M&H Distillery: Forging Israel’s Inaugural Whisky Path

At the heart of Israel’s burgeoning whisky movement stands the M&H Distillery, an unwavering pioneer in the nation’s whisky narrative. Since its inception, the M&H Distillery has diligently upheld international quality benchmarks while remaining deeply rooted in age-old whisky traditions. The distillery’s foundation was bolstered by the profound expertise of the esteemed Dr. Jim Swan, a distinguished authority in hot-climate maturation and innovative new world whisky practices, who served as the chief consultant and inaugural master distiller.

A Quest for Impeccable Craftsmanship

Every aspect of the M&H Distillery experience reflects an unrelenting commitment to perfection. From the meticulously fashioned traditional copper pot stills to the stringent quality control measures at every phase, a resolute pursuit of excellence underscores the ethos. The distillery has curated a team of fervent individuals who collectively drive the pursuit of extraordinary achievements.

Navigating Sun-Kissed Climes

With the blessing of 300 sun-filled days each year, Israel’s climate plays a pivotal role in hastening the maturation process, yielding a profound and intricate whisky profile, even in relatively brief periods. However, this same climate presents challenges, with an annual angels’ share averaging a remarkable 12%. Dr. Jim Swan, an eminent whisky visionary, was moved by this distinctive climate, leading to his involvement in co-founding Israel’s premier whisky distillery.

Distinctive Maturation Regions

The M&H Distillery’s whisky saga eloquently narrates Israel’s diverse landscapes through five distinct maturation regions:

1. Upper Galilee
2. Jerusalem Mountains
3. Jerusalem
4. Tel Aviv
5. The Desert
6. Dead Sea

A Meticulous Process

Water: Harnessing advanced water engineering technology, the distillery orchestrates the creation of ideal water for production. Through advanced purification and enhancement of local groundwater, water perfectly suited to complement the whisky is achieved, all while adhering to principles of sustainability.

Malt:Exclusively comprised of premium unpeated malted barley, the product range is punctuated by a biannual two-week peated session (40 ppm), which imparts a unique facet to the offerings.

Mashing: A pioneering technique devised by Dr. Jim Swan harmoniously blends malted barley and water in the specially crafted mash tun, produced in Israel by MGT. This innovative approach ensures optimal amalgamation and extraction.

Fermentation: The wort is channeled into one of six washbacks, where it undergoes 60-72 hours of fermentation with specialized dry yeast earmarked for whisky production, infusing character into the spirits.

Distillation: The double-distillation process unfolds within copper stills, renowned for their purity. A relatively brief heart starting at 80% and a cut at 70% create a new make characterized by a sweet, grassy, medium body, achieving approximately 75% ABV. The distillery’s annual new make capacity totals 230,000 liters, epitomizing the harmony between tradition and innovation.

Maturation: In strict adherence to Scottish regulations, the distillery matures its whisky for a minimum of three years across diverse casks situated within Israel’s varied climate regions. Embracing the organic climate fluctuations, the distillery eschews any form of climate control.

Innovation, Legacy, and a Bold Narrative

Presently, M&H whiskies, recipients of esteemed accolades, grace over 40 countries globally. Every bottle encapsulates an unyielding dedication to innovation, unparalleled quality, and an indomitable spirit of exploration.