With interest in Taiwanese whiskies booming (heavily driven by Taiwanese distillery Kavalan), the Scotch Malt Whisky Society has released two new expressions guaranteed to take whisky fans on a fascinating new flavour adventure.
The Society has released a pair of five-year-old single malt Taiwanese whiskies, both from the same distillery, both distilled on 30th March 2018, and both matured in first-fill bourbon barrels.
The two whiskies appear to have everything in common, except their flavour profile. One is light and delicate, the other bold and smoky.
Higher Power offers notes of honey, and citrus, while Full Throttle Coal Scuttle, is boldly peated, characterised by intense, charred oak.
The two whiskies appear to have everything in common, except their flavour profile. One is light and delicate, the other bold and smoky…
We’ve been sampling High Power, which is bottled at 55.2% ABV. The expression is the colour of burnished gold, and offers oaky sweetness and vanilla on the nose. On the palate, we tasted fruit cake and laces of black liquorice, rich honey and juicy sultanas.
The mouthfeel is wantonly creamy, and the finish spicy.
“This is what makes single cask whisky so exciting and it’s a perfect example of the type of flavour adventures we offer at the Society,” explains Euan Campbell, Head of Whisky Creation at the SMWS.
“Two casks from the same distillery, filled on the same day, yet they offer completely different taste experiences. It’s a fascinating look at how one distillery can produce big differences in flavour. To fully explore the experience, I’d encourage whisky lovers to try them side by side, either at home or in one of our Members’ Rooms.”
Both bottles are available for £79.50 each for SMWS members, with non-members able to join the Society to purchase.
Redbreast Irish Whiskey has looked to the fortified wine traditions of southern Spain, for the fifth release in its Iberian Series, the Moscatel Wine Cask Edition. For more than a century, Redbreast has been closely associated with the single pot still tradition, a style that defines much of Irish whiskey’s historic identity. Produced at Midleton…
Actor Karen Gillan has been unveiled as The Muse for Scotch whiskymaker Compass Box, gracing the label art for the company’s upcoming 2026 Hedonism release. A fan favourite in blockbuster franchises such as Doctor Who (Amy Pond), Guardians of the Galaxy (Nebula) and Jumanji (Ruby Roundhouse), Gillan has become one of Scotland’s most recognisable international…
Brother’s Bond Bourbon has launched in the UK, bringing its premium four-grain American whiskey portfolio to British shelves for the first time. Founded in 2020, the celebrity-fuelled brand has been making waves Stateside with accessible yet layered bourbon and rye, distinguished by hands-on blending, careful barrel selection, and a commitment to regenerative agriculture. Co-founders Ian…
The Luxe Review 
With interest in Taiwanese whiskies booming (heavily driven by Taiwanese distillery Kavalan), the Scotch Malt Whisky Society has released two new expressions guaranteed to take whisky fans on a fascinating new flavour adventure.
The Society has released a pair of five-year-old single malt Taiwanese whiskies, both from the same distillery, both distilled on 30th March 2018, and both matured in first-fill bourbon barrels.
The two whiskies appear to have everything in common, except their flavour profile. One is light and delicate, the other bold and smoky.
Higher Power offers notes of honey, and citrus, while Full Throttle Coal Scuttle, is boldly peated, characterised by intense, charred oak.
We’ve been sampling High Power, which is bottled at 55.2% ABV. The expression is the colour of burnished gold, and offers oaky sweetness and vanilla on the nose. On the palate, we tasted fruit cake and laces of black liquorice, rich honey and juicy sultanas.
The mouthfeel is wantonly creamy, and the finish spicy.
“This is what makes single cask whisky so exciting and it’s a perfect example of the type of flavour adventures we offer at the Society,” explains Euan Campbell, Head of Whisky Creation at the SMWS.
“Two casks from the same distillery, filled on the same day, yet they offer completely different taste experiences. It’s a fascinating look at how one distillery can produce big differences in flavour. To fully explore the experience, I’d encourage whisky lovers to try them side by side, either at home or in one of our Members’ Rooms.”
Both bottles are available for £79.50 each for SMWS members, with non-members able to join the Society to purchase.
Redbreast Irish Whiskey Moscatel Wine Cask Edition adds Mediterranean influence to Iberian Series
Redbreast Irish Whiskey has looked to the fortified wine traditions of southern Spain, for the fifth release in its Iberian Series, the Moscatel Wine Cask Edition. For more than a century, Redbreast has been closely associated with the single pot still tradition, a style that defines much of Irish whiskey’s historic identity. Produced at Midleton…
Karen Gillan fronts Compass Box Hedonism 2026 limited edition Scotch whisky
Actor Karen Gillan has been unveiled as The Muse for Scotch whiskymaker Compass Box, gracing the label art for the company’s upcoming 2026 Hedonism release. A fan favourite in blockbuster franchises such as Doctor Who (Amy Pond), Guardians of the Galaxy (Nebula) and Jumanji (Ruby Roundhouse), Gillan has become one of Scotland’s most recognisable international…
Celebrity-founded Brother’s Bond Bourbon makes UK debut with starry four-grain whiskey range
Brother’s Bond Bourbon has launched in the UK, bringing its premium four-grain American whiskey portfolio to British shelves for the first time. Founded in 2020, the celebrity-fuelled brand has been making waves Stateside with accessible yet layered bourbon and rye, distinguished by hands-on blending, careful barrel selection, and a commitment to regenerative agriculture. Co-founders Ian…
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