Whisky — Page 8 — Malthound

Celebrate The SMWS ‘Gathering’ With Membership Offers AND A Virtual Tasting!

September 17, 2021 by Gary Leave a Comment

Membership Offers & A Virtual Tasting!

September is a big month for the Scotch Malt Whisky Society and it all centers on their ‘Gathering’!

It’s an annual celebration of all things ‘Society’ with various events that bring the Society members together. For those that can’t join in the fun at a physical event, they can meet up ‘virtually’ by sharing a dram online!

And if you’re thinking of joining The SMWS then now is the best time! Check out these great Membership Offers!

SMWS Membership Offers!

Offer: Special Annual Membership Price of only £52 for a limited time

Code: JOINSMWS

End Date: None

Offer: Annual Membership and Special Gathering Bottle for £85 only (limited time offer)

Code: JOINSMWS85

End Date: Until Stocks Last

Still time to Buy Your Pack!

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

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

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

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!

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.

Introducing The Whiskymaker’s Editions – Bal Masque!

September 7, 2021 by Gary Leave a Comment

The Whiskymaker’s Editions – Bal Masque!

The Lakes Distillery has launched a new limited-edition single malt whisky, The Whiskymaker’s Editions – Bal Masque!

Complex and aromatic, Bal Masque bears the mystery and seduction of a masquerade ball

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

Each one-off Edition is an expression of creative freedom, with an intrinsic objective to create outstanding flavours.

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

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.

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.

With Bal Masque, forbidden orchard fruits entwine with sweet sensory spices, raisins, vanilla and nutmeg, and subtle background notes of toasted almonds and incense.

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

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

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

Sampling Whisky Pioneer’s New Delivery Service – Unique Drams – Eco. Friendly – And 50% Off Your First Months Subscription!

August 27, 2021 by Gary Leave a Comment

Whisky Pioneer – great Whisky – dram by glorious dram!

Use this link to receive 50% off your first Whisky Pioneer delivery in September
– just sign up before the end of August!

Whisky Pioneer is a new Whisky delivery service that allows whisky fans to discover new drams – but done in a way that tries it’s best to not add to the waste in the world!

Whisky Pioneer uses 100% recycled plastic bottles!

Firstly the whisky. They are offering mainly single malt whiskies on a monthly subscription basis, a number of which will be new releases and none of your usual supermarket offerings!

Their aim is to share a treaty dram each month that will allow members to decide if they wish to investigate that brand / bottle / finish / style or region further.

Alongside the single malts there will be the odd Rye, Grain, Irish Pot Still, Blend, Bourbon, etc, that meets the grade, giving everyone the opportunity to delve further into these varied styles!

As a ‘taster’ of what to expect, they are currently in discussions to share three new Single Malt releases – each with an expected retail of £50+

£7.95 per. month (with FREE delivery!)

Whisky Pioneer will be sending out at least 5cl. every month and 6cl. whenever possible (which they will be doing for the remainder of this year.)

For their September delivery, the dram will be a first taste of a single malt that will launch a couple of days after!

The subscription price is £7.95 per. month (with FREE delivery!) and people will need to sign up by the 1st. of the month to get that month’s whisky. The dram will then be sent on or just after the 10th.

Use this link to receive 50% off your first Whisky Pioneer delivery in September
– just sign up before the end of August!

Alternatively, use this coupon code at checkout: WP92KCWGAMIJFD550

Single malt whiskies – new releases – and none of your usual supermarket offerings!

Whisky Pioneer are also trying to make a difference by ensuring their whisky subscription service doesn’t add to the plastic waste in the world.

Instead they aim to take it out of the environment by teaming up with Prevented Ocean Plastic to create 100% recycled plastic bottles.

Consequently, the plastic in their bottles is not perfectly clear. This is a sign that it’s been recycled as there is always some amount of coloured plastic in the mix.

I actually like the look of the bottles, they have a smokey look which gives the dram a mysterious air!

Prevented Ocean Plastic also works with communities around the world to take waste plastic out of the environment in locations where it is likely to make its way out to sea.

Find out more here, including links to Prevented Ocean Plastic, something Whisky Pioneer are very proud to be able to be a part of!

Members can also return their empty bottles in batches of 10 (or multiples thereof) and they will be sent a FREE dram(s)!

Whisky Pioneer will try it’s best not to add to the waste in the world!

Whisky Pioneer has kindly sent me a sample to try. Thanks Whisky Pioneer / @WhiskyPioneer!

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

Tasting Notes – Masthouse Column Malt Whisky (45%)

An interesting whisky that won’t have been tried by the majority and will cause some to want to keep their eyes out for the brand going forward!

Location: Chatham, England
Expression: Column Malt Whisky
ABV: 45%
AGE: NAS
Casks Used: First-fill and second-fill ex-bourbon
Purchase from: www.copperrivetdistillery.com

“Masthouse Column Malt Whisky uses Belgravia barley from a single harvest from a single Kentish field (40 Acre Field), less than 15 miles from Copper Rivet Distillery, where Masthouse Whisky is created.

Fermented for seven days before the wash is distilled slowly in a pot still and then for a second time in a unique 10m tall, 40 plate column still, designed and made by the Copper Rivet team. The whisky is aged in ex-Bourbon casks from bourbon distilleries selected by founders Matthew and Abhi after visits to cooperages to find the one whose craft ethos most closely matched theirs.

Before bottling, seven casks of the whisky were married for as long as it takes, in this case 6 weeks, to develop the flavours and mouth-feel the team is looking to capture in the bottle.”

Nose: Fresh green apples plus tropical fruits thrown in for a good and tasty measure! Dusted icing sugar and then vanilla fudge shows up a little later.

Palate: Cane sweetness, vanilla and those lovely tropical fruits make a welcome addition to my palate!

Finish: Robust spiciness with a deep chilli bite. Savoury with a woody dryness at the end.

Overall: Those tropical fruit flavours are a joy and not what I expected! The tropical taste increases as time goes on and the savoury chilli is a great balance.

Once again, many thanks to Whisky Pioneer (@WhiskyPioneer) for sending me the sample!

Whisky Sour Day Is 25th. August – Celebrate With J&B Rare’s Iconic Cocktail!

August 24, 2021 by Gary Leave a Comment

It’s Whisky Sour Day!

Whisky Sour Day is 25th. August!

And why not celebrate it with J&B Rare’s Iconic Cocktail!

J&B Rare Whisky is distilled, blended and bottled in Scotland. A blend of 42 malt and grain whiskies, the heart of J&B Rare is formed from the finest Speyside single malts: Knockando, Auchroisk, Strathmill and Glen Spey and is expertly blended to create an approachable, rich and complex flavour.

STARLINO Cherries!

The round, fruity, unique and distinctive taste of the fine malt whiskies is delicately balanced by carefully chosen grain whiskies which gives J&B Rare its distinctive character.

J&B is available to buy from these Merchants:-

Hotel STARLINO Maraschino Cherries are made from high-quality, Italian Marasca Cherries, also known as some of the highest quality cocktail cherries in the world. Marasca Cherries are a type of sour Morello cherry made from Royal Ann, Rainier or Gold Varieties Cherries. The de-stoned, plump, ruby red cherries produce a small “pop” after every bite, with a distinct sweet cherry flavour experience.

Hotel STARLINO Maraschino Cherries are available to buy from:-

Master of Malt – £11.94

J&B has kindly sent me a very generous bottle of J&B Rare with some Marcascino Cherries to try. Thanks J&B / @Justerinis!

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

Firstly: Tasting Notes for J&B Rare Blended Whisky (40%)

Nose: Creamy, toffee sweetness, green apple and white wood.

Palate: Smooth and creamy with toffee sweetness.

Finish: Long, spicy finish with lemon citrus tang. Slightly woody and tannin.

Overall: Great for cocktails (as we’ll see below) but very satisfying neat which I find is always a good test of a whisky!

J&B Rare Whisky Sour

35ml J&B Rare
10ml Lemon Juice
10ml Sugar Syrup
3 Dashes of Angostura Bitters
Garnish: Hotel STARLINO Maraschino Cherries

Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and add J&B Rare, lemon juice, sugar syrup and bitters.

Shake the ingredients together, strain and remove the ice.

Add mixture to the shaker and dry shake.

Fine strain into a chilled coupe glass and garnish with a maraschino cherries.

So, what did I think?
Sadly, no pictures as the cocktail I produced was none too attractive – I don’t have a cocktail shaker so I had to improvise!

However, the cocktail was wonderful!
Savoury, lemony sourness, which mellows to a sweetness and reminds me of a chilled hot toddy.

The Maraschino Cherries are absolutely gorgeous! And with that thought in mind I thought “Why not use them more?”

So here it is – my take on the Whisky Sour!

J&B Rare Whisky ‘Cherry’ Sour

50ml J&B Rare
20ml Lemon Juice
Hotel STARLINO Maraschino Cherries syrup – too taste
3 Dashes of Angostura Bitters
Garnish: Hotel STARLINO Maraschino Cherries

Prepare as above – or just put it all in a glass like I did!

So, what did I think?
As the syrup settles on bottom over time you first get nice, tangy lemon and a little lip-smacking, savoury bitters. As you progress it gets sweeter with luscious, marzipan cherry, fruity sweetness – highly recommended – I reckon (but then I’m biased!)

However you make your Whisky Sour – Enjoy it on 25th August!

OUT NOW! Everything You Need to Know About Whisky – (But Are Too Afraid To Ask)”!

August 9, 2021 by Gary Leave a Comment

OUT NOW! Everything You Need to Know About Whisky!

OUT NOW!

Understand the what, how, who and when of whisky and its fascinating history!

Published by Ebury Press on 16th. September 2021 and available through The Whisky Exchange from 9th. August 2021
£20
(256 pages, Hardback)

Demystify the world of whisky with Everything You Need to Know About Whisky.

From whisky expert Nicholas Morgan and the leading online spirits retailer, The Whisky Exchange, Everything You Need to Know About Whisky: (but are too afraid to ask) reveals the secrets of the world’s simplest, and arguably most popular, spirit.

Demystify the world of whisky!

Everything You Need to Know About Whisky opens the lid on the whisky industry and explores what makes whisky the world ’s most revered spirit and why it inspires such passion and devotion.

This is a book for everyone and anyone who is curious about the world of whisky – experts and experienced whisky drinkers will discover secrets and stories, while those new to whisky will soon be looking for extra cupboards for their new whisky collection.

Everything You Need to Know About Whisky answers all the possible questions you could think of when it comes to whisky; from the different factors that shape a whisky’s character to guiding the reader on how best to enjoy the malt spirit.

Everything You Need to Know About Whisky will fill the veins of anyone intrigued by whisky with fact, a little fancy, and a lot of fascination.

The book is one to learn from, with gems of wisdom (and a few jokes) accompanied by stunning illustrations.

Published by Ebury Press on 16th. September 2021 and available through The Whisky Exchange from 9th. August 2021 – £20

About Nicholas Morgan

Nicholas Morgan is an a ward-winning veteran of the whisky industry, widely recognised as being a leading figure within his field.

He is the winner of an Outstanding Achievement in Scotch Whisky Award and is a trustee for the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust which is dedicated to supporting excellence in British craftmanship.

Nicholas Morgan & The Whisky Exchange Explain “Everything You Need to Know About Whisky – (But Are Too Afraid To Ask)”!

August 6, 2021 by Gary Leave a Comment

Everything You Need to Know About Whisky!

Understand the what, how, who and when of whisky and its fascinating history!

Published by Ebury Press on 16th. September 2021 and available through The Whisky Exchange from 9th. August 2021
£20
(256 pages, Hardback)

Demystify the world of whisky with Everything You Need to Know About Whisky.

Demystify the world of whisky!

Everything You Need to Know About Whisky opens the lid on the whisky industry and explores what makes whisky the world ’s most revered spirit and why it inspires such passion and devotion.

Everything You Need to Know About Whisky will fill the veins of anyone intrigued by whisky with fact, a little fancy, and a lot of fascination.

The book is one to learn from, with gems of wisdom (and a few jokes) accompanied by stunning illustrations.

Published by Ebury Press on 16th. September 2021 and available through The Whisky Exchange from 9th. August 2021 – £20

About Nicholas Morgan

Nicholas Morgan is an a ward-winning veteran of the whisky industry, widely recognised as being a leading figure within his field.

He is the winner of an Outstanding Achievement in Scotch Whisky Award and is a trustee for the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust which is dedicated to supporting excellence in British craftmanship.

Sampling Dekanta Japanese Whiskies – Limited Editions – Unlimited Flavours!

July 2, 2021 by Gary Leave a Comment

Three Very Special Whiskies!

Last Wednesday night’s @TweetTastings was a rare treat as we got to sample the wares of Dekanta Whisky which is one of the largest specialist retailers of rare and fine Japanese whisky online. They Offer global delivery with a range of more than 10000+ whiskies!

The tasting was once again ably hosted by Steve from The Whisky Wire and the whiskies sampled were:-

Dekanta Whisky Asaka AOI Edition – Japanese Single Malt Whisky

Dekanta Whisky Kigai – Japanese Single Malt Whisky

Dekanta Whisky Kyoyu – World Blended Whisky

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 #DekantaWhisky on Twitter.

So, what did I think?

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

Tasting Notes – Dekanta Whisky “Asaka” AOI Edition – Japanese Single Malt Whisky (51%)

Celebrating Dekanta’s Fifth Anniversary

Distilled 27-06-2017; Bottled 13-07-2020
Non-chill-filtered and no artificial colour
Matured for 3 years in a first-fill Bourbon barrel
Cask no. 17172

Released in June 2020, the dekanta Aoi Edition was only the second single malt release, and the first single cask, to come from Asaka distillery.

This release was named ‘oi’, which is the Japanese word for blue, so chosen because of the symbolic significance the colour holds in both Japanese and US culture.

Only 343 bottles available.

Nose: Buttery sweet fruits – mainly apple. Fragrant lychees which is a revelation! The nose becomes very floral with promises of cane sweetness on the palate. Add in some biscuit, candied rose-petals and pear drops for an amazing nose that gets sweeter the longer it’s left.

Palate: Yep! The cane sweetness is there as promised in the nose! Robust mouthfeel with lychees, rose and syrupy apples.

Finish: Such a savoury finish where the palate gets all peppery and spicy coupled with a woody, tannin finish!

Overall: If you’re after a smorgasbord of flavours in your whisky then this dram will not disappoint!

£194.99

Tasting Notes – Dekanta Whisky “Kigai” – Japanese Single Malt Whisky (60%)

Celebrating dekanta’s Fourth Anniversary

Distilled at Eigashima distillery 14-12-2011;
Bottled June 2019
Finished in Japanese Mizunara wood
Non-chill-filtered and no artificial colour

Channelling the spirit of the Samurai, while paying tribute to the origins of Japanese whisky in the Scottish whisky industry.
This whisky spent time maturing in a cask freshly emptied of Scotch whisky from the closed Port Ellen distillery, before being finished in a cask of Japanese Mizunara oak.

Only 352 bottles available.

Nose: Very savoury and slightly smoke n’ peaty which makes me crave snacks! Some woody, sweet apples but that Marmite savoury is still there! You can also add in soy spice, liquorice and brown sugar to complete a feast of the senses!

Palate: Satisfying mouthfeel. Savoury smoke and sweet in equal measure! Smooth liquorice and some peppery spice.

Finish: Hard to believe but I’m now getting creamy chocolate on the finish – what a dram!

Overall: Such a different dram to the Asaka AOI Edition! More savoury and smokey with less sweetness but there’s such a range of flavours you could nose and sample for hours!

£506.99

Tasting Notes – Dekanta Whisky “Kyoyu” – World Blended Whisky (52%)

Celebrating dekanta’s Sixth Anniversary

Blended and Bottled in Japan in June 2021
Non-chill-filtered and no artificial colour

The Kyoyi is dekanta’s inaugural World Blended Whisky, built around the concept of sharing.

Japan and Scotland have a long-standing friendship that has lasted through the ages. Taking its name from the Japanese word ‘to share’, the Kyoyfi is an ode to that partnership – featuring 26 Year Old whisky from three of Scotland’s best distilleries, expertly blended with young whisky from three of Japan’s rising stars.

Only 260 bottles available.

Nose: Creamy, buttery, strawberry biscuits …. with added cream! More fruty ice cream – now with shortbread dipped in! Followed on with tangerines, blood oranges & slow-cooked, sugary, caramel pears. It then heads toward a more tropical nose. To finish up there’s mustiness, shoe polish and wood varnish notes!

Palate: Caramel toffee with a light creamy texture – Yum! Sweet pears and oranges with some robust savouriness.

Finish: Liquorice, creamy chocolate with growing peppery spice – what a joy!

Overall: What can I say? Another stunner!

£272.99

My Favourites On The Night

Out of the three, I think it’s got to be:-

1. Kigai
2. Kyoyu
3. Asaka AOI Edition.

But I wouldn’t shut the door in your face if you turned up with any one of them!

So many flavours with these whiskies – the flavours just go on and on. Remarkably I also think there’s still more to discover!

Many thanks to Steve at The Whisky Wire (@TheWhiskyWire / @TweetTastings) for a great evening and of course, Dekanta Whisky (@DekantaWhisky) for sending such glorious, generous samples!

My fellow Tweet Tasters on the night were:-

@TheWhiskyWire @ocdwhisky @whiskyrover @Jotterface @WhiskyGeekPete @ReviewsWhisky @MaltMusings @whiskyRubhach @whisky_jamie @Whisky_And1 @VJOsgood @GaryMills01 @DramofWar @WhiskyWings @FiremanTone @SpiritAndWood @StillSurreal @Sake_Baku @LeaskPatrick @MaltBox @MrEdwardMilner @WhiskyWithMolly @ManyMilesWhisky @PhilScott101 @sprungatom @MaltWhitson @LeedsWine

The SMWS June Virtual Tasting – Sampling Five Whiskies – “Sweet Dreams Are Made Of These!”

June 29, 2021 by Gary Leave a Comment

The SMWS June Virtual Tasting!

Last Thursdays I had the pleasure of attending The SMWS June Virtual Tasting on Facebook!

Host Madeleine Schmoll was joined by Society favourites: Andrew Reid and Andrew Park to guide us through the five spectacular drams in this month’s Discovery Pack. All of the whiskies in this Edition have two things in common: they are sweet in nature and all were matured in ex-bourbon barrels which make for excellent Whisky Cocktails!

The drams tasted on the night were:-

■ Cask No. 39.209, Apple aperitif
Speyside, 1st fill ex-bourbon barrel, 9 years old, 56.5%

■ Cask No. 73.121, Meemaw’s Moonpie
Speyside, 1st fill ex-bourbon barrel, 9 years old, 58.1% ABV

■ Cask No. 36.164, Bittersweet Xmas stocking treat
Speyside, 1st fill ex-bourbon barrel, 11 years old, 59.6%

■ Cask No. 35.269, Banana balaclava
Speyside, 1st fill ex-bourbon barrel, 16 years old, 60.8%

■ Cask No. 10.204, Pineapples ahoy
Islay, Refill ex-bourbon barrel, 15 years old, 56.8%

You can also still Buy the Pack we sampled: £35.00

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

■ Cask No. 39.209, Apple aperitif

Speyside, 1st fill ex-bourbon barrel, 9 years old, 56.5%
Distillery: Linkwood

Nose: Crisp, crunchy apples, toffee fudge and wisps of vanilla.

Palate: Sugar cane sweetness, apples, coconut and tropical notes with toffee in there as well – altogether lovely!

Finish: Palpably fiery but softened with smooth sweetness. ‘Tis a long finish as well!

Overall: It certainly is what it says on the tin (or bottle) and that is … tasty apples!

£52.00

■ Cask No. 73.121, Meemaw’s Moonpie

Speyside, 1st fill ex-bourbon barrel, 9 years old, 58.1% ABV
Distillery: Aultmore

Nose: Woody and sweet, with green apples, but the nose is quite muted really.

Palate: Rich, buttery mouthfeel, cooked apples with caramel sweetness and creamy chocolate – Gorgeous!

Finish: Rich, peppery and sweetly smooth with a slight tannin dryness near the end.

Overall: An excellent, flavoursome dram at a fantastic price – GO BUY!

£52.00

■ Cask No. 36.164, Bittersweet Xmas stocking treat

Speyside, 1st fill ex-bourbon barrel, 11 years old, 59.6%
Distillery: Benrinnes

Nose: Very slow burner this one but eventually it releases woody, sweet, tropical and orange notes.

Palate: Sherbet sweetness with fruity tropical sweets – aka starburst – with the main emphasis being on orange. I also picked up shades of chocolate which was most welcome!

Finish: Peppery and tannic dry but, as always with this dram selection, that ever present sweetness.

Overall: Not a traditional Xmas style flavour to me but everybody else thought it was classically Christmasy – which I thought was a bit weird!

£51.70

■ Cask No. 35.269, Banana balaclava

Speyside, 1st fill ex-bourbon barrel, 16 years old, 60.8%
Distillery: Glen Moray

Nose: Creamy banana, lilt-like tropical fruits with some white oak.

Palate: Intense cane sweetness, wood sap (sandalwood the tasting notes say – which is a new one on me!) accompanied by chocolate.

Finish: Sharp, peppery woodiness, coupled with syrupy apple – which is a nice way to finish!

Overall: The ABV of 60.8% is, surprisingly, not in-your-face noticeable in this whisky, which makes it an amazing and very drinkable dram!

£75.00

■ Cask No. 10.204, Pineapples ahoy

Islay, Refill ex-bourbon barrel, 15 years old, 56.8%
Distillery: Bunnahabhain

Nose: Oily and coastal … but … tropically oily and coastal!

Palate: Sherbet sweetness with an orangey, choccy, smokey, peat, tropical tang!

Finish: Slightly antiseptic and smooth at the end with a coastal, salty vibe.

Overall: An interesting, and tasty, take on a classic smokey whisky. Tropical woodsmoke – who would have thought it? But it works!

10.204 is not available to buy – But – See All That The SMWS Has To Offer!

On the night I most enjoyed Cask No. 35.269, Banana balaclava – so different!, followed by 73.121, Meemaw’s Moonpie but it’s really hard to choose between the high standards of the SMWS drams!

Many thanks to SMWS (@SMWSUK) for such an enjoyable evening and for sending the samples!

Glasgow 1770 “Triple Distilled” Now Available Following Sell Out Success Of Their First Release!

June 23, 2021 by Gary Leave a Comment

The New Glasgow 1770 Triple Distilled!

Following the sell-out success of the inaugural Glasgow 1770 Single Malt Triple Distilled release, The Glasgow Distillery Company have just announced the release of their next Triple Distilled expression which differs slightly from the first iteration, but is equally as impressive!

The latest Glasgow 1770 Triple Distilled is crafted from the finest malted barley; distilled three times in traditional copper pot stills at The Glasgow Distillery and combined with the incredibly pure water of Loch Katrine.

Now available to purchase for £49!

Whilst Triple Distilled ‘Release No.1’ was matured exclusively in virgin oak casks, the new iteration has been matured in a combination of ex-bourbon and virgin oak casks, married together before bottling to produce an incredibly smooth and vibrant spirit.

The nose opens up to sweet vanilla and white chocolate leading to fresh summer fruits of aromatic apple, pear and peaches.

The palate is well balanced and smooth with vibrant vanilla, soft caramel and double cream opening up to succulent orchard fruits and berries followed by delicate floral notes alongside a sweet almond nuttiness.

The finish is long and lingering with notes of rich honey, anise and black pepper and hints of warming woody spice.

Glasgow 1770 Triple Distilled is bottled at 46% ABV, non-chill filtered and natural in colour. It is now available to purchase for £49.

The latest Glasgow 1770 Triple Distilled will also be available to try alongside four other award winning whiskies from The Glasgow Distillery when you book on to one of The Glasgow Distillery Virtual Whisky Tastings

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

Master of Malt

The Whisky Shop

Sampling Jura’s ‘Distillery Cask Fèis Ìle Edition 2021’ – A Festival Of Flavour!

June 11, 2021 by Gary Leave a Comment

The Jura Distillery Manager’s Tasting!

I was lucky enough to be invited to the Jura Distillery Manager’s Tasting last Sunday as part of their online Fèis Ìle events.

We were there to celebrate the launch of Distillery Cask Fèis Ìle Edition 2021. A special single cask release which, for the first time, will support the vital annual Jura Music Festival!

The Distillery Cask Fèis Ìle Edition 2021 proved to be very popular and sold out within the hour. Good news as a donation of £25 from each bottle sold will help to honour Jura’s favourite island event of the year, the Jura Music Festival.

During the tasting we were treated front and back with some fantastic folk punk and then we had a tasty cocktail courtesy of ‘The Gate’ consisting of their handmade cocktail with lime, orange and ginger beer. Very refreshing and an excellent palate cleaner.

Then the fun really began – we were treated to some drams to sample which consisted of:-

Jura Aged 21 Years – “Time” – Travel Retail Exclusive

Jura Fèis Ìle Distillery Exclusive Cask 2019

Jura Fèis Ìle Distillery Exclusive Cask 2021

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

Tasting Notes – Jura Aged 21 Years – “Time” – Travel Retail Exclusive (46.7%)

Jura Aged 21 Years – “Time”

Matured in American White Oak ex bourbon barrels, before being finished in ex-peated malt casks.

Nose: Toffee and green apples while reminders of a dusky library linger in the background.

Palate: Cane sweetness with caramel, vanilla and green apples.

Finish: Very smooth with some peppery spice blending in with grapefruit dryness.

Overall: A very civilised dram with some sweet, toffee and fresh fruit flavours – certainly worth taking a trip for!

Tasting Notes – Jura Fèis Ìle Distillery Exclusive Cask 2019 (56.5%)

A heavily peated 17 year old sherry butt filled in 2002.

Distilled: 27th. March 2002
Bottled: May 2019
Non-chill filtered and natural colour.

Nose: Peaty, smokey, BBQ flavours very much to the fore with a lovely coastal feel!

Palate: Liquid peat smoke with some added liquorice and treacle.

Finish: It’s spicy and sweet at the end with generous pepper and peat woodiness and a hint of salt.

Overall: I always love a smokey dram and this one doesn’t disappoint!

Tasting Notes – Jura Fèis Ìle Distillery Exclusive Cask 2021 (57.1%)

Jura Fèis Ìle Distillery Exclusive Cask 2021

18 Years old, unpeated whisky. Fully matured in a refill ex-sherry butt from Jerez, Spain.

Distilled: 30th. October 2002
Bottled: May 2021
Non-chill filtered and natural colour.

Nose: Sweet apple with pear and tropical fruits. Toffee arrives later on.

Palate: Very tropical with added apple, cane sugar sweetness, orange and chocolate.

Finish: Some punchy peppery spice that sure adds some Oomph! Shades of salt at the end.

Overall: A completely different dram to the 2019 – the 2021 is a sweeter, lighter, tropical fruit whisky.

Though punchy it’s very smooth and very enjoyable! Some tasters added water but I wouldn’t personally – I love it as it is!

Many thanks to jurawhisky.com (@jurawhisky) for sending such a glorious tasting pack!

Jura is also available to buy from these Whisky Merchants:-

The Whisky Exchange

Master of Malt

Edencroft Fine Wine & Spirit Specialists

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.

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Tasting Notes – Jura Aged 21 Years – “Time” – Travel Retail Exclusive (46.7%)

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Tasting Notes – Jura Fèis Ìle Distillery Exclusive Cask 2021 (57.1%)

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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!