SMWS releases — June 2021

In short · Glenlivet (Speyside), 13 years.

“Limited to 1 per member Classic aromas of hazelnuts, roasted chestnuts and raisins created a familiar mix with cinnamon, nutmeg and bruised apples.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Bowmore (Islay), 17 years.

“Limited to 1 per member All the panellists muttered “floral, feisty, funky, fruity?” The chairperson started to fume, but we all thought it was fabulous!…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Highland Park (Islands), 11 years.

“Limited to 1 per member Apparently, one should never mix grain and grape but here grain meets grape in a fascinating array of aromas.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Bunnahabhain (Islay), 7 years.

“Limited to 1 bottle per member Imagine being slapped in the face with a thick, whole rolled pancetta - salt cured, smoked and dried – I think you get the picture!…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Bunnahabhain (Islay), 13 years.

“Limited to 1 bottle per member We sat down to enjoy a ploughman’s lunch – crumbly, mature cloth-bound cheddar, strong pickles and pumpernickel bread spread with salted…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Macallan (Speyside), 12 years.

“Limited to 1 per member A mysterious, slightly opaque, however deeply engrossing aroma, roasted pine nuts, treacle tart, balsamic strawberries, plums, figs and raisins.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Clynelish (Highland), 8 years.

“Limited to 1 per member The Panel remarked on the stunning consistency of quality from this distillery.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Laphroaig (Islay), 9 years.

“Limited to 1 bottle per member A beautiful and deeply classical initial aroma of seawater, green olives, bath salts, rock pools, seaweed crackers, preserved lemons in…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Glen Moray (Speyside), 13 years.

“Limited to 2 per member The nose opened with juicy red fruits, pomegranate seeds, bouquets of fresh flowers and the fragrance of sandalwood.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Glen Moray (Speyside), 25 years.

“This bottle is limited to 2 per member First, we noticed the gorgeous colour which was followed by the slow-moving think oily legs when swirling the glass a little.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Caol Ila (Islay), 10 years.

“This bottle is limited to 1 per member A typical tropical day on Islay sitting on the beach late afternoon blowing up a beach ball with a peat fired barbeque roasting…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Ardmore (Highland), 23 years.

“Limited to 1 per member Where should we start; peat, soot and tar or a smoked herbal Martini cocktail or smoked blood orange, or treacle tart – certainly on the ‘dark…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Miltonduff (Speyside), 13 years.

“An incredibly opulent and complex nose combined a plethora of toasted nuts with treacle, prunes and oily marzipan.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Ben Nevis (Highland), 11 years.

“This bottle is limited to 2 per member The nose got one panellist imagining he was enjoying banana bread, jammy dodgers and lemonade, after applying Danish oil to his…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Glen Scotia (Campbeltown), 9 years.

“Limited to 1 per member We imagined a warm summer’s day walking on the beach promenade as we passed a florist just arranging the bouquets outside the shop, while next…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Auchroisk (Speyside), 38 years.

“Imagine an early afternoon walk during a beautiful ‘Indian summer’ through a forest collecting mushrooms as well as searching for, with the help of your best friend the…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Tormore (Speyside), 12 years.

“Exclusive to June Packages A sweet, fruity scent filled the room - like walking through a vineyard just before the grapes are harvested, or an apple orchard with ripe…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Glenallachie (Speyside), 8 years.

“A warm, inviting and rather dense sherry profile greeted the Panel at first nosing.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Allt-a-Bhainne (Speyside), 13 years.

“We imagined that after having picked the grapes in the steep sloping vineyards of the Douro valley, we poured them into a large stone tank (lagares) and then,…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Loch Lomond (Inchmurrin / Inchmoan) (Highland), 19 years.

“Limited to 1 per member A fruity sweetness of apricot and plum jam was followed by apple crumble with prickly mulled spices and a hint of tobacco.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Loch Lomond (Highland), 20 years.

“This bottle is limited to 1 per member A big nose of sweet buttery biscuits and shortbread merged with apples, peaches and pears while delicate floral aromas suggested…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · St. George’s (The English Whisky Co.) (England), 8 years.

“Limited to 1 per member Sweet and meaty, like Frazzles and sweet chilli smoked pork scratchings and how about a marmalade made with Seville oranges smoked over ex-sherry…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Ardnamurchan (Highland), 5 years.

“Limited to 1 per member We were instantly transported to a remote church on the west coast of Scotland as guests at a wedding.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · George Dickel (Cascade Hollow) (Tennessee, USA), 4 years.

“Limited to 1 per member A cascade of orange, apricot and sour cherries tumbled into tangy marmalade as baked bananas arrived with maple syrup and brittle toffee.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Heaven Hill Distillery (Kentucky, USA), 11 years.

“Limited to 1 per member Truly a rocking chair whiskey; imagine a hacienda-style ranch farmhouse, sitting on the porch and as far as the eye can see it is your land.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · The Borders Distillery (Lowland).

“Limited to 1 per member The initial aroma was of gentle spice, pink peppercorns, mint and lemon tea, sweet grapefruit and candy floss drizzled with condensed milk.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Demerara Distillers (El Dorado) (Guyana), 17 years.

“Limited to 1 per member The epitome of charismatic rum agreed the Panel.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Varela Hermanos (Ron Abuelo) (Panama), 13 years.

“Limited to 1 per member This rum sample, from the country mainly known for a canal that gave the name to a famous hat, was certainly challenging conventional wisdom.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Worthy Park (Jamaica), 9 years.

“Limited to 1 per member Have you ever sliced and diced sweet pineapples on the forecourt of a petrol station and listened to Harry Belafonte song ‘Island in the sun’?…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Caroni (Trinidad), 23 years.

“Limited to 2 bottles per member We have learned to expect all sorts from this (unfortunately) closed distillery.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS