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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!

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

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society – Guinness World Record Holders!

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Co-hosts of the Society’s world record tasting: Master Ambassador, John McCheyne, and Madeleine Schmoll, Social Media and Community Manager

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society has set a world record for the biggest online whisky tasting with drams being shared simultaneously in more than 15 countries around the world!

Founded in Edinburgh in 1983, The Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS) has grown to become the world’s biggest whisky club, with almost 40,000 members in more than 20 countries across the globe.

It was a high-tec affair!

On Saturday, 30 September, 447 of its members in more than 15 countries gathered online for the world record tasting attempt, which was staged to celebrate the Society’s 40th anniversary. Overseen by an adjudicator from Guinness World Records, the whisky tasting started at 2pm BST with participants around the world tasting the same three drams of whisky simultaneously.

The event featured whisky fans in the UK, Europe, USA, Canada, Australia, Japan, China, South Africa, Hong Kong, Denmark, Switzerland, New Zealand, Mexico, Taiwan, and Korea. The timing of the event meant that the Society’s members in New York tasted their three drams at 9am while those in Australia were tasting at midnight.

The 45-minute event was live streamed from a newly refurbished The Vaults in Leith, Edinburgh, the spiritual home of the Society. The first dram was introduced from Edinburgh by the Society’s Master Ambassador, John McCheyne; the second from New York by Tom Smith, Senior Director of SMWS USA, and the third from Melbourne by Matt Bailey, Director of SMWS Australia.

Each of the 447 participants had to attend the tasting on an individual device with the camera on and no other person visible on screen with them, and attend the full duration of the tasting in order for the Society to set the record.

We are delighted to announce that The Scotch Malt Whisky Society has set the world record for the most participants in an online whisky tasting event.

It’s amazing to see how far the Society has come since the club was founded in Edinburgh by Pip Hills and a group of friends in 1983.
With the Society turning 40 years old, we felt this would be the perfect way to share in a very special simultaneous tasting.
We are the pioneers of cask strength, full flavour whisky that creates conversation – that’s why people become members – and the world record tasting worked across time zones and countries to bring our members together.
It’s a great example of what we are all about.
– Madeleine Schmoll: Event host and Social Media and Community Manager at The Scotch Malt Whisky Society UK

Madeleine Schmoll, with Christopher Coates, Whisky Magazine and Rebecca Hamilton, Chief Marketing & Experience Officer for the Society

It has been a joy to be a part of this momentous event, and to see people connecting with other whisky lovers from as far afield as Japan, or Australia, to celebrate some truly exceptional drams.

This is something that wouldn’t have been possible 10 years ago, and it’s a testament to how technology and whisky can bring people together.
– Christopher Coates: Director and Editor-at-Large of Whisky Magazine, and Chair of Judges for the Icons of Whisky and World Whiskies Awards

The drams sampled were:-

  • Cask No. 55.78 What a Spread! – a 13-year-old rich and sweet bottling from a Speyside distillery, with tasting notes of “spiced toffee, creme brulee and a touch of fresh oak”
  • Cask No. 39.244 Tutti Frutti in a Wooden Bowl – an 11-year-old whisky from the SMWS Juicy Oak & Vanilla flavour profile.
  • Batch 15 Smokus Fruticosus – a blended malt comprised of malt whiskies from the islands of Islay & Orkney.

Find out more about The Society!

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 Five Whiskies From The Glasgow Distillery – Which One Would You Choose? – “ALL Of Them” Is A Great Answer!

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The five drams!

Wednesday nights @TweetTastings, which was once again ably hosted by Steve from The Whisky Wire, gave us the opportunity to sample the drams from The Glasgow Distillery!

The Whiskies sampled were:-

  • Glasgow Distillery 1770 Cognac Cask Finish
  • Glasgow Distillery 1770 The Original Cask Strength
  • Glasgow Distillery 1770 Golden Beer Cask Finish
  • Glasgow Distillery 1770 Peated Cask Strength
  • Glasgow Distillery 1770 Tokaji Cask Finish

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

So, what did I think?

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

Tasting Notes – Glasgow Distillery 1770 Cognac Cask Finish (52%)

A Small Batch Series release of their Triple Distilled (unpeated) single malt.

This release has been finished in Cognac Casks for two years and six months and bottled at 52% ABV.


Nose: Very citrusy with some lovely orange going on! Then it morphs into toffee, apple and pears with a little vanilla and elderflower to top it all off.

Palate: Cane sweetness with citrus fruits, toffee and a tannin finish, growing in pepper and really quite a strong dryness at the end.

Tasting Notes – Glasgow Distillery 1770 The Original Cask Strength (61.3%)


A double distilled unpeated single malt.

The Original is presented at a natural cask strength of 61.3%.

This year they have taken three casks from their latest Signature Range bottling (46%) and married them together and have bottled the results without reducing the strength.

This is an unadulterated insight into their Original expression, their first distillery style and the whisky that started it all.

Three years in first fill ex-bourbon casks and ten months in virgin American white oak from Kelvin Cooperage in Kentucky.


Nose: A shy nose to this one …. slightly woody with some sugariness that mellows into fruity toffee, buttery with some orange – a fine nose but it makes you work for it!

Palate: Punchy, creamy, fruity palate with cane sugar, toffee apples and bags of spice with a little liquorice. Nothing shy about this palate – Everything seems to be turned up to 11!

Tasting Notes – Glasgow Distillery 1770 Golden Beer Cask Finish (58%)


An unpeated double distilled single malt (a limited edition ‘Small Batch Series’ version of The Original) that has been matured in an Innis & Gunn Golden Beer Cask.

This beer cask was actually a Pedro Ximénez sherry cask that held Innis and Gunn’s Golden Beer for 3 months before they bottled that beer (as a Innis & Gunn PX finish limited edition beer) and they then filled it with their whisky that had already been matured in a first fill ex-bourbon cask for a little over three years.


Nose: Creamy and nutty with mildly caramel aromas and some sweet apple pastry.

Palate: Creamy sweet coffee with apple pastries, spicy with sweetened fruits that’s very attractive indeed.

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

Tasting Notes – Glasgow Distillery 1770 Peated Cask Strength (60.8%)

Their Glasgow 1770 Peated expression is bottled at cask strength 60.8% ABV.

Their first ever batch of Peated Cask Strength, this has been matured in virgin American white oak for three years and three months and then finished in PX sherry casks for eleven months.

Made with a 50ppm malt from the highlands, this is a big hitting smoky number that showcases the power and might of the peated whisky they make in the distillery.


Nose: This dram looks more like a sherried dram – certainly doesn’t nose like one though!
Pure smokehouse aromas with sweet peat and savoury snacks! Slightly coastal with some BBQ sauce, chocolate and light apple.

Palate: The nose promised and the palate delivered!
Basically smokey embers, sweet peat, liquorice, some chocolate, plums and antiseptic.

Tasting Notes – Glasgow Distillery 1770 Tokaji Cask Finish (53.4%)


A peated single malt finished in Tokaji casks. Their peated spirit initially matured in virgin American white oak for two years and eight months before finishing in these rich and funky Hungarian Tokaji wine casks for a further two years and eight months.

Presented at 53.4%, they have experimented with Tokaji in the past and have loved the influence on their whiskies, this is their first release of a peated whisky finished in Tokaji.


Nose: A sweeter nose than the previous dram with some added syrupy, stewed fruits for good measure. Light smoke and a little menthol with sweet, creamy orange – certainly not your classic peated nose!

Palate: There’s more smoke in the palate with burning embers and BBQ sauce but in addition it’s creamy, chocolatey and fruity with a back taste of Germolene.
Very much a different type of peated whisky – which is refreshing!

My Favourite On The Night


1. 1770 Peated Cask Strength
2. 1770 The Original Cask Strength
3. 1770 Tokaji Cask Finish

Not that I could fault any of them really!

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

Glasgow Distillery Whiskies are available to buy from these Merchants:-

My fellow Tweet Tasters on the night were:-


@TheWhiskyWire @WhiskyWings @steveprentice @Sake_Baku @neatdrams @ForTheDram @1_womans_whisky @sprungatom @RealDramRob @JoeFHolmes @whiskyodyssey @WhiskyResource @Jotterface @whiskeychap @MaltMusings @TheWhiskyNovice @MashtunandMeow @LeaskPatrick @FiShoop @GascoyneNick @WhiskyWizard31 @WhiskyAlly @ManyMilesWhisky @BillyCowan

Three Whiskies – One World Record – Can ‘The Gathering’ Of The SMWS Do It?

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SMWS Master Ambassador, John McCheyne & host Madeleine Schmoll at the World Record attempt!

To celebrate its 40th anniversary, The Scotch Malt Whisky Society gathered members from around the world in a bid for the world’s biggest online whisky tasting!

Members of the worldwide whisky club from across the UK, USA, Japan, China and Australia came together online to take part in the three-dram tasting on Saturday 30th September 2023.

The record-setting attempt took place during ‘The Gathering’, the flagship event in the Society’s year-long series of 40th anniversary activities for its growing community of members around the world.

The online whisky tasting took place on Saturday 30th September 2023

It was live-streamed from The Vaults in Leith, Edinburgh and the first dram was hosted by SMWS Master Ambassador, John McCheyne, the second by Tom Smith, Senior Director of SMWS USA, and the third by Matt Bailey, Director of SMWS Australia.

The drams sampled are:-

  • Cask No. 55.78 What a Spread! – a 13-year-old rich and sweet bottling from a Speyside distillery, with tasting notes of “spiced toffee, creme brulee and a touch of fresh oak”
  • Cask No. 39.244 Tutti Frutti in a Wooden Bowl – an 11-year-old whisky from the SMWS Juicy Oak & Vanilla flavour profile.
  • Batch 15 Smokus Fruticosus – a blended malt comprised of malt whiskies from the islands of Islay & Orkney.

Many thanks to The SMWS (@SMWSUK) for inviting me to the event and for sending me the three samples!

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

Tasting Notes – Cask No. 39.244 Tutti Frutti in a Wooden Bowl (61.5%)


11 Years old from the SMWS Juicy Oak & Vanilla flavour profile.

Cask Type: 1st. fill ex-bourbon barrel
Region: Speyside
ABV: 61.5%

Still available! (£68.40)


Nose: Light fruit and wood with added caramel and toffee apple.

Palate: Thick, creamy vanilla mouthfeel with fruity flavours, honeyed and tasty tropical fruits a la adult Tuitti Frutti!

Finish: Deep spice with a very savoury dry finish.

Overall: There’s a punchy strength to this dram but it’s also coupled with some powerful flavours – very nice!

Tasting Notes – Cask No. 55.78 What a Spread! (59.2%)


13 Years old

Cask Type: 1st. fill ex-PX hogshead
Region: Highland
ABV: 59.2%


Nose: Dried tropical fruits with caramel, toffee and orchard apple.

Palate: Luscious toffee, orange and dark chocolate. Plump fruits and cane sweetness.

Finish: Smooth with some sweet woodiness, peppery spice and cinnammon. Salty finish.

Overall: As stated at the virtual tasting, this dram doesn’t come across as strong even though it is 59.2% – just a hearty, full-flavoured whisky instead!

Tasting Notes – Batch 15 Smokus Fruticosus (50%)

A blended malt comprised of malt whiskies from the islands of Islay & Orkney.

10 Years old

Cask Type: Ex-bourbon, PX and oloroso casks.
Region: Blended
ABV: 50.0%


Nose: Smokehouse peat which is sweet and slightly fruity liquorice.

Palate: Smokey sweetness with savoury and peppery thickness. Liquorice with hints of blackcurrant and a ‘zingy’ sparkle on tbe tongue!

Finish: Smooth with no burn and a hearty pepper flavour but that sweet peaty smokiness just goes on and on!

Overall: This is a great intro. to smokey drams with just the right amount of sweetness to make it palatable to first-time smokey sippers!

But, Did we break the Record?

Well, only time will tell as the Guinness team are still checking all the data but, as ever with SMWS drams, just getting the opportunity to taste these fine whiskies makes it a sure-fire winner to me!

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 Kilchoman Islay 13th Edition – A Whisky With The Sweet Taste Of Smoke!

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Kilchoman 100% Islay 13th Edition

Kilchoman has launched it’s 100% Islay 13th Edition, Single Farm Single Malt Whisky!

The 13th Edition is the first release since 2019 where only solely bourbon barrels were used

The 100% Islay 13th Edition was distilled from barley grown on the farm at Kilchoman in 2012, 2013 and 2014, it was then matured for a minimum of 8 years before 44 bourbon barrels were selected for this year’s release of bottles.

The 13th Edition is the first release since 2019 where I have opted for solely bourbon barrels.

The 44 bourbon barrels that I selected are predominantly fresh casks, this gives the whisky lovely layers of buttery vanilla and caramel flavours which pair beautifully with the citrus sweetness of our spirit.
– Anthony Wills: Kilchoman Founder

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

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

Tasting Notes – Kilchoman 100% Islay 13th Edition (50%)


44 Bourbon barrels
13,000 bottles
20 PPM Lightly peated
BARLEY VARIETY: PUBLICAN HARVESTS: 2012, 2013, 2014

Nose: Sweet n’ smokey with orchard apples, sweet smoke, caramel followed by salty, earthy peat and slight antiseptic.

Palate: Spicy, sweet smokiness with peppery antiseptic and some added fruitiness.

Finish: A smooth, buttery, smokey sweet finish which is finely balanced. This dram has a great selection of flavours and it’s a perfect, smokey dram that’s not too ‘full on’!

The 44 bourbon barrels selected are predominantly fresh casks

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

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

Great Scotland Yard Hotel Launches Their ‘Whisky Passport’ – Which Includes A FREE, Very Rare, Limited Edition “Dream Dram”!

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The ‘Whisky Passport’ – Take a voyage across the continents!

The 5* Great Scotland Yard Hotel is delighted to launch their exclusive ‘Whisky Passport’ for Síbín; a sophisticated whisky bar hidden in plain sight behind a secret door, situated in one of London’s most historic and cherished buildings!

The passport is the perfect, luxury gift for whisky connoisseurs

Embark on a remarkable global journey with the captivating whisky cocktail passport. Beautifully designed and printed, the passport features 10 whiskies from around the world and a very rare and limited dream dram.

The passport is the perfect, luxury gift for whisky connoisseurs and those curious about the world of whisky, each featuring the brand history and unique cocktail.

A doorway to a world of unparalleled flavour, each page reveals a new destination for your palate. Take a voyage across the continents and explore the history, cultures and mixology mastery of European, American, Canadian and Asian whiskies with an extra special, dream dram to complete the journey.

Carefully and specially curated, the passport features cocktails using whiskies from the following regions:

England – Masthouse: Column Malt
Scotland – Elements of Islay: Sherry Cask
Ireland – Waterford: Argot
Finland – Kyrö Whisky
USA – Michters: American Whisky
Canada – Signal Hill
Australia – Starward: Leftfield
Taiwanese – Kavalan: Single Malt
Japan – Nikka: Yoichi
Dream Dram – Japan: Mars: Komagatake Shinshu 2021

The ‘Dream Dram’ – The Mars Komagatake Shinshu 2021

The Komagatake malt is made at the Shinshu distillery, Japan’s highest, sitting at 800m above sea level surrounded by pure spring waterand impacted by a particularly harsh climate.

A superb single malt, the Mars Komagatake 2021 edition boasts a core of bourbon caskmatured single malt, supported by portions matured in sherry and Port casks. You can expect plenty of sweet stone fruit, oaken vanilla,and honeyed nuts alongside the rich, oily malt at its core.

The first whisky cocktail and stamp are included with the purchase of the passport at £50. The subsequent nine cocktails (redeemable in any order), can be enjoyed with a 50% discount (£18 reduced to £9).

Upon completion, customers will receive the complimentary dream dram. Passports can be purchased from Sibin, the hotel’s front desk, or online

The bar is an elegant yet relaxed space for evening drinks, and functions as a chill out lounge to enjoy a wide range of specialist whiskies with good company.

Englands Masthouse: Column Malt Whisky

Síbín is a term coined in Ireland meaning ‘illicit whisky’; it was used to refer to an illicit club where excisable alcoholic drinks were sold without a licence.

The bar of the same name offers high-quality whiskies with wood and smoke flavour profiles alongside classic and creative cocktails, food pairings and snacks.

Featuring artwork from the likes of Alastair Mackie, Belinda Frikh and Cornelia Parker RA, each piece adorning the walls has been chosen to reflect the glamorous and sultry atmosphere of the Síbín.


Great Scotland Yard Hotel
3-5 Great Scotland Yard, London, SW1A 2HN

Opening times: Tuesday – Saturday, 7pm – 1am

greatscotlandyard.com

@gsy_london


About Great Scotland Yard Hotel
Situated in an iconic 1820’s Grade II listed building, Great Scotland Yard Hotel offers 151 rooms and suites, where tradition meets modern luxury.

Home to ‘old Nordic’ restaurant Ekstedt at the Yard – headed up by Michelin starred chef NiklasEkstedt, the five-star hotel boasts an inimitable cocktail bar – The 40 Elephants, a hidden whisky bar – Sibin, afternoon tea lounge, The Parlour, a 5-storey detached private residence: Great Scotland Yard Townhouse, and more.

About The Unbound Collection by Hyatt
More than a compilation of independent, one-of-a-kind hotels, The Unbound Collection by Hyatt brand is a thoughtful curation of stories worth collecting.
Whether it’s a modern marvel, a historic gem or a revitalising retreat, each property provides thought-provoking environments and experiences that inspire for guests seeking elevated yet unscripted service when they travel.

Fettercairn Releases Their 2023 Limited Edition 16 Year Old Whisky!

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For 2023, Fettercairn have delved into their treasure trove of stock to offer a characterful whisky that has enjoyed maturation in first fill ex-Port Pipes and fully matured ex-Bourbon casks!

Pioneering Single Malt Whisky Distillery Fettercairn has unveiled the fourth annual release of their limited-edition 16 Year Old expression. For 2023, Fettercairn have delved into their treasure trove of stock to offer a characterful whisky that has enjoyed maturation in first fill ex-Port Pipes and fully matured ex-Bourbon casks!

Demonstrating the skill and imagination of the Fettercairn whisky makers, the 2023 edition of Fettercairn 16 Year Old offers a finely balanced spirit that accentuates the beauty of the distillery’s unique tropical style.

Bottled perfectly at 46.4% ABV (non-chill filtered), Fettercairn 16 Year Old presents with a rich, golden amber, in natural colour. To smell, warm aromas of tropical fruit are layered with berry fruits, rich cacao, sugared almonds and floral top notes.

Fettercairn 16 Year Old 2023 edition

To taste, expect to enjoy seasonal blackberries and raspberries which interweave with natural vanilla and caramel notes. Soft plum is balanced with fresh baked ginger cake and cherries while aged oak spice accentuates the tropical house characteristics.

Fettercairn 16 Year Old and its rolling annual maturation series was created for curious whisky lovers who were keen to explore more from the innovative distillery and their unique, tropical house style.

Located at the foothills of Scotland’s Cairngorm’s, Fettercairn not only use the crystal-clear mountain water as an ingredient, their stills are drenched in it from the outside, thanks to a distinctive and unique copper ring which adorns the top of the still. This cools the copper, allowing only the finest vapours to rise and ultimately achieves Fettercairn’s light spirit which popularly suggest notes of mango, orange, banana and pineapple.

First launched in 2020, each annual limited-edition release has enjoyed expert experimentation in creation, through a range of finishes and malts under the careful watch of award-winning Master Whisky Maker Gregg Glass1 and the talented team at Fettercairn.

The 2022 release brought together a maturation combination of Oloroso, Pedro Ximenez and ex-Bourbon casks, while the second release in 2021, enjoyed maturation with first and refill Oloroso and rare, aged first fill Palo Cortado Sherry butts. The inaugural release in 2020 was a distillate of chocolate malted barley, initially matured in American white oak ex-Bourbon casks, before enhancement in select sherry and port casks.

Beyond experimental releases such as the Fettercairn 16 Year Old, the Warehouse Collection and the pioneering innovation of the Scottish Oak Matured Fettercairn 18 Year Old2, Fettercairn has yet more to explore. The distillery also offers a select collection of rare and aged whiskies, including 40, 46 and 50 year old expressions, as well as the core 12, 22 and 28 Year Old expressions.

Fettercairn 16 Year Old 2023 edition will be available from September, priced at £82 for a 70cl bottle, from premium specialist whisky retailers in key markets including the UK, France and Germany. A 1 litre version will be available for selected markets, including Travel Retail.

Fettercairn Whiskies are also available to buy from these Merchants:-


About Fettercairn – fettercairnwhisky.com

Fettercairn Distillery is a hidden gem – a Single Malt Scotch Whisky Distillery located in the heart of a thriving agricultural community, Aberdeenshire – ‘The Garden of Scotland’.

A spark of whisky making ingenuity is what makes Fettercairn special. A sense of wonder has been a constant theme back to 1824, as illustrated by our beautiful copper cooling ring, which produces a uniquely tropical style of new make spirit, and our Scottish Oak Programme from which we developed our Fettercairn 18 Year Old Scottish Oak.

Today we continue to take a progressive outlook and make new unexpected journeys in flavour led whisky making. We invite curious whisky lovers and connoisseurs to explore and enjoy Fettercairn Single Malt.

About Gregg Glass- Master Whisky Maker – Icons of Whisky Distiller of the Year, Scotland 2023

Respected whisky maker Gregg Glass joined Whyte and Mackay in 2016, where he has been a leading light in the rejuvenation of Fettercairn alongside Distillery Manager Stewart Walker.

Gregg enjoyed a childhood in the heart of whisky making country, the Black Isle. With 22 years in industry notably 11 years at innovative whisky maker Compass Box, Gregg joined Whyte and Mackay in 2016 to work alongside renowned Master Distiller Mr Richard Paterson OBE.

Gregg has enjoyed 15 years career as a blender and whisky maker. At Whyte and Mackay Gregg has led whisky development for Fettercairn Single Malt Whisky, Jura Single Malt Whisky and in 2017 launched Whisky Works – an independent innovation wing of Whyte and Mackay.

Gregg is devoted to his craft and believes in flavour-led hands-on whisky making. Gregg is passionately involved in every aspect of the whisky making process from ‘acorn to glass’ and since 2020 leads whisky making across the Whyte and Mackay portfolio.

Award-Winning Whisky Makers Whyte and Mackay

Whyte and Mackay is home to a collection of multi-award-winning Single Malt Whiskies including The Dalmore, Jura and Fettercairn. With a premium spirits portfolio that includes contemporary whisky brands Shackleton, Woodsman and John Barr, alongside popular alcohol brands Wildcat, Fundador and Harveys Bristol Cream and Aperitivo. In the UK the company produce Whyte & Mackay, an award-winning ever-popular Blended Whisky, which recently launched the market-leading ‘Whyte & Mackay Light’ – a lighter spirit drink from Scotland, bottled at a lower ABV.

In 2020 the company were publicly recognised by the First Minister of Scotland for their support of the national pandemic response. Whyte and Mackay are official partners to SAMH – Scottish Association for Mental Health, which saw Whyte and Mackay employees worldwide complete a virtual-race-around-the-world to raise awareness for the charity.

Founded in Glasgow 1844, the whisky makers celebrated their 175 year anniversary in 2019. Today Whyte and Mackay have offices from New York to Singapore. In Scotland, Whyte and Mackay operate a state-of-the-art Bottling Hall and Distribution Centre in Grangemouth and a Whisky Production and Warehousing Centre in Invergordon.

Whyte and Mackay’s whisky making is led by Master Distiller Richard Paterson OBE and pioneering Master Whisky Maker Gregg Glass.

Isle of Harris Distillers To Release The Island’s First Single Malt Scotch Whisky – And You Are Invited!

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Isle of Harris Distillery

Become a part of Scotch whisky history and join Isle of Harris Distillers at 2:30pm on Friday 22 September for the first taste of The Hearach, the first single malt Scotch whisky ever released from the Hebridean isle of Harris!

Inviting people from across the world to witness the inaugural dram of this historic malt, the Tarbert-based distillery will be hosting a live stream via its website, allowing lovers of malt whisky and the Isle of Harris to join the ceremony and be part of this momentous occasion.

Isle of Harris Distillers are known for their iconic Scottish Gin

The Hearach, named after the Scottish Gaelic name for a native of Harris, has been hand crafted by a local team on the Isle of Harris. Each and every element of the malt whisky symbolises the incredible location it calls home – distilled, matured, married and bottled by Hearachs, its flavour has been strongly influenced by its island home and is a spirit of complexity and character.

In the first reveal of the bottle and the distinctive whisky it holds, the event on Friday 22 September will bring together people from across the world, united by a passion for whisky and a desire to support the Harris community, a desire which lies at the heart of everything the distillery does.

Live Gaelic singing performances will also mark the occasion, alongside speeches from a number of the team, before the first dram is tasted.

The Hearach has been many years in the making, so we’re delighted to be able to share it with the world later this month. A delicious single malt, it encapsulates the feel and flavour of life on Harris, bringing the island to lovers of fine spirits in much the same way as our ever-popular gin does.

Most importantly though, as with our gin, it has been created with the future growth of the island in mind – from employment opportunities to wider support of the island economy. We look forward to marking the occasion in true Harris style, with a cèilidh joined by friends from near and far.
– Simon Erlanger: Managing director at Isle of Harris Distillers Ltd

Opened in 2015, the distillery was built to act as a symbol of hope and optimism for the Harris community

The first seven batches of The Hearach single malt will be available to purchase on Saturday 23 September at 10am, both online via the Harris Distillery website and at the distillery itself. The whisky will then be made available from October in bars, restaurants, and specialist retailers across the UK and in over 20 countries globally.

With queues anticipated at the distillery on 23 September, visitors are advised to dress for the island weather but will be kept warm with entertainment from the distillery team.

Opened in 2015, the distillery was built to act as a symbol of hope and optimism for the Harris community by creating sustainable jobs for local people and supporting the wider island economy for generations to come.

Starting life with a team of just 10 locals, today the distillery family numbers some 48 full-time staff, making the Tarbert-based business the biggest private employer in Harris.

The distilling team is testament to the company’s commitment to the development of young people’s careers, with four distillers with an average age of 25 making whisky under the mentorship of head distiller, Norman Ian Mackay.

For more information on The Hearach or the Isle of Harris Distillery, visit harrisdistillery.com

Brave New Spirits Granted Planning Permission For Their New Witchburn Distillery in Campbeltown!

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Witchburn Distillery

The Glasgow-based independent whisky bottler and blender Brave New Spirits, have today announced that they have been granted planning permission from Argyll & Bute council, for a new single malt whisky distillery at the former RAF Machrihanish airbase in Campbeltown!

The new Net Zero carbon production distillery, located between Campbeltown Airport and Machrihanish Village, will produce 2 million litres of alcohol per year – with the potential and scope for expansion to 4 million in the future, and will be powered by 100% green renewable energy sources. Its state-of-the-art heat and energy recovery systems will make Witchburn one of the most environmentally friendly distilleries in Scotland.

When complete Witchburn will operate with 1 Mash tun – with a capacity of 5 tons; 16 Washbacks – each with a capacity of 30,000 litres, allowing for a fermentation period of 96 hours or more; 2 Wash Stills – each with a capacity of 16,000 litres and 2 Spirit Stills – each with a capacity of 7,000 litres.

Production at Witchburn Distillery is due to commence in the last quarter of 2024

Witchburn, which is the brainchild of Brave New Spirits founders Adam Hochul and Alexander Springensguth, will have its production headed by Founding Master Distiller, Andrew Nairn, former Distillery Manager of Glenkinchie, Strathmill and Borders Distillery. It will use traditional distilling craftsmanship to produce unpeated, lightly peated and heavily peated malts.

The distillery will operate with a carefully planned wood policy, with the majority of its spirit to be filled into barrels from famous American Bourbon producers, Oloroso Sherry casks from various Bodegas, selected Tawny and Ruby Port barriques and organic Bordeaux wine barriques. Witchburn will mature its casks in on-site warehousing close to the sea, and in warehouses in the Campbeltown area.

The distillery takes its name from the word Witch; originally meant folk healers, mostly ‘wised women’ using herbs and power of imagination. Previously amongst the most respected people in village life. Burn; which comes from the Scots Gaelic for naturally occurring fresh water stream or very small river that flows into a larger river.

Witchburn Distillery, which plans to do its part to bring the glory days back to Scotland’s former whisky capital, will create around 30 permanent new jobs in production, warehousing, and distribution,

We were delighted to receive this news today. Our team is excited to be working with the Campbeltown community in the coming months and years to develop Witchburn Distillery!

– Adam Hochul: Co-Founder of Brave New Spirits and the new Witchburn Distillery

Production at Witchburn Distillery is due to commence in the last quarter of 2024

About Brave New Spirits:

Established in 2020, Brave New Spirits, is a multi-award-winning independent whisky bottler and blender, which now export to over 30 countries with their award-winning portfolio of whiskies, including their small-batch & single cask ranges Whisky of Voodoo & Cask Noir, along with higher volume brands for larger retailers, such as The Highland Shepherd Single Malt and Lighthouse Blends. It has its own warehouse in Glasgow, with a second currently being prepared on the site. The company currently employs a team of 25 and has recently appointed a representative in Japan, to cover Asia.

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