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Just Whisky Auction’s 41st Auction
Now Live!
Runs from 14th – 23rd April
Some of the bottles available in this month’s auction, including the brand new Macallan Folio 2.
Check out over 1,600 Lots now!
WAREHOUSE DISCOVERIES
We’ve been spring cleaning our warehouse and discovered the last few bottles from some exceptional casks. These sparkling single casks whiskies are limited in numbers and only available online.
Order now before they are gone forever.
SHOP THE REPLENISHED STOCK NOW
Browse on smws.com
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
EXPLORE THE FAR EAST
THURSDAY 27 APRIL AT 6PM
FREE!
Some of the world’s favourite and award-winning whiskies hail from Japan, but have you ever tried what else the Far East has to offer? Whiskies from Taiwan and India are also taking the drinks world by storm. And it’s not just whiskies that are showing us what this corner of the world is made of – sakes and wines are also making their mark at all levels, with every major bar and restaurant craving a piece of the action.
Taste delicious Asian spirits and wines from the following producers: Akashi Akashi-Tai Hakushu Hibiki Omar & Yamazaki
THURSDAY 27 APRIL
Join any time between 6pm and 8pm.
It’s free to attend the tasting, but please register in advance
VENUE
THE WHISKY EXCHANGE SHOP
@ COVENT GARDEN
2 BEDFORD STREET
LONDON WC2E 9HH
WHISKY FIRM MARKS FOURTH BIRTHDAY WITH NEW PRODUCT LAUNCH
Whisky giftware firm Angels’ Share Glass is marking its fourth anniversary with the launch of a series of birthstone angels.
The Stirling-based family company, founded on April 9, 2013, has created a new version of its signature line of whisky-filled glass angels featuring precious gemstone jewels.
The angels are each holding a real gemstone representing months of the year – Diamond for April, Emerald for May and so on.
The firm’s latest innovation was developed by co-founder Karen Somerville.
She says: “People have always liked the Angels which are holding something – like the Thistle and the Saltire which represent Scotland.
“We had some feedback asking if there was anything else we could use and decided gem stones would be a great fit and look lovely.
“And with our own fourth birthday coming up it seemed the perfect time to launch a new birthday product!
“Pre-orders of the Angels are already proving popular as birthday gifts while many – including July’s Ruby and June’s Pearl – will also work for wedding anniversaries.”
Angels’ Share Glass is also marking its fourth anniversary with the start of work on a new glassblowing studio which gets underway later this month.
The move follows a successful crowdfunding campaign which saw generous supporters pledge contributions to help the firm raise funds to create the state-of-the-art studio at its headquarters.
Angels’ Share Glass has come a long way since its beginnings as a home-based business run by co-founders Karen and her father, world-renowned glassmaker, Tom Young.
It now employs three other staff members plus a host of freelance workers in the glassmaking, marketing and sales industries.
The firm has also won a series of honours including Entrepreneur of the Year for Karen Somerville.
And last year it was named Best Micro Business at the Forth Valley Chamber of Commerce Awards as well as winning the Most Innovative Product Award for its unique whisky water dropper.
Meanwhile, Tom Young is due to receive an MBE for his services to glassmaking during a ceremony at Buckingham Palace in mid-April.
Karen says: “We’ve seen phenomenal growth since setting up as a home-run operation four years ago and I’m very proud of everything we’ve achieved since then.
“We’ve gone from a small firm selling one product to a global organisation which sells a host of different gifts to people all over the world.
“It’s great that we’re getting the new studio up and running this year as it will mean a lot to us in terms of increasing production and growing the firm further.
“It also means my dad can train up more apprentices who can help keep glassblowing alive in the heart of Scotland.”
Karen and Tom established the firm after capturing the spirit of a whisky producers’ legend, known as the Angels’ Share, through the creation of handmade glass angels.
The myth claims the small volume of whisky lost to evaporation while it matures is taken away by angels.
And in tribute to that legend, the glass angels are filled and sealed with 30ml of single malt – a measure of the Angels’ Share – in a secret process.
In the past four years, the firm has gone from strength to strength expanding its giftware range and exporting to retailers and online customers all over the world.
For more details, visit the website www.angelsshareglass.com
Notes:
Angels’ Share Glass is a family-run business based in Bridge of Allan, near Stirling. The firm is co-directed by Karen Somerville and her father Tom Young – a world-renowned Master Craftsman who has been glassblowing and making lamp-work glassware for nearly 60 years. More information about the company can be found on the website at www.angelsshareglass.com
Spirit of Hven Alioth is the fifth in the Spirit of Hven Seven Stars series. It is a moderately peated single malt whisky, made from grain to bottle in the small family owned distillery situated on the island of Hven in the strait of Öresund between Denmark and Sweden.
Described as “Taste & Scent with Sustainability”, Spirit of Hven produces a diverse range of oak matured distillates, with the heart and soul of the distillery being the production of world acclaimed single malt whiskies. In fact, their single malt whisky was Sweden’s first ever island whisky. Handcrafted using only certified organic ingredients, distilled in unique copper pot stills, matured in French Petraea, French Robur and American Muehlenbergii before being finished off in 500L marrying casks made of Spanish Quercus Robur. These have previously held a unique dry Oloroso Sherry, providing a dry nutty, almond character with notes of raisins, new cut fruit and citrus all in an enticing harmony.
Spirit of Hven Alioth is named after the star Alioth in the asterism Ursa Major (the Plough). The name derives from the Arabic, alyat, meaning “the tail of a sheep” referring to the position in the asterism. Alioth is the brightest star in the constellation.
Spirit of Hven is distributed in the UK by Amathus Drinks PLC. For more information, please visit www.hven.com or contact holly@amathusdrinks.com.
Springbank Society
How are we all doing?
Not long until the Campbeltown Malts Festival – I am sure we will be seeing quite a few of you there.
My bombardment of your inboxes continue and, if anything, is gaining momentum because this is one of the best newsletters that has been sent to members during my time at the helm of the Society.
However, this email is very information heavy so please take the time to read it through to be sure of all the details below.
As I am sure you already suspect, I am delighted to confirm that that the purpose of this newsletter is to announce the release of 2 distillery releases from Springbank and remind you all of the Kilkerran 8yo Cask strength release from our sister distillery, Mitchell’s Glengyle. So let’s get started…
The following bottlings will be available in the UK from tomorrow (Wednesday 12th April 2017) and in other countries/markets in the coming weeks. Please contact your local retailers and stockists for more information, details of whom can be found by visiting www.springbankwhisky.com/distributors.
Hazelburn 13yo Sherrywood – 47.1%
We’ll start with this lovely HB release, distilled in October 2003 and matured in Oloroso casks;
Nose – Initially raisins, marzipan, Demerara sugar followed by treacle, sticky toffee and wood shavings.
Taste – Homemade strawberry jam, sugary and filled with cream, orange zest, brandy snaps and a white chocolate creme brûlée.
Finish – Chocolate orange, crazy coffee liqueur, buttered popcorn, cocoa beans and mocha coffee with a delicate finish of sweet orange marmalade.
There will be approximately 12,000 bottles available worldwide and they will retail at around £55.00.
Need to know
This is not a Society bottle. This is not considered a core product and as such the Society discount does not apply.I will not be taking orders for this bottle as I am not aware of any shop’s stock or allocation.
Longrow 18yo – 46.0%
Nose – Very sweet; pear drops and light marshmallows. Roasted pine nuts and creme brûlée followed by a very buttery cheesecake base with a soft liquorice note.
Taste – The sweetness continues on the palate; with hard boiled toffee sweets, caramelised sugar, sticky toffee pudding, nougat and fresh cream with hints of charred embers.
Finish – Lovely and rich: dark chocolate followed by coffee beans, liquorish, viennese whirls. This is rounded off with the signature Longrow notes of coastal sea salt flavours and a gentle smokiness.
Matured in 60% refill sherry casks, 40% bourbon casks. There will be approximately 4,500 bottles available worldwide and they will retail at around £89.00.
Need to know
This is not a Society bottle. This is considered a core product so the Society discount will apply. I will not be taking orders for this bottle as I am not aware of any shop’s stock or allocation.
Kilkerran 8yo Cask Strength – 56.2%
From Mitchell’s Glengyle
Most of you will have some of the information below but just incase any of you missed it I thought I would include it in full this time as well.
Nose – The aroma from the lightly peated barley is apparent from the off and some of the green apples which are becoming a feature of Kilkerran are also present. This whisky is like a favourite dessert, rhubarb crumble, with scents of stewed rhubarb, vanilla and all butter shortbread.
Taste – There’s an earthiness and saltiness, exactly what you want to taste in a Campbeltown dram. This is combined with icing sugar and puff candy which gives a sweetness to the whisky, along with milk chocolate and walnut flavours.
Finish – The peat remains, along with a sootiness, pencil shavings and a liquorice-influenced maltiness.
Matured in 100% bourbon casks, the KK 8yo CS will retail at around £48.00 and there will be approximately 9,000 bottles available worldwide.
Once again, these bottlings will be available in the UK from (Wednesday 12th April 2017) and in other countries/markets in the coming weeks. Please contact your local retailers and stockists for more information, details of whom can be found by visiting www.springbankwhisky.com/distributors.
Some of you may not see this email until Wednesday, in which case these bottles will be available by the time you read these words.
And finally, work on the next Society exclusive bottling is gathering pace and I will hopefully be releasing some information to you in the next few weeks.
Until next time,
Slainte
Nathan
Nathan Currie
For the Springbank Society
Introducing -“Find Rare Whisky” The online portal to browse, discover and shop for the best in Whiskies, Cognacs and other spirits. Learn more about all the New Brand Exclusives, Rare Collections, New Releases and More…..
If you liked what you tasted at the Nth 2017 then log on to “www.findrarewhisky.com” to purchase any whiskies showcased at the Nth Experience Find Rare Whisky
Friday, April 21st 4-7PM
Locally Made: Sonoma Co. Distillery
Sonoma Co. Distillery, founded in 2010 in the heart of Sonoma County is California’s premier whisky distillery. Their ‘grain-to-glass’ approach to whisky brings a hands on quality to every bottling, resulting in a delicious world-class whisky. A variety of popular and upcoming releases will be sampled, with distillery representatives and whisky experts on hand to answer all your questions.
BLANTON’S SINGLE BARREL NAMED BEST OF CLASS BOURBON,
RECEIVES DOUBLE GOLD
AT DENVER INTERNATIONAL SPIRITS COMPETITION
Buffalo Trace Distillery whiskies win eight top awards
FRANKFORT, Franklin County, Ky (April 5, 2017) Buffalo Trace Distillery was awarded eight top awards at the sixth annual Denver International Spirits Competition, including a Double Gold, which was awarded to Blanton’s Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Blanton’s was also named Best of Class Bourbon.
In addition to Blanton’s receiving Double Gold, whiskies from Buffalo Trace Distillery also received two Gold, three Silver and two Bronze.
Those awarded Gold include:
Those awarded Silver include:
Those awarded Bronze include:
“We are very pleased and humbled by these results,” Master Distiller Harlen Wheatley said. “This is a great recognition for our whiskies, and we could not be more proud of the whole crew at the Distillery who work hard every day to produce our great whiskies.”
The Denver International Spirits Competition was held in Broomfield, Colorado, where a panel of 20 respected spirits authorities rated entries through a double-blind process, on a 100-point scale.
Complete results for the 2017 Denver International Spirits Competition can be found at www.denverspiritscomp.com
About Buffalo Trace Distillery
Buffalo Trace Distillery is an American family-owned company based in Frankfort, Franklin County, Kentucky. The Distillery’s rich tradition dates back to 1773 and includes such legends as E.H. Taylor, Jr., George T. Stagg, Albert B. Blanton, Orville Schupp, and Elmer T. Lee. Buffalo Trace Distillery is a fully operational Distillery producing bourbon, rye and vodka on site and is a National Historic Landmark as well as is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Distillery has won 17 distillery titles since 2000 from such notable publications as Whisky Magazine, Whisky Advocate Magazine and Wine Enthusiast Magazine. It was named “Brand Innovator of the Year” by Whisky Magazine at its Icons of Whisky America Awards 2015. Buffalo Trace Distillery has also garnered more than 300 awards for its wide range of premium whiskies. To learn more about Buffalo Trace Distillery visit www.buffalotracedistillery.com
Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival brings the forgotten legacy of unsung whisky hero Alexander Edward to life
His vision, acumen and passion for whisky helped to make the Speyside region what it is today, yet few people are aware of the impact that he made on an industry that is worth billions to the Scottish economy.
But the legacy left behind by Alexander Edward – the forgotten hero of the Scotch whisky industry – will be celebrated later this month when the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival raises a toast in his honour.
Renowned whisky writer Dave Broom will bring his story to life at a special event being staged on April 28 at The Craigellachie Hotel – a venue Edward built just a stone’s throw from the distillery where he made his name.
Dave will host the event with Lyndsey Gray, bar manager at The Quaich, who also feels it is long overdue for Edward – a man considered to be years ahead of his time during the Victorian era – to get recognition.
Together they will look back at the life, times and drams of the popular, likeable man responsible for creating the village of Craigellachie, its main hotel and the distillery when he was still only in this 30s.
Dave, who is the driving force behind industry website scotchwhisky.com, says Speyside – and the Scotch whisky industry as a whole – owes Edward a debt of gratitude.
He adds, “Alexander Edward was a classic Victorian man of action. His whisky adventures started when his father gave him the lease of Benrinnes, and he made his name when he joined with Peter Mackie in establishing the Craigellachie distillery.
“Noticing the influx of tourists to the region he began to build villas in the village and then the hotel. He would go on to build Aultmore distillery and be financially involved in the construction of Benromach and Dallas Dhu.
“How can such a legacy be forgotten? Perhaps it’s because Edward was a distiller, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and deal-maker, not a blender. There can be no doubt however that his distilleries and hotels helped to establish Speyside as Scotland’s pre-eminent whisky region. With the building of the hotel he can lay claim to be the first to see the potential for high-class tourism to the area.
“He was, simply, years ahead of this time – and Lyndsey and I feel it’s high time that he was given the recognition he is due. Whisky and hospitality is what he believed in and what the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival stands for.”
During the event, Dave and Lyndsey will be ensuring that guests get to understand the true spirit of Edward by serving up six whiskies made in his stills. Tickets for the talk and taste are priced £60 and are available from the event website, www.spiritofspeyside.com
The Festival takes place from April 27 to May 1 and will welcome thousands of people from home and abroad in a five-day celebration of Scotland’s national drink. There are almost 500 events taking place, ranging from exclusive distillery tours to whisky and food pairing.
Many of the most popular events sold out within a matter of hours of tickets going live, but there are still some with spaces available. Based in the heart of Scotland’s malt whisky country – home to more than half of all of Scotland’s distilleries – the Festival has events from Kingussie in the south to Forres in the west and Buckie in the east.
More information about the event is available at www.spiritofspeyside.com and tickets are also available to buy on the website. The Festival is active on social media – facebook.com/WhiskyFestival and @spirit_speyside on Twitter and Instagram. Use the hashtag #dram17.
Caption: Whisky writer Dave Broom will join forces with Lyndsey Gray of The Craigellachie Hotel to shed light on the life of Speyside’s forgotten hero – Alexander Edward – during the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival.
