Outturn September 2019

Outturn New release: Friday 6th September Issue 09, 2019

COLOURFUL EXPLORATION Join us for a colourful exploration with the coming together of unique character, tastes and experiences. This month we’re celebrating the spirit of the Society that unites us.

MEETING POINT SMWS.COM.AU

CONTENTS Cellarmaster’s Note Andrew Derbidge.............................. 3

Discovery pack For home gatherings....................... 8

Distillery feature Kavalan................................................... 4

Bundles Special Gathering offers............... 9

The Gathering It’s here!.................................................. 6

Special Release Cask No 139.4 Spellbindingly sublime................. 10

Malt of the Month Cask No 68.23 Night-time lilies and espresso............................ 12 Dunkin’ donut drams Matt Bailey............................................ 22 Events Check out the latest listings........................................ 24

BOTTLINGS OLD & DIGNIFIED

YOUNG & SPRITELY Cask No. 95.24 Sliced pears and churned butter.......................................

14

Cask No. 123.25 (The Gathering bundle) Joyful impressions of Spring...............................................

9

Cask No. 122.27 Panna cotta, kilts and candlelight....................................

14

Cask No. 46.79 Chocolate, cream and malted Bali...................................

15

10 9

15

OILY & COASTAL

LIGHTLY PEATED Cask No. 4.252 An Orkney beekeeper’s dram..............................................

13

Cask No. 53.300 (Gathering Release) Unbridled joy............................................................................. 9, 18 Cask No. 66.128 (The Gathering bundle) Great fun...................................................................................... 9, 21

DEEP, RICH & DRIED FRUITS Cask No. 68.23 (Malt of the Month) Night-time lilies and espresso ............................................

Cask No. 112.48 (Gathering Release) A piece of paradise................................................................ 9, 18

PEATED

SPICY & DRY Cask No. 58.28 Usquebae an’ blankets warm..............................................

16

Cask No. 93.99 Drambletown Loch................................................................... 20

SPICY & SWEET

Cask No. 12.20 (The Gathering bundle) Martini in a trenchcoat...........................................................

14

JUICY, OAK & VANILLA Cask No. G4.18 The paradise patisserie...........................................................

SWEET, FRUITY & MELLOW

Cask No. 139.4 (Special Release) Spellbindingly sublime............................................................

Cask No. 50.108 Darkness of the edge of brown...........................................

12

Cask No. 29.253 Drifting and dreaming............................................................

21

CELLARMASTER’S NOTE Dear Members,

You might spot a recurring theme in this month’s Outturn – one of gathering.

Gathering is such a great word – it suggests something far more social and familial than just a meeting or get-together. Of course, in older times in Scotland, the term was employed in the context of a gathering of the clan (or clans)…a bringing together of people who shared common ancestry, lands, and a leader. A gathering was more than just a family reunion, it was also a celebration.

Today, we tend to apply this concept to a gathering of people with common interests or causes. In this context, a gathering is the perfect term to describe a coming together of those whose passion and commonality is whisky.

Whisky is intrinsically a social drink. I’ve said this previously at events and certainly in this column, but enjoying the world’s greatest single malt is a fairly hollow moment if there’s no one with you to share the occasion. Tasting an incredible dram takes on credibility and longevity when you can turn to your colleague(s) next to you and remark, “How good is this?” I’ve been at school reunions where we’ve stood around drinking beer, and I’ve been to good friends’ dinner parties where a glass of shiraz was the order of the day. For some intangible reason, such events don’t have that same mood, atmosphere, or sense of belonging that a gathering has when you’re with your malt mates and it’s whisky in your glass.

A gathering also suggests that it’s a coming together of people who are separated by distance, or who’ve been scattered to far flung corners.

Again, in the context of whisky, it’s such a perfect term. Courtesy of the internet and all that that entails (forums, interest groups, social media platforms, etc), interstate and international friendships can develop online that are based on nothing more than a common love of whisky.

Even as I write this, I’m conscious of several friends I have around Australia and overseas whom I’ve never actually met! These are people I’ve conversed with for many years in various online whisky groups and forums. Tyranny of distance and all that, but – occasionally – gatherings occur and we finally get to meet and catch up in person. And there’s nothing like a dram to toast each other’s health and say “Cheers!”.

Slàinte,

Andrew Derbidge ~ Director, Cellarmaster & NSW Manager

A gathering is the perfect term to describe a coming together of those whose passion and commonality is whisky.

3

DISTILLERY FEATURE

LAND OF THE RISING MALTS On the 11th of March 2006 at precisely 3:30pm, the first spirit was produced at Kavalan distillery. This is a young world whisky distillery that has properly placed itself on the map as a serious contender in malt whisky globally, and in that short time already holds the crown as one of the ten largest malt whisky distilleries on earth.

This growth, and popularity, can’t be attributed to luck. This is careful planning, incredible spirit runs, and an innovative way of dealing with casks which set a benchmark in the trade. Originally set up by Tien-Tsai Lee in the Yuanshan Township in Yilan County, Taiwan, his son Yu-Ting Lee joined the team shortly after foundation.

The distillery group itself might be called King Car Food Industrial Co, but the brand 4

of Kavalan has etymology deeply rooted in the native indigenous Kavalan people from the Kabalan Plain of where Yilan County sits today, so a fitting brand to hark back.

Tien-Tsai knew that to gain credibility as a distillery and produce a remarkable spirit, he would need help from the existing trade, much like many emerging global markets of new world spirit have employed over decades of creating whisky. Dr Ian Chang and the late Dr Jim Swan were both brought aboard to help guide the future of Kavalan with Ian as master blender/distillery manager, and Jim for everything wood related, in which Jim pioneered the ‘STR’ which stands for ‘shavetoast-rechar’. The results really speak for themselves from their work as Kavalan even as early as 2010. After only distilling for four years, Kavalan took out top blind tasting honours at a Burns’ Supper at the SMWS Vaults, and has continued to win top accolades around the world every year since.

To dig into stats for a moment, the distillery underwent a huge expansion just back in 2016, which sees them now operating with 4 mash tuns, 40 washbacks, an average of a 68 hour ferment time, and a whopping ten pairs of lantern-shaped copper stills. To put some context into this, most small distilleries run one pair of stills, not ten. They mean business!

In terms of their range on offer, they have a selection of their ‘core range’ offerings which range from some very young 40% ABV whiskies, then they have a premium selection of things like port casks and other exotic casks, and finally, they have their ‘Solist’ range which they launched back in 2009 to celebrate the magic of their single casks at cask strength. One thing however that you won’t see on any Solist bottle, or indeed any of their releases, is an age statement. It’s just not part of their mantra. One thing you won’t see on these unique and utterly unctuous Society single casks from single malt distillery 139 is an age statement either. Yes, that’s correct. These are the first ever Society single casks bottled without

a clear age statement, and those are the rules of being able to pick out whichever casks Euan Campbell, our UK whisky manager, wanted. The alternative is not be allowed to bottle them? I’d prefer members get access to these remarkable casks.

So welcome distillery 139 and welcome the cream of the crop of their single cask offering to Society members with Cask 139.4 Spellbindingly sublime.

YOU CAN READ MORE ABOUT THIS CASK ON PAGE 11 AND ON OUR WEBSITE. M MIU PRE T TLING BO Matt Bailey ~ SMWS National Ambassador 5

6

JOIN US! Gathering events in selected cities, a live tasting, a rum night, a Bruichladdich night: September is just bustling with activity for all members to be a part of.

14TH SEPT

VAULTS 1682 DINNER, SYDNEY

19TH SEPT

BRIX DISTILLERY RUM NIGHT, SYDNEY

21ST SEPT

RARE BRUICHLADDICH EVENING, SYDNEY

26TH SEPT THE GATHERING, CANBERRA 26TH SEPT THE GATHERING, MELBOURNE 27TH SEPT

THE GATHERING, ADELAIDE

27TH SEPT

THE GATHERING, SYDNEY

MORE DETAILS AVAILABLE ON PAGE 27.

TO BOOK, GO TO: SMWS.COM.AU/EVENTS 7

ON $120LY !

The Gathering is coming to a city near you!

ALTERNATIVELY IT’S COMING TO YOUR LIVING ROOM! Recently we announced our global Gathering concept tastings that are taking place across the world and in a city near you. You’ll be able to taste the Gathering casks, including a special global Gathering-exclusive distillery 33 bottling, and join in meeting members and enjoying a tasty night out of single cask appreciation.

A gathering is all about being together no matter what.

That last part is where this comes in. No matter where you live, no matter your circumstance, we want you to enjoy the Gathering wherever you are.

INTRODUCING THE GATHERING DISCOVERY PACK. This comes with a live tasting which your Australian team will be broadcasting this time live from the Ambassador’s HQ on Saturday 28th September, 7PM AEST. An email on how to tune in live will be sent to everyone prior, but if you can’t make the Saturday, that’s also fine as the stream will be available following.

The Gathering Discovery pack is available to purchase online at the same time as our other new releases on Friday 6th September at midday AEST time.

It includes full access to the stream, plus the five miniature drams for just $120.

8

THE GATHERING DISCOVERY PACK: SMWS.COM.AU/SHOP

THE GATHERING COMMEMORATIVE DUO In honour of the global Gathering, the Society has released some special edition bottlings for this occasion worldwide, each bottle with the Gathering stamp on the label. In Australia, we have two of these amazing whiskies on offer to purchase by the bottle (full details on page 18) and just six of these are available as a special bundle. Grab your piece of Gathering history – first in, best dressed!

$364.00

Only 6 available

SAV $15 E

A PIECE OF PARADISE JUICY, OAK & VANILLA CASK No. 112.48

UNBRIDLED JOY PEATED CASK No. 53.300

THE GATHERING TRIO In honour of our global Gathering, we have curated a three-bottle bundle to showcase the diversity and uniqueness of Society drams. Pick up this trio for a special price and invite your friends round for your own at-home gathering!

Only 8 available, so don’t miss out!

JOYFUL IMPRESSIONS OF SPRING

$499.00

Only 8 available

SAV $36 E

YOUNG & SPRITELY CASK No. 123.25

MARTINI IN A TRENCHCOAT SPICY & SWEET CASK No. 12.20

GREAT FUN PEATED CASK No. 66.128 9

10

SPECIAL RELEASE Distillery 139 already has already a cult-like following and renowned quality of their spirit and single casks. What happens when Euan Campbell from the SMWS is let loose to pick out the first ever independent bottlings of this Taiwanese spirit for members? We have truly struck whisky gold here.

A rare treat and supremely magical ride through rich flavours. Read more on smws.com.au/news about these special 139’s and savour this 139.4 in hand.

REGION

Taiwan

SPELLBINDINGLY SUBLIME

CASK TYPE

1st fill STR barrique

AGE

NAS

DATE DISTILLED

N/A

SPICY & SWEET

OUTTURN

181 bottles

CASK NO. 139.4

ABV

58.3%

AUS ALLOCATION

30 bottles

$599.00

M MIU PRE T TLING BO

The nose is like sinking into a honeypot full of cloves and allspice. Inside there’s also freshly eviscerated vanilla pods, quince jelly, plum wine, pear tart tatin and many tropical fruit syrups. In time it becomes wonderfully mentholated with resinous herbal notes and hints of red kola and lime leaf. Reduction brings out bubblegum, black tea sweetened with brown sugar, dried mango and hints of ivy and chamomile. The palate immediately displays Kendal mint cake, blackcurrant jam, dark chocolate, dandelion & burdock, old tobacco, sarsaparilla root, clover and medicine balls. Quite sublime. With water there’s jasmine, juniper, pink peppercorns, grape must, old Calvados, many dried flowers, pot pourri, incense and lapsang souchong. Exquisite and beautiful whisky.

11

MALT OF THE MONTH FRESH ESPRESSO Prepare yourself for the darkness and syrupy charred notes of this desirable Highland malt at a cracking good price.

Single cask, cask strength, and with a Deep, Rich & Dried Fruits character that will transport you to an evening of vibrant lilies and midnight espresso on the banks of the Seine.

Heavily charred, this is something else…

NIGHT-TIME LILIES AND ESPRESSO

REGION

Highland

DEEP, RICH & DRIED FRUITS

CASK TYPE

Re-charred hogshead

CASK NO. 68.23

AGE

8 years

DATE DISTILLED

11 June 2010

REDUCED FROM $199

OUTTURN

284 bottles

ABV

58.1%

AUS ALLOCATION

42 bottles

$169.00

It seems like a wine cask, but it’s not – a fascinating example of the re-charred cask. The nose gave us plum pie, baked apple with clove, Grand Marnier, rum punch, Marsala and brandy-soaked raisins for the Christmas cake.

The palate had dates, prunes and roasted peach, Madeira wine and cinder toffee. The reduced nose was visceral and deep – lilies in the night, brown sugar remnants in an espresso cup, blackcurrant jam and cigar boxes.

With water the sweetness intensified on the palate – cherry Bakewell, treacly flapjacks, rhubarb rock and pomegranate molasses, with a clean finish of cinnamon, clove and tobacco.

12

13

SLICED PEARS AND CHURNED BUTTER

REGION

Speyside

CASK TYPE

Refill ex-bourbon hogshead

AGE

12 years

DATE DISTILLED

16 January 2006

YOUNG & SPRITELY

OUTTURN

244 bottles

CASK NO. 95.24

ABV

56.5%

AUS ALLOCATION

18 bottles

$159.00

A creamy profile at first with an immediate aroma of spun sugar and highland toffee. Underneath there are notes of Dutch Genever, Turkish delight, sliced pears and freshly churned butter. Reduction brings a more elegant sweetness and notes of butterscotch, syrup sponge cake, maple danish, polished pine, camphor and eucalyptus sweeties. To taste there is an initial grassy, grape must aspect that moves towards wood-aged grappa, hay and sweetened porridge. When diluted this manifests as malted milk biscuits, tea leaves, ginger, white pepper, dried chilli flakes and a big slug of mirabelle eau de vie in the finish.

PANNA COTTA, KILTS AND CANDLELIGHT

REGION

Highland

CASK TYPE

2nd fill ex-bourbon barrel

AGE

7 years

DATE DISTILLED

25 October 2011

SWEET, FRUITY & MELLOW

OUTTURN

228 bottles

CASK NO. 122.27

ABV

59.3%

AUS ALLOCATION

18 bottles

$170.00

14

The evocative smell of wax candles fused with creamy panna cotta textures and the crunchy character of tree bark on a forest floor. A fresh and fruity zip delivered physalis and quince jelly beside a glass of williams pear schnapps.

The palate introduced fresh horseradish sauce with a peppery tingle that faded into green apples, baked orange and nutmeg. Water enhanced the waxy and perfumed elements, pushing them towards creamy coconut and peaches. A dry undercurrent persisted with old wicker baskets and the seasoned wool of an antique kilt.

Ginger marmalade made with demerara sugar then shone through before it swerved towards dried prunes and candyfloss on the finish.

CHOCOLATE, CREAM AND MALTED BALI

REGION

Speyside

CASK TYPE

2nd fill toasted hogshead

AGE

21 years

DATE DISTILLED

18 September 1997

SWEET, FRUITY & MELLOW

OUTTURN

231 bottles

CASK NO. 46.79

ABV

55.6%

AUS ALLOCATION

30 bottles

$330.00

CIAL SPE NISH FI

USQUEBAE AN’ BLANKETS WARM SPICY & DRY CASK NO. 58.28

$179.00

A profusion of dried tropical fruit crashed onto the beach amidst coconuts, brazil nuts and dark chocolate that had melted onto the golden sand. Bobbing in the tide we spied an old tea chest packed with jars of golden syrup and tobacco whilst on the warm breeze came the evocative aromas of ground coffee beans and vanilla pods. We were sipping mugs of hot chocolate, lavishly adorned with cream and a dusting of cocoa powder that paired nicely with the ginger and rhubarb crumble that was drizzled with custard. Through the creamy textures more tropical fruit appeared as banana, guava and ripe melon combined on layers of banoffee pie and toasted pine nuts. Finally a sprig of mint brought a fresh sensation that merged with apricot yoghurt and pineapple dipped in dark chocolate on the lasting finish. After spending 18 years in an ex-bourbon hogshead this was transferred to a toasted 2nd fill hogshead for the remainder of its maturation.

REGION

Speyside

CASK TYPE

Refill ex-bourbon barrel

AGE

13 years

DATE DISTILLED

21 April 2005

OUTTURN

225 bottles

ABV

59.7%

AUS ALLOCATION

30 bottles

If you sniff too deeply, the dry, spirity nature is like a frozen thistle up the nose, but treated with caution it gives pears and toffee apples, gingerbread, juniper bushes and gin; a warm blanket of laundry and blotting paper. With water it settles nicely – pot pourri, snuff, ginger snaps, Blackpool rock and raisins. The initial neat palate is sweet and tart – apple strudel, lemon peel, fresh fruits; with pepper, chilli and cinnamon heat on the finish. The reduced palate is even quite civilised – and tasty; jelly beans, spearmint Mentos and chalky lavender sweets – just a hint of cheek-tingling wasabi at the end.

15

REGION

Lowland

THE PARADISE PATISSERIE

CASK TYPE

2nd fill ex-bourbon barrel

AGE

29 years

DATE DISTILLED

01 May 1989

JUICY, OAK & VANILLA

OUTTURN

241 bottles

CASK NO. G4.18

ABV

54.7%

AUS ALLOCATION

24 bottles

$320.00

A magnificent mix of tropical fruits and jelly sweets combined with desiccated coconut to produce a picture of paradise. Just as we were settling into papaya with a squeeze of lime juice we discovered an array of sweet treats that delivered vanilla sponge cake with creme brulee and milk chocolate. Sweet cereal notes morphed into popcorn and caramel whilst the palate carried a hint of tomato plants and a cooling breeze in the form of peppermint and menthol. A wedge of ginger cake with custard came served with a glass of rose tea and sticky Turkish delights before the finish combined balsa wood and cooking chocolate in perfect harmony.

DARKNESS OF THE EDGE OF BROWN

REGION

Lowland

CASK TYPE

2nd fill ex-bourbon barrel

AGE

28 years

OLD & DIGNIFIED

DATE DISTILLED

26 January 1990

CASK NO. 50.108

OUTTURN

95 bottles

ABV

56.6%

AUS ALLOCATION

18 bottles

$499.00

M MIU PRE T TLING BO

16

A wonderful aroma, redolent with spiced honey, fruit chutneys, animal hide, apricot jam, golden syrup, green pepper, soft waxes, foie gras on toast, shortbread, jasmine tea and orchard blossom. With water it continues on old medicines, rosewater, Turkish Delight, ancient dessert wines, mineral oils, aged Loire Chenin Blanc, white truffle, earl grey tea, strawberry wine and glazed fruits. The mouth is rich and syrupy as expected.

Pear liqueur, tart tatin, apple compote, fruit oils, kiwi, guava, melon and star fruit. Hints of rancio with lemon oils, tiger balm and herbal resins. A little water and we get more old sweet wine qualities like vintage sauternes and plum wine.

Then dried mango, pineapple syrups, cloves, orange oils, tarragon, cocktail bitters and camphor. The finish is full of polished oak, amaretti biscuit and fragrant waxes.

17

REGION

Highland

A PIECE OF PARADISE

CASK TYPE

2nd fill ex-bourbon hogshead

AGE

11 years

DATE DISTILLED

08 August 2007

JUICY, OAK & VANILLA

OUTTURN

280 bottles

CASK NO. 112.48

ABV

55.2%

AUS ALLOCATION

30 bottles

$180.00

Childhood memories of vanilla fudge, pink marshmallows and mango flavoured chewing gum developed into more grown-up aromas of sweet vanilla honeydew pipe tobacco and green iced tea with mint and ginger. Very fresh and clean on the palate neat, like a coconut pannacotta with mango coulis as well as luscious white chocolate cheesecake. When adding a drop of water, it became a mixed green salad with tarragon vinaigrette whilst to taste, like a little piece of paradise biting into a silky smooth papaya while hearing the rustling of the palm trees in the balmy warm trade winds.

UNBRIDLED JOY PEATED CASK NO. 53.300

$199.00

18

REGION

Islay

CASK TYPE

Refill ex-bourbon hogshead

AGE

9 years

DATE DISTILLED

20 February 2009

OUTTURN

282 bottles

ABV

58.5%

AUS ALLOCATION

30 bottles

A crisp and refreshing, almost isotonic, peat smoke with a mineralic edge combined with heather, violets and chilli pepper certainly held our attention. Neat on the palate this is full on, with sweet dry smoke, honey and chilli roasted peanuts combined with a cocktail of ginger flavoured liqueur, fresh apple cider and lemon juice. With the addition of water, sweeter notes next to the dry smoke appeared like nougat, tarte tatin and lychees in ginger syrup. The taste now much tamer, but certainly no less intense, with crisp tea-smoked duck accompanied by green mango and basil salad.

19

REGION

Campbeltown

DRAMBLETOWN LOCH

CASK TYPE

Refill ex-bourbon hogshead

AGE

15 years

DATE DISTILLED

07 February 2003

OILY & COASTAL

OUTTURN

274 bottles

CASK NO. 93.99

ABV

55.3%

AUS ALLOCATION

36 bottles

$249.00

The panel felt as though we were tucking into a bacon wrapped venison haunch on a pier at first with these combinations of medical, meaty and farmyard qualities.

Notes of black olives in brine, cider washed cheese wheel, quince chutney and syrupy peat oils. With water we found grilled tuna, snuff, tobacco, fresh leather shoes, smoked mussels, bonfire smoke, an antique writing dresser and a hearty dose of sea air. Pure Campbeltown!

In the mouth we found salt water, old medicine, aged muscat wine, fruit pastilles, vapour rub, shellfish and lemon balm. With reduction we found lemon cocktail bitters, cherry bakewell, ash-rolled goat’s cheese, pineapple juice, peat embers, sea salt, barley smoking in an active kiln and mouthwash.

AN ORKNEY BEEKEEPER’S DRAM LIGHTLY PEATED CASK NO. 4.252

$220.00

20

REGION

Highland

CASK TYPE

Refill ex-bourbon hogshead

AGE

12 years

DATE DISTILLED

11 May 2006

OUTTURN

261 bottles

ABV

61.3%

AUS ALLOCATION

24 bottles

The nose evokes the Orkney islands – distant hill-burn of heather and gorse, a fisherman’s flower garden (marigold, nasturtium), the sea nearby – and hints of barbequed prawns and scallops and cold-smoked cod roe. The big chewy palate has charcoaled driftwood, slightly burnt maple-pecan pastries and heather honey; also peppered mackerel and salted roast pork and a good after-glow of embers. The reduced nose picks up various things (from bandages, coal-tar and soot to dried flowers, lemon puffs and vanilla) but the strong combination of honey and smoke suggests a busy Orkney beekeeper.

The palate now – honey, toffee, liquorice root, ash and smoke.

REGION

Highland

CASK TYPE

1st fill charred red wine barrique

GREAT FUN

AGE

12 years

DATE DISTILLED

21 June 2005

PEATED

OUTTURN

229 bottles

CASK NO. 66.128

ABV

57.6%

AUS ALLOCATION

18 bottles

$185.00

CIAL SPE NISH FI

The nose – sweet peat reek, bandages, earthy; plums soaked in brandy, burnt toast with marmalade and jam. The taste – earthy, deep, woody – syrup of figs, aniseed, liquorice; venison with juniper, dark chocolate, fruits of the forest, redcurrant, leather and pears poached in wine. The reduced nose – Savlon and Euthymol, woollen socks on an Aga, venison goulash, banana toffee and smoke. The reduced palate – chewy and substantial – toffee apple rolled in embers, pickled ginger and blood orange – lots going on and great fun. After 11 years in a bourbon hoggie we moved this into a first-fill charred red wine barrique.

DRIFTING AND DREAMING

REGION

Islay

CASK TYPE

Refill ex-bourbon hogshead

AGE

19 years

PEATED

DATE DISTILLED

11 November 1998

CASK NO. 29.253

OUTTURN

227 bottles

ABV

57.1%

AUS ALLOCATION

24 bottles

$370.00

The aromas of sweet perfumed peat smoke lured us deeper and deeper into the glass and with almost mystical powers led us on a spiritual journey. The taste neat woke us all back up with sweet and sour heavily charred pork ribs in a lime and chilli barbeque sauce and chewy oatmeal apple sauce raisin cookies spiced with cinnamon and cloves. Water added smoked mussels on avocado toast (mashed avocado seasoned with lemon juice, chilli and pepper) on the nose, whilst on the palate we have gone full circle now and are on the deck of a ship sailing into the sunset with our minds drifting and dreaming.

21

DUNKIN’ DONUT DRAMS I’m constantly fascinated by the economics of whisky, truly.

I never grew up with any appreciation of economics or finance or anything, but that’s changed a little over the years.

Another area of flavour and research I’ve sometimes engrossed in is coffee.

Coffee is one of the biggest, if not the biggest, traded commodity on Earth. Over 400 billion cups of coffee are consumed each year around the world. That’s billions with a B. That’s nearly 5 cups of coffee every week for every living soul on earth. Unreal. But for the biggest markets of coffee (and whisky) consumption, the USA, they are what is often referred to as a ‘Dunkin’ market.

A ‘Dunkin’ market just refers to the fact that while North America consumes around 450 million cups of coffee every day, the vast VAST majority is done at places like Dunkin’ Donuts or Starbucks. The big players. The mass market. The easy choice at a price that is lowest, the brand is trusted, the product is consistent, and the risk is low. I might be melding economics with marketing a bit here, but stay with me.

The ‘pointy end’ of the coffee game is the craft roasters who make single origin roasts in delightful little coffee shops in trendy areas to try and educate and delight their patrons with great and interesting coffee. Seeing a parallel here? The same thing takes place in whisky consumption. While I love talking single cask and have a deep passion for the Society, 22

CO WITHNNECT MATT bail ey@ sm

@sm ws.com ws_ . mat au t

I’ve not forgotten that the ‘round part’ of that bell curve is most definitely your supermarket blends, and for many who might not read this little column, a $49 bottle of blended whisky is the fancy once-a-year purchase, and that’s perfectly fine. Economically, we do operate a bit on the pointy end of the spectrum.

Such is the cost of running a whisky club, and mostly the cost of sourcing the best casks for members around the world. That’s why a ‘latte’ at the cafe in your local Woolies or 7/11 might have a $1 sticker, and why that Ethiopian single origin light roast bean at your local cafe sells for $5+.

So where does that leave us looking forward?

Quite honestly, the Society here in Australia has no plans to become the biggest baddest whisky club with millions of members.

That’s not what we are, just as your local craft coffee roaster has no intentions of becoming Starbucks, or more aptly a McCafe. We want to always do what we do best, and be the leader in Australia for whisky education, and provide an avenue for whisky appreciators to make the most of their journey into great flavour.

You’re always welcome to invite your friends into the club, show them what the journey looks like, but sorry, we don’t sell Big Macs.

See you at the Gathering events coming up.

Matt Bailey ~ SMWS National Ambassador

ARCHIE ROSE POP-UP YOU CAME IN 2018, YOU LOVED IT. WE’RE BACK FOR 2019!

After a hugely successful 2018 pop-up bar with Archie Rose Distilling Co, we’re back for 2019 to again bring out and pour a wide selection of new and rare single casks available by the dram at a premier Partner Bar for a 3-night takeover of their mezzanine.

More details to come.

October 17, 18, 19 for the biggest bar takeover in Australia spanning 3 nights.

See you there!

3 NIGHTS ONLY: OCTOBER 17, 18, 19 85 DUNNING AVE, ROSEBERY NSW 2018 23

CELEBRATING AN ALL TOGETHER UNIQUE SOCIETY This September we’re calling all SMWS members around the world to come together at official club gatherings. We’ll be celebrating the origins and ethos of the Society in an action-packed week of festivities.

Here’s what’s on in Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, and Adelaide...

More to come – check the website for the latest details.

#THEGATHERING2019 24

SYDNEY VAULTS 1682 Take a trip back in time with the Society in what is our oldest and rarest whisky experience in Australia ever with some of the rarest ‘paper label’ casks from the Society’s history. This one-off evening in Sydney includes 10 x drams from the Society’s ‘paper label’ vintage era and a full 4-course dinner in between sets of drams at the remarkable award-winning Bentley Restaurant.

Everyone attending will leave with their own commemorative historical menu from the night.

SOLD

OUT

SATURDAY 14 SEPTEMBER, 6.00 FOR 6.30PM Bentley Restaurant & Bar, Cnr Pitt & Hunter St, Sydney Hosts: SMWS Team

SINGLE CASK RUM GATHERING: BRIX DISTILLERY What could be better than drinking rare and exciting new rums, inside a new working rum distillery?! Join Matt Bailey for this event in our Gathering Series for an evening of new rums, rare rums, and never-before tasted rums from both the SMWS and Brix Distillery, Surry Hills, Sydney. At Brix, they believe that rum needs to grow up a bit. From the bar to the backyard, modern craft rums in Australia are starting to be noticed. At the SMWS, we’re continuing to bottle some of the most unique & intriguing single cask, cask strength rums from around the world.

THURSDAY 19 SEPTEMBER, 6.00 FOR 6.30PM Brix Distillery, 350 Bourke St, Surry Hills Hosts: Matt Bailey, National Ambassador & Shane Casey, Brix Head Distiller

ONE OF A KIND: BRUICHLADDICH RARITIES NIGHT This one-off night at the Royal Automobile Club Pioneer’s Lounge is our SMWS Bruichladdich focus night. A special evening for just 20 x guests surrounded by the history of the RAC in Sydney city discovering the rarities of an era at Bruichladdich distillery that are long gone. So come on an amazing journey through the Mark Reynier & Jim McEwan era of this Islay distillery, and earlier again, tasting 6 x ultra-rare tastings of Bruichladdich, including 2 x SMWS single casks and a selection of casks from the 80’s and 90’s.

SATURDAY 21 SEPTEMBER, 6.00 FOR 6.30PM Royal Automobile Club, 89 Macquarie St, Sydney Host: Matt Bailey, National Ambassador

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MELBOURNE

THE GATHERING, MELBOURNE One night only at the iconic home of whisky in Melbourne, the Melbourne Whisky Room, upstairs at Whisky & Alement.

Included in the ticket are cheeses, meats, welcome dram, Gathering casks and more.

THURSDAY 26 SEPTEMBER, 6.00 FOR 6.30PM The Kelvin Club, 14-30 Melbourne Pl, Melbourne Host: Matt Bailey, National Ambassador

CANBERRA

THE GATHERING, CANBERRA The Gathering Canberra is being held at our Partner Bar, Hippo Co, for a special night of cheese, whisky, chat, and learn a few things along the way for this fun night of malts and magic. Come gather with us and share a few drams of some special casks.

THURSDAY 26 SEPTEMBER, 6.00 FOR 6.30PM Hippo Co, 1/17 Garema Pl, Canberra Host: Drew McKinnie, ACT Manager

SYDNEY

THE GATHERING, SYDNEY A full festive evening of special casks with special presentation from our National Ambassador, in the iconic Royal Automobile Club Macquarie Room. Included in the ticket are welcome dram, Gathering casks, light supper and more.

FRIDAY 27 SEPTEMBER, 6.30 FOR 7.00PM

Royal Automobile Club, 89 Macquarie St, Sydney Host: Matt Bailey, National Ambassador

ADELAIDE

THE GATHERING, ADELAIDE The Gathering Adelaide is being held at our Partner Bar, the Rob Roy. Included in the ticket are welcome dram, Gathering casks, light supper and more. Plus, we’ll be experimenting with different water sources, whisky colouring and flavour experimentation for an entertaining evening of water, colour, whisky and magic.

FRIDAY 27 SEPTEMBER, 6.00 FOR 6.30PM Rob Roy Hotel, 106 Halifax St, Adelaide Host: Jenny Forrest, SA Manager 26

SYDNEY WHISKY FAIR FRIDAY 30 & SATURDAY 31 AUGUST, 2019

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society is proudly back at the Oak Barrel Sydney Whisky Fair for 2019 (Fri 30 & Sat 31 Aug) in our biggest and most ambitious outing yet.

A stand to taste our latest offerings is a given, but how about a full stage-side mini-masterclass layout? Come to our stand in 2019, say hello, be a part of the show. Tickets have sold out, but if you’re already booked in, we look forward to seeing you there.

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Society whiskies are offered and sold through The Wine Empire Pty Ltd, Liquor Licence LIQP770010175.