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Scotch Malt Whisky Society March 2025 Outturn – Scotch Whisky News

The March Outturn! As we explore the hidden depths of whisky, we go into the wood as Julien Willems, Whisky Quality Manager, explores different forms of cask maturation. The Society’s Whisky Team are sparing no efforts to uncover new and interesting casks for members to discover and enjoy, and this month is no exception. Here are a few cask adventure picks to get you started…

EXPLORE THE OUTTURN

READ JULIEN’S FEATURE

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!

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Japanese Whisky: The Future of Tradition – Loch Fyne Whiskies News

Japanese Whisky

Sakura season is upon us and so is the time to celebrate Japanese whisky!

This incredible region perfectly blends respect for preserving tradition with a modernistic approach to the whisky-making craft, preserving the harmony between past and future in their style. Discover the latest and best bottlings from Japan this month.

SHOP JAPANESE WHISKY

 

12 months of unlimited next day delivery & more! Exclusive access to Ballots as you enjoy free next day delivery on all your orders for a whole year – only £14.99! Geographic restrictions apply, see full T&Cs.

ralfy review 1070 – Lochlea Sowing ( 3rd Crop ) – Scotch Whisky News

Johnnie Walker renews Lunar New Year partnership with James Jean – Scotch Whisky News

Johnnie Walker renews Lunar New Year partnership with James Jean

New Johnnie Walker Blue Label Limited Edition design for Year of the Snake is second created by influential visual artist

Lunar New Year falls today (29 January) and in 2025, Johnnie Walker is marking the Year of the Snake with the extension of its partnership with acclaimed visual artist James Jean – and a new Limited Edition Blue Label.

Last year, we launched the partnership by unveiling James’s vibrant design and artwork for a Year of the Dragon Limited Edition Johnnie Walker Blue Label.

For the Year of the Snake James has created stunning artwork for a new bottle design, which shows three snakes, representing three attributes of wisdom, intelligence, and intuition.

James Jean says: “The three snakes [in the design] are constantly growing, transforming, and adapting to changing conditions. With Johnnie Walker Blue Label Lunar New Year, we wanted to create a snake that felt different, new and innovative – respect for the past but also looking into the future with optimism; in the same way that Johnnie Walker stands for progress through that incredible Keep Walking spirit.”

He sought inspiration for his designs from the layers of incredible flavour that Johnnie Walker Master Blender Emma Walker and her team bring to Johnnie Walker Blue Label – a whisky made using some of the rarest whiskies from the unparalleled Johnnie Walker reserves of maturing Scotch, including some irreplaceable casks sourced from long-closed ‘ghost’ distilleries.

Johnnie Walker Global Brand Director, Jennifer English, says: “James Jean’s stunning snake design represents transformation and resilience, reflecting both the legacy of our brand and the promise of the future. We’re excited to commemorate the Year of the Snake with this remarkable, Limited Edition design that is perfect for celebrating this year’s festival.”

James has also designed incredible illustrations for the Lunar New Year John Walker & Sons XR 21 Year Old Limited Edition Design. Johnnie Walker Lunar New Year Limited Edition Designs are available in selected markets globally.

THIS ARTICLE APPEARS HERE WELL AFTER THE ORIGINAL DATE AND IS PUBLISHED HERE AS A MATTER OF INTEREST

Diageo North America Announces New Manufacturing and Warehousing Facility in Alabama

Significant investment to bring approximately 100 jobs to the City of Montgomery when facility is operational, and an additional 750 jobs during construction

Montgomery, AL – [January, 2025] – As part of its efforts to build an increasingly resilient and efficient supply network, premium drinks company Diageo North America announced plans to open a new manufacturing and warehousing facility in Montgomery, Alabama. The 360,000 square foot facility will have a multi-million case annual production capacity for Diageo’s leading beverage alcohol brands. This site will enhance the company’s North America supply chain operations and support future growth for the company’s export business.

The new facility, which will be referred to as ‘Diageo Montgomery,’ will provide a new point of operations closer to the company’s beverage distributors in the southern region. The site’s strategic location is expected to reduce required road travel, significantly helping to further mitigate carbon emissions associated with logistics operations. The new facility will also employ state-of-the-art technology for more efficient water and energy usage across the site.

“We are proud to contribute to the economic development of Montgomery, and deeply grateful to the city, state, and community leaders for their continued support,” said Marsha McIntosh, President of North America Supply at Diageo. “The new facility will not only bring our business closer to our customers and distributors in the south, but also enable our broader supply network to operate more efficiently and sustainably. This investment underscores our commitment to building greater resiliency into our supply chain across North America.”

“Diageo’s decision to open a state-of-the-art facility in Montgomery is a testament to Alabama’s ability to attract world-class companies and foster meaningful economic growth,” said Alabama Governor Kay Ivey. “This production and distribution hub not only brings high-quality jobs to our state but also reinforces Alabama’s reputation as a premier location for global investment. We are proud to welcome Diageo to Alabama and look forward to the positive impact this project will have on Montgomery and beyond.”

This project is part of a broader multi-year program across multiple geographies to strengthen the company’s global supply chain by improving its resilience and agility, delivering additional productivity savings and making its operations more sustainable.

Investing in Alabama

With an investment of approximately $415 million, development of Diageo Montgomery is currently underway, and the site is expected to be fully operational in the second half of calendar year 2025. Approximately 750 jobs will be created during the construction phase and, once operational, the facility will employ approximately 100 full-time personnel.

“Diageo’s investment in a new production facility is a significant step forward for Montgomery, Montgomery County, and the state, reinforcing our position as a leader in industrial and logistics growth. This new facility will create valuable jobs and further enhance economic opportunities throughout our region,” said Mayor Steven L. Reed of the City of Montgomery. “We are proud to work alongside Diageo, the Montgomery Chamber, Montgomery County, and our other partners to ensure the success of this facility and the lasting positive impact it will have on our citizens. This collaboration underscores our shared commitment to building a stronger future for our community.”

“We are honored to have Diageo choose Montgomery County for their new production facility,” said Doug Singleton, Chairman of the Montgomery County Commission. “This is a significant investment in our community, further strengthening the growing concentration of food and beverage businesses in the region. Montgomery County’s position as a logistics hub makes it an ideal location for companies like Diageo, whose presence here will create valuable synergies with other businesses. We are excited for the future and the lasting economic impact this investment will bring to our region.”

As part of a broader initiative to support Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs), Diageo has invested $750,000 across three Alabama institutions: Alabama A&M, Alabama State University, and Tuskegee University. The company has provided scholarships and financial support to future leaders at the institutions.

About Diageo North America

Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands including Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, Bulleit and Buchanan’s whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Casamigos, DeLeon and Don Julio tequilas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Tanqueray and Guinness. Diageo is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (LSE: DGE) and their products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world. For more information about Diageo, their people, brands, and performance, visit www.diageo.com. Visit Diageo’s global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com, for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice. Follow on Instagram for news and information about Diageo North America: @Diageo_NA.

GreatDrams Officially… WORLD’S BEST ! – Scotch Whisky News

GreatDrams Officially… WORLD’S BEST !

GreatDrams’ Campbeltown Blended Malt Scotch Whisky Crowned World’s Best Blended Malt at 2025 World Whiskies Awards

In a triumph that has the whisky world raising its glasses, GreatDrams’ Campbeltown Blended Malt Scotch Whisky has been named the World’s Best Blended Malt at the prestigious 2025 World Whiskies Awards. This accolade cements GreatDrams’ reputation for crafting exceptional, sought-after whiskies.

The award-winning expression is a harmonious blend of single malts from distilleries within Scotland’s renowned Campbeltown region. Limited to just 157 bottles in batch one, this rare release has captivated whisky enthusiasts with its subtle smoke, vanilla, and toffee notes. The whisky’s profile has been described as having “marshmallow, cream soda, and sugar syrup aromas,” leading to “a lovely mouthfeel, with flavours of vanilla, soft fudge, and a hint of lemon zest alongside malty cereals,” culminating in “a big, peppery finish.”

Greg Dillon, co-founder of GreatDrams, expressed his delight: “Winning this award is like finding the perfect harmony in a dram—it’s music to our palates and a testament to our dedication to quality and innovation.”

Kirsty Dillon, co-founder, added: “We’re over the moon! This recognition not only honours our passion but also shines a spotlight on the rich heritage of Campbeltown whisky. Time to crack open a bottle and celebrate!”

Whisky aficionados eager to experience this award-winning dram can find more details and secure their bottle at the links below.

We have been asked to release a Campbeltown for YEARS so to be finally able to and to have already won two of the biggest awards at the World Whiskies Awards with it… well… that’s a solid result eh?!

We have to call this a blended malt as it has been Teaspooned with another malt whisky so it cannot be called a Single Malt but it is in fact 99.9999999% from one distillery… which asked not to be named… Think Campbeltown… think iconic… think cult status… think anagrams of (a) legion (of) cats. Did we say too much? Uh oh.

Thanks as always for your support, kind messages and all the time you take to talk whisky with us online and at events, it means a lot and we will never take it for granted,

Slàinte, cheers!

Greg and Kirsty Dillon, Founders of GreatDrams.com

Milroy’s of Soho “How to taste whisky” 😋 – Whisky Tasting News

Top tasters 🥃

Nose, palate, finish… what? If tasting whisky feels more confusing than amusing, this is how to taste like a pro

Did you know that there’s a difference between drinking and tasting? We’re strong advocates for both here at Milroy’s. The difference: how much you’re analysing your whisky. Drinking is just kicking back and enjoying. Tasting is delving into a whisky’s appearance, nose palate, finish to assess and describe what’s going on in the glass.

While you don’t need to write tasting notes or examine your dram to savour it, it can be useful to know how. Here are our team’s top tips if you want to really taste your whisky:

🥃 Take it slowly. Don’t overwhelm your nose or palate by sticking your nose right in the glass or taking a huge sip straight away!

🥃 A whisky’s appearance doesn’t actually mean all that much. Don’t get caught up in it.

🥃 Finding it hard? Like almost everything in life, tasting gets easier with practice. And if you really aren’t vibing with it, it doesn’t matter. Just enjoy your whisky!

Looking for a dram to practice with? This red wine cask-finished Tomatin 8 Year Old from independent bottler Finn Thomson is a vibrant delight.

Scroll on for more top tasting tips – and check out more of our flavoursome favourites for tasting practice below!

Explore all how to taste tips

Speyburn 15 Year Old at The Whisky Shop – Scotch Whisky News

Speyburn 15 Year Old

A recent addition to the core range from Speyburn distillery, this 15 year old Speyside single malt is matured in a combination of American and Spanish oak, giving it a rich, vibrant character that was awarded a silver medal at the International Wine & Spirits Competition 2017.The nose opens with rich dark chocolate and spicy raisins, before zesty citrus and vanilla emerge. The palate brings oranges, toffee, vanilla and leather amidst a gentle spice. The finish is creamy and long lasting with a warming spice.

£68.00

 Gold — International Spirits Challenge 2022

Taste Profile vanilla citrus spicy orange creamy toffee apple leather raisins dark chocolate

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

Glentauchers 29 Years Old 1995 Connoisseurs Choice aThe Aberdeen Whisky Shop – Scotch Whisky News

Gordon & MacPhail

Glentauchers 29 Years Old 1995 Connoisseurs Choice

ABV: 56.7% 70 cL

This Speyside single malt from Glentauchers Distillery was filled in 1995 and it fully matured for 29 years in first fill Sherry butt. It was bottled on the 27th of August 2024, at cask strength of 56.7% ABV, at natural colour and no chill filtration. Only 594 bottles produced.

Nose, Stewed raisin aromas combine with tangerine and roasted coffee bean.
Palate. Redcurrant flavours complement cinnamon and vibrant citrus zest.
Finish. A full and spicy finish with oak and sweet forrest berries.

£280.00

Tax included.

Scotch Malt Whisky Society “A few of your favourite things” ~ Scotch Whisky News

One of the most surprising aspects of whisky is that no two experiences with one bottle will ever be the same. The time of day, the environment and what you’ve eaten will all affect your perception of flavour and can result in a completely different flavour journey.

It seems straightforward enough – but what happens when you try a bottle of Society whisky you’ve already tried? It’s a rare thing for us to be able to offer re-releases but we’ve managed to find a few old favourites from some beloved distilleries and flavour profiles. So whether you missed them the first time, or want to try an old favourite with a new experience, now’s the time!

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


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