The Vaults – The Spiritual Home of the Scotch Malt Whisky Society

The Vaults Edinburgh

I’ve been enjoying the Scotch Malt Whisky Society’s releases for years now, but for some reason it took me quite some time before I managed to visit their Members’ Room and whisky bar in Leith. Finally, earlier this month I paid a visit to the historic venue and, let me tell you, it really is […]

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Improve Your Bloody Mary with This Ingredient

Bloody Mary cocktail

The Bloody Mary cocktail and its many variations have been popular for decades. A simple mix of vodka, tomato juice, lemon and spices are something of an epitome of brunch cocktails. Unfortunately, many venues let themselves down with their choice of tomato juice. Too much sugar, too many additives, not enough real tomato, texture is […]

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How to Make Limoncello at Home

lemon tree

Limoncello is the easiest to make and you only need four ingredients: lemons, vodka, sugar and water. Bring it as a gift to a dinner party or use to create a tasty aperitif at home. What is Limoncello? Limoncello is an Italian lemon liqueur, which is mainly produced in the south of the country around […]

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Puni Italian Malt Whisky – What Is It All About?

Puni whisky Arte series

Puni Distillery is the first whisky distillery in Italy. Located in the far north, in the middle of the Alps in the Venosta valley, the distillery can take advantage of the special climate and the pure alpine water. The water is sourced from the nearby Stelvio National Park and the name Puni comes from the […]

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5 Modern Classics You Should Be Making

Bramble cocktails

I’m usually very boring when it comes to cocktails. I love a good old classic such as a Martini or a Negroni. They are easy to make, and you never need too many ingredients. Recently, however, I have also been making some great modern classics (which are basically minor twists of the classics anyway…). These […]

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Unique and Interesting Scotch Whisky Cask Finishes

whisky barrels

Recently, I’ve come across several intriguing, perhaps even a bit unusual, cask finishes on the scotch whisky scene. By playing around with different cask types and sizes, the Master Blender can create layers of flavours. They can use a range of the same casks, for example, different fills of ex-bourbon, or mix and match a […]

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Where to Enjoy an Aperitivo in Lucca

I have researched the best aperitivo places in Lucca within the city walls. It gets pretty hot in Tuscany during the summer months, so I don’t always feel like eating much or cooking at home. Therefore, aperitivo is ideal as you can choose how much to eat, the food seems lighter, and it is complemented […]

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Flavour Hunters Festival Virtual Tasting with The SMWS

SMWS virtual tasting set

Throughout May, the Scotch Malt Whisky Society has been hosting several events on- and offline as part of their Flavour Hunters Festival. The idea was to explore the range of flavours from each Scottish whisky region. As a part of the celebrations, the Society has hosted a range of events at their members’ venues in […]

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Refreshing Paloma Recipes

Paloma cocktail with rosemary

Paloma is a simple drink made with tequila, fresh lime juice and pink grapefruit soda. An ideal long drink for the summer season. I have created a few twists on the classic, still keeping it very simple but adding a few new flavour elements into the mix. Which one of these Paloma recipes is your […]

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