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A BOUQUET OF DELICIOUS “ROSES”
Based in Lawrenceburg Kentucky, Four Roses Distillery is one of America’s oldest and most historic bourbon producers dating back to the late 19th century with the name trademarked way back in 1888. Over the decades, Four Roses changed owners, survived Prohibition by selling medicinal whiskey and rebounded through the 20th century after the end of prohibition. In 2002 the brand was purchased by Kirin Brewery company out of Japan and, just last week, ownership changed once again when it was acquired by Gallo Winery, which asserts its intention to maintain the overall focus on quality bourbon production that has earned the distillery its stellar reputation.
One of the main things that sets Four Roses apart in the world of bourbon is its unique approach to recipe variation and blending. The distillery produces ten distinct bourbon recipes by combining two mash bills — one higher in rye and one lower — with five proprietary yeast strains. Each recipe is encoded with a four-letter code, and these are aged in new charred American oak barrels for at least five years before bottling. The letter codes on the tag of each bottle tell you what yeast strain, recipe, and aging location were used.
Big News! Recently in Louisville, VDC Blue Ridge Toasted Barrel Finish was named 🥇 Best American Single Malt at the 2026 World Whiskies Awards. This incredible recognition reflects the dedication and passion of our entire team. We couldn’t be prouder. 🙌 If you haven’t experienced this award-winning whisky yet, we hope you’ll pour a glass and celebrate with us. 🥃✨
Glen Moray has a new temptation with UK launch of Forbidden Fruit
Speyside favourite unveils first Calvados finished single malt whisky
Glen Moray single malt Scotch whisky is inviting the nation’s drinkers to give in to temptation, with the latest addition to its award-winning range of single malt whiskies: Glen Moray Forbidden Fruit.
Inspired by the original story of temptation and the sweet indulgence of the apple, this new whisky is finished in French oak casks which were previously used to mature Calvados – France’s historic and famously rich apple brandy.
As the third whisky from the Distillery’s playful Xperience Collection, Forbidden Fruit continues Glen Moray’s journey of cask exploration and follows the acclaimed releases of Phoenix Rising and Twisted Vine – respectively tributes to charred oak and cognac cask maturation.
Intrigued by the subtle fruit notes and warm spices of Calvados, Glen Moray’s distillers took a single malt aged in bourbon casks and laid it down in Calvados casks to explore how the apple brandy would marry with their whisky’s signature, smooth Speyside style.
The resulting dram brims with notes of orchard fruits, sweet French pastries and fresh flowers, introducing an enticing new facet to the Elgin-based distillery’s much loved, easy drinking spirit.
To honour its tempting taste, bold packaging brings the whisky’s story vividly to life. A radiant scarlet apple takes centre stage against Glen Moray’s classic dark blue, and the fabled forbidden fruit is artfully cradled by delicate golden leaves, as a sinuous serpent winds its way through the design.
Glen Moray Global Brand Ambassador Iain Allan said: ‘Cask exploration has been a huge part of the Glen Moray Distillery story for over a century, and Forbidden Fruit is a wonderful new testament to this heritage. It is a sweet, spicy and very morish single malt which we’re sure will be a tempting treat for whisky fans to explore, whether they are connoisseurs or new to single malts.’
Glen Moray Forbidden Fruit is available from specialist whisky retailers throughout the UK and in Morrisons stores across Scotland from April. Bottled in 70cl at 40% ABV, RRP: £32
Tasting Notes
NOSE: Green apples, toffee, apple blossom perfume and sweet pastries.
TASTE: Apple pie, baking spice, vanilla custard, barley sugar, very subtle wood tannins and a slight acidity.
FINISH: long, with an initial spice which subsides to reveal notes of oak with poached pears and cloves.
#caskexplorersforever
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www.facebook.com/GlenMorayDistillery
March is all about new beginnings from a seasonal perspective, so it’s only right that we get into this month’s whiskies with the same attitude. Isn’t it time you got into the new stuff? March Outturn is now live.
This month also sees the introduction of a couple of the Society’s new flavour profiles. The original twelve flavour profiles have evolved into eight mouthwatering categories – each with a new name, colour and character. This is a refinement and a refocus on flavour based on our historical archive of Tasting Notes and member feedback. Discover more here.
More of the new profiles will be introduced over time as we slowly retire the old “Legacy” profiles. This month we welcome “Ripe fruits & honey” and “Bold & peaty”!
THE FRUITY SAWMILL
AGE: 11 years
CASK: 2nd fill ex-bourbon barrel
CARAMEL CASCADE
AGE: 12 years
CASKS: 1st fill ex-bourbon & Palo Cortado barrels and hogsheads
BEND TO THE WILL OF THE CASK
AGE: 14 years
CASK: 1st fill ex-bourbon hogshead
DOON AROON THE TOON
AGE: 8 years
CASKS: 1st fill ex-bourbon barrel
FLAMENCO FLOORBOARD FANTASY
AGE: 15 years
CASK: 1st fill Pedro Ximenez butt
MEATY WALLOP
AGE: 12 years
CASK: Refill toasted butt
BROWSE MARCH 2026 OUTTURN HERE
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
Our Whisky Team are the rockstars of flavour creation across all of our ranges – but we’re shining the spotlight on the innovation and experimentation that makes our Two to One series uniquely delicious. These ultra-small batches are about creating layers of flavour, much like the perfect chord in a song.
While we’ve married single casks since as early as 1991, the scale and variety of cask types we’re now producing mean that these casks deserve a badge of their own.
Here’s how Two to One works:
1.) We select casks from the same distillery at the peak of their maturation and marry them together just before bottling.
2.) We put two casks from the same distillery into one larger cask – for example, two bourbon hogsheads or barrels into a larger sherry butt, which then undergoes a period of additional maturation for at least two years.
Most importantly, none of these cask-strength malts are bottled before the Tasting Panel approves them. So whether the whisky is ready after two years or four years of additional maturation, the good stuff is worth the wait!
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
Join Kirsty & Vic as they visit Strathisla Distillery, one of Scotland’s oldest and most iconic distilleries, known for its picturesque pagodas and integral role in the Chivas Regal blend. Discover the story behind their unusual 11-year-old single malt, its bold, full-bodied character and why whisky lovers consider a visit here a must.
🎬 Watch the Video | 📖 Read the Post
Keeper’s Heart American Pot Still, 46%
Produced by the legendary Brain Nation through the O’Shaughnessy Distillery CO, this is his first 100% American made whiskey. Created in the classic Irish way, triple distilled and following the Single Pot Still style, a combination of malted and unmalted barley, fully matured in fresh American oak. This the first of a three part series, a triple pot distilled rye coming in 2027, and triple pot distilled American bourbon coming in 2028.
We tried two releases from Keeper’s Heart last year, and both were stunningly fresh, clean examples of whiskey. This one is a heavier, woodier, more intense form of whiskey from this distillery in Minneapolis. Certainly a place worth keeping an eye on.
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The 2026 Canadian Artisan Spirit of the Year is Macaloney’s Island Distillery Cath-nah-aven Single Malt Whisky
The ninth edition of national competition showcases the best artisan spirits from across Canada
Vancouver, BC (February 24, 2026) – Following their 2025 Canadian Whisky of the Year award, Macaloney’s Island Distillery has earned the top prize in the 2026 Canadian Artisan Spirit Competition (CASC) for their Cath-nah-aven Single Malt Whisky, presented by Artisan Distillers Canada (ADC).
Judges noted this whisky brings “a beautiful, burnished copper appearance, leading to a nose suggesting Oloroso sherry, fruitcake, cocoa powder and candied almond, with a palate of toasted hazelnut, baking spice, toffee and fruitcake, all of which sail off into a long, smooth, caramel-tinged finish.”
The CASC judging panel was comprised of 14 independent judges who evaluated hundreds of artisan spirits, plus bitters, submitted by 56 producers from across Canada and entered into 24 different categories. The Canadian Artisan Spirit of the Year is awarded to the top-scoring spirit, regardless of category.
“In spite of serious headwinds in this sector, I’m happy to see that there are still amazing spirits produced across Canada,” stated ADC’s founder and executive director, Alex Hamer. He continued, “Canadians who are interested in supporting their local communities and businesses can look to our artisan spirit producers for just about all their needs, including gins, rums, whiskies, and more. CASC continues to be a great place to find some of Canada’s best spirits.”
About Artisan Distillers Canada (ADC) and the Canadian Artisan Spirit Competition (CASC)
Artisan Distillers Canada (ADC) operates consumer and industry-focused events and awards programs for Canada’s artisan distilleries and spirits sector. ADC’s goals are to support consumer awareness of artisan distilleries and spirits, to provide education and professional development through conferences focused on best practices in the science and business of distilling, and to foster community. For more information about ADC, visit artisandistillers.ca.
ADC launched the Canadian Artisan Spirit Competition (CASC) in 2018. Spirits submitted to any of the 24 different CASC award categories are sampled blindly and evaluated by an independent panel of judges from across the country, with the top spirit in each category earning a Best in Class Award. Spirits are also awarded Bronze, Silver, and Gold medals, with the top overall scoring spirit being awarded Canadian Artisan Spirit of the Year. CASC is open to any distillery in Canada that meets ADC’s ‘artisan’ classification for distilleries and spirit products. To learn more about Canadian artisan distilleries and spirits, visit artisandistillers.ca/artisan-distillery.
