Irish whiskey production used to be bigger and better than its Scottish rivals. Made using both malted and unmalted barley and distilled in a pot still, it became the most popular spirit worldwide. The quality of Irish whiskey was consistently better than the Scotch whisky at the time, which led the Irish to add the […]
Highland Park distillery has been in (legitimate) operation since 1798 and has always remained in the original spot where Magnus Eunson, a direct descendant of the Vikings, ran his illicit distilling production. At one point, the distillery was called High Park due to its location, overlooking Kirkwall. High enough to see the taxman’s arrival! The […]
As we stand at the outset of a new decade, I believe that nearly every market is going to witness a seismic change in consumer behaviour. More and more consumers will make their buying decisions based on how environmentally friendly a product is. We have already seen this in significant areas of the food market. […]
Winter months really call for whisky, don’t you think? Not only will a wee dram warm you from inside out, but it will also bring friends together. During this dark and cold season, we should make more time for friends and family, as everyone needs a bit of cheering up in winter. What better way […]
In November we are celebrating Old Fashioned Week (1-10th Nov) so I thought it would be a good time to share some history. As with many classic cocktails, the history of the Old Fashioned cocktail is rather messy, but this is what we know. Old Fashioned started as Whisky Cocktail. In the early 1800s Whisky […]
Below you will find a crash course on single malt whisky production. By using pictures of each step, I want to give you a better understanding of the full process.
There are many factors that contribute to the final flavour of whisky. In Scotland the spirit must mature in casks for a minimum of three years before it is legally allowed to be called whisky. In this time the spirit will be heavily influenced by the cask it’s been in, therefore it is important to […]
Whether you love whisky or are just getting into it, this venue is a great place to enjoy a dram or two. Located in the centre of Edinburgh in a beautiful Victorian building, The Scotch Malt Whisky Society Kaleidoscope Whisky Bar is open to all. Join in a group tasting or private party or simply just pop in for an after-work drink.
The Scotch Malt Whisky Society is feeling festive this month and they’d like to invite you to take part in their Whisky with Character celebrations. Throughout May, SMWS is celebrating the wonderful diversity of its whisky along with the colourful characters of its members. If you can’t attend in person, the Society is hosting its […]