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Sampling Two Brewers ‘Yukon’ Single Malt Whiskies – Two Batches That Are Completely Different But Also Completely Fantastic!

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Batch 38 and Batch 41!

Two Brewers was founded by two engineers and old friends, Alan Hansen and Bob Baxter who started a craft brewery in Whitehorse, Canada.
Yukon Brewing was established in 1997 and in 2009 the two brewers purchased a still to take their craft brewing journey onwards to the next level.

Their whiskies are distilled in small batches using different fermentation techniques and a mix of barrels. By exploring different production methods no two releases are the same, and each release has a unique character of its own.

Robert from Highfern.com has kindly sent me two new release Whiskies to try from the Two Brewers range – Thanks Robert!

They are:-

  • Two Brewers Yukon Single Malt Whisky: Batch 38 Peated
  • Two Brewers Yukon Single Malt Whisky: Batch 41 Special Finishes

So, what did I think? Here are my tasting notes …

Tasting Notes – Two Brewers Yukon Single Malt Whisky: Batch 38 Peated (43%)


Created by blending peated and unpeated spirit matured for at least ten years in former bourbon casks.
A limited edition of 960 x 750ml and 90 x 700ml bottles.


Nose: Sweet, earthy gentle peat with fruity apple and shades of citrus.

Palate: Whispers of smokey peat with some sugary fruit including apple and lemon.

Finish: Modest antiseptic and a little chilli.

Overall: Not your usual peated dram – rather a lighter, gentler, tamer version that is ideal for first timers – a real joy of a dram and one to savour!

Tasting Notes – Two Brewers Yukon Single Malt Whisky: Batch 41 Special Finishes (43%)


Initially matured in former bourbon casks, then finished for two years in former Pedro Ximenéx sherry casks.
A limited edition of 1050 x 750ml and 90 x 700ml bottles.


Nose: Rich, stewed fruits with sweet toffee apples, chocolate, some coffee and vanilla pastry.
Palate: Luscious toffee apple with sweet, syrupy prunes, chocolate, a little lemon citrus.
Finish: Gentle growing pepper but it’s smooth, creamy and sweet all the way with this dram!
Overall: A great Christmas whisky with lush, sweet, fruity flavours – very moreish!

Many thanks to highfern.com (@HighfernLtd) for sending two amazing, but different, drams!

Two Brewers Whisky is available to buy from these Merchants:-

About Highfern

Highfern Ltd is the proprietor of Angels’ Nectar Blended Malt and Single Malt Scotch Whisky, and the UK importer of Langatun Swiss Single Malt Whisky, Strane London Dry Gin, and Cihuat‡n Rum.

Sampling The Kilchoman Landmark 16 Year Old Whisky – The Years Have Been Good To This Dram!

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The Kilchoman 16 Year Old Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky!

Kilchoman has launched their oldest global bottling to date – the Kilchoman 16 Years Old!

A marriage of both ex-bourbon and oloroso sherry casks …

This is a proud moment for all at the distillery as they release their oldest global bottling to date. A combination of 21 casks have been maturing for over 16 years, predominantly ex-bourbon barrels with a hint of ex-oloroso sherry, creating a perfectly balanced single malt.

With a marriage of both ex-bourbon and oloroso sherry casks, this release showcases how the recognised Kilchoman flavours and character has developed over the last 16 years of maturation.

Anthony Wills, Kilchoman Founder, & Robin Bignal, Production Manager, have spent the last few years keeping a close eye on these early casks, waiting for the right moment to vat them together and form this momentous Kilchoman 16 Years Old.

A proud moment for all at the distillery as they release their oldest global bottling to date!

This is a landmark release for the distillery, the oldest global bottling we have done to date at 16 years of age.

I look forward to Kilchoman fans around the world tasting this outstanding whisky and experience the evolving character of our single malt.
– Anthony Wills: Kilchoman Founder

The Kilchoman 16 Years Old is available from Kilchoman stockists now.

Kilchoman has kindly sent me a sample to try. (Thanks kilchomandistillery.com / @Kilchomanwhisky!)

So, what did I think? Here are my tasting notes …

Tasting Notes – Kilchoman 16 Year Old Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (50%)


21 Cask Vatting
50 PPM Heavily Peated

The last few years have been spent keeping a close eye on early casks to produce this 16 Year Old!

Nose: Smokey aromas with sweet ginger cake luscious fruits, savoury peat, dusky rooms and creamy vanilla and citrus.

Palate: Strong sweetness and equally strong savouriness with smokehouse peat, toffee apples, wisps of burning embers and growing antiseptic.

Finish: Intense, spicy pepper and chilli with some dryness at the end.

Overall: Truly a warming chest-rub of a dram! Love the fruity palate, the robust ABV and, of course, those fantastic smokehouse flavours – 16 years have been good to this dram!

Once again, many thanks to kilchomandistillery.com (@Kilchomanwhisky) for sending me this dram!

Kilchoman is available to buy from these Merchants:-

About Kilchoman

Kilchoman is a family run farm distillery based on the rugged west coast of Islay, Scotland. The distillery was established by Anthony Wills in 2005, the idea was to build a new distillery which took whisky production back to its roots.

Their 100% Islay range is Islay’s only Single Farm Single Malt Scotch Whisky. It represents the revival of traditional farm distilling – growing our own barley before malting, distilling, maturing and bottling every bottle of our 100% Islay range on site.

In The San Francisco World Spirits 2023, Sanaig received the prestigious ‘Double Gold’

Kilchoman produces its 100% Islay single malt from barley which is grown in fields surrounding the distillery and completes every stage of the whisky-making process at the distillery, including traditional floor malting. Kilchoman is the only distillery in Scotland to do this.

2023 Awards

◼ The San Francisco World Spirits 2023 – Sanaig received the prestigious ‘Double Gold’ while Machir Bay was also awarded Gold

◼ The Spirits Business Scotch Whisky Masters 2023 and The Sprits Challenge 2023 – Machir Bay and Sanaig were both awarded Gold Medals

The Tullibardine Distillery Tweet Tasting – Sampling Four Whiskies From Their Award-Winning Signature Range!

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The Tullibardine tasting set!

Tullibardine was the subject of a recent @TweetTastings, which was once again ably hosted by Steve from The Whisky Wire.

This sampling, gave us the opportunity to taste the following drams:-

  • Tullibardine Sovereign
  • Tullibardine 225 Sauternes Cask Finish
  • Tullibardine 228 Burgundy Cask Finish
  • Tullibardine 500 Sherry Cask Finish

The drams make up their Tullibardine tasting set which takes fans on a ‘stunning flavour journey’ and consists of four miniature 4 x 50ml bottles offering the perfect way for whisky lovers to discover Tullibardine’s award-winning signature range!

If you want to catch up on what all the tweet tasters had to say you can view their comments by searching for the hashtag #TullibardineWhisky on X (Twitter)

So, what did I think?

Here are my tasting notes … and my favourites on the night!

Tasting Notes – Tullibardine Sovereign (43%)


Nose: Lots of apple orchard on the nose with some cane sweetnesss and hints of pears. Additionally, there’s some vanilla pastry with promises of some sweet spiciness and later on light tropical fruits make their presence felt.

Palate: A light mouthfeel with creamy sweet apples and orchard fruits with hints of tropical flavours.

Finish: Some mild pepper which gets seriously punchier with time and all ending with an astringent, crisp finish.

Tasting Notes – Tullibardine 225 Sauternes Cask Finish (43%)


Nose: Slightly sherried creamy nose with syrupy stewed fruits and apple – delightful! Quite jammy (strawberry et al) with hints of tropical fruits. dusky books and crayons – where did that come from?!

Palate: Hearty mouthfeel and quite savoury with some sweet apples, plump raisins and dry wood.

Finish: Nice sweet fruit jams as per the palate with some additional pepper, ginger and sweet spices – a lovely finish!

Whiskies that are exceptionally flavoursome!

Tasting Notes – Tullibardine 228 Burgundy Cask Finish (43%)


Nose: WoW! Ribena for adults! YES! Very fruity and syrupy with blackcurrants, strawberries and creamy biscuit. One of the fruitiest noses I’ve ever …. nosed! Add in some creamy coffee and sweet chocolate and were being truly spoiled!

Palate: Lighter mouthfeel than I expected with sweet jammy overtones and creamy coffee chocolate undertones – cracking!

Finish: A powerful spicy finish with black pepper but tempered by vanilla pastry.

Tasting Notes – Tullibardine 500 Sherry Cask Finish (43%)


Nose: Quite earthy this one and it’s being a bit shy nose-wise! Wth time there’s lots of demerera sugar, rose and candied sweets …. which is a surprise! Some red wine in addition but, alas, the sherry is eluding me!

Palate: Ah! There’s the sherry, waiting for me! Some nice dried fruits, coffee, chocolate and creamy, buttery pastry.

Finish: The smoothest spice finish I ever did taste – wonderful!

My Favourites On The Night


1. 228 Burgundy Cask Finish
2. 500 Sherry Cask Finish

Both are real delights tbh and both are exceptionally flavoursome!
.

Many thanks to Steve at The Whisky Wire (@TheWhiskyWire / @TweetTastings) for a great evening and Tullibardine (@Tullidistillery) for sending the samples and without whom!

Tullibardine is available to buy from these Merchants:-

The Speyside Distillery Tweet Tasting – Sampling Four Whiskies With Two At Cask Strength!

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The Four Speys!

Steve from The Whisky Wire recently held a Spey @TweetTastings which gave us lucky people the opportunity to sample the following drams:-

  • Spey Trutina Melody
  • Spey Beinn Dubh
  • Spey Tenne Cask Strength Batch 4
  • Spey Fumare Cask Strength Batch 4

Production at The Speyside Distillery started in 1990. The distillery took its name from the original distillery of the same name, located in Kingussie, which was operational from around 1895 – 1911.

The distillery is small in comparison with it’s closest neighbours (Dalwhinnie & Tomatin), with a 4.2 ton Semi-Lauter mash tun, 4 stainless steel washbacks and one pair of stills (11,000 wash & 8000 spirit).

Speyside Distillery uses a wide range of casks. The majority of these are American ex-bourbon barrels, but they also use casks sourced from Spain, Portugal and France.

If you want to catch up on what all the tweet tasters had to say you can view their comments by searching for the hashtag #SpeysideDistillery on X (Twitter)

So, what did I think?

Here are my tasting notes … and my favourites on the night!

Tasting Notes – Spey Trutina Melody (46%)

Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky
ABV: 46%
Casks: Bourbon
Bottles: 1,500

SPEY Trutina, which takes its name from the latin for ‘honest & pure’, is said to signify the natural, simple characteristics of the Speyside Distillery.


Nose: Sherbet sweetness with green apples and some citrus. Some toffee notes and after a while the citrus increases with the addition of some herbs.

Palate: Strong lemon citrus balanced by sugary sweetness and chocolate.

Finish: Dry and powerful spicy pepper which is rather scrummy! The finish gets quite bitter at the end.

Tasting Notes – Beinn Dubh (43%)


Beinn Dubh
Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky
ABV: 43%
AGE: NAS
Casks: Bourbon barrels before being finished in heavily toasted Ruby Port casks

Beinn Dubh, which means Black Mountain, has been produced using water from the Cairngorm Black Mountain, and finished in heavily toasted Ruby Port casks from The Douro Valley.

Nose: What an inviting looking dram this is! On the nose there’s rich dark fruits with red wine and vanilla. It gets more porty as time goes on with some added coffee.

Palate: Lashings of Port and dark chocolate! Then there’s Dark fruits including prunes, wood, creamy vanilla and a little liquorice.

Finish: The spiciness grows but there’s sweet coffee and chocolate aplenty to keep it in check!

Tasting Notes – Spey Tenne Cask Strength Batch 4 (57.5%)


Initially aged in bourbon casks, this bottling has been finished in the Tawny Port casks from the family run winery, Quinto de Filoco, for 6 months. A limited release of 1500 individually numbered bottles. Bottled at cask strength, non chill filtered and with no added colouring.

Nose: Rich and earthy with some port and red wine. There’s also hints of toffee and sugary plump fruits. Oh, not forgetting some waxiness …

Palate: Cracking port and red wine flavours with sugary plums and chocolate – Yummy!

Finish: Dark and spicy with dry wood, treacle and blackcurrant.

Tasting Notes – Spey Fumare Cask Strength Batch 4 (58%)

Casks: Bourbon
Bottles: 1,500

Fumare was the first ever peated distillery bottling from Speyside Distillers, produced from peated barley which the distillery only used for a small amount of time each year. 100% matured in bourbon barrels, non chill-filtered and with no added colouring.

Nose: Woop! Woop! Back to the smokehouse! Smokey peat with sweet treacle and a few hints of antiseptic plus some lemon zest.

Palate: Smokey with deep, sweet peat plus sweet, creamy chocolate, some herbal flavours and powerful peppery antiseptic plus a few shades of mint!

My Favourite On The Night


1. Fumare Cask Strength Batch 4
2. Tenne Cask Strength Batch 4

I Love these new cask strengths and the Fumare Cask at this ABV is off the scale – a great balance of flavours!

Many thanks to Steve at The Whisky Wire (@TheWhiskyWire / @TweetTastings) for a great evening and Spey (@SpeySingleMalt) for sending the samples and without whom!

Spey Whiskies are available to buy from these Merchants:-

“Drop & Dram” – The Scotch Malt Whisky Society’s New Subscription Service – Take Your Whisky Passion To The Next Level!

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Drop & Dram is aimed at whisky enthusiasts in the UK who are looking to discover new flavours and take their passion for whisky to the next level!

From the 29th November Whisky enthusiasts can now take their passion to the next level and have exceptional cask strength single malt whiskies delivered to their doors every month thanks to The Scotch Malt Whisky Society’s new ‘Drop & Dram’ subscription service!

Drop & Dram is aimed at whisky enthusiasts in the UK who are looking to discover new flavours and take their passion for whisky to the next level.

The news comes as the Society celebrates its 40th anniversary year. Started by a group of friends in Edinburgh in 1983, the Society is now the world’s biggest whisky club with around 30 branches across the world including China, Australia and the USA, and close to 40,000 members.

For £45 a month, Drop & Dram subscribers will receive a pack containing three carefully curated limited edition 50ml bottles of the Society’s cask strength single malt whisky, alongside detailed tasting notes for each of the three bottles, allowing them to delve into the depths of each whisky’s character. Additionally, links to exclusive videos about each bottle by the Society’s ambassadors will provide further insights into the stories and flavours of the featured whiskies.

What sets the Drop & Dram subscription apart is that subscribers will also gain monthly membership to the SMWS, providing them with the opportunity to purchase full-sized 70cl bottles of their favourite whiskies, as well as attend Society venues and participate in its exclusive events and tastings.

The packs will focus on a different theme each month!

The packs will focus on a different theme each month and there will be a limited number of packs available each month. The first Drop & Dram pack will introduce subscribers to the world of first fill casks – casks previously used for Bourbon or sherry that have been filled with whisky for the first time. In keeping with the Society’s unique convention of giving its bottles fun and evocative names inspired by their flavours, the whiskies are called Shrimps in the sauna; Tweed-clad picnic hamper; and All the fun of the flicks.

We’re thrilled to introduce Drop & Dram to whisky enthusiasts across the UK. This subscription service is a gateway to the world of SMWS, offering an unparalleled whisky adventure for those who are as passionate about exploring whisky flavours as we are.

With each carefully curated Drop & Dram pack, subscribers will embark on a journey of discovery, uncovering the remarkable stories and flavours that our unique single cask single malt whiskies have to offer. Beyond the whisky, they will also become members of the Society and join a like-minded community that shares their passion for whisky discovery and exploration.
– Julie Roberts: Brand Innovation Manager

Drop & Dram subscriptions go on sale on the 29th November. With demand expected to be high and a limited number of packs available each month, the Society has launched a sign-up for priority access on their site which is available here

About The Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS)

• The Scotch Malt Whisky Society was established in Edinburgh in 1983 and has 38,000 members around the world.
• It is owned by The Artisanal Spirits Company (ASC) plc
• The SMWS bottles rare single cask and single malt whisky, exclusive blends and a range of other Single Cask Spirits.
• The Society has bottled whisky from 180 distilleries from Scotland and beyond
• The Society offers a new batch of around 20 different single malt whiskies every month
• Members have access to four exclusive SMWS Members’ Rooms in Leith, Edinburgh, Glasgow and London along with a global network of 100 partner bars.
• The Society offers a variety of membership options that can be tailored.
• For more information about the Society, visit: https://smws.com/, Twitter: @SMWSUK Facebook: @thesmwsuk Instagram: @smws_uk

About The Artisanal Spirits Company (ASC)

• The Artisanal Spirits Company (ASC) plc is based in Edinburgh
• The Artisanal Spirits Company (ASC) plc is building a portfolio of premium brands that bring together some of the world’s best spirits producers with a growing movement of discerning consumers by curating unrivalled collections of craft spirits.
• ASC owns The Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS) and in 2021 it launched J.G. Thomson & Co. Inspired by its namesake, which was originally a wine and spirits merchant in Leith, Scotland, in the 1700s, J.G. Thomson is a new, adventurous blender, creating small batch blended malt whiskies, blended grain whiskies, rum and gin. 

Fancy 25% OFF All “Whisky Me” Subscriptions To celebrate Bonfire Night? Then Read On – But Be Quick!

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Fancy 25% discount on all Whisky Me subscriptions? Then read on!

To celebrate Bonfire Night Whisky Me has a whopping 25% discount on all Whisky Me subscriptions – Ideal for bagging some early Christmas gift bargains!

Just use the discount code: BONFIRE25 at the checkout before midnight on 7th November to take advantage of this fabulous offer!

Whisky Me was founded by Thomas Aske and Tristan Stephenson of Black Rock – the east London bar that’s made whisky accessible to all since 2016.

It is a Whisky Club for The Curious and promises a monthly dram of incredible Single Malt Scotch or World Whisky – curated from the planet’s best distilleries – delivered to your door.

Being snobby or elitist about whisky is not part of their ethos. They know there’s no such thing as a typical whisky drinker and to prove it, their aim is to drop drams of the world’s greatest whiskies through as many letterboxes as possible!

They are not alone in this belief as these impressive stats testify:-

  • Current Members: 10,205
  • Whiskies sent: 145,293
  • Litres Consumed: 8,717

And so with this great offer in mind Whisky Me has kindly sent me a couple of samples to try. (Thanks Whisky Me! / @whisky_me_)
They are both classy drams which highlight some of the familiar aromas and flavours of Bonfire Night, from a fruity Aberfeldy 12 Year Old to a smokey Glenturret 10 Year Old!

So, what did I think? Here are my tasting notes on these Bonfire Night goodies …

Tasting Notes – Aberfeldy 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (40%)

Aberfeldy 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Nose: Fruity, syrupy sweet apple orchards with hints of pears, tropical fruits, blackcurrant and liquorice.

Palate: A light palate with cane sweetness, toffee apples and liquorice.

Finish: Mild spice but the sweeter, fruity palate flavours shine through with some dryness at end.

Overall: A lovely fruity, light whisky which is perfect for celebrating with – I would love to sample it at cask strength!

Tasting Notes – Glenturret 10 Year Old Peat Smoked Single Malt Scotch Whisky (50%)

Glenturret 10 Year Old Peat Smoked Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Nose: Rich, smokehouse aromas with sweet peaty smoke and a little fruity oil.

Palate: Lovely, substantial mouthfeel with sweet, smokey treacle all wrapped up in savoury yuminess!

Finish: Glowing, peaty spice, char and that ever-present sweet treacle with an additional growing antiseptic finish.

Overall: For a 50% this is a very smooth dram and the extra ABV is certainly a plus – so curl up by the fire, pour yourself a dram and get all smokey!

Don’t forget.

Enjoy a whopping 25% discount on all Whisky Me subscriptions before midnight on 7th November –
Just use the discount code: BONFIRE25 at the checkout!

SMWS Offers & Sampling “For Fawkes’ Sake” – I Wish It Could Be Bonfire Night Every Night!

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Cask No. 59.74: “For Fawkes’ sake”

If you’re looking for a cracking whisky to enjoy while seated next to a crackling fire this Bonfire Night (well, any night in fact!) you can’t go wrong with Cask No. 59.74: “For Fawkes’ sake” from the SMWS!

Thanks to The Scotch Malt Whisky Society (@SMWSUK) I already have my hands on a bottle and I can confirm it’s truly a delightful dram! (My notes are detailed below)

SMWS Offers!

Not only that but the SMWS have two great offers on at the moment to make your whisky decision-making process a little easier!

12DRAMS OF CHRISTMAS – £20 OFF membership and calendar

Code: 12DRAMS10

It’s the most wonderful time of year to sit back, relax and savour 12 exquisite whiskies from The Scotch Malt Whisky Society.

Ease yourself towards Christmas with our stunning selection of hand-picked single casks and more!

Offer Ends: 24/12/2023 11:59 PM

Gift a Scotch Malt Whisky Society membership – £10 OFF today!

Code: SEASONALSPIRIT10

Sharing a passion for whisky is what we’re all about, with one-of-a-kind bottlings, exclusive events, access to Members’ Rooms and a wealth of whisky content!

Offer Ends: 24/12/2023 11:59 PM

Find out more about The Society!

So, what did I think of the dram? Here are my tasting notes …

Tasting Notes – Cask No. 59.74: “For Fawkes’ sake” (54.7%)

Highland Lightly Peated
1st. fill ex-bourbon hogshead
12 years old
Distilled 11/1/2011
54.7%
£69.00

Only 19 left!

From the website:-

“Whether you’re planning a lively soirée with friends or enjoying a quiet night under the stars, we’ve got the perfect companion to your Bonfire Night, with our cheekily named Cask No. 59.74: For Fawkes’ Sake.

Imagine raising a glass with loved ones, the crackling bonfire casting mesmerising shadows on your smiling faces, as you share stories and laughter that light up the night. This whisky is more than a libation; it’s the catalyst for creating unforgettable memories.

It’s Bonfire Night and we found a delicate hint of smoke alongside an apple orchard as we placed the windfalls from a late harvest on wet grass in a wicker basket.

We found warm spice on the palate, sweet and tart like a gooseberry coconut cake … but wait, there it was again, that wisp of teasing smoke.

After the addition of water, we discovered freshly baked shortbread, honeyed sugar puffs, elderflower cordial and, yet again, aromatic smoke – this time lavender. To taste, we had cream crackers, jammy dodgers, cupcakes, ah and yes, you guessed it, lightly smoked salmon with a lemon and honey glaze.

Come huddle around the fire to hear Julien Willems’s tale on the Society’s peated whiskies. He will delve into the very heart of the matter: how is peat formed? How do different types of peat affect the flavours we perceive in our drams?”



Nose: Light, crisp, sweetened apple and orange with some biscuit and sweet vanilla pastry.

Palate: A substantial mouthfeel with warming spice and syrupy orchard fruits.

Finish: Punchy spice with a sweet pepper, fruity smokiness, lemon, liquorice with slight antiseptic.

Overall: This dram just keeps on getting better with time! A real menu of flavours to be enjoyed anywhere and at anytime – a dram not to miss for sure – with drams like this I wish it could be Bonfire Night every night!

SMWS New Arrivals This Month!

(Please note that you cannot buy SMWS Whiskies unless you are a member)

Spicy & Sweet

Jack-in-the-box


Jack-in-the-box
Cask No: 135.49
Cask Type: 1st fill ex-bourbon barrel
Origin: Scotland
ABV: 53.6%
£149.90

Juicy Oak & Vanilla

Temptation's tendrils


Temptation’s tendrils
Cask No: 138.15
Cask Type: 1st fill ex-bourbon barrel
Origin: Taiwan
ABV: 56.5%
£95.50

Spicy & Sweet

Americana smoothie


Americana smoothie
Cask No: 142.2
Cask Type: 1st fill #1 char barrel
Origin: New York (USA)
ABV: 67.9%
£109.20

Deep Rich & Dried Fruits

Spiced and iced ginger cake


Spiced and iced ginger cake
Cask No: 134.15
Cask Type: refill ex-bourbon barrel
Origin: India
ABV: 57.6%
£155.00

Peated

Blowing smoke rings


Blowing smoke rings
Cask No: 138.18
Cask Type: 1st fill ex-bourbon barrel
Origin: Taiwan
ABV: 57.2%
£80.50

Peated

Peat salad


Peat salad
Cask No: 138.16
Cask Type: 1st fill ex-bourbon barrel
Origin: Taiwan
ABV: 57.3%
£80.50

Sweet Fruity & Mellow

A smooth sipping treat


A smooth sipping treat
Cask No: 134.16
Cask Type: refill ex-bourbon barrel
Origin: India
ABV: 59.0%
£158.50

Spicy & Dry

Heaven in a leather hammock


Heaven in a leather hammock
Cask No: 12.80
Cask Type: 1st fill ex-px butt
Origin: Scotland
ABV: 59.2%
£895.00

Oily & Coastal

Fatberg ahead!


Fatberg ahead!
Cask No: 23.81
Cask Type: 1st fill ex-bourbon barrel
Origin: Scotland
ABV: 59.7%
£175.00

Deep Rich & Dried Fruits

Embrace the untamed spirit


Embrace the untamed spirit
Cask No: 12.81
Cask Type: 1st fill str barrique ex-oloroso
*Origin: Scotland
ABV: 57.8%
£98.40

Juicy Oak & Vanilla

Green grow the rushes o


Green grow the rushes o
Cask No: 73.159
Cask Type: 2nd fill ex-bourbon barrel
Origin: Scotland
ABV: 56.3%
£75.00

Oily & Coastal

Winter's green lichen


Winter’s green lichen
Cask No: 10.256
Cask Type: 2nd fill ex-px hogshead
Origin: Scotland
ABV: 58.0%
£79.20

Light & Delicate

Hiding in the undergrowth


Hiding in the undergrowth
Cask No: 35.385
Cask Type: 1st fill ex-bourbon barrel
Origin: Scotland
ABV: 59.8%
£68.40

Heavily Peated

A bold smoky affogato


A bold smoky affogato
Cask No: 53.465
Cask Type: 1st fill ex-px hogshead
Origin: Scotland
ABV: 56.9%
£109.90

Deep Rich & Dried Fruits

Chocolate-covered cherry cask


Chocolate-covered cherry cask
Cask No: 36.211
Cask Type: 1st fill ex-px barrique
Origin: Scotland
ABV: 54.7%
£96.80

Oily & Coastal

Muscovado pipe tobacco


Muscovado pipe tobacco
Cask No: 42.83
Cask Type: 2nd fill ex-oloroso hogshead
Origin: Scotland
ABV: 57.4%
£115.00

Deep Rich & Dried Fruits

Snuggle up


Snuggle up
Cask No: 18.59
Cask Type: 1st fill ex-oloroso hogshead
Origin: Scotland
ABV: 57.9%
£92.40

Spicy & Dry

Cocoa sand dunes


Cocoa sand dunes
Cask No: 18.61
Cask Type: 1st fill oloroso hogshead & 1st fill px hogshead
Origin: Scotland
ABV: 60.3%
£95.00

Scarlett marzipan


Scarlett marzipan
Cask No: Small Batch
Cask Type: 1st & refill American oak & Spanish oloroso Butts

ABV: 50.0%
£60.00

About The Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS)

• The Scotch Malt Whisky Society was established in Edinburgh in 1983 and has 37,000 members around the world.
• It is owned by The Artisanal Spirits Company (ASC) plc
• The SMWS bottles rare single cask and single malt whisky, exclusive blends and a range of other Single Cask Spirits.
• The Society has bottled whisky from 180 distilleries from Scotland and beyond
• The Society offers a new batch of around 20 different single malt whiskies every month
• Members have access to four exclusive SMWS Members’ Rooms in Leith, Edinburgh, Glasgow and London along with a global network of 100 partner bars.
• The Society offers a variety of membership options that can be tailored.
• For more information about the Society, visit: https://smws.com/, Twitter: @SMWSUK Facebook: @thesmwsuk Instagram: @smws_uk

About The Artisanal Spirits Company (ASC)

• The Artisanal Spirits Company (ASC) plc is based in Edinburgh
• The Artisanal Spirits Company (ASC) plc is building a portfolio of premium brands that bring together some of the world’s best spirits producers with a growing movement of discerning consumers by curating unrivalled collections of craft spirits.
• ASC owns The Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS) and in 2021 it launched J.G. Thomson & Co. Inspired by its namesake, which was originally a wine and spirits merchant in Leith, Scotland, in the 1700s, J.G. Thomson is a new, adventurous blender, creating small batch blended malt whiskies, blended grain whiskies, rum and gin. 

The Dalmore Unveils Their 2023 Vintage Whisky Collection!

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The Dalmore Vintage 2005!

THE DALMORE PRESENTS THE VINTAGES COLLECTION 2023
• Two Limited-Editions – Vintage 2005 and Vintage 2008

The Dalmore Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky has unveiled two new Limited-Editions – The Dalmore Vintage 2005 and The Dalmore Vintage 2008 – which form the third release from the distiller’s prestigious Vintage Collection.

The Dalmore Vintage Collection, created by innovative Master Whisky Maker Gregg Glass and Master Distiller Richard Paterson OBE, offers exceptional whiskies of distinguished character. The whiskies selected to form The Dalmore Vintage Collection are ultimately dictated by the casks themselves and the way they choose to shine during the annual cask inspection week, in a tradition which dates back over fifty years.

The Dalmore Vintage Collection offers exceptional whiskies of distinguished character!

Each November, The Dalmore whisky makers spend countless hours in their historic warehouses on the banks of the Cromarty Firth, reacquainting themselves with their rare casks that have been quietly, patiently maturing. November is the optimum time for this process to take place, with the casks at rest in the cooler temperatures after the warm summer months, and their flavours alive and true.

Only the most exceptional casks, which display the finest qualities of The Dalmore and its signature style during this time, are hand-picked to become a ‘Vintage’. For the 2023 Vintage Collection, The Dalmore’s unmistakable chocolate and orange profile is showcased. The 15 Year Old, Vintage 2008 offers milk chocolate and mandarin, while the 18 Year Old, Vintage 2005 presents dark chocolate and Seville orange.

The Dalmore Vintage 2008 provides aromas of milk chocolate, caramel, mandarin, and cracked black pepper. To taste, manuka honey, sweet cacao, poached apples, and golden sultanas. To finish, expect to enjoy vanilla cream, chocolate brioche, Navelina orange, and a light cinnamon warmth. This expression has been matured in American white oak ex-Bourbon casks and enhanced by hand-selected Matusalem Sherry and Pedro Ximénez Sherry casks, with an ABV of 45.8%, natural colour, and non-chill filtered.

The Dalmore Vintage 2008!

The Dalmore Vintage 2005 offers aromas of dark chocolate, salted caramel, antique leather, and rich orange citrus. To taste, expect rich cacao, blood orange, dark fruits, marzipan, and moist ginger cake. To finish, Madagascan vanilla with Seville orange, a rich nuttiness and long, dry chocolate complexities. This expression has been matured in American white oak ex-Bourbon casks and enhanced by hand-selected Matusalem Sherry and Vintage 2005 Sherry casks, with an ABV of 49.3%, natural colour, and non-chill filtered.

The annual cask inspection which ultimately leads to the creation of each years Vintage Collection is a true highlight of working on The Dalmore. We can never know what time and nature has given to these whiskies, until we take stock each November and see what magic has unfolded in the year. Richard and I select casks which we feel contain whiskies that exemplify The Dalmore’s quality and style, with the best of the best, becoming our Limited-Edition Vintages.

For 2023, we are pleased to present two whiskies which, at different ages, showcase nuances of The Dalmore’s signature notes – chocolate, orange, and subtle spice. Vintage 2008 reveals naturally balanced shades and interplays of sweet cacao, fresh citrus and soft spices, and is a beautiful example of refined elegance from The Dalmore, captured at a moment in time. Vintage 2005 has quintessential dark chocolate notes which intertwine with rich citrus offering a flavour experience to be remembered and savoured.
– Gregg Glass: Master Whisky Maker

The Dalmore 2008 Vintage ($225) and The Dalmore 2005 Vintage ($490) is available from select outlets worldwide.

About The Dalmore

Founded in 1839 on the banks of the Cromarty Firth in the Scottish Highlands, the Dalmore has been making masterpieces of whisky for over 180 years.

The 12-point silver stag which proudly adorns each bottle was bestowed upon the first chieftain of Clan Mackenzie in 1263 by King Alexander III of Scotland. The stag became the whisky’s emblem when descendants of the clan took over the distillery in 1878.

The Dalmore distillery’s collection of idiosyncratic stills creates a New Make spirit of unique character and depth – robust and fruity, particularly well-suited to longer and more complex maturation. This allows renowned Master Whisky Maker Gregg Glass and his team to develop spirit over longer periods, continuing a tradition of visionary whisky-making as they fully express their art using rare casks from some of the world’s finest wineries and bodegas.

Sampling The Kilchoman ‘2023 PX Sherry Cask’ Whisky – Their First Limited Edition To Be Fully Matured In Pedro Ximénez Sherry Casks!

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Kilchoman 2023 PX Sherry Cask Matured Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky!

Kilchoman have launched their first limited edition Whisky to be fully matured in Pedro Ximénez Sherry Casks!

The 2023 PX Sherry Cask Matured release has been fully matured for a minimum of five years in Pedro Ximénez casks previously used by Bodega José y Miguel Martin.

Heavily Peated!

Kilchoman last released a PX influence bottling in 2021, a combination of full maturation and finished casks, the 2023 edition is exclusively made up of full maturation casks.

The 2023 PX Sherry Cask Matured release is our first limited edition to be fully matured in PX casks. Some might consider five years to be short maturation, but these PX hogsheads give such a rich and sweet character, shorter maturation is the only option to maintain a good balance of flavour.

Here, the citrus sweetness and peat smoke of our spirit balance beautifully with the PX character to create a multi-dimensional whisky, rich and sweet with hints of light citrus sweetness and waves of maritime peat smoke.
– Anthony Wills: Kilchoman Founder

Kilchoman has kindly sent me a sample to try. (Thanks kilchomandistillery.com / @Kilchomanwhisky!)

So, what did I think? Here are my tasting notes …

The 2023 PX Sherry Cask Matured release is our first limited edition to be fully matured in PX casks

Tasting Notes – Kilchoman 2023 PX Sherry Cask Matured Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (50%)


61 Cask vatting
23,000 bottles
50% ABV
50 PPM Heavily Peated

Nose: There’s some lovely smokehouse aromas here with sweet, fruity peat, liquorice and seaside saltiness.

Palate: Intense fruity sweetness, dark chocolate, creamy coffee and peaty smoke – Yummy!

Finish: Oak smoke spice with lots of pepper, antiseptic and tobacco dryness.

Overall: Some deep, intense flavours abound with this dram with attractive, fruity sweetness and spicy pepper providing opposite sides of an ever-present smokey peat. The result is a lovely, well balanced teste.

This dram gets better and better the longer it stays in the glass and the longer you spend time with it – so allow it some breathing space – it will reward you greatly!

Once again, many thanks to kilchomandistillery.com (@Kilchomanwhisky) for sending me this dram!

Kilchoman is available to buy from these Merchants:-

Distillers One of One Auction

Kilchoman Distillery recently took part in the Distillers One of One Auction for the second time. A bottle, “Cask No.1”, from the first cask the distillery ever filled, offered a unique opportunity to own a remarkable piece of Kilchoman history and sold for a total of £15,000.

“Cask No.1”

Presented in an etched glass bottle with a bespoke layered wooden box design, representing the distinct landscape surrounding the distillery, the lot also included an accompanying letter of authenticity from Kilchoman Founder, Anthony Wills.

Hammer proceeds of 1.8 million from the 2023 auction will primarily benefit the Distiller’s Charity’s Youth Action Fund, which aims to transform the lives of young people in Scotland aged between 16 and 25, by helping them to develop knowledge, confidence, resilience, and skills.

The result means that the first two Distillers One of One Auctions have raised a combined total of £4.2m for charity and Kilchoman are delighted to have been able to participate in both.

About Kilchoman

Kilchoman is a family run farm distillery based on the rugged west coast of Islay, Scotland. The distillery was established by Anthony Wills in 2005, the idea was to build a new distillery which took whisky production back to its roots.

Their 100% Islay range is Islay’s only Single Farm Single Malt Scotch Whisky. It represents the revival of traditional farm distilling – growing our own barley before malting, distilling, maturing and bottling every bottle of our 100% Islay range on site.

In The San Francisco World Spirits 2023, Sanaig received the prestigious ‘Double Gold’

Kilchoman produces its 100% Islay single malt from barley which is grown in fields surrounding the distillery and completes every stage of the whisky-making process at the distillery, including traditional floor malting. Kilchoman is the only distillery in Scotland to do this.

2023 Awards

◼ The San Francisco World Spirits 2023 – Sanaig received the prestigious ‘Double Gold’ while Machir Bay was also awarded Gold

◼ The Spirits Business Scotch Whisky Masters 2023 and The Sprits Challenge 2023 – Machir Bay and Sanaig were both awarded Gold Medals

Sampling The Borders Distillery “The Long & Short of It” – A Dram That Makes You Think Again!

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The Borders Distillery WS:02 “The Long & Short of It”

Wednesday nights @TweetTastings went all experimental this week with host Steve from The Whisky Wire guiding us through nosing and sampling a new dram from The Borders Distillery – namely WS:02 “The Long & Short of It”!

If you want to catch up on what all the tweet tasters had to say you can view their comments by searching for the hashtag #TheBordersDistillery on X (Twitter)

So, what did I think?

Here are my tasting notes …

Tasting Notes – The Borders Distillery WS:02 “The Long & Short of It” (40%)

The Borders Distillery – Workshop Series

WS:02 The Long & Short of It
Blended Scotch Whisky
ABV: 40%

A blended Scotch whisky, which has been produced using liquid fermented for 55 hours and 150 hours.

Each release in the Worksshop Series represents a particular facet in the whisky making process – this year it focuses on Fermentaion, with the WS:02 The Long & Short of It, being the result of two initially liquids being fermented for 55 and 150 hours.

The longer fermentation influencing richer dark notes and the shorter influencing lighter and fruiter notes.

Each separately fermented batch has been distilled twice and matured in first fill ex-Bourbon barrels, before being married with single grain whisky produced at the Hawick based distillery.

The Workshop Series, is an ongoing series of experimental releases that will be released over the coming years, ahead of the launch of the The Borders Distillery single malt project.

This latest release follows on from the WS:01 Borders Malt & Rye, which launched last year, and was the first Scotch whisky blend from The Borders Distillery to be entirely distilled at its Hawick based site.

RRP: £40.00 (available from The Borders Distillery online store)

Available now from The Borders Distillery online store! (£40.00)


Nose: Some toffee apple right off the bat followed by new-make spirit popcorn and there’s also some lemon and citrus bite with a light dusting of herbs and ginger.

Palate: A light, thin mouthfeel with some popcorn and tropical fruits. Additionally, there’s subtle syrupy sweetness and shy pepper at the back.

Finish: The pepper increases muchly with time – almost becoming a bit of a pepper monster! The lemon certainly increases with time in the glass as well.

Overall: An interesting dram that has a new-make feel to it – sadly, there’s maybe a bit too much lemon for me.

Many thanks to Steve at The Whisky Wire (@TheWhiskyWire / @TweetTastings) for a great opportunity and The Borders Distillery (@thebordersdistillery) for sending the sample and without whom!

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