The M&H Distillery, also known as Milk and Honey, is Israel’s first whisky distillery and is located in urban Tel Aviv. This means that the distillery has a Mediterranean climate. Due to this climate M&H whisky experiences an accelerated aging process, which is similar to many other hot climate new world whisky distilleries.
This Classic single malt whisky is their core expression. Available alongside this whisky is an expression series named Elements. This showcases different styles of cask maturation, as well as a number of small batch, limited edition and single cask releases.
After being established in 2013, M&H’s first distillation took place in 2015, followed by their first whisky released in 2017. This Classic edition was introduced as part of the range in 2020. It is matured in a combination of ex-bourbon American oak casks and ex-red wine STR (shaved, toasted and recharred) casks.
M&H Distillery rightfully make keen mention of their location in the Mediterranean as it has on average 300 days of sun a year. That hot climate contributes to an average yearly angels’-share reaching as high as 12% (compared to 1-2% a year on average in Scotland). This creates an expedited aging process, leading to comparably matured whisky even after a short-term maturation. The distillery has a traditional copper pot still production process and an annual capacity of 800,000 litres.
The Milk & Honey Classic Single Malt Whisky is bottled at 46% ABV. It is widely available through spirits specialist retailers globally for around £45/ €60.
Our Tasting Notes
This is a golden colour whisky with expressive fruit and sweetness. On the nose there are plenty of diverse rich fruit notes of caramelised peaches, apricot jam, and juicy sultanas. This is matched by intense sweetness of golden syrup, dark honey, and sweet vanilla — like crème brûlée. There is a woodiness like pencil shavings and yeasty note like cookie dough. Underneath all of this a highly perfumed peak-of-summer jasmine floral.
It is luscious, creamy and rich on the palate with intensely ripe juicy fruit sweetness up front. It is a combination of dried pineapple and mango, apricot jam and over-ripe peaches and pears. Additionally this has toffee sweetness, rich sweet vanilla, creamy milk chocolate, and a hint of marshmallow. As a third stage this whisky then adds layers of woody oak, clove spice, and dusty white pepper. This adds balance to the sweetness.
The moderately short finish lingers with drying oak characters and the sweet fruitiness that simply stays with you through the experience.
What’s The Verdict?
M&H Classic single malt is undeniably distilled and matured in a warm weather climate. It has a luscious tropical characteristic that is a challenge to recreate in anything other climate. The sweetness make this an easy drinking whisky. Balance coming from the pepper and clove spices, plus the tannins from fresh oak wood, are needed. Thankfully they shine through. To sum up, this whisky lives up to its description of ‘classic’ and easy to see why it wins so many awards.
