vanilla

The nose – Moulin Rouge dancing girls and a madrigal of tropical fruits. The palate is juicy and perfumed – Pink Ladies and apple grannies.

CASK NO. 44.86  FOUR SEASONS IN ONE GLASS

10 years old; refill barrel; 60.8%; Sweet, fruity & mellow

A journey through fragrant flowerbeds and apple blossom, to cider and damp forest floors before finishing with mulled wine and stollen bread.

CASK NO. 71.47  CITRIC, SPICY, WHISKY LASSI

10 years old; refill barrel; 60.5%; Spicy & sweet

The nose is a breakfast of grapefruit and manuka honey. The palate adds strawberry jam and a spicy, fruity ‘lassi’ drink.

CASK NO. 58.21  OLD-FASHIONED CONFECTIONERS

11 years old; new oak hogshead; 58%; Spicy & sweet

The nose has flowers, lemon puffs and spicy sweets. The palate is totally tasty (chocolate and butterscotch). Formerly in an ex-bourbon hogshead.

CASK NO. 39.151  A BLUE LADY AND A SERAPH’S SMILE

19 years old; 1st fill PX butt; 57.5%; Deep, rich & dried fruits

Blue Lady tea and After Eights, plus fruits and flowers. The palate is as sweet as a Seraph’s smile. Previously in an ex-oloroso butt.

CASK NO. 4.236  ISLAND HOLIDAY SNAPSHOT

14 years old; refill hogshead; 56.6%; Lightly peated

The nose evokes island holidays – wild flower machair and beach barbecues. The palate balances honeyed porridge sweetness with floral smoke.

CASK NO. 66.110  PEAT FOR BEGINNERS

12 years old; 2nd fill white wine barrique; 60%; Peated

The soft nose captured bacon and sea breeze; the palate delivered a BBQ punch of steak and salted almonds. Previously in an ex-bourbon hogshead.

SMWS Canada

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society Canada

104-1240 Kensington Road NW, Suite 160
Calgary, AB, Canada T2N 3P7
Email – curious@smws.ca

The Victoria Highland Games Association is once again pleased to present “The Whisky Tasting School” on May 19th, 20th, & 21st 2018 at the 155th Victoria Highland Games & Celtic Festival at Topaz Park.

All sessions will feature single malt whiskies presented by ambassadors representing a variety of Scotch & American whiskies.

The registration fee is $35 (Monday Food and Whisky pairing sessions $45) and includes a one-day field entry (value $15). Whisky School guests are also able to purchase an engraved Victoria Highland Games Glencairn whisky nosing glass for $15 (one per guest per class).

Guests must be aged 19 years or older to attend!

Each session has limited seating; in previous years all sessions have sold out prior to the Games so don’t be late in registering!

Details of the 9 sessions are as follows:

(WS1)
Saturday May 19th 12:00 – 1:00 PM
Whisky and Chocolate I
Price $35 – 45 attendees. SOLD OUT
with Adam Bradshaw and David Mincey

Sample a range of excellent Ardbeg whiskies paired with outstanding bean to bar chocolate ethically sourced from around the world. Hosted by Adam Bradshaw of The Strath, and David Mincey of the Chocolate Project.

(WS2)
Saturday May 19th 1:45 – 2:45 PM
Brands of Fountana
Price $35 – 45 attendees. Buy Now!
with Adam Bradshaw

Only the best whiskies get out of the cask, regardless how old they might be. Come and try single malts from some of best independent bottlers of Scotland.

(WS3)
Saturday May 19th 3:30 – 4:30 PM
The Douglas Laing Scottish Regional Malt Collection I
Price $35 – 45 attendees. Buy Now!
with Stacy Kyle of Rare Drams

Do you drink only single malts? Are you ready for a fantastic new whisky journey? Get ready to enjoy! Many blended scotches are just as delicious and take even more artistry to make. Judge a whisky on the liquid in your glass, not by the title on the label. And whatever your preference, bow down to the mastery of blenders behind them.

(WS4)
Sunday May 20th 12:00 – 1:00 PM
The Douglas Laing Scottish Regional Malt Collection II
Price $35 – 45 attendees. Buy Now!
with Stacy Kyle of Rare Drams

Do you drink only single malts? Are you ready for a fantastic new whisky journey? Get ready to enjoy! Many blended scotches are just as delicious and take even more artistry to make. Judge a whisky on the liquid in your glass, not by the title on the label. And whatever your preference, bow down to the mastery of blenders behind them.

(WS5)
Sunday May 20th 1:45 – 2:45 PM

NIKKA Japanese Whisky
Price $35 – 45 attendees. Buy Now!
with Rick Sousa

Enjoy world renowned whiskies from the Nikka Whisky Distilling Co. while Rick Sousa informs you of the history of whisky in Japan and the story of Nikka’s founder, Masataka Taketsuru, whose travel to Scotland and back shaped the history of whisky production in Japan.

(WS6)
Sunday May 20th 3:30 – 4:30 PM
STR, the Legacy cask
Price $35 – 45 attendees. Buy Now!
with Andrew Campbell Walls & Macaloney Distillers

In a career that spanned 40 years, ‘the Einstein of whisky’ Dr. Jim Swan revolutionized the industry. With a beer to start, this class discusses 4 brand-new-released malts matured in his proprietary bespoke STR casks and a 5th from the last distillery he ever worked with.

(WS7)
Monday May 21st 11:30 – 12:45 PM (NEW TIME!)
Whisky and Local Food Pairing
Price: $45.00 – 45 attendees. SOLD OUT
with Bill Jones

Join Deerholme Farm owner, Cookbook Author and Celebrity Chef, Bill Jones and Kensington Wine Market owner Andrew Ferguson, as they guide you through a sensory journey pairing single malt whiskies with delectable local food choices. Bill will lead you through a variety of local food choices paired with outstanding whiskies from the Beam Suntory portfolio including Highland Park and Macallan. For more information on Bill, visit www.deerholme.com.

(WS8)
Monday May 21st 1:30PM – 2:45 PM (NEW TIME!)
Whisky and Local Charcuterie Pairing
Price: $45.00 – 45 attendees. SOLD OUT
with Corey Pelan.

Join the Whole Beast Owner Corey Pelan and Kensington Wine Market owner Andrew Ferguson as they lead you through a selection of local made charcuterie paired with outstanding single malt whiskies from the Beam Suntory portfolio, including Auchentoshan and Bowmore. For more information on Corey and The Whole Beast, visit www.thewholebeast.ca.

(WS9)
Monday May 21st 3:30PM – 4:30 PM (NEW TIME!)
Whisky and Chocolate II
Price $35 – 45 attendees. Buy Now!
with Adam Bradshaw and David Mincey</>

Sample a range of excellent Ardbeg whiskies paired with outstanding bean to bar chocolate ethically sourced from around the world. Hosted by Adam Bradshaw of The Strath, and David Mincey of the Chocolate Project.

Highland Park The Light

This 17 year old limited edition from Orkney’s Highland Park distillery has been created in honour of the summer solstice, the longest day of the year, celebrated each June on the island. Matured in refill American oak casks and presented at a strength of 52.9% abv, only 28,000 bottles have been produced.

This is the second and final release in The Dark & The Light series and showcases sweet flavours of pear, nutmeg and vanilla with a touch of heather peat smoke.

£180 Pre-Order Now
Orders will be dispatched week beginning 14th May

Malt of the Month – Highland Park 18

Highland Park 18 Year Old is simply one of the benchmark single malts, packed with aromatic smoke, honeyed fruit and toffee. It’s won numerous awards, too, including Best Spirit in the World, and remains one of the most reliable drams out there.

Tasting Notes 

FROM THE PRODUCER

• COLOUR: Natural colour, burnished gold, clear and bright.
• AROMA: Rich, mature oak, top note of aromatic smoke.
• TASTE: Rich, full flavour; honey and peat.

HISTORY

Highland Park was founded in 1798 and is based in Kirkwall on the Orkney Islands. The distillery is one of the few that still has its own on-site maltings, and the barley is hand-turned and dried with Orkney peat, which is sweeter and more floral than its Islay counterpart. In recent years, Highland Park has wowed whisky fans with its Valhalla Collection and super-premium Orcadian Vintages series

The Good Dram Show – Episode 263 ‘Douglas Laing Xtra Old Particular’ and features the April releases in their Xtra Old Particular range.

THE GLENLIVET EXPLORES NEW FRONTIERS WITH LAUNCH OF

COGNAC CASK FINISH EXPRESSION

The Glenlivet is set to re-assert its credentials as the definitive Single Malt Scotch whisky with the release of a contemporary new expression; Captain’s Reserve, a Single Malt selectively finished in high-quality Cognac casks. The launch is set to push the boundaries of modern Scotch through its distinctive cask combination.

Captain’s Reserve is the result of flavour and cask experimentation. This combination of the raisin-rich intense taste of Cognac with the signature citrus notes and creamy smoothness of The Glenlivet offers consumers the opportunity to broaden their Single Malt Scotch repertoire. The new flavour and taste experience also encourages new consumers to explore the thriving Single Malt Scotch category, which is one of the fastest growing spirits categories globally, and is expected to continue its growth at +6%[1].

This new expression, which will sit as part of The Glenlivet range, is a tribute to Captain William Smith Grant, great-grandson of George Smith, founder of The Glenlivet, the definitive Speyside Single Malt. The Captain not only fought in the First World War in France, but later went on to fight for The Glenlivet, guiding the brand through the difficult Prohibition years and leading the Single Malt Scotch whisky revival in the UK and US. This unique story is brought to life through Captain’s Reserve by uniting the definitive Speyside Single Malt and the opulent rich flavours of Cognac.

Alan Winchester, The Glenlivet Master Distiller, comments: “We know that Single Malt consumers are becoming increasingly adventurous and are seeking to explore new flavour profiles and finishes in the category. Research shows that the global consumption of Cognac is expected to increase by some 2m cases by 2021[2]. By introducing the Cognac casks into our maturation process, we are able to capitalise on the popularity of this flavour and add another dimension to our world-renowned portfolio. The Cognac casks’ influence will bring a real richness to the smooth and fruity style of The Glenlivet, which we’re confident new and existing Single Malt Scotch enthusiasts will enjoy.”

Captain’s Reserve is available globally, with an RRP ranging from £45-48 (or local equivalent).

For more information, or high-resolution images, please contact:

Notes:

The Glenlivet Captain Reserve Tasting notes:

NOSE: Bursting with sweet and fruity aromas. Rich in honey and apricot jam, with notes of sweet cinnamon bread and a subtle sensation of spicy liquorice.

TASTE: Succulent flavours of mandarins in syrup, ripe poached pears and chocolate-dipped raisins.

FINISH: Incredibly smooth and luscious.

About The Glenlivet:

Created by George Smith in 1824, The Glenlivet is The Definitive Speyside Single Malt, renowned for its heritage as a visionary within the single malts category. With its smooth and fruity flavour profile, The Glenlivet has contributed the biggest volume growth of the single malt category worldwide, adding more than any other single malt whisky brand over the past five years (IWSR, 2016). Acting as the guardian for outstanding quality and craftsmanship within single malts, The Glenlivet is dedicated to continuing this legacy and has led innovation within single malt in recent years. Standout initiatives include the release of The Glenlivet Cipher, a mystery single malt, and the creation of The Glenlivet Founder’s Reserve, a great representation of the distillery’s signature style.

About Chivas Brothers:

Chivas Brothers is the Scotch whisky and premium gin business of Pernod Ricard, the world’s n°2 in wines and spirits. Chivas Brothers’ award-winning portfolio features some of the world’s most revered Scotch whisky brands including Chivas Regal, the world’s first luxury whisky and the No.1 Scotch whisky in China; Ballantine’s, Europe’s No.1 Scotch whisky; The Glenlivet, the single malt whisky that set the standard; and Royal Salute, the world’s only exclusively prestige Scotch whisky range. The portfolio also includes two of the world’s leading English gins – Beefeater, the world’s most awarded premium gin, and Plymouth gin – plus a selection of highly acclaimed single malt whiskies, including Aberlour, Longmorn, Scapa, Strathisla and Tormore. The range is completed by a collection of blended Scotch whiskies operating in many of the world’s key whisky markets which includes 100 Pipers, Clan Campbell, Something Special and Passport Scotch.

[1] IWSR, 2016

[2] The Global Cognac Insights report, 2017

AUTHENTIC SEACOAST DISTILLING COMPANY WINS MEDALS AT PRESTIGIOUS SAN FRANCISCO WORLD SPIRITS COMPETITION

Guysborough, Nova Scotia – Authentic Seacoast Distilling Company Ltd has continued its winning streak at the prestigious San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC), bringing five medals home to Atlantic Canada from the 18th annual competition. The distillery received a:

• Gold Medal for its GLYNNEVAN® 12 Year Old Straight Canadian Rye Whisky,
• Silver Medal for its GLYNNEVAN® Cabot Triple Barrelled Canadian Rye Whisky
• Bronze Medals for its GLYNNEVAN® Double Barrelled Canadian Rye Whisky

This is the fourth consecutive year Authentic Seacoast Distilling has been recognized for excellence with their spirits.

Regarded as the most influential spirits competition in the world, the 2018 SFWSC was the largest in its history, featuring more than 2,200 submissions. Medal winners are chosen through a rigorous blind tasting process over four days to ensure integrity and impartiality. As a result, a SFWSC medal is a recognized affirmation of high quality and one of the most reliable and universal indications of spirits excellence.

“I am absolutely delighted to have our GLYNNEVAN® Whisky, recognized by the most prestigious spirits competition in the world”, said Glynn Williams, President and Distiller, Authentic Seacoast Distilling Company Ltd.

“These impressive results provide us with independent third party validation of the very high quality of our products on a global basis.”

A new Canadian tradition where the spirit of prairie grain comes to rest in barrels in the Authentic Seacoast Distillery on the historic Guysborough harbour, GLYNNEVAN® Whisky brings a distinct Maritimes character to Canadian rye whisky. Read more about GLYNNEVAN at www.glynnevan.com.

About Authentic Seacoast Distilling Company

Authentic Seacoast Distilling Company produces small batch, craft blended and distilled spirits including GLYNNEVAN® Whisky, Fortress® Rum, Virga® Vodka and Sea Fever® Rum at its distillery on the historic Guysborough harbour, and is part of Authentic Seacoast Company, which includes Osprey Shores, historic DesBarres Manor Inn, Full Steam® Coffee, Harbour Belle Bakery, Authentic Seacoast Brewing Co. (makers of Rare Bird® Craft Beer), Glanbùrn Artesian Water, Authentic Seacoast Soaps and the Authentic Seacoast Store.

About Authentic Seacoast Company

Authentic Seacoast Company’s vision is to restore the proud trading legacy of a seacoast village in Nova Scotia and to create jobs in the community on a sustainable basis by producing and sharing high quality products and experiences that are authentic and memorable. The Authentic Seacoast Company embodies the fresh sea air, industrious people and proud determination that has kept this special place by the sea alive over the past four centuries.

Read more at: http://www.authenticseacoast.com

FESTIVAL FLAVOUR DISCOVERY PACK

May First Friday raised our festival fever levels with the release of our celebratory Speyside and Islay bottlings. Temperatures are set to rise again with the release our Festival Flavour Discovery Pack. The five-dram pack features 25ml bottles, with two casks from Speyside and three from Islay. Pack numbers are extremely limited and include 29.244 Weaving wondrous dreams, which is only available to buy at the Islay Malts and Music festival at the end of the month.

 VIEW LATEST OUTTURN

The Festival Flavour Discovery Pack includes five 25ml bottles:

107.13 Andalusian gazpacho

9.143 Graceful gravitas

10.141 Indulgence by the sea

3.307 A journey into joy

29.244 Weaving wondrous dreams

DISCOVER MORE

ISLAY FESTIVAL: SMWS PROGRAMME

For those lucky members who are making the whisky pilgrimage to Islay, be sure to check out our programme of festival events happening at Islay House – with our annual Open Day on Friday 25 May and masterclasses and shop running from Monday 28 to Wednesday 31 May.

MORE DETAILS

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

Springbank Society Members 

May Releases

We are delighted to announce that we have 3 new releases that will be available in the UK from tomorrow (9th May). A new Springbank, a new Longrow and a new Hazelburn – all the details are below.

• Springbank 21yo 46%

• Longrow 18yo 46%

• Hazelburn 13yo Sherrywood 47.4%

As we have mentioned in previous announcement emails, this email is designed to replace the old ‘Available Now’ Newsflash that was traditionally sent out on the launch day as a number of members have requested that we let you all know sooner. As such, notifications on the launch day itself will only be made on social media. We do urge members not to publish the details below on social media before we announce it ourselves through our own social media channels. This will hopefully let you all get first bite of the cherry although we would highlight that we do not control how shops sell their stock, if they take pre-orders etc. Even the Cadenhead shops are out-with our control so if you have any enquires about what stock individual shops have please contact them directly.

Springbank 21yo 46%

The latest Springbank 21yo has been matured in 70% rum casks and 30% bourbon casks and has been bottled at 46% ABV.

Nose: A burst of heather and freshly mowed grass followed by honey, pear skin and wood shavings. Hints of butter; cheesecake, fresh cream and digestive biscuit.

Palate: Elegant and gentle. Butterscotch and vanilla, sugar cane and molasses develop as the rum cask influence brings apricots, peaches and paprika.

Finish: A soft smokiness is present in the background. Toffee apples, raisins and oat biscuits emerge. In the foreground; peppercorn, almonds and apricot jam are prominent.

• The Campbeltown Cadenhead shop will be selling the Springbank 21yo 46% for £186.00.
• This is not a Society exclusive bottle
• The Society discount for this bottle is £10.00 (at the discretion of each individual Cadenhead shop).

Longrow 18yo 46%

This new 18yo Longrow was matured in 60% sherry casks and 40% casks are will be bottled at 46%.

Nose: Elegant and refined. Sea salt and Wakame seaweed followed by pine cones, wood shavings and honey.
Palate: Rich and creamy with subtle peat and juicy sweet flavours. Salted popcorn, Tofu, Butterscotch and Vanilla. Tobacco leaf, wood shavings and Black Forest gateau.

Finish: Pecan nuts followed by soft peaty embers with dark chocolate and earthy notes.

• The Campbeltown Cadenhead shop will be selling this Longrow 18yo 46% for £89.00.
• This is not a Society exclusive bottle
• The Society discount for this bottle is 10% (at the discretion of each individual Cadenhead shop).

Hazelburn Sherrywood 13yo

The next chapter of the Hazelburn sherrywood series introduces us to this 13yo Oloroso cask matured edition bottled at 47.4%.

Nose: Full bodied; creamy and rich with dark chocolate. Rose petals and ginger biscuit snaps with freshly brewed espresso coffee.

Palate: Bursting with fresh cream and strawberries, all developing due to the maturation in Oloroso Sherry; Turkish delight, clotted cream, strawberry jam followed by marzipan and walnuts.

Finish: Brown sugar, dates and toffee; sticky toffee pudding! Cream coffee liqueur, red apple peel, banana chips, vanilla and black pepper.

• The Campbeltown Cadenhead shop will be selling this Hazelburn 13yo for £55.00.
• This is not a Society exclusive bottle
• The Society discount for this bottle is 10% (at the discretion of each individual Cadenhead shop).

These whiskies are available in the UK from tomorrow – for more information on when they will be released in different countries/markets please contact your local Springbank retailers and stockists, details of whom can be found by visiting: http://springbank.scot/distributors/.

Once again, we urge members not to publish the details in this email on social media before we announce it ourselves through our own social media channels. And please remember that these are distillery bottlings, not under the control of the Society, so we are unable to reserve bottles and you cannot place orders through the Society.

Slainte
Springbank Society

Springbank Distillers Ltd.

To join the Springbank Society please email them at Springbank Society society@springbank.scot 

Friday, June 15, 2:30 – 5:30 PM

Single Malt Tasting:

 Glen Grant with Robin Coupar 

Join us for a tasting of Glen Grant single malt scotch, presented by global brand ambassador and whisky expert Robin Coupar!  Established in 1840, this centuries-old Speyside malt remains one of the biggest selling single malts in the world. Whisky ambassador Robin Coupar will present a guided tasting of Glen Grant’s new and rare releases, providing insider knowledge of what goes into making these incredible drams and the stories behind them. Pourlist to be revealed as event approaches- RSVP to keep up-to-date.

Click Here to RSVP