{"title":"The Speyside Festival Collection","description":"\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg height=\"249\" width=\"543\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1507\/7302\/files\/Header_image_480x480.png?v=1652114273\" alt=\"\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1507\/7302\/files\/Header_image_480x480.png?v=1652114273\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWelcome to \u003cstrong\u003eWhisky Festival Season\u003c\/strong\u003e! The Scotch Malt Whisky Society was formed to celebrate the joy in sharing exceptional whisky – and there’s nothing like the festival month of May to demonstrate that our founding principle is not only alive and kicking – it’s bigger and more exciting than ever. A lucky few from our global membership will be heading to the different whisky regions in May to take part in tastings, dinners and parties, celebrating the contribution each of these areas has made to the wider world of whisky. We wanted to make sure that as many of our members as possible – whether they are physically present at the festivals or not – could get to share the experience in their glasses, wherever you might be around the globe. With that in mind, \u003cstrong\u003eour Spirits Master Eaun Campbell created an exclusive collection of ‘Rare Release’ festival bottlings - all small batch single malts -\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ethat showcase the very essence of their region.\u003c\/strong\u003e Of note, these are presented in the Society’s international bottle (700ml size) imported in the US for the first time ever.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe kick it all off today by celebrating the Speyside, Scotland’s most prolific whisky-producing region, with \u003cstrong\u003efour (4) exclusive Society casks\u003c\/strong\u003e! Our headliner was created specifically for \u003cstrong\u003eThe Spirit of Speyside Festival \u003c\/strong\u003ewith a beautiful label designed by British artist Michael A. Hill! This small batch single malt hails from a member favourite distillery boasting intensity and richness. \u003cstrong\u003eDistillery 36 Rare Release A Reward for Patience \u003c\/strong\u003eis a marriage of 10-year-old casks sourced from ex-bourbon and Oloroso wood for a bold and uncompromising exploration of the ‘Deep, Rich \u0026amp; Dried Fruits’ flavour profile!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur celebratory bottle is joined by \u003cstrong\u003ethree dashing Speyside casks\u003c\/strong\u003e from three different areas - Spey, Deveron and Lossie - that will only add to the flavourful fête and showcase the extraordinary diversity of this wonderful region. With our Distillery 36 Rare Release covering the sherried side of Speyside’s spectrum, we turn now to the nuance of ex-bourbon maturation through first-, second- and refill casks. First-fill barrel aged \u003cstrong\u003eCask No. 73.125 A Multiplex of Lush\u003c\/strong\u003e from the Deveron area showcases bountiful oak-derived flavours of vanilla and spices from 10 years of maturation bolstered by rich orchard fruit character. \u003cstrong\u003eUS Exclusive\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eCask No. 35.303 A Dazzling Display\u003c\/strong\u003efrom the Lossie area spent 15 years in a second-fill barrel, offering a lovely balance of barrel activity and distillery make character in the form of tropical fruit, flowers, chocolate and vanilla notes. \u003cstrong\u003eCask No. 2.127 A Trustworthy Companion\u003c\/strong\u003e from the Spey River area allows the most distillery character to shine through, framing the profile with accents that provide structure and complexity. Sweet and savoury aromas and flavours coalesce to form a breathtaking malt.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCelebrate Speyside with these four sensational selections and witness the diversity and complexity of a region where the flavour possibilities are endless.  Characterful spirit and characterful casks make for an incredible combination and helps us to continue to expand our horizons!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"cask-no-35-303","title":"Cask No. 35.303","description":"\u003cimg align=\"right\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1507\/7302\/files\/Sweet_Fruity_and_Mellow_Updated_Strip.png?1955\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCask No. 35.303\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA Dazzling Display\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSpeyside, Lossie\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIn celebration of Spirit of Speyside Festival 2022\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlease limit one (1) bottle per member\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA fruity aroma of pears, pineapple, kiwi and melon balls was followed by toasted and ground hazelnuts, cedarwood essential oil, vanilla and distant hints of acacia blossoms. On the palate zingy fruit, juicy and mouth-watering like caramelised pineapple with vanilla ice cream and a good dash of over-proof white rum. Following reduction, we discovered dried rose petals, freeze dried strawberries, white chocolate buttons, pink mice sweets and a passion fruit smoothie with coconut water. Crisp, clean, refreshing and spritely like a lemon and lime flavoured carbonated soft drink, a summer berry tart with lemon cream and a red currant, orange and mint mojito.      \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCask: Second-fill barrel\u003cbr\u003e Age: 15 years\u003cbr\u003e Date distilled: March 2006\u003cbr\u003e Alcohol: 47.9%\u003cbr\u003e USA allocation: 82 bottles\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Scotch Malt Whisky Society","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":39652845486151,"sku":"035.303","price":150.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1507\/7302\/products\/35.303w_strip-3.png?v=1651685082"},{"product_id":"cask-no-73-125","title":"Cask No. 73.125","description":"\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1507\/7302\/files\/Juicy_Oak_and_Vanilla_Updated_Strip.png?1961\" align=\"right\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCask No. 73.125\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA Multiplex of Lush\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSpeyside, Deveron\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIn celebration of Spirit of Speyside Festival 2022\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlease limit one (1) bottle per member\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom an upturned fruit cart tumbled juicy apples, pineapple and pear drops that developed into fragrant sandalwood, marzipan and croissants with a buttery texture. Green notes then emerged of lush ferns, asparagus and pine sap. Bundles of toffee, fudge and ginger syrup engulfed the palate before morphing into cinnamon on hot cross buns, coriander and clotted cream. Aromas became more floral with water, embracing chamomile, honeysuckle and apple blossom. The juicy fruits of melon, guava and ripe banana turned more towards gooseberries and quince jelly with time. The palate was now slightly fizzy, embracing orange zest in gin and tonic but with the sweetness of vanilla sponge cake and dry wood to finish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCask: First-fill barrel\u003cbr\u003e Age: 10 years\u003cbr\u003e Date distilled: March 2011\u003cbr\u003e Alcohol: 62.5%\u003cbr\u003e USA allocation: 90 bottles\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Scotch Malt Whisky Society","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":39652846174279,"sku":"073.125","price":115.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1507\/7302\/products\/73.125w_strip.png?v=1651257851"},{"product_id":"distillery-36-rare-release","title":"Distillery 36 Rare Release","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIn celebration of Spirit of Speyside Festival 2022\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA robust and toasty aroma that incorporated buttery shortbread, caramelised oatmeal, brown toast and thick cut sticky malt loaf. Also hints of treacle, tea biscuits and wintergreen with a tang of hessian. Reduction brought freshly baked brown bread, toasted sunflower seeds, mustard oil and orange vitamin tablets. Autumnal, earthy and with sweeter tones of caramel, tamarind and ginger. The neat palate opened with plum and nectarines stewing in Armagnac, charred wood embers, brisket ends and pears poached in dessert wines. Some nut infused chocolate, camphor and pineapple cake. Lots going on! Water brought a nice bitter herbal quality, more toasted nuts, dark boozy fruits and things like spiced damsons, fig paste, plum wine and maple syrup.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom creator Euan Campbell\u003c\/strong\u003e:\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e There’s a beautiful balance to this, which was first matured in bourbon hogsheads before we transferred it to 125-litre oloroso quarter casks that were supplied to us by our partners in Jerez, José y Miguel Martin. After that, we put it back into second fill bourbon barrels that we’d recently emptied, giving it time to relax and marry before bottling. The result is a superb dram with the big, dark and intense flavours you would associate with oloroso sherry maturation, but with the lush tropical notes from the bourbon casks as well.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUSA allocation: 330 bottles \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Scotch Malt Whisky Society","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":39652857806919,"sku":"Distillery 36 Rare Release","price":115.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1507\/7302\/products\/Distillery36RareRelease.png?v=1651263088"},{"product_id":"cask-no-73-129","title":"Cask No. 73.129","description":"\u003cimg align=\"right\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1507\/7302\/files\/Juicy_Oak_and_Vanilla_Updated_Strip.png?1961\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCask No. 73.129\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the fields\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSpeyside, Deveron\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA rich and satisfying aroma that displayed notes of raw barley along with vegemite on brown toast, hot pine resin, toasted nuts, clean cereals and a generous slice of vanilla sponge cake. Water offered a grassier edge with condensed milk and a scatter of sherbet lemons in there too for good measure. The palate was surprisingly juicy and fat. Lots of orange sweets, black tea, ripe pineapple, malt syrup, barley sugars and apricot jam. With water we got pear drops, ginger cake, white chocolate, new leather, soft wood spice and milk stout beer. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCask: Second-fill barrel\u003cbr\u003e Age: 10 years\u003cbr\u003e Date distilled: April 2011\u003cbr\u003e Alcohol: 58.6%\u003cbr\u003e USA allocation: 60 bottles\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Scotch Malt Whisky Society","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":39673987006535,"sku":"073.129","price":125.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1507\/7302\/products\/73.129.png?v=1661784928"},{"product_id":"cask-no-2-133","title":"Cask No. 2.133","description":"\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1507\/7302\/files\/Juicy_Oak_and_Vanilla_Updated_Strip.png?1961\" align=\"right\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCask No. 2.133\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLuxury treat\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSpeyside, Spey\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGolden syrup drizzled over a green fruit salad, followed by baked apple with custard, gooseberry fool, key lime pie and pineapple sorbet. A gorgeously gloopy and fruity nose to begin. Water brought mango salsa, lychee syrup, rosewater and spiced plum wine. The neat palate showed similarly superb custardy sweetness along with vanilla cream, young sauternes, fragrant wood spices, hardwood resins and tea tree oil. With water we got green pepper, cloves, cardamom syrup and cinnamon swirl pastries. A wonderfully easy, rich and lusciously fruity dram. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCask: First-fill barrel\u003cbr\u003e Age: 15 years\u003cbr\u003e Date distilled: April 2006\u003cbr\u003e Alcohol: 54.7%\u003cbr\u003e USA allocation: 66 bottles\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Scotch Malt Whisky Society","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":39698335006791,"sku":"002.133","price":165.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1507\/7302\/products\/LUXURY_TREATcopy.jpg?v=1661784617"},{"product_id":"cask-no-35-309","title":"Cask No. 35.309","description":"\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1507\/7302\/files\/Sweet_Fruity_and_Mellow_Updated_Strip.png?1955\" align=\"right\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCask No. 35.309\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDarwin's tipple\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSpeyside, Lossie\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn intriguing initial nose that opened with citrus bath salts and then evolved with laundered fabrics, pineapple cubes, melon liqueur and warm cedar wood. Some aromatic heather flower and mossy notes too. With water we found it became more buttery and sweet with barley sugars, lemon water, malt extract, pollens and kumquat. On arrival in the mouth we noted a creamy, Guinness foam note, then sweet dessert wines, yellow plums baked with calvados and things like marshmallow, apricot jam and vanilla custard. With reduction we found a more herbal theme with lemon verbena, wormwood and tea tree oil. Before lighter aspects like fruit scone mix, banana bread and fruity muesli.    \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCask: First-fill barrel\u003cbr\u003e Age: 9 years\u003cbr\u003e Date distilled: June 2012\u003cbr\u003e Alcohol: 60.3%\u003cbr\u003e USA allocation: 60 bottles\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Scotch Malt Whisky Society","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":39879944994887,"sku":"035.309","price":115.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1507\/7302\/products\/35.309.png?v=1666888133"}],"url":"https:\/\/orders.smwsa.com\/collections\/the-spirit-of-speyside.oembed","provider":"The Scotch Malt Whisky Society","version":"1.0","type":"link"}