I love this rum cask-finished Auchentoshan’s nickname “Guyana comes to Glasgow”. Still, I would much more like to introduce a whisky called “Peace comes to Kyiv” on my blog these days. Let’s all hope that there will soon be cause for a bottling with such a name; (more…)
SMWS
The Macallan 12yo “24.148 – Effortlessly bold” by The SMWS (Review)
In recent months, The Scotch Malt Whisky Society released a couple of bottles with the identifier 24 on the label. All of ’em got sold out within minutes, if not seconds. The reason for this: In the bottle code system of The SMWS, the number 24 stands for The Macallan (more…)
BenRiach 10yo “12.48 – Hoppy madness” by The SMWS (Review)
I love whisky, I love craft beer. And I love it when the two intertwine. One bottling, in which this happens, is the 10-years-old BenRiach from The Scotch Malt Whisky Society called “Hoppy madness”. After an initial maturation in ex-bourbon barrels, this crisp Speysider (more…)
Glen Spey 8yo “80.17 – Dazzling and scintillating” by The SMWS (Review)
At the end of each year, it becomes time for me to renew my membership to The Scotch Malt Whisky Society. Here, I always pay a little extra to get a mystery bottle along with the prolonged club affiliation. I find it really exciting to wait for the package, open it and take out a surprise (more…)
A better shopping experience and less flipping: The SMWS releases 4-step action plan
Recently, The Scotch Malt Whisky Society invited their members to participate in a comprehensive online survey. The aim was to identify issues and conditions that needed improvement. This weekend, the Society released a 4-step action plan based on the survey results. (more…)
Benrinnes 22yo “36.172 – Orange oil and wine corks” by SMWS (Review)
This year, the sought-after festival bottlings from The Scotch Malt Whisky Society sported colorful animal illustrations. One of my faves: the chilled orang-utan that peacefully dozes on the label of this bourbon cask-matured Benrinnes 22 Years Old. (more…)
“Battle axe” Islay Blended Malt by The SMWS (Review)
“Grandfather, tell me a story,” the little boy asked. “All right,” replied the old man, “Go and get your storybook.” The youngster shook his head: “No, no. Not one of those. A real story! Tell me about the last whisky you had!” The grandfather’s eyes lit up: “Well, then … (more…)
The open SMWS Bar aboard the Cap San Diego (Event)
I love The Scotch Malt Whisky Society for many reasons. First, the Edinburgh-based dramming club has a real talent for bottling outstanding whiskies and other spirits. Second, there are just so many wonderful people involved with The Society – be it employees, partners or members. (more…)
“Oh, sweet Scotland” Whisky Tasting by The SMWS (Tasting)
Besides their quality, the illustrious single cask releases of The Scotch Malt Whisky Society are also known for their clever names and elaborate tasting notes. The latter often include references to British sweets that drammers from the mainland might not be familiar with. (more…)
Bottle Market 2019 – Whisky and Spirits Fair in Bremen (Fair)
Back in 2015, Bremen’s Bottle Market was the first-ever whisk(e)y fair I attended. Since then I continued to go there four more times, not missing a single instalment. It is safe to say: Bottle Market is one of my favorite dramming events of the year. (more…)