SUPPORTING WOMEN IN DISTILLING

To celebrate Women’s History Month, we are thrilled to announce the Angela H. Moore – Women in Distilling Scholarship, and in support of the initiative, a new limited edition release: Scholar’s Craft Coffee Cask American Single Malt.

The scholarship will provide $100k of aid for students at Appalachian State University entering the field of distillation and whisky production.

The renewable scholarship will provide annual aid to fermentation sciences majors above the age of 21 in a 5 year endowment. Half of our investment will be used to conduct student driven research projects on distillation. With our help, students will now have the necessary funds to develop research ideas and carry them out under the mentorship of the fermentation sciences faculty. Additionally, we’re offering paid-internship opportunities to those students that receive aid from this scholarship, giving them on-site, real world experience working inside a whisky distillery. Interns will work across all facets of whisky production including distilling, cask house operations, and packaging.

“I’m incredibly proud to launch this program and hope it encourages those who are interested in a career in distilling to pursue their passions,” said Angela H. Moore, Board Chair at Virginia Distillery Company. “As a minority in a male-dominated industry, my goal is to grow representation and create opportunities for women in the production of world-class whiskies.”

BUY SCHOLAR’S CRAFT

The Scholar’s Craft Coffee Cask is made from 100% malted barley, aged in ex-bourbon casks and finished in barrels that previously held ethically sourced small-batch coffee. Coffee was selected for this expression to acknowledge the vital role that it plays in the lives of college students. All proceeds from Scholar’s Craft will go towards the scholarship fund. We invite you to try this exceptional whisky, and in doing so, join us in supporting women in distilling.

Thank you for your continued support and we look forward to sharing a dram of Scholar’s Craft with you.

Cheers,

Virginia Distillery Co. 🥃

Blanton’s Black “Takara” Kentucky Straight Bourbon (750ml)(Japanese Import) $210.00 View

Blanton’s Red “Takara” Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon (750ml)(Japanese Import) $220.00 View

Email: wine@klwines.com
Phone: (877) KL-WINES (Toll Free 877.559.4637)
K&L Wine Merchants 3005 El Camino Real Redwood City, CA 94061 USA
San Francisco, Redwood City, Hollywood CA

Kilchoman Loch Gorm 2023

This latest delightful dram takes its name from the dark, murky, and peaty waters of the nearby Loch Gorm. An annual release, we always look forward to this Islay sherry-bomb! Named after the dark and peaty loch next to Kilchoman’s distillery on Islay, this 12th annual release of Loch Gorm is the 2023 version of the only regular expression matured entirely in Oloroso sherry butts. The expression is a marriage of 22 specially chosen casks: 8 distilled in 2013, 6 distilled in 2014, and 8 distilled in 2015. Bottled at 46% abv.

£78.00
BUY NOW

ralfy review 971 – Kilchoman Sanaig @ 46%vol:

One man, a dram and a mountain

Local medical charity Cobalt supporter Philip Pinchin is going to great heights to raise money for the charity.  On 6 April, Philip will set off on an expedition to summit Lhotse at 8,516m, the fourth highest mountain in the world. As part of the challenge Philip plans to share some drams of Bimber whisky at Camp 2 situated at 6,553m, which if successful would beat the current highest whisky tasting record by more than 1,100 m.

Kirsty Bradbury, Supporter Engagement Officer, Cobalt said “We hope that Philip’s exceptional challenge will help us raise much-needed funds to provide the very latest diagnostic imaging for people with cancer, dementia, and other conditions.  It’s an extraordinary undertaking and we are very grateful; for Philip’s support.  We will be following his progress up the mountain and hope to share photos of his climb along the way”.

Philip Pinchin

Supporting Philip’s expedition are Dunphail and Bimber whisky distilleries. Bimber will launch a rare London single malt – The Lhotse Challenge 2023. This incredibly special Bimber will be an entirely unique marriage of three different cask types, including some of their oldest and finest stock.

The miniatures will each possess a stunning hand-painted artist label.  One bottle plus seven 5cl miniatures will be offered via a raffle to raise funds towards Philip’s trip.  Tickets will cost £10 each and are available to purchase from the Bimber web shop until Wednesday 29 March.  The lucky winners will be revealed in a live draw on the Bimber Facebook page on Thursday 30 March at 9pm.

One miniature will hopefully summit and return with Philip. This miniature along with a bottle will be sent for a special charity auction upon Philip’s return to England. All proceeds from the auction will be presented to Cobalt.

Cobalt provide support to the NHS and invest in the latest diagnostic imaging technology.  They have supported over 59 research studies and clinical trials and completed over 700 research scans per year. Cobalt support the NHS England Targeted Lung Health Check Programme. Cobalt is the leading provider of the programme and supports seven TLHC services across England with over 50,000 CT scans.

For more information on medical charity Cobalt go to www.cobalthealth.co.uk/support-us/  or follow @CobaltSupporters on Facebook.

Charity information 

Cobalt

Cobalt pioneer innovation in medical imaging diagnosis by investing in equipment, integrated research and education to improve outcomes for patients now and in the future.

Each year Cobalt provides diagnostic imaging for over 130,000 patients at Imaging Centres in Cheltenham and Birmingham and with a fleet of mobile MRI CT and PET/CT scanners supporting hospitals across the UK.

The Charity participates and funds research mainly in the areas of cancer and dementia and provides training for healthcare professionals on a local, national and international basis.

For every £1 raised through voluntary income, 88p is spent on charitable work.

Follow Cobalt on Twitter @cobaltfr or like @CobaltSupporters on Facebook.

www.cobalthealth.co.uk 

Bimber Distillery 

Bimber Distillery produces world-class single malt whisky, handcrafted with passion in West London. As a leading distiller of English whisky, we combine generations of rich distilling heritage with the finest quality ingredients to create the ultimate craft whisky experience.

www.bimberdistillery.co.uk

Dunphail Distillery 

Our firm belief in the importance of high-quality barley and the use of onsite floor malting and kilning ensures that Dunphail’s spirit is a product of uniqueness, shaped by generations of rich distilling heritage. We craft the finest whisky the way it used to be made – taking the traditions of the past to shape the whisky of tomorrow.

www.dunphaildistillery.com

SAVOUR THE SKYSCRAPERS
OF SMOKE

It’s the 20th anniversary of The Peat Monster. And to mark this momentous occasion, we’re going back to where it all began. Introducing our next limited edition – The Peat Monster Cask Strength: Origin Story. Follow us on a flavoursome homecoming journey to New York City, the place where the monster first came to life.

HOW THE PEAT MONSTER
CAME TO BE

While its components are sourced from Scotland, our beloved blend, The Peat Monster was born in the USA, as a whisky made in collaboration with Park Avenue Liquor Shop. After adapting and refining the recipe to get the right level of smokiness, we created something very special. The bottle was sent to Park Avenue Liquor Shop with a note, which simply read: “It’s a monster”.

Now the monster returns from Scotland to New York City, bringing skyscrapers of smoky flavour to the glass.

BIGGER. BOLDER. SMOKIER.

At 56.7% ABV, The Peat Monster Cask Strength grows into something stronger and more expressive. A blend both smokier and peatier than the original. On the nose, expect wisps of sooty barbecue smoke, green apple, and aromatic citrus oils, all underpinned by a gentle cinnamon warmth. On the palate, there’s a dazzling metropolis of flavours – from tarry smoked almond, to seaweed, to cayenne pepper – all made more industrial and more intense by the whisky’s higher ABV.

AN ODE TO AMERICAN ART

This limited edition is a celebration of The Peat Monster’s American roots – from the cooperage behind the barrels it was finished in, to the illustration on the label. The whisky in the bottle was part-finished in seasoned virgin American oak barrels made specially for us in Missouri, which brings an increased presence of vanilla and cinnamon.

The label design, created by American artist Marc Burckhardt, shows the monster returning to its birthplace of New York City, surrounded by its iconic skyscrapers and steam grates.

CLICK ABOVE TO SHOP FOR THE PEAT MONSTER CASK STRENGTH AT COMPASSBOXWHISKY.COM

Caol Ila 10 Year Old “Hart Brothers” Single Hogshead Cask Strength Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) (Pre-Arrival) $69.99 View

Dalmore 10 Year Old “Hart Brothers Finest Collection” K&L Exclusive Cask Strength First Fill Sherry Butt Unchillfiltered Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) (Pre-Arrival) $69.99 View

Aberlour 11 Year Old “Hart Brothers Finest Collection” K&L Exclusive Cask Strength First Fill Sherry Butt Unchillfiltered Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) (Pre-Arrival) $89.99 View

Email: wine@klwines.com
Phone: (877) KL-WINES (Toll Free 877.559.4637)
K&L Wine Merchants 3005 El Camino Real Redwood City, CA 94061 USA
San Francisco, Redwood City, Hollywood CA

We’re honouring our landmark 40th anniversary with a collection of exciting new casks. Our ‘New Wave’ series celebrates new distilleries and hidden gems – a symbol of everything that the SMWS is all about. Trying new whiskies has always been part of the endless discovery journey for our members, and that’s as true today as it has ever been.

Each bottling within the series has been illustrated by the Society’s original illustrator, Bob Dewar – the artist who was instrumental in defining our look when we started out 40 years ago, and whose artwork still adorns the ceiling of our spiritual home at The Vaults. Our ‘New Wave’ is a look forward, with an interpretation of flavour by our old master on each bottle label.

FOUR NEW FLAVOURS…we’ve just released the first batch of bottlings from our ‘New Wave’ series. Click on over to our website to BUY NOW or keep on scrolling to discover more.

NEW WAVE BOTTLINGS

ONLINE SHOP

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

Three features in one day today! Whiskies from Caol Ila, Ledaig and Williamson today. A three feature set this week from Loch Fyne Whiskies! Single casks from Caol Ila (Islay), Ledaig and Laphroaig (Williamson), all bottled at cask strength and presented in their natural states. All very potent whiskies from the west coast that are distinctive in character and have some very interesting scents and tastes. Please enjoy the reviews and head over to Loch Fyne Whiskies to check out the range.

https://youtu.be/ZyooxRq_djw

https://youtu.be/IpvT8cUyhp0

https://youtu.be/GhMuljutdzw

The Epicurean Lowland Malt Pledges Donation to the BEN Society

Douglas Laing & Co are proud to be continuing their relationship with the Benevolent Society for the Licensed Trade of Scotland, pledging their third annual donation on behalf of their Lowland Malt Scotch Whisky brand, The Epicurean.

2022 proved to be another challenging year for the on-trade with the aftermath of COVID-19 highlighting the many challenges to overcome. However, Douglas Laing & Co. remain committed to the industry and strongly believe in the importance of giving back, donating a sum upwards of £10,000 to the BEN Society and continuing the partnership established in 2020.

Providing crucial financial, social and emotional support to those who have committed more than three years to working in Scotland’s licensed trade, The BEN Society is immensely important to the Scottish drinks and hospitality industry.

Cara Laing, Marketing Director, commented: “We are extremely proud to continue our partnership with The BEN Society in 2023. They are such an important organisation within the industry, giving vital support to thousands of people from the Scottish drinks & hospitality industry who are most in need. With The Epicurean brand gathering momentum and demonstrating considerable year on year growth, we’re excited to see the donation continue to increase as the partnership prospers over many years to come.”

Commenting on the long-term partnership, President of The BEN, Warren Paul, said “I would like to express my sincere thanks to all the team at Douglas Laing for their continued support, especially during these difficult times. Their commitment to the BEN is fantastic and will help assist many people from our Scottish drinks and hospitality industry.”

Chris Gardner, Chief Executive of The BEN, also commented “We are so grateful for the continued support from the industry in what is a very difficult time, going from Covid to the cost-of-living crisis, we still need your assistance as much as ever and thanks to everyone at Douglas Laing & Co. once again for your generosity and for remembering the BEN.   It means so much to so many.”