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.
Our love affair with Japanese whisky shows no sign of abating, as experimental producer Hatozaki brings the Fifth and Sixth Editions of its Omakase Collection to the UK – and they’re looking like exceptional value. Produced at the Kaikyō Distillery on the shores of Japan’s Seto Inland Sea, the Hatozaki Omakase Collection takes its name…
Maker’s Mark has launched a new airport‑exclusive Artist Series, pairing its handmade Kentucky bourbon with limited‑edition labels inspired by major global cities. The collection forms part of a wider programme of travel‑retail exclusives from the distillery. Each release is defined not by a unique liquid or cask profile, but by its artwork. The whisky inside…
Chocolate has long been one of whisky’s favourite tasting notes. The Lakes Distillery has now made it the inspiration for an entire single malt. Its limited-edition Chocolatier expression has arrived in the UK following international recognition at the International Wine & Spirit Competition 2026, where it became the only English whisky to receive a Gold…
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.
Experimental Japanese whisky producer Hatozaki brings Sakura and Mizunara editions to the UK
Our love affair with Japanese whisky shows no sign of abating, as experimental producer Hatozaki brings the Fifth and Sixth Editions of its Omakase Collection to the UK – and they’re looking like exceptional value. Produced at the Kaikyō Distillery on the shores of Japan’s Seto Inland Sea, the Hatozaki Omakase Collection takes its name…
Maker’s Mark bourbon unveils airport‑exclusive Artist Series with city‑inspired bottlings
Maker’s Mark has launched a new airport‑exclusive Artist Series, pairing its handmade Kentucky bourbon with limited‑edition labels inspired by major global cities. The collection forms part of a wider programme of travel‑retail exclusives from the distillery. Each release is defined not by a unique liquid or cask profile, but by its artwork. The whisky inside…
The Lakes Distillery brings award-winning Chocolatier single malt whisky to the UK
Chocolate has long been one of whisky’s favourite tasting notes. The Lakes Distillery has now made it the inspiration for an entire single malt. Its limited-edition Chocolatier expression has arrived in the UK following international recognition at the International Wine & Spirit Competition 2026, where it became the only English whisky to receive a Gold…
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