Whisky — Page 7 — Malthound

Sampling The Irishman Whiskies – Tweet Tasting Some Irish Magic!

May 17, 2022 by Gary Leave a Comment

The Irishman – The Harvest

Last Wednesday nights @TweetTastings, hosted by Steve from The Whisky Wire, gave us the opportunity to sample The Irishman range of whiskies.

The drams sampled were:-

The Irishman The Harvest

The Irishman 12 Years Old

The Irishman Caribbean Cask Finish

The Irishman Cask Strength 2022

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 #TheIrishmanWhiskey on Twitter.

So, what did I think?

Here are my tasting notes … and the one which was my favourite on the night!

Tasting Notes – The Irishman The Harvest (40%)

Blended Irish Whiskey
ABV: 40%
Cask: American oak Bourbon barrels
Blend Mix: 70% single malt – 30% single pot still
RRP: £34.00

As part of the brands recent €500,000 rebrand, The Irishman – The Harvest, which was previously known as Founder’s Reserve, is a marriage of American oak Bourbon matured single malt and single pot still whiskeys, triple distilled and made using 100% Irish barley.

Nose: Crisp, green apples, fruit juice sweetness with lemon and hints of orange & citric acid.

Palate: Creamy, sweet palate with luxurious mouthfeel. Green apples, cane sugar, tropical fruits and growing chocolate.

Finish: A touch of spice and a dash of dryness but the honeyed sweetness wins out in the end!

Available to buy from these Merchants:-

Tasting Notes – The Irishman 12 Years Old (43%)

Irish Single Malt Whiskey
ABV: 43%
Cask: First-fill charred Bourbon barrels
RRP: £43.00

Triple distilled and made using 100% Irish barley.

I didn’t get the chance to sample this dram but it was a cracker if the comments by my fellow tweeters was anything to go by!

Tasting Notes – The Irishman Caribbean Cask Finish (46%)

Blended Irish Whiskey
ABV: 46%
Casks: Initially matured in American oak Bourbon barrels, before being finished in Chairman’s Reserve St Lucian rum casks for 6 months.
RRP: £58.00

Said to be a combination of St Lucian character and Irish heritage, it is triple distilled and made using 100% Irish barley.

Nose: ‘Earthier’ than the previous whiskies with apples and banana giving way to stewed fruits and rum n’ raisin ice cream with biscuit. Add in some fruit pastry and hints of coffee and I’m well and truly hungry!

Palate: Creamy tropical banana with melted rum and raisin ice cream atop. Plus, there’s sweet digestive biscuits dipped in!

Finish: Some strong dark chocolate at the end tops off a very remarkable dram!

Available to buy from these Merchants:-

Tasting Notes – The Irishman Cask Strength 2022 (54.9%)

Blended Irish Whiskey
ABV: 54.9%
Casks: American oak Bourbon barrel matured single malt and single pot still whiskeys
RRP: £115.00

An annual release, limited to just 6,100 bottles, it is triple distilled and made using 100% Irish barley.

Nose: A subtler nose for this dram but there’s apples, vanilla & citrus.

Palate: Mmm … very lush! Thick, creamy and fruity! Plump raisins, vanilla and toffee.

Finish: The palate continues joined by woody dryness plus sweet, dark chocolate.

Overall: A cracking dram – well worth the investment!

Available to buy from these Merchants:-

Part of The Irishman range of whiskies!

My Favourite On The Night

1. Cask Strength 2022
2. The Harvest
3. Caribbean Cask Finish

Cask Strength 2022 knocks it out of the park for me – a subtler nose but a cracking palate!

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

My fellow Tweet Tasters on the night were:-

@TheWhiskyWire @WhiskyLee232 @WhiskyWings @whiskyrover @WhiskyWithMolly @FiShoop @TomsDram @PhilScott101 @WalshWhiskey @sprungatom @ManyMilesWhisky @WhiskyUnplugged @scotch_whisky78 @MaltBox @whiskyRubhach @_PMcDermott @ultanfinegan @bogstandarddram @StillTripleDist @sirdeco @Marc_Whiskey @WhiskeyPundit @grainnemoshea @dram_gazette @IRLWhiskeyStout

The Irishman is available to buy from these Merchants:-

Sampling The Tamnavulin White Wine Cask Edition – An Inviting Whisky Where Everyone’s Welcome!

May 13, 2022 by Gary Leave a Comment

Tamnavulin White Wine Cask Edition!

Speyside’s Tamnavulin Distillery has launched its latest creation, Tamnavulin White Wine Cask Edition, following on from the success and popularity of the Red Wine Cask Editions!

Tamnavulin White Wine Cask Edition showcases the distinctive orchard fruit character of the Speyside distillery, which complements the flavours enhanced by the white wine finish. In line with Tamnavulin’s tradition of double matured whiskies, this expression began its life in American White Oak barrels, before undergoing its second maturation in Sauvignon Blanc white wine casks.

Tamnavulin White Wine Cask Edition Goes Really Well With Elderflower & Soda!

The resulting whisky is rich, fresh and fruity with a soft, dry finish. It is defined on the nose by signature orchard green apple notes which combine with banana, ripe honeydew melon and white peach together with fresh citrus, jasmine and vanilla coconut cream. Flavours of lemon, grapefruit and baked apple tart together with a hint of cinnamon spice, ginger and lime biscuits please the palate.

The influence of the white wine cask offers a bright and fruity accompaniment to the sweet, mellow and smooth character of Tamnavulin and taps into consumers’ love of white wine. A finish rarely seen in the retail space, this whisky has an accessible fruity profile as well as offering drinkers greater choice and diversity of flavour without breaking the bank.

The Speyside single malt brand was brought back to life in 2016 to offer a compelling single malt proposition to price conscious consumers looking for a credible, quality alternative to blends and a solution to those looking to begin exploring the malt category. Since then, it has fast developed a reputation as a premium, trusted brand which is demanding consumer and trade attention alike.

This success is testament to the quality of Tamnavulin’s single malts and demand for such whiskies at a competitive price, which is fuelling repeat purchase and encouraging blended whisky shoppers to trade up.

Tamnavulin White Wine Cask Edition is now widely available in the UK with the US and select European markets following in the coming months, at an RSP of £32.

So, what did I think?

Tamnavulin has kindly sent me a sample to try. Thanks Tamnavulin / @tamnavulinwh!

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

Tasting Notes – Tamnavulin White Wine Cask Edition (40%)

Nose: Crisp, green apples with creamy cane sugar, banana and tropical fruit hints.

Palate: Apples, cane sugar, light caramel and lightly floral creaminess with dryness slowly coming through.

Finish: The dryness continues but there’s a nice tropical sweetness making a welcome appearance together with a hint of spice.

Overall: Light is the key with this dram which would be most welcome as a Summer tipple. A light, delicate whisky that’s inviting – but not pushy!

Tamnavulin is available to buy from these Merchants:-

Compare prices for Tamnavulin!

About Tamnavulin

On the Southern edge of Speyside, in the foothills of the Cairngorm Mountains, lies Tamnavulin Distillery. Built in 1966, the Distillery takes its name from the Gaelic for ‘mill on the hill’, the distillery was named after the historic woollen mill which still sits next to the distillery. After closing in 1995, the distillery underwent a major refurbishment before it was re-opened in 2007. The first whisky from the newly opened distillery was launched in 2016, much to the anticipation of whisky fans.

Tucked away on the edge of the River Livet, set on the bank of the Allt’ a Choire, Tamnavulin draws water from underground springs in the Easterton hills formed by snowmelt from the surrounding mountains. This water is naturally filtered through ancient limestone rock before reaching the distillery, resulting in some of the purest spring water to be found in Scotland.

The small group of skilled, time-served craftsmen began creating Tamnavulin’s signature Speyside malt whisky over fifty years ago using the finest ingredients combined with age-old distilling expertise and sophisticated techniques.

Since its launch in 2016, Tamnavulin has driven a successful path which has seen it become the fastest growing single malt globally in 2020 (IWSR ‘000’s 8.4L cases) and the no.4 brand by volume in the UK (Nielsen Scantrack/Kantar date to 9th of October 2021).

Sampling The Lakes Distillery “Whiskymaker’s Reserve No.5” – Made With The Art Of Elevage!

May 6, 2022 by Gary Leave a Comment

The Whiskymaker’s Reserve No.5

On a journey to define their signature style, The Whiskymaker’s Reserve No.5 is the latest in what has become an internationally award-winning series of single malt whiskies made by The Lakes Distillery!

Matured in the finest, bespoke Oloroso, PX, and red wine casks, comprising Spanish and American oak, The Whiskymaker’s Reserve No.5 is an elegant and Moorish evolution, possessing the same sherry-led, wood-forward characteristics as its predecessors.

Now available throughout the UK!

Drawing inspiration from Cognac’s cellarmasters, The Lakes has taken the art of élevage to create a whisky with complexity and depth. Rather than sealing the oak and waiting for the result, unlike other distilleries, they take an active involvement that requires patience and time, and an intimate understanding of how the flavours in each cask are developing.

By frequently effecting change throughout the whisky’s maturation, whether by moving a cask’s location, or transferring the spirit between casks, The Lakes seek to evolve an array of intriguing layers of flavour from which they can blend the final whisky.

With The Whiskymaker’s Reserve No.5, we wanted to create a whisky with a similar sherry-led profile to previous releases, but with certain characters restrained to achieve a textural refinement.

This is a whisky with seductively aromatic notes of dark chocolate and dried fruits, and a smooth finish with intricate layers of wood spice.
– Dhavall Gandhi: The Lakes’ whiskymaker

To celebrate the release of The Whiskymaker’s Reserve No.5 and to connect the complexity of élevage with the simplicity of enjoying flavoursome whisky, The Lakes Distillery sought the imagination of some of the best Old Fashioned makers in the world.

By adding a twist to the traditional, layering complementary and contrasting flavours, and integrating personal influences within the recipe, mixologists from Scarfes Bar at the Rosewood London, The Berkeley Bar & Terrace, The Goring Cocktail Bar, The Chinoiserie at The Carlton Tower Jumeirah, and The Northall Bar at Corinthia London have used The Whiskymaker’s Reserve No.5 to develop their own delectably delicious takes on the eminent Whisky Cocktail.

The result is a series of sophisticated and dramatically different serves, each designed to tell a story through the art of flavour creation, and available to enjoy from 1 June throughout the summer at any of these world-renowned bars.

Non-chill filtered, bottled at the natural colour, and 52% ABV, The Whiskymaker’s Reserve No.5 is now available from LakesDistillery.com and throughout the UK with a recommended retail price of £70

Lakes Distillery Whiskies (& Gins) are also available to buy from:-

The Lakes Distillery have kindly sent me a sample of their new dram to try (Thanks Lakes Distillery!)

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

Tasting Notes – The Whiskymaker’s Reserve No.5 (52%)

Nose: A bit shy on the nose at first but there’s creamy, silky vanilla with spiced apples and hints of spice. Later on I detect slightly tropical fruits with mint.

Palate: Creamy, sherried fruits with chocolate and some coffee.

Finish: Sweet spices with shades of wood but it’s also peppery and gets more so with time.

Overall: A delicately balanced dram. Very fine with a subtleness to it’s flavours that’s very welcome in this world of taste-bud overkill!

The Lakes Distillery sought the imagination of some of the best Old Fashioned makers in the world!

About Lakes Distillery

On the shore of Bassenthwaite Lake, near Keswick, in The English Lake District, The Lakes Distillery creates an exceptional collection of whiskies, gins and vodkas and attracts over 100,000 visitors each year.

Twice named ‘one of eight distilleries to visit before you die’ by the World Whisky Day campaign, the visitor centre, bistro and tour has held Visit England’s Gold accolade for the last three years and was voted the Icons of Whisky Visitor Attraction of the Year 2019 by Whisky magazine.

On 7 September 2019, The Lakes Distillery unveiled the first in a series of widely available single malt whisky releases that will showcase their house style, defined by whiskymaker Dhavall Gandhi.

The Lakes’ Story

The Lake District has long been a crucible for creativity, a place in which the imagination can flourish, and it’s no different for The Lakes Distillery. Taking inspiration from the UNESCO World Heritage Site where our state-of-the-art distillery has been built meticulously within a 160-year-old farmstead on the banks of the River Derwent, the idea of distilling being distinct individual elements is not how we look at the art. Rather it is part of a continuum, a net of possibilities where everything is interlinked. Change one element and the effect will change everything else.

Only by understanding how flavours are created throughout the spirit’s journey through the distillery can our whiskymaker fully comprehend the possibilities. That is why, unusually, Dhavall Gandhi is actively involved at every stage. It is holistic whisky-making, to ensure every flavour possibility is achieved.

Find out more about our whisky story at www.LakesDistillery.com

Recent Awards

Named by The London Stock Exchange Group as one of the ‘1000 Companies to Inspire Britain 2020’ and 19th fastest growing brand in Alantra’s 2019 Food and Beverage Fast 50, The Lakes’ portfolio of award-winning spirits includes single malt whisky, blended malt whisky, blended whisky, gin and vodka. Recently, they received the following prestigious World Drinks awards:
2020:
World’s Best English Single Malt Whisky, No Age Statement (Gold Award) – The Whiskymaker’s Reserve No.2
International Spirit’s Challenge (ISC), World Single Malt Whisky (Gold Award) – The Whiskymaker’s Reserve No.2
International Wine And Spirit Competition (IWSC), Spirit Gold Award – The Whiskymaker’s Reserve No.1
2019:
World’s Best Blended Malt Whisky, No Age Statement (Best in English Category) – Steel Bonnets
World’s Best Blended Limited Release Whisky, No Age Statement (Best in English Category) – The ONE Sherry Expression
World’s Best Gin (Gold Award) – The Lakes Gin
World’s Best Gin Liqueur (Gold Award) – The Lakes Rhubarb & Rosehip Gin Liqueur
World’s Best Vodka (World’s Best) – The Lakes Vodka
World’s Best Chocolate Liqueur (World’s Best) – The Lakes Salted Caramel Vodka Liqueur

Jura Whisky Adds To Their “Signature Series” With 14 Year Old American Rye Cask!

April 12, 2022 by Gary Leave a Comment

Jura Whisky Adds To Their “Signature Series” With 14 Year Old American Rye Cask!

Jura Single Malt whisky is adding a ‘smooth and warming’ 14 Year Old American Rye Cask edition to its Signature Series, in celebration of Jura’s island community and the unbreakable bond between the islanders and the whiskies they produce.

Initially matured in Jura’s traditional American White Oak ex-Bourbon barrels, which are the perfect partner for all the new make spirit at the distillery, the whisky has been further matured in hand-selected American rye whisky casks to add depth and complexity, with distinctive layers of spicy and aromatic flavours.

Now available at a rrp. of £42

The rye casks impart notes of cinnamon, vanilla, cacao and warming honey to Jura’s signature smooth and bright profile.

Warm gold in colour, Jura 14 Year Old Rye Cask is reminiscent of warm summers evenings on the island, with classic fresh notes of citrus and vanilla balancing mango, fresh mint and crushed almonds.

On the palate, flavours of toffee apple and pecan pie are revealed with layers of cinnamon, honey, cacao and hazelnut, before giving way to a long, warm and nutty finish leaving an impression of maple syrup, guava and soft spice.

The vibrancy of our 14 Year Old Rye Cask is matched only by the spirit of the community on the island. The close-knit group are the inspiration for us to produce whiskies which transport you to Jura with every sip.

The rye casks add a warming complexity and depth of flavour to our signature fresh and vibrant Jura spirit, making it a perfect dram for every season.
– Gregg Glass: Whisky Maker & Blender at Whyte & Mackay

This latest addition to the Signature Series follows the launch of Jura Rum Cask Finish last summer and is presented in a striking green carton emblazoned with scenes from Jura complemented by golden rye, uniting the heritage of this whisky. Additionally, a QR code gives those who purchase a bottle an exclusive opportunity to discover more about the liquid, its story and how best to enjoy it.

Each bottle of Jura Whisky is a celebration of its island home and embodies the passion of those who make it – and the Jura 14 Year Old Rye Cask is no exception.

The remote Scottish island provides the canvas from which these dedicated islanders take their inspiration and the distillery provides the means to bring this to life. Our stills are amongst the tallest in Scotland, which create a light new make spirit with a citrus and pine character, and we use peated malted barley for less than four weeks a year which is added sparingly to provide body and seasoning to each whisky. This allows the Jura distillery to provide a unique home to craft our spirit.
– Claire Blackadder: Global Head of Brand for Jura

Jura 14 Year Old American Rye Cask is available now at an RSP of £42 and will roll out into key markets later in the year.

Product information:

Jura 14 Year Old Rye Cask

ABV: 40%

Available in 70cl

Colour: Warm gold

Nose: Reminiscent of warm evenings on the island, our classic fresh citrus and vanilla character is balanced with the herbal and floral aromas of the American Rye barrels, delivering aromas of mango, fresh mint and crushed almonds.

Taste: On the palate, the whisky reveals toffee apple richness and pecan pie with layers of cinnamon, vibrant vanilla, honey, cacao and hazelnut.

Finish: A long, warm and nutty finish with notes of toffee, maple syrup, guava and soft wood spices.

Jura is available to buy from these Whisky Merchants:-

About Jura:

Jura is an island nestled off the West Coast of Scotland. With only one road, one pub, one whisky distillery and 212(ish) people, Jura is as beautiful as it is remote.

The distillery was established in 1810 and reborn in 1963 to revive the community.

Inspired by our history and our island home, we create single malt with a true passion for the craft of whisky making.

Sampling The Lakes Distillery “Mosaic” – Inspired By The Silk Road – It’s A Path I Want To Follow!

March 4, 2022 by Gary Leave a Comment

Sampling “Mosaic”!

The Lakes Distillery has created The Whiskymaker’s Editions “Mosaic” – a limited-edition single malt whisky!

Drawing inspiration from the Silk Road – the ancient intercontinental avenue of trade and cultural exchange – it brings together a sense of adventure from both East and West, uniting eclectic influences and flavours in a singular, sophisticated expression.

Inspired by the Silk Road, East meets West in The Whiskymaker’s Editions Mosaic!

Created with carefully designed pockets of flavour from The Lakes’ bespoke collection of casks, Mosaic is the latest Edition to tell a story through the art of whisky creation.

The fusion of people, knowledge, ideas and cultural beliefs along the Silk Road has had a profound impact on the fabric of our society. This is our attempt to create a whisky with a flavour profile that is reminiscent of passage through its many pf ports and cities.

From crisp autumn days in the west, and the aromas of woodfire and spent leaves, Mosaic will lead you to the heady spice melange of Moorish bazaars and onwards into light, delicate oriental wood nuances that evoke a wisdom synonymous with Japanese temples.
– Dhavall Gandhi: The Lakes Distillery’s whiskymaker

Non-chill filtered, bottled at the natural colour and 46.6% ABV, The Whiskymaker’s Editions Mosaic is now available from LakesDistillery.com and throughout the UK with a recommended retail price of £80

The Lakes Distillery have kindly sent me a sample of their new dram to try (Thanks Lakes Distillery!)

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

Tasting Notes – The Lakes Distillery Single Malt Whisky: The Whiskymaker’s Editions “Mosaic” (46.6%)

Nose: Fruity green apples, cane sugar, honey, caramel toffee with shades of woodiness and promises of a little spice.

Palate: Satisfying mouthfeel with rich, creamy fruits including apples with a little orange. Sugarcane sweetness with tasty toffee adds to the palate.

Finish: A much spicier finish that is more robust than I expected (and better for it!) married together with honey sweetness and a little tobacco dryness.

Overall: Mmm … a nicely balanced smooth dram with the flavours of sweet n’ spice battling it out – but in a polite way of course!

The Whiskymaker’s Editions “Mosaic”

Other Lakes Distillery Whiskies (& Gins) are available to buy from:-

The Glasgow Distillery Launches 3 Distillery Exclusive Limited Edition Single Malts!

November 16, 2021 by Gary Leave a Comment

Three new limited edition releases!

The Glasgow Distillery Co. has today revealed three new limited edition releases of its Glasgow 1770 Single Malt Scotch Whisky!

The new releases consist of three different whisky styles finished in three different cask types which have been sourced from three different countries. These are an Unpeated Ruby Port Cask Finish; a Triple Distilled Tokaji Cask Finish and a Peated Sauternes Cask Finish.

‘Tokaji Cask Finish’ has an outturn of just 380 bottles

Each limited edition release is individually numbered and available on the Glasgow Distillery website from 10am on Thursday 18th of November.

The ‘Ruby Port Cask Finish’ has an outturn of 467 bottles at 56.2% ABV, ‘Tokaji Cask Finish’ has an outturn of 380 bottles at 53% ABV, and ‘Sauternes Cask Finish’ has an outturn of 486 bottles at 53.7% ABV.

Each bottle comes with in-depth detail of the whisky within to showcase the true journey of the spirit from the malt variety used to the distillation style, original cask filling, type of finishing cask used and final bottling date.

Non-chill filtered and natural in colour, as is the standard for all Glasgow 1770 Single Malt Scotch Whiskies, these three limited edition releases are a true representation of The Glasgow Distillery’s innovative and experimental approach to whisky making.

Something that sets us apart from most other distilleries is that we make three very distinct styles of single malt whisky at The Glasgow Distillery. Unpeated, peated and triple distilled spirit is a key feature of our annual production calendar and is characterised within our Glasgow 1770 Signature Range.

With these three limited edition releases, we’re showcasing the incredible flexibility and versatility of our single malt by combining the different spirit styles with a range of interesting casks that we have been experimenting with at the distillery over the past couple of years.

I’m really proud to be able to offer these three releases as an insight into what we get to see every day working at the distillery – innovation, experimentation and above all a commitment to quality. I hope everyone who makes a purchase chooses to open and enjoy these really interesting expressions.
– Liam Hughes: CEO and Co-founder

Available on the distillery’s website from 10am on Thursday 18th of November!

We’re excited to offer our customers a glimpse ‘behind-the-curtain’ and into the experimentations and cask-finishing trials we have been running recently. We have a really passionate and well-informed core customer base and I’m intrigued to see their reaction to these new expressions.

The ‘Ruby Port Cask Finish’ balances our sweet and fruity unpeated spirit with lovely notes of strawberries and cream, complete with a sweet spicy finish of pink peppercorns, all gained from the fresh Ruby Port Cask.

The Triple Distilled ‘Tokaji Cask Finish’ uses this wonderfully decadent Hungarian dessert wine cask to impart sweet and honeyed notes combined with hints of toffee apples, poached pears and apricot preserve to the already vibrant and smooth triple distilled spirit.

The ‘Sauternes Cask Finish’ perfectly rounds off our peated whisky in this fantastic French dessert wine cask to give great complexity and notes of sweet and smoky BBQ sauce, toffee and salted caramel with a deep earthy finish. Definitely one for any peat-heads.
– Mike Hayward: Co-founder, and Director of Distillery & Brands

Glasgow 1770 Limited Edition: ‘Ruby Port Cask Finish’, ‘Tokaji Cask Finish’ and ‘Sauternes Cask Finish’ will be available directly and exclusively from The Glasgow Distillery website at 10am on the 18th of November 2021. Each release is restricted to two bottles per person.

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

Master of Malt
The Whisky Shop

About The Glasgow Distillery:

The Glasgow Distillery Company was established in 2012 by Liam Hughes, Mike Hayward and Ian McDougall.
Together, they opened Glasgow’s first independent single malt whisky distillery since 1902, with the unwavering mission to bring single malt distilling back to the city and encourage people to ‘Drink Better’
The Glasgow Distillery started to produce gin in 2014 and laid down their first cask of whisky in 2015.
The company produces an award-winning portfolio of brands which each tell a story rooted in Glasgow’s heritage, including:
Glasgow 1770 Single Malt Scotch Whisky. Launched in 2018, the distillery launched its first batch of single malt Scotch whisky with Release No. 1 selling out within days via an online ballot. The Original has subsequently been followed by the release of a Peated expression in 2019 and a Triple Distilled expression in May 2020, with all three expressions collectively forming the Glasgow 1770 ‘Signature Range’.
Makar Gin, which boasts an impressive 60 international awards since launch in 2015, including World’s Best Flavoured Gin for their Makar Cherry expression.
Banditti Club Spiced Rum, which launched in March 2019.
G52 Botanical Vodka, which consists of G52 Fresh Citrus and G52 Rich Coffee, which launched in February 2020.
Malt Riot Blended Malt Scotch Whisky launched in June 2020. Malt Riot is a blend of single malt scotch whiskies from across Scotland with distillery’s Glasgow 1770 Single Malt Scotch Whisky at its heart.
The Glasgow Distillery Company were crowned ‘Scottish Whisky Distillery of the Year’ at the 2020 Scottish Whisky Awards and are finalists for the same award in 2021.
The Glasgow Distillery launched its first distillery exclusive release in April of this year: ‘The Coopers’ Cask’ of which there were only 403 bottles available. This release sold out within 20 minutes online.

Sampling The SMWS “Virtual Tasting” Drams – Whiskies That Allow You To Have The Best Of ALL Worlds!

October 13, 2021 by Gary Leave a Comment

Five spectacular drams!

Well, here it is at last – my review of The SMWS September Virtual Tasting – (I know you’ve been wondering where it was!)

Due to circumstances beyond my control (dreaded I.T. issues!) I was unable to tune in to the event, held on 30 September via Facebook.

However, I did manage to view the event later on ‘catch up’ and watch Madeleine Schmoll and Society favourite Mads Schmoll guide us through five more spectacular drams!

The drams tasted on the night were:-

■ Cask No: 35.293, “Late night pantry raid”

■ Cask No: 41.140, “Raindrops on pine cones”

■ Cask No: 82.35, “Jammin with apfel strudel on a beach”

■ Cask No: 68.60, “Sunshine on cream cakes”

■ Cask No: 53.376, “Rekindled Romance”

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

■ Cask No: 35.293, “Late night pantry raid”

Cask Type: 1st fill ex-Sauternes barrique

14 years old

58.1% ABV

Distillery: Speyside, Glen Moray

Nose: Sweet and syrupy with plump fruits and buttery sweetcorn. Liquorice adds an attractive addition to the nose.

Palate: Sweet, luscious mouthfeel with stewed fruits, caramel, liquorice and all on a sherried palate!

Finish: Basically, a continuation of the palate with the addition of some very nice mild spice.

Overall: A lovely finish, topping off an equally lovely start. Interestingly, the high ABV is not over powering at all which just goes to show that a high alcohol strength won’t always blow your head off!

£70.00

■ Cask No: 41.140, “Raindrops on pine cones”

Cask Type: Refill ex-bourbon hogshead

12 years old

56.5% ABV

Distillery: Speyside, Dailuaine

Nose: Woody, sweet fruits and some pleasant, slightly porty notes with chocolate.

Palate: Sherbet sweetness rich with toffee and plenty of fruity alcohol Oomph! There’s also some new make spirit popcorn taste lurking in the background.

Finish: Again, as before, the flavours established in the palate forge along nicely but with the addition of a bit more chilli than the previous dram.

Overall: Plenty going on with this dram and all of it is good!

Not available to buy – But – See All That The SMWS Has To Offer!

■ Cask No: 82.35, “Jammin with apfel strudel on a beach”

Cask Type: 1st fill ex-bourbon hogshead

8 years old

64.4% ABV

Distillery: Highland, Glencadam

Nose: Lemon sherbet sweets with digestive biscuits, coupled with caramel and light toffee.

Palate: Cane sweetness with heavy plump stewed fruits, citrus and toffee.

Finish: Super spicy finish with a lemoney tanin finish.

Overall: Loved the citrus with this dram and together with the sugar and spice it made this whisky very nice!

£49.00

■ Cask No: 68.60, “Sunshine on cream cakes”

Cask Type: Recharred hogshead

9 years old

59.8% ABV

Distillery: Highland, Blair Athol

Nose: A slow burner this one but after a while there’s butterscotch, sherry, creamy cherry coconut. Add together furniture polish and dusky rooms and you have a cracking nose!

Palate: Thick, creamy mouthfeel with sherried fruits and chocolate cherries with coconut – Yum!

Finish: Some poppy chilli joins in the fun for the dryer finish – which is short but does invite another sip!

Overall: Hiding it’s light under a bushel this one was initially but it eventually revealed it’s secrets. I can see why this has sold out – a top notch dram!

Not available to buy – But – See All That The SMWS Has To Offer!

■ Cask No: 53.376, “Rekindled Romance”

Cask Type: Refill ex-bourbon hogshead

11 years old

57.1% ABV

Distillery: Islay, Caol Ila

Nose: Oh! One of my favourite aroma profiles! Smokehouse savouriness, sweet peat, charred wood and salty sea air – glorious!

Palate: Sweet, burnt wood with a tasty charred aftertaste joined with creamy caramel. The palate is also accompanied by some interesting antiseptic and herbal flavours.

Finish: The palate continus with growing spiciness, antiseptic and herbal flavours and a dry tanin and tobacco finish.

Overall: A great balance of a sweet dram and peaty smokiness which really satisfies the palate.

With quality drams from the SMWS you don’t have to settle for an either / or flavour profile. You can have the best of ALL worlds!

£69.00

I most enjoyed 53.376, “Rekindled Romance” which is still available to buy, followed by 68.60, “Sunshine on cream cakes” which, sadly, isn’t (though I can see why!)

Many thanks to SMWS (@SMWSUK) for such an enjoyable set of samples!

About The SMWS

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society is a club unlike any other.

As well as being a place to connect with other like-minded whisky lovers, they are also internationally renowned for their mission: “to provide our members with an adventurous and fun journey of discovery of the world’s widest collection of single cask whiskies.”

Conceptualised in the late 70’s and established in 1983, the Scotch Malt Whisky Society, now 35 years old, has branches and partners bars in 19 countries globally. The Society has a selection of over 500 casks every year, each cask yielding a few hundred or less whisky bottles which are unique to that cask.

Rather than name their Whiskies after the distillery, the Society has a coding system. The Society also creates fantastic tasting notes summaries for their Whiskies and other bottles. The whiskies are straight from the cask single malt, undiluted, without chill-filtration or colouring at cask strength.

More recently the Society has been named Independent Bottler of the Year in Whisky Magazine’s prestigious Independent Bottlers’ Challenge (IBC) competition.

Are You Tasting Pack Ready? Be Prepared To Celebrate The SMWS ‘Gathering’ Virtual Tasting!

September 28, 2021 by Gary Leave a Comment

The SMWS ‘Gathering’ Drams!

The SMWS ‘Gathering’ Virtual Tasting will take place on
Thursday, 30th. September!

– Get your tasting glasses ready and put the date in your diary!

The Scotch Malt Whisky Societies September Virtual ‘Gathering’ is fast approaching but there is still time to Buy Your Pack!

The Gathering is an annual celebration of all things ‘Society’ with various events that bring the Society members together. And for those that can’t join in the fun at a physical event, they can meet up ‘virtually’ by sharing some drams online!

With that in mind, Society master ambassador John McCheyne will be joined by The SMWS’s favourite host Mads Schmoll for a very special virtual tasting on Thursday, 30 September.

Five drams that have been bottled exclusively for The Gathering and it is guaranteed to be a fun-filled evening, sharing memories and stories about the Society.

So, join us on the day with your drams (and some water if you need it) on the UK Facebook page!

Still time to Buy Your Pack!

Buy Your Pack: £35.00

Whiskies to be sampled:-
41.140 Raindrops on pine cones

68.60 Sunshine on cream cakes

82.35 Jammin’ with apfel strudel on a beach

35.293 Late night pantry raid

53.376 Rekindled Romance

More recently the Society has been named Independent Bottler of the Year in Whisky Magazine’s prestigious Independent Bottlers’ Challenge (IBC) competition.

Sampling Kilchoman’s New 11th. Edition 100% Islay – A Whisky That Makes Me 100% Happy!

September 24, 2021 by Gary Leave a Comment

Kilchoman launch their 11th. Edition 100% Islay!

Kilchoman launch their 11th. Edition 100% Islay, Single Farm Single Malt Whisky!

The 100% Islay 11th Edition was distilled from their 2007, 2009, 2010 and 2011 barley harvests before being matured for a minimum of 9 years in 26 bourbon barrels and 7 oloroso sherry butts.

The combination of lightly peated barley matured in both bourbon and sherry casks creates an intense combination of floral sweetness, layers of rich fruity character and soft maritime peat smoke.

Anthony Wills – Kilchoman Founder and Managing Director

From their inception, the 100% Islay range, Scotland’s only Single Farm Single Malt, was their reason for being. It represents the rebirth of farm distilling, where the responsibility for growing and malting barley, the foundation of single malt, is not outsourced but completed on site with skill, care and attention to detail. An unbroken chain of creation from barley field to bottle, each stage all done right here at Kilchoman.

Having tasted some excellent older sherry butts we quickly decided that they were at their peek, we then tried a few bourbon barrels of a similar age and the backbone of this edition came together very easily.

Our bourbon barrels and oloroso butts are incredibly consistent and this combination of roughly 40% sherry butts and 60% bourbon barrels works phenomenally with the style of whisky we produce. It allows both the citrus sweetness of our spirit and the rich fruity flavours of the casks to balance perfectly.
– Anthony Wills: Kilchoman Founder and Managing Director

Limited to 12,000 bottles, the 11th Edition 100% Islay is now available worldwide at a rrp of around £75. Bottled at 50% abv with no chill-filtration or colouring.

Limited to 12,000 bottles, the 11th Edition 100% Islay is now available worldwide!

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 11th. Edition 100% Islay Single Malt Whisky (50%)

BARLEY VARIETY: OPTIC & PUBLICAN HARVESTS: 2007, 2009, 2010 & 2011

Nose: Sweet, peaty smoke with plump fruits, crunchy apples, cereal and toffee. Add in a salty, coastal breeze and you get a very inviting nose indeed!

Palate: Gorgeous cane sweetness with toffee, sticky fruits and smokey peat layering nicely on top.

Finish: Very smooth with a warming savoury spice, charred wood and those magnificient peat, sweet flavours. A joyous taste experience that keeps on through to a satisfying long finish.

Overall: Kilchoman never fails to impress me – their drams really do bring a smile to my senses! A nose to-die-for followed by flavours that NEVER disappoint!

My Conclusion: 100% Islay = 100% Happy!

Farm distilling – an unbroken chain of creation from barley field to bottle, each stage all done right here at Kilchoman!

Kilchoman is available to buy from these Merchants:-

Many thanks to kilchomandistillery.com (@Kilchomanwhisky) for sending me the sample!

About Kilchoman

Kilchoman Distillery is a small family run farm distillery based on the rugged west coast of Islay. 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. Anthony and wife Kathy have been joined by their three sons; George, James and Peter.

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.

Since the first bottling was released in 2009, Kilchoman has quickly established itself as a high quality Islay Single Malt Whisky with these notable awards:

– Kilchoman’s exceptional quality was recognised at the prestigious International Whisky Competition (IWC) when Anthony Wills was named Master Distiller of the Year 2013.
– In 2016 both core expressions won major awards with Sanaig named Best Single Malt Scotch Whisky – no age statement at the IWSC and Machir Bay came first as Best Islay Single Malt Scotch in the International Whisky Competition.
– Machir Bay was also awarded a Gold Medal in 2015 at the International Wine and Spirits Competition (IWSC) with Loch Gorm being awarded a Silver Outstanding Medal and 100% Islay a Silver at the prestigious awards.
– Kilchoman won Malt Advocates Artisan Whisky of the Year 2011, only three years after the first bottling was released.

Sampling Lakes Distillery “Bal Masque” – A Whiskymaker’s Edition With A Lot To Uncover!

September 21, 2021 by Gary Leave a Comment

Lakes Distillery – The Whiskymaker’s Editions “Bal Masque”!

The fourth release in The Whiskymaker’s Editions series, Bal Masque is a showcase of The Lakes Distillery’s sense of adventure!

Paying homage to its risqué nature, this is not about playing safe and in transporting us to unchartered territories, the whiskymaker has masterfully conducted enigmatic French oak casks.

Complex and aromatic, Bal Masque bears the mystery and seduction of a masquerade ball. Flavours and aromas mingle like masked revellers with featherlight touches.

Working with French oak for primary maturation can be tricky in comparison to using American and Spanish oak, but the results can be quite fascinating.

When used exclusively, the abundance of tannins and wood extractives can create a beautifully seductive and mysterious character.

54% ABV, Non-chill filtered, bottled at the natural colour.
Available now from LakesDistillery.com – the RRP is £70

The Lakes Distillery have kindly sent me a sample of their new dram to try (Thanks Lakes Distillery!)

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

Tasting Notes: Lakes Distillery – The Whiskymaker’s Editions “Bal Masque” (54%)

Nose: Rich sherry with plump juicy raisins accompanied by crisp, crunchy apples. Creamy vanilla is joined later by sugary marzipan.

Palate: Creamy substantial mouthfeel with that ABV hitting you right between the taste buds! Luscious cane sweetness and plump raisins and toffee. Pleasant shades of chocolate mint and orange – lovely!

Finish: A muted spice but the pepperiness is long and grows with time to become a force to be reckoned with. This together with the sweet, syrupy toffee fruits gives a very satisfying finish.

Overall: An excellent dram – and highly recommended! Full of flavours and at a tasty strength.
These Whiskymaker’s Editions keep getting better and better.
There’s a lot hidden under this Whiskymaker’s “Masque” – enjoy discovering them all today!

Other Lakes Distillery Whiskies (& Gins) are available to buy from:-

Tasting Notes – The Irishman The Harvest (40%)

Tasting Notes – The Irishman 12 Years Old (43%)

Tasting Notes – The Irishman Caribbean Cask Finish (46%)

Tasting Notes – The Irishman Cask Strength 2022 (54.9%)

My Favourite On The Night

My fellow Tweet Tasters on the night were:-

Tasting Notes – Tamnavulin White Wine Cask Edition (40%)

About Tamnavulin

Tasting Notes – The Whiskymaker’s Reserve No.5 (52%)

About Lakes Distillery

Product information:

Tasting Notes – The Lakes Distillery Single Malt Whisky: The Whiskymaker’s Editions “Mosaic” (46.6%)

About Lakes Distillery

About The Glasgow Distillery:

■ Cask No: 35.293, “Late night pantry raid”

■ Cask No: 41.140, “Raindrops on pine cones”

■ Cask No: 82.35, “Jammin with apfel strudel on a beach”

■ Cask No: 68.60, “Sunshine on cream cakes”

■ Cask No: 53.376, “Rekindled Romance”

About The SMWS

The SMWS ‘Gathering’ Virtual Tasting will take place onThursday, 30th. September! – Get your tasting glasses ready and put the date in your diary!

About The SMWS

Kilchoman launch their 11th. Edition 100% Islay, Single Farm Single Malt Whisky!

Tasting Notes – Kilchoman 11th. Edition 100% Islay Single Malt Whisky (50%)

About Kilchoman

Tasting Notes: Lakes Distillery – The Whiskymaker’s Editions “Bal Masque” (54%)

About Lakes Distillery

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The SMWS ‘Gathering’ Virtual Tasting will take place on
Thursday, 30th. September!

– Get your tasting glasses ready and put the date in your diary!