SLANJ Spirits has launched debut SLANJ Whisky blended malt

18 Jul

SLANJ Spirits has launched its debut release; SLANJ Whisky, a new blended malt.

SLANJ Whisky is a new blended malt crafted for drinkers who value quality, but aren’t weighed down by tradition. Derived from the Scottish toast “slàinte,” meaning “health,” the name SLANJ is more than a nod to heritage; it’s a licence to raise a glass. Heard in pubs, ceilidhs and gatherings across Scotland for centuries, slanj-a-va is the familiar call to come together, to celebrate, to share something good.

This whisky carries that same spirit; the whisky is the brainchild of three long-time friends – Brian and Craig Halley, founders of SLANJ Kilts and Stuart Montgomerie – who have dreamed of launching a Scotch for over a decade. The trio secured the SLANJ Whisky brand name nearly ten years ago and have waited patiently for the right moment and the right blend.

One of the brand’s most recognisable investors is actor Rory McCann, best known for his role as The Hound in Game of Thrones. A long-time whisky lover, McCann was closely involved in the final blend and development process, ensuring the result felt true to the brand’s relaxed but quality-focused ethos.

He said, “I’ve always loved whisky, but SLANJ hits different. It’s smooth, no smoke, no fuss - just a bold, easy-going dram anyone can enjoy. I’m proud to back a whisky that’s pure Scottish spirit, without the rules. It’s the ultimate Scottish toast to the world.”

This first-edition blend is made from 70% Speyside single malt matured in sherry casks and 30% Highland single malt matured in bourbon casks. Bottled at 46%, non-chill filtered and with natural colour, it delivers a smooth and rounded profile with fruit, subtle sweetness and gentle spice – while deliberately holding back on any smoke.

“Scotch doesn’t need to be sacred to be exceptional,” said Brian Halley, founder of SLANJ Spirits. “We’ve always loved the craft, but we wanted to create something that felt less like a ritual and more like a moment. Something people could enjoy instinctively, without second-guessing how to drink it. We’ve held onto the SLANJ name for nearly a decade, waiting for the right time and the right whisky.” He added, “After years in the making, SLANJ feels like the whisky Scotland’s been waiting for.”

With a strong background in retail, design and brand-building, the Halley brothers bring cultural authenticity and creative direction, while Montgomery, following a highly successful career in banking in London, brings strategic and commercial insight from his current role as an investor and adviser to several Scottish businesses.

To bring their vision to life, the founders enlisted the expertise of Douglas Laing & Co., Scotland’s leading independent blender and bottler specialising the creation of artisan, small batch and single cask Scotch. Together, they developed a whisky that honours tradition but breaks with formality – a spirit with depth, balance and broad appeal.

With Laing’s support, the team secured a sustainable and consistent supply of quality malt for future bottlings, ensuring the brand’s longevity. With an RRP of £47 (UK), SLANJ is positioned competitively, while standing proudly on the strength of its liquid and its approach.

Renowned whisky writer Charles MacLean, described by The Times as “Scotland’s leading whisky expert,” gave the whisky his seal of approval: “SLANJ Whisky has been years in the making and it has been especially rewarding to follow its journey and see what the team has achieved. We are all very proud of this moreish blend!”

MacLean, who has written 17 books on Scotch and serves on the board of The Council of Whiskey Masters, praised the release for its approachability and integrity – a nod that further reinforces the ambition behind SLANJ’s debut.

While the brand name draws on tradition, its identity avoids cliché. SLANJ’s custom tartan, sunburst lion emblem and tongue-in-cheek tone reflect a new kind of Scotch brand: confident, current and inclusive. It’s aimed at both seasoned whisky drinkers and those just discovering the category – a whisky with craft at its core, but no rules on how to enjoy it.

SLANJ is launching in the UK with ambitions to roll out internationally, as the brand looks to bring its modern Scotch sensibility to a global audience. The team is already exploring future limited editions and special releases, with more to come from this bold new player in the whisky world – one pour at a time.

Be one of the first to purchase a bottle of SLANJ Whisky via online retailer, Master of Malt, priced at £48 (70cl) : www.masterofmalt.com/whiskies/slanj/slanj-whisky/.