Unsung Heroes: Balmenach Distillery
Originally published in Unfiltered September 2024 Words: Gavin D Smith The Speyside region is home to some of the most famous names in Scotch malt whisky – think The Glenlivet, Glenfiddich and The Macallan, [...]
Mezcal Cask Whisky?! Introducing Batch 34: Smouldering Mojo
The Scotch Malt Whisky Society’s ‘Heresy’ label lives up to its name with this first release of an Islay whisky matured in casks previously used for smoky, fruity mezcal. Julien Willems from SMWS UK has more on this mesmerising marriage of Mexican and Scottish flavours with Batch 34 Smouldering Mojo.
101 Years of Peat: Peat Plants II Creators Collection
Words: Duncan Gorman Our latest Creators Collection, Peat Plants II, is a prized selection of elemental whiskies from Scotland’s Western Isles, as Duncan Gorman writes... Scotland’s landscapes have a bigger influence over the flavours [...]
Introducing Batch 33 Scrumptious! — Calvados-Seasoned Scotch
There are few more exciting times to be a Society member than the release of a bottling matured in an entirely new cask type. Join Julien Willems from SMWS UK as he uncovers the patient experiment of our latest ‘Heresy’ small-batch release, Batch 33 Scrumptious!
Press Release: Nirmal Menon joins as South Australian SMWS Ambassador
We are pleased to announce the appointment of our newest SMWS Ambassador to South Australia — Nirmal Menon, an Adelaide-based member who is passionate about good flavours, and delivery prime experiences to members. Nirmal joined [...]
Society Flavour Refined: Introducing the New Profiles
Flavour Profiles Redefined! Discover the new eight Flavour Profiles and the reasoning behind this flavour evolution from 12 to 8.
Introducing Diptych: A Work of Liquid Beauty in Two Parts
The Society’s latest Creators Collection tells a 30-year-old tale of two sherry cask-matured whiskies from distillery 96, as Mads Schmoll from SMWS UK writes… The Creators Collection is a series that brings liquid storytelling [...]
The Society Tasting Panel — More than Just Words
The Society’s Tasting Panel is fundamentally unchanged since it first formed in founder Pip Hills’s kitchen in Edinburgh in the early 1980s, but more rigorous than ever. Its mission – to assess every sample before it can make it into a Society bottle, to create a name and tasting note and to uphold the Society’s mission: to leave no nose upturned.
Skooshy stroopwafel: Heresy Small Batch Delights
We’re kicking off February with a new release from our ‘Heresy’ small-batch series: Batch 30 Skooshy Stroopwaffel. As Julien Willems states, it’s a beautiful marriage of ex-bourbon hogsheads and European oak sherry butts that brings to mind a squirt of whipped cream on a Dutch (or even Belgian) caramel waffle.
Introducing Distillery 163: Here’s to Harris!
The huge success of its gin gave Isle of Harris distillery more time, and resources, before it released its inaugural whisky. Now, members of The Scotch Malt Whisky Society can experience the first independent release from Harris, after taking our iconic green bottles on a journey to Tarbert and back.