Let's embark on an epic journey through the enchanting landscapes of Israel in my trusty Breadpeat, backfiring and without air conditioning.

Our destination: Israel's first whisky distillery, Milk & Honey (M&H).

Imagine the bustling streets of Tel Aviv, fragrant with promise, as my four-wheeled companion winds his way through the heart of a success story that was born of a dream of enthusiasts in 2012 and has just won an award at the ICON WHISKY AWARDS 2025 for its dynamic production team.

But before we reach this oasis of flavour, let's delve into the history of the places where M&H whisky comes to life.

Let's head eastwards into the Judean hills, where the town of Arad nestles.

This is where some of the casks for the prestigious APEX series are aged. Under the influence of the Mediterranean sun and high temperatures, these casks reveal complex aromas, while the famous ‘angels’ share' can reach up to 25%. An almost magical phenomenon, dictated by the unforgiving climate.

The road continues, and here I am 423 metres below sea level, on the shores of the mythical Dead Sea.

There, the casks rest at the top of a hotel, facing extreme conditions: temperatures flirting with 50°C.

This is where the STR (Shaved, Toasted, Re-charred) cask technique, devised by the visionary Dr. Jim Swan, nicknamed ‘the Einstein of whisky’ but who died in 2017, transformed whisky into a work of art. 

A Scottish chemist and biologist renowned for his revolutionary contributions to the whisky industry, it was he who developed the first whisky flavour wheel. He was also an expert in maturation in warm climates, demonstrating that it was possible to produce excellent whisky even with rapid ageing. 

Our search for the places where M&H casks are aged could also have taken us to the country's capital, Jerusalem, but now we're heading for Tel Aviv.  

And here I am in Tel Aviv-Yafo, at 16 HaThiya Street, in front of the M&H distillery.

A former bakery building transformed into a whisky temple, where the passion of its founders, Gal and Lital Kalkshtein, has given birth to refined spirits inspired by Israel's biblical nickname, ‘the land of milk and honey’. Since the first cask was filled in 2015, the alchemy has been at work, guided by Tomer Goren, a seasoned master distiller.

Imagine a place where the ancient skills of master distillers meet the vibrant modernity of a Mediterranean metropolis.

On the outside, the modern building is a discreet tribute to elegance, with its clean lines reflecting the warm light of the city. As you walk through its doors, a symphony of sensations envelops you.

The rich aromas of fermenting malt dance through the air, guiding you towards the majestic copper stills, gleaming like jewels from another time.

With its two copper stills, with a capacity of 200,000 litres a year, and carefully selected ingredients such as English barley and Belgian yeast, M&H transcends tradition to offer an exceptional range. 

The corridors then lead you to the maturation room, a sanctuary where endless rows of wooden casks rest in silence. There are, of course, American oak bourbon casks and European oak casks, but the distillery's cellar master also has Israeli pomegranate wine casks, cognac casks, rum casks and kosher sherry casks (casks specially prepared to comply with kosher standards).

Each holds the promise of complex flavours, the fruit of an alchemy between wood, time and the creative spirit. It's a place imbued with an almost sacred tranquillity, where you feel that every drop of whisky tells a story.

From the Classic Single Malt to the limited-edition Small Batch, from the innovative Elements series to the prestigious APEX collection, each bottle tells a story, a terroir, a vision.

To complete the experience, a welcoming and refined area awaits you. Here, visitors are invited to discover the distillery's heritage through passionate stories and unforgettable tastings. Each glass seems to capture the essence of Tel Aviv: dynamic, bold and full of character.

It's in this beautiful space that we'll be discovering the 4 ART & CRAFT tastings of the day: RECIOTO, WHITE PORT, MADEIRA and TOKAJI. 

Each bottle of this limited edition is also adorned with a label designed by street artist Erezoo, adding an artistic dimension to this exceptional creation.

Art & Craft Recioto is a limited edition that highlights the art of ageing in exceptional casks: Recioto. This whisky has been matured in casks that have contained a sweet and prestigious Italian wine, Recioto della Valpolicella.

In the gentle, sun-drenched hills of the Veneto region, the Recioto casks first matured wines made from passiti grapes, dried in the sun to concentrate their flavours. These casks, already imbued with sweetness and depth, then welcome M&H whisky for a journey of years in which the bitterness of the wood and the sweetness of the wine dance in harmony.

With an alcohol content of 55.1% ABV, this whisky offers intensity and reflects the bold marriage between Israeli know-how and the influence of Italian winemaking traditions. 

I

magine taking a walk at dusk through a vineyard bathed in golden light.

The first impression on the nose is of vanilla and sweet spices,

The second impression is of spices and bright red fruit, as if you were dipping your hand into a basket of fresh cherries.

The third passage continues with fruitier flavours, to which almonds are added.

On the palate, it's a balancing act between powerful black tea and caramelised sultanas, a richness that unfolds slowly. It's an evolving taste experience, combining notes of black fruit, orange peel and dry wood.

The finish, like a whisper, is woody and greedy, evoking black fruit ripened by the setting sun.

The Art & Craft White Port showcases whiskies aged in casks of sweet Portuguese wines.

The whisky has been matured in casks of white port, a sweet, light wine often considered to be the ‘cousin’ of classic red port. This choice of casks gives the whisky a subtle sweetness and a unique aromatic complexity.

The casks come from the tranquil Douro valleys in Portugal, where the light, floral white port infuses the wood with its subtle aromas. As the whisky sits, it absorbs the fresh sea breezes and the gentle Mediterranean sunshine.

At 53.6% ABV, this whisky offers a balanced experience of intensity and finesse.

A spring meadow lulled into freshness after the rain, that's the image conjured up by the first nose: floral, punctuated with vanilla and delicate caramel. 

On the second pass, it gradually takes on a more woody aspect, more marked by the wine.

The third pass confirms this woody tendency and notes of vanilla that almost lead us towards a light rum.

On the palate, it reveals an evolving palette of flavours, with first hints of white chocolate, then peach and candied but slightly acidic citrus fruit. Like a secret treat

The long, dry finish is marked by woody nuances and a slight vinous influence, reminiscent of the origins of the casks used.

Art & Craft Madeira showcases whiskies aged in carefully selected wine casks.

The whisky has been matured in casks that have contained Madeira wine, a fortified Portuguese wine renowned for its rich, complex flavours.

On the volcanic archipelago of Madeira, these casks contained warm, complex wines, exposed to the subtropical Atlantic climate. When M&H whisky rests in these casks, the wood takes on deep, spicy notes, imbuing the spirit with a unique warmth and 55% ABV.

From the first sip, Art & Craft Madeira has a generous profile, marked by notes of dried fruit.

On the second sip, it develops a hint of pepper and nutmeg to complement the grape aromas.

On the third pass, it develops caramel and dark chocolate notes.

On the palate, it reveals an evolving palette of flavours, with hints of walnut, coffee and sweet spices. The palate is reminiscent of an old box, steeped in history, combining tobacco, dried fruit and burnt caramel.

The finish is long and warm, with woody nuances, a slight vinous influence and hints of citrus, recalling the origins of the casks used.

Art & Craft Tokaji is aged in original sweet wine casks.

The whisky has been matured in casks containing Tokaji, a Hungarian white wine renowned for its tropical aromas and rich flavours.

This choice of cask gives the whisky a unique depth of flavour and a subtle sweetness. In the enchanting vineyards of Tokaj, Hungary, these casks have been home to sweet golden wines, often referred to as ‘nectars of the gods’. This ageing gives the whisky rare tropical aromas and an incomparable smoothness. It is offered here at 52% ABV.

The first pass of the nose is marked by notes of tropical fruit (mango and ripe pineapple) linked to the wine that was contained in the cask.

On the second pass, the tropical fruits fade slightly, leaving more room for vanilla and sultanas.

The third passage gives way to the scent of acacia honey. 

On the palate, it's an invitation to escape: a delicate, fruity sweetness that embraces the taste buds like an exotic Hungarian sunset. Hints of peach, honey and citrus.

The finish is long and elegant, with woody nuances and a slight vinous influence.

This will be peatdream's favourite!

This journey through Israel is not just a geographical discovery, but an immersion in the soul and history of the Milk & Honey distillery. From the Judean desert to the Dead Sea, each place we visit reveals the unique conditions that forge the identity of their whiskies, and each encounter bears witness to the passion and expertise of their founders.

The M&H distillery embodies a perfect marriage between tradition and innovation, between dream and reality. It's the perfect example of how, with a bold vision and a little magic, even the hottest climates can produce exceptional spirits.