FESTIVE PLANNER: It’s whisky season and with it comes the opportunity to celebrate festive times with your nearest and dearest. Share the Society love this Christmas at home with some stunning drams or in good company at one of our Members’ Rooms. Mads Schmoll rounds up what’s ahead on the Society calendar as we start to count the days.
SCOTCH & SHERRY – UNCHARTED VESSELS: While sherry is a focus for The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, we’re also searching far and wide for other types of wine casks to mature our whisky and delight out members, as Julien Willems explains.
‘HERESY’ GASTRONOMIC FUSION: Gastronomic fusion is the latest offering from our clear glass ‘Heresy’ small-batch range, and in many regards, this new arrival is a first for the Society. Whatever you’re expecting, it’s safe to say that this isn’t it! So, what remote corner of whisky’s flavour empire are we exploring this time? Julien Willems finds out.
DISTILLERY PROFILE – WILDERNESS TRAIL: The city of Danville bills itself as the ‘Historically Bold Birthplace of Kentucky’, and is famous for its culinary and arts scene, and events like the Great American Brass Band Festival. It’s also home to Wilderness Trail distillery, the brainchild of co-founders and former musicians Shane Baker and Pat Heist. Lee ‘Connas’ Connorfinds out more.
THE VAULTS COLLECTION REVIEW: On the hunt for something extra special this festive season? Look no further than our Vaults Collection bottlings. They offer a journey back into whisky history, giving the opportunity to experience styles or distilleries that no longer exist, or the chance to try a hidden gem. Mads Schmoll finds a variety of personalities in our Vaults Collection – read on to find a festive favourite from the VC yearbook.
MEMBER STORY – FROM EDINBURGH TO ASSAM: This year we’ve been asking the question: where does your whisky take you? But sometimes the better question is: where do you take your whisky? While they’re similar questions, the global nature of our club means that sometimes you find the perfect malt when you least expect it, as Mads Schmoll found out from Sanjay Gurung, an SMWS member based in Portland, Oregon.
UNSUNG HERO – DAILUAINE: In the latest instalment of his series celebrating some of Scotland’s lesser-known distilleries, Gavin D Smith turns his attention to Dailuaine on Speyside – rarely seen as a single malt, but much appreciated by Society members for its robust character.
PARTNER BAR – THE COMMERCIAL INN, SHEFFIELD: Nestled in Chapeltown, South Yorkshire, The Commercial Inn is more than just a pub – it’s a sanctuary for whisky enthusiasts, shaped by a rich legacy and a profound passion for spirits. Co-owned by Paul Menzies and his wife Kate, The Commercial has an impressive selection of whiskies and a warm, welcoming atmosphere that invites both seasoned connoisseurs and curious newcomers alike. The Society’s Anthony Delcros paid a visit.