The Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS) presents its 150th distillery bottling this month – and it’s not a Scotch. Cask 150.1 is from a distillery in the south-west of Ireland, bottled just in time for St Patrick’s Day today (Thursday, 17 March 2022).
Whiskey from this distillery has never been bottled as a single cask – in this case, a first-fill ex-rye barrel – so this is a first for the SMWS and its members, too. Bottled as 150.1 ‘Let’s Go West!’, it falls under the Society flavour profile ‘Spicy & Sweet’ and is available to members via ballot entry at £75.
The whisky, which has been aged for seven years, is described as possessing a thick, sweet, luscious palate of chocolate and physalis cupcake, with muscovado sugar and a pinch of pepper, and moreish, dry spicy finish.
In celebration of the release as well as St Patrick’s Day, SMWS are hosting a special livestream event: an evening of Irish music, whiskey chat, a pub quiz, competitions, and more, with hosts from US and Australia discussing the Irish-Scots connection. The event will be streamed live today at 8pm GMT on the SMWSUK social media and YouTube channels.
Commenting on the release, spirits director Kai Ivalo said, “For our landmark 150th bottling, we wanted to showcase the journey of our never-ending quest for quality and flavour. Choosing an Irish distillery to mark this milestone occasion truly shows the adventurous spirit of the Society – celebrating our vibrant spirit no matter its source.
“Our milestone 150th distillery bottling demonstrates how far the Society has travelled. Having bottled from distilleries way beyond our own shores, we continue to explore a world beyond the single cask, single malt Scotch that is at our core. We are celebrating both our beginnings and our future.”
More than 30,000 SMWS members have access to a monthly members magazine, Unfiltered; colourful tastings and events at the Society’s Members’ Rooms, partner bars and online; and, of course, single cask whiskies bottled exclusively for them. To join in the St Patrick’s Day celebrations, and enjoy annual membership & a 'Mystery Malt' for £99, click here.
Whiskey from this distillery has never been bottled as a single cask – in this case, a first-fill ex-rye barrel – so this is a first for the SMWS and its members, too. Bottled as 150.1 ‘Let’s Go West!’, it falls under the Society flavour profile ‘Spicy & Sweet’ and is available to members via ballot entry at £75.
The whisky, which has been aged for seven years, is described as possessing a thick, sweet, luscious palate of chocolate and physalis cupcake, with muscovado sugar and a pinch of pepper, and moreish, dry spicy finish.
In celebration of the release as well as St Patrick’s Day, SMWS are hosting a special livestream event: an evening of Irish music, whiskey chat, a pub quiz, competitions, and more, with hosts from US and Australia discussing the Irish-Scots connection. The event will be streamed live today at 8pm GMT on the SMWSUK social media and YouTube channels.
Commenting on the release, spirits director Kai Ivalo said, “For our landmark 150th bottling, we wanted to showcase the journey of our never-ending quest for quality and flavour. Choosing an Irish distillery to mark this milestone occasion truly shows the adventurous spirit of the Society – celebrating our vibrant spirit no matter its source.
“Our milestone 150th distillery bottling demonstrates how far the Society has travelled. Having bottled from distilleries way beyond our own shores, we continue to explore a world beyond the single cask, single malt Scotch that is at our core. We are celebrating both our beginnings and our future.”
More than 30,000 SMWS members have access to a monthly members magazine, Unfiltered; colourful tastings and events at the Society’s Members’ Rooms, partner bars and online; and, of course, single cask whiskies bottled exclusively for them. To join in the St Patrick’s Day celebrations, and enjoy annual membership & a 'Mystery Malt' for £99, click here.
