The Scotch Malt Whisky Society breaks a 43-year tradition with a surprising new release

Wednesday, 28 October 2026 at 07:39

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Anyone familiar with The Scotch Malt Whisky Society knows the whisky club is best known for its single cask whiskies. But now, the Society is taking a different approach. For the first time in 43 years, it’s releasing a blended Scotch whisky and some remarkably old whiskies have gone into the mix.

The whisky is called The Blender's Notebook and is part of the brand-new Heresy series. It’s an 18-year-old blended Scotch whisky, with just 1,092 bottles available.

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What makes this new whisky so special?

This isn’t simply a case of throwing a few casks together. The story begins with an old sherry cask holding the base of a blended Scotch whisky that is no longer made. That whisky was left to mature for around 20 years. The Scotch Malt Whisky Society team then decided to bring in a few other whiskies.

These include a 27-year-old grain whisky and several malt whiskies aged around 18 years. The casks are just as impressive: bourbon casks, American oak casks that previously held Pedro Ximénez sherry, and Spanish oak oloroso sherry casks. The final blend is around 70% malt whisky, with a 60-to-40 split between sherry casks and other casks.

The idea came from the departing whisky director

This distinctive whisky was the brainchild of Kai Ivalo, who was whisky director at The Scotch Malt Whisky Society and wanted to create something special before retiring.

If the Society was going to make a blended Scotch whisky, he felt it had to do it properly. So he opted for a blend with a high proportion of malt whisky and a classic character.

That classic feel is reflected in the bottle, too. The label is reminiscent of old blended Scotch whiskies, with even the Scottish thistles and small-print details designed in the same style.

What does The Blender's Notebook taste like?

Of course, what really matters is what’s in the bottle. And The Scotch Malt Whisky Society’s tasting panel has plenty to say about that.

On the nose, expect notes of linseed oil, apricot jam tarts and green plums.

According to the panel, a sip brings flavours of honeydew melon, Madeira cake and candied pecans. Add a little water and notes of vanilla fudge and aged sherry wood come through, too. The finish is dry.

Julien Willems, who oversees whisky quality and the tasting panel at the Society, says the old sherry cask plays a particularly important role in shaping the whisky’s character. The bourbon casks bring a softer touch, while the nearly 30-year-old grain whisky brings the different flavours together.

How much does The Scotch Malt Whisky Society’s first blended Scotch whisky cost?

If this whisky has caught your interest, you’ll need to be quick. The Blender's Notebook is a one-off release, with just 1,092 bottles available. Each bottle costs £80.

The whisky is available through The Scotch Malt Whisky Society website. There is one catch: you need to be a member of the whisky club to order a bottle.

The Blender's Notebook isn’t just a standalone release, either. It’s Batch 44 in the Heresy series, through which the Society has been experimenting with different styles of whisky and unusual cask combinations since 2017.

Want to read more about SMWS? Find out more here

FAQ

What is The Blender's Notebook?
The Blender's Notebook is The Scotch Malt Whisky Society’s first blended Scotch whisky. It’s 18 years old and includes, among other whiskies, a 27-year-old grain whisky.
How many bottles of The Blender's Notebook were made?
A total of 1,092 bottles have been released. It’s a one-off bottling in the Heresy series.
How much does The Blender's Notebook cost?
A bottle costs £80 and is available through The Scotch Malt Whisky Society. You need to be a member to buy it.