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Sampling The SMWS Advent Calendar – Day 6 – A Dram Of This & It Really Can Be Christmas Everyday!

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“Fruitcake Earthquake” Cask No: 95.80

It’s the half-way point of The 12 Drams Of Christmas and the cracking drams keep on coming!

The set is Now reduced from £149 to £119!

That’s 12 x 50ml. of Festive Wonders!

The 12 Drams Of Christmas – Available To Buy Now!

SMWS Offers!

Not only that but the SMWS have a great offer 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

Many thanks to The SMWS (@SMWSUK) who have kindly sent me a sample of each Advent dram to try! (My notes are detailed below)

If you want to catch up on what other SMWS members had to say about each Christmas Advent dram just search for the hashtag #smws12drams on X (Twitter)

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

A gorgeous festive whisky!

DAY 6 Tasting Notes – “Fruitcake Earthquake” Cask No: 95.80 (56.8%)

14 Years old

DEEP, RICH & DRIED FRUITS flavour profile

Cask Type: Ex-bourbon hogshead FINAL CASK: 1st fill ex-PX barrique
Origin: Scotland
Region: Speyside
Distillery: Auchroisk / Singleton
ABV: 56.8%

Buy Now: £85.80
(Please note that you cannot buy SMWS Whiskies unless you are a member)

More information about each dram can be found here!

Nose: Serious rum filled Christmas cake with sticky fruits, chocolate, treacle and figs.

Palate: Sweet, creamy Christmas cake with sherry, chocolate, syrupy figs and biscuit.

Finish: Spicy with a little pepper that grows to join the fantastic sweet cake.

Overall: A gorgeous festive whisky, perfect to celebrate the season with and if you always have a dram of this to hand, it really can be Christmas everyday!

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. 

Sampling The SMWS Advent Calendar – Day 5 – Buy A Fireplace Just To Complete The Experience!

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“A Sea Devil In Sunglasses” Cask No: 4.368!

Day 5 already? Yep! We’re nearly half-way through The 12 Drams Of Christmas!

The set is Now reduced from £149 to £119!

That’s 12 x 50ml. of Festive Wonders!

The 12 Drams Of Christmas – Available To Buy Now!

SMWS Offers!

Not only that but the SMWS have a great offer 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

Many thanks to The SMWS (@SMWSUK) who have kindly sent me a sample of each Advent dram to try! (My notes are detailed below)

If you want to catch up on what other SMWS members had to say about each Christmas Advent dram just search for the hashtag #smws12drams on X (Twitter)

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

A gorgeous dram, enjoy with a hearty fire to gaze into!

DAY 5 Tasting Notes – “A Sea Devil In Sunglasses” Cask No: 4.368 (62.6%)

13 Years old

Peated flavour profile

Cask Type: Ex-bourbon hogsheads FINAL CASK: 1st fill ex-bourbon barrel
Origin: Scotland
Region: Highland
Distillery: Highland Park
ABV: 62.6%

Buy Now: £82.00
(Please note that you cannot buy SMWS Whiskies unless you are a member)

More information about each dram can be found here!

Nose: Rich smokehouse with fruity peat, apple and sweet liquorice.

Palate: Liquid smoke with sticky prunes and sweet liquorice with chocolate.

Finish: Growing antiseptic with added heady spice but the palate’s sticky, sweet black treacle flavours pour on through to a satisfying finish!

Overall: A gorgeous dram, enjoy with a hearty fire to gaze into. And if you don’t have a fireplace it’s well worth buying one just to complete the experience!

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. 

Sampling The SMWS Advent Calendar – Day 4 – Apples With Just A Touch Of Christmas Magic Added For Good Measure!

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DAY 4 Tasting Notes – “Whisky Baba”!

Day 4 of The 12 Drams Of Christmas and what delights await us here?

The set is Now reduced from £149 to £119!

That’s 12 x 50ml. of Festive Wonders!

The 12 Drams Of Christmas – Available To Buy Now!

SMWS Offers!

Not only that but the SMWS have a great offer 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

Many thanks to The SMWS (@SMWSUK) who have kindly sent me a sample of each Advent dram to try! (My notes are detailed below)

If you want to catch up on what other SMWS members had to say about each Christmas Advent dram just search for the hashtag #smws12drams on X (Twitter)

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

Sweet apple pie with crunchy sugar …

DAY 4 Tasting Notes – “Whisky Baba” (58.6%)

12 Year old Blended Malt

Cask Type: bourbon hogsheads and ex-rum french oak barriques

ABV: 58.6%

Buy Now: £75.00
(Please note that you cannot buy SMWS Whiskies unless you are a member)

More information about each dram can be found here!

Nose: Apple orchards abound with pears and creamy pastry with a little lemon and even less earthiness. After a trice sweet sherry notes make an appearance – and we are all glad for it!

Palate: Sweet apple pie with crunchy sugar, some citrus with orange and then lemon comes to the fore. This is smartly followed by toffee which grows n’ grows n’ grows!

Finish: Deep, warming spice with intense pepper and a touch of dryness as a finale at the end.

Overall: “My childhood held a fairy sight—
A thousand apple-trees,
All pink and white for my delight
And humming with the bees.

They grew upon a green hillside,
They sweetened all the air,
They spread a tent of blossoms wide
For my pavilion there.”

“Apple-Trees”
Jessie Belle Rittenhouse Scollard (1869 – 1948)

This dram evokes the above sentiments most perfectly – with just a touch of Christmas magic added for good measure!

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. 

Sampling The SMWS Advent Calendar – Day 3 – A Christmas Cake Is Pretty Marvellous – And So Is This Dram!

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“Rum Raisins” Cask No: 85.80

Well we’re now on Day 3 of the 12 drams from the latest SMWS Advent Calendar!

The set is Now reduced from £149 to £119!

That’s 12 x 50ml. of Festive Wonders!

The 12 Drams Of Christmas – Available To Buy Now!

SMWS Offers!

Not only that but the SMWS have a great offer 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

Many thanks to The SMWS (@SMWSUK) who have kindly sent me a sample of each Advent dram to try! (My notes are detailed below)

If you want to catch up on what other SMWS members had to say about each Christmas Advent dram just search for the hashtag #smws12drams on X (Twitter)

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

A marvellous dram!

DAY 3 Tasting Notes – “Rum Raisins” Cask No: 85.80 (56.7%)

14 Years old

Deep Rich & Dried Fruits flavour profile

Cask Type: 2nd fill charred wine barrique
Origin: Scotland
Region: Speyside
Distillery: Auchroisk / Singleton
ABV: 56.7%

Buy Now: £80.00
(Please note that you cannot buy SMWS Whiskies unless you are a member)

More information about each dram can be found here!

Nose: Rum n’ raisin ice cream wrapped in sweet pastry with crisp apple and honey – delightful!

Palate: Sweet, sticky toffee with vanilla custard and apple with stewed fruits.

Finish: Growing, warming spice and all the above continues along at a tasty sweet Christmas cake pace!

Overall: “What crowding thoughts around me wake,
What marvels in a Christmas-cake!”
To Mrs K____, On Her Sending Me an English Christmas Plum-Cake at Paris
By Helen Maria Williams

A marvel indeed – but then a Christmas cake is pretty marvellous – and so is this dram!

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. 

Sampling The SMWS Advent Calendar – Day 2 – Prepare To Have Your Cockles Warmed!

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“Hog Roast And Marshmallows On Toast” Cask No: 66.242

Today we sample the second whisky of our 12 drams from the latest SMWS Advent Calendar!

Now reduced from £149 to £119!

12 x 50ml. of Festive Wonders!

The 12 Drams Of Christmas – Available To Buy Now!

SMWS Offers!

Not only that but the SMWS have a great offer 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

Many thanks to The SMWS (@SMWSUK) who have kindly sent me a sample of each Advent dram to try! (My notes are detailed below)

If you want to catch up on what other SMWS members had to say about each Christmas Advent dram just search for the hashtag #smws12drams on X (Twitter)

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

“Surpris’d I was with sudden heat which made my heart to glow”

DAY 2 Tasting Notes – “Hog Roast And Marshmallows On Toast” Cask No: 66.242 (60.3%)

15 Years old

Peated flavour profile

Cask Type: Refill Ex-PX Hogshead
Origin: Scotland
Region: Highland
Distillery: Ardmore
ABV: 60.3%

Buy Now: £98.30
(Please note that you cannot buy SMWS Whiskies unless you are a member)

More information about each dram can be found here!

Nose: There’s some sweet smokehouse action going on here with additional lemon citrus, boiled sweets and poached pears. The smokey peat is quieter and in the background – much more than other peated drams. Wafts of dunnage arise after a while.

Palate: There’s smoke now! Additionally, lots of lemon, sugary peat, savouriness, liquorice and antiseptic.

Finish: Plenty of hot chilli tops this hearty, moreish dram off.

Overall:
“As I in hoary winter’s night stood shivering in the snow,
Surpris’d I was with sudden heat which made my heart to glow; ”
The Burning Babe
By Robert Southwell SJ

And at 60% this dram would certainly pack a similar punch – prepare to have your cockles warmed!

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. 

Sampling The SMWS Advent Calendar – Day 1 – Brighten Up Your “Bleak Midwinter”!

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It’s time for The Scotch Malt Whisky Society Advent Calendar!

Well it’s that time of year again, that is, forget about the Bleak Midwinter and enjoy 12 drams from the latest SMWS Advent Calendar!

Now reduced from £149 to £119!

12 x 50ml. of Festive Wonders!

The 12 Drams Of Christmas – Available To Buy Now!

SMWS Offers!

Not only that but the SMWS have a great offer 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

Many thanks to The SMWS (@SMWSUK) who have kindly sent me a sample of each Advent dram to try! (My notes are detailed below)

If you want to catch up on what other SMWS members had to say about each Christmas Advent dram just search for the hashtag #smws12drams on X (Twitter)

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

“Party Tarts” Cask No: 5.120!

DAY 1 Tasting Notes – “Party Tarts” Cask No: 5.120 (56.8%)


19 Years old

Juicy Oak & Vanilla flavour profile

Cask Type: 1st. fill ex-bourbon barrel
Origin: Scotland
Region: Lowland
Distillery: Auchentoshan
ABV: 56.8%
Buy Now: £125
(Please note that you cannot buy SMWS Whiskies unless you are a member)

More information about each dram can be found here!

Nose: Rich fruits on the nose with apples, pears and syrupy prunes … but wait … there’s also floral and fresh mint in there as well!

Palate: Cane sweetness with apples and stewed fruits with creamy toffee. After a while some tropical fruits and a little mint make a welcome appearance.

Finish: Fruity spice with hints of chilli which grows over time ending with a dry finish.

Overall: Brighten up your Bleak Midwinter with this warming treat – and still that “frosty wind made moan”!

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. 

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:-

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