WELCOME BACK,
UNFILTERED ISSUE 101 JANUARY 2025
EDITOR'S WELCOME
We’ve already been busy thinking about everything we want to get up to in 2025. The focus for our entire year is all about adventures in whisky – and that could mean adventures in the pursuit of different flavour experiences, or it could also mean taking our whisky off the beaten track and experiencing and bringing it to life in various ways.
READ ONGet ready to explore your Society world. Here you'll find practical whisky knowledge videos. And that's not all - if whisky storytelling is what you're after, get ready to explore the stories about who we are and what we're all about. Your adventure awaits!
SMWS Unfiltered magazine at 100
Unfiltered magazine marks its centenary publication this December. Editor Richard Goslan has been contributing since issue 2 in 2009, and reflects on his 15 years of writing and subsequently editing the members magazine for The Scotch Malt Whisky Society.
The BEST Scotch Whisky Distillery Experiences 2024
There are over 150 distilleries in Scotland making up a lot of the world's whisky production, so it can be hard to pick out one to visit.
Here's Richard's top three distillery experiences in Scotland for you to try out this summer.
Creepy AI picks our WHISKY (Terrifyingly Accurate)
We put Chat GPT through a series of challenges to see how well it can actually help us pick out a whisky/whiskey that we like.
Avoid This Common MISTAKE Choosing Your WHISKY GLASS
Picking out a glass that will help you appreciate everything your whisky/whiskey has to offer can be a tricky process.
Here are some of the best glasses to pick, as well as the most common mistake people make when choosing a glass to evaluate their whisky.
The SECRET to drinking Scotch Whisky like a PRO! (Beginner's taste guide)
Here's an easy guide on how to drink and taste your whisky/whiskey like pro!
At the end of the day you should drink your Scotch whisky however you enjoy most - but if you are looking to experience all the flavours your dram has to offer, there is a specific process the professionals follow.
You've been LIED TO about the WHISKY REGIONS of SCOTLAND
What are the Scotch whisky regions and why do people mention them so often? Richard Goslan unpicks what people tend to mean when they mention each region, whilst also taking a look at how relevant they are in todays whisky landscape.
Whether it’s taking your drams outdoors, brushing up on your whisky knowledge or exploring flavour from the comfort of your couch – get 2025 off to a great start with a variety of whisky adventures, whether you’re new to the Society or a seasoned flavour hunter. Mads Schmoll has some suggestions to get your year underway.
This month we’re launching the Homecoming collection in celebration of our 40-year-heritage and spiritual home, The Vaults, with Leith-based artist Shona Hardie bringing these whiskies to life through four special labels. Mads Schmoll caught up with Shona to find out more about The Vaults, Leith’s whisky history and the inspiration behind her artwork.
