Whisky Focus - Explore The Sherry Influence On Whisky With The SMWS

A new film released by The Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS) embarks on a journey from the oak forests of Galicia in northern Spain to the cooperages and bodegas in Andalucía’s famed 'sherry triangle'. Titled "Scotch and Sherry: A Flavour Odyssey", the 40-minute feature follows Euan Campbell, the whisky club’s Head of Whisky Creation, as he explores the profound influence of sherry on whisky production.

Scheduled for launch on YouTube tomorrow April 26th, the film is said to offer whisky enthusiasts a captivating insight into the intricacies of sherry cask maturation. Prior to its release, aficionados can delve into the film's anticipation through an exclusive online 'Dram-along' event tonight April 25th at 9pm. As part of the Flavour Hunter Festival, this international event will be broadcasted live on the SMWS Facebook and YouTube channels, featuring live music, discussions, quizzes, and a sneak peek behind the scenes of the documentary.

The unveiling of "Scotch and Sherry: A Flavour Odyssey" aligns with the global whisky club's initiative to highlight its expertise in exceptional sherry cask-matured whiskies throughout the year. Commencing with a series of special events and film screenings across its venues in London, Glasgow, and Edinburgh, the SMWS will captivate audiences with a cinematic journey of flavours.

The film will be showcased every Saturday in May at the Society’s Bath Street venue in Glasgow, with special screenings at its Queen Street venue in Edinburgh on May 16th and 23rd. Additionally, it will be presented at The Machrie Hotel during the Islay Festival on May 29th and 30th.

To complement the screenings, a series of Scotch & Sherry tasting events will take place during May at the Society’s venues and external locations. Scottish venues in Edinburgh and Glasgow will offer sherry cask cocktail flights, special sherry cask drams, and tapas.

Further enriching the experience, sherry expert Diego Borras will host a Sherry Confidential event at the club’s spiritual home, The Vaults in Leith, on May 6th. Meanwhile, the Society’s London venue will host a My Sherry Amour event on May 15th. Full details of all events are available at https://smws.com/events.

In addition to the film, the SMWS will release a special sherry tasting pack containing three 50ml sherry cask-matured whiskies, accompanied by a special 76-page Scotch & Sherry magazine diving deeper into the realm of sherry and sherried whisky.

Throughout the year, the Society will unveil a meticulously curated selection of sherry cask-matured whiskies. Notable releases include "Cinnamon Chilli Chocolate Cupcakes" (£85), a 7 Year Old single malt French whisky matured in a 1st fill ex-Oloroso butt; and "Heaven in a Leather Hammock" (£895), a 34 Year Old single malt whisky matured in a 1st fill ex-Pedro Ximenez butt. The latter, part of the Society’s prestigious The Vaults Collection range, is hailed with the inscription: "If you could only take one dram with you to a desert island, this would be it".

SMWS Head of Whisky Creation, Euan Campbell, said: "It was an incredible experience to travel across Spain and trace the journey of sherry casks and meet the people who are involved in each step of the process.

"From the forests and sawmills to the cooperages and bodegas, our film gives viewers a deep insight into the level of attention, craftsmanship and care that goes into each step of the process to create sherry casks and the flavour that goes on to have a massive influence on Scotch whisky.

"Many of our members love sherry cask-matured whiskies and over the coming weeks and months, we’re going to be screening the film, staging special events and celebrating the links between Scotch and sherry."

Look out for some Scotch Malt Whisky Society sherried dram reviews which I will be doing in the near future and if you are interested in joining The SMWS membership starts from £100 and is available to purchase here www.smws.com/whisky-club-membership
 

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