SMWS releases — March 2022

In short · Glenfarclas (Speyside), 9 years.

“In our mind’s eyes we saw lemon sorbet, shortbread, pineapple tarts, custard cream but the descriptor from one panellist, which certainly topped the bill for being the…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Bowmore (Islay), 17 years.

“Limited to 1 bottle per member Imagine roasting butterfly Tiger prawns in a garlic ginger soy sauce on the beach enjoying the mirror like reflections of white fluffy…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Highland Park (Islands), 13 years.

“Limited to 1 bottle per member Alluring aromas combined the light salt of sea air with the delicate floral notes of heather and jasmine tea.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Longmorn (Speyside), 12 years.

“Limited to 2 bottles per member Thick buttery notes and sweet icing coated roasted chestnuts and sponge cake with a layer of apricot jam, while cinnamon, liquorice and…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Longmorn (Speyside), 17 years.

“Limited to 2 bottles per member First impression was rather shy, restraint and timid but give it a little time and you will get acquainted and soon after that…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Dalmore (Highland), 13 years.

“Bottle limited to 2 per member A superb and richly layered aroma greeted us.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Glenturret (Highland), 8 years.

“Limited to 2 bottles per member One of the panellists, not that he was that old, was reminded of Victorian cough mixture while others described the aroma as charred…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Glenturret (Highland), 11 years.

“Limited to 2 bottles per member The nose was superbly punchy and full of hot pink peppercorns at first.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Macallan (Speyside), 30 years.

“Limited to 1 bottle per member We found ourselves very close to the naked heart of this traditionally sherry-cloaked distillate.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Macallan (Speyside), 30 years.

“A soft and distinctive nose journeyed through a library of ripe fruit and leather-bound books covered with a fine layer of antique dust.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Laphroaig (Islay), 10 years.

“Limited to 2 bottles per member Big plumes of dark grey smoke from the kiln combined with the Dutch spirit called Kummel, in this case a heavily smoked version of that…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Glenrothes (Speyside), 7 years.

“Limited to 1 bottle per member The comforting aroma of fig rolls, orange sponge cake and chocolate-covered roasted hazelnuts served with a glass of iced caramel cloudy…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Glen Moray (Speyside), 9 years.

“We were outside in sunshine (flower meadows, fresh laundry) when a tray of treats arrived (strawberry tarts, vanilla custard slice, lemon meringue pie).…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Glen Moray (Speyside), 7 years.

“On the nose neat we immediately had images of peaches poached in bourbon, Battenberg cake, marzipan as well as chocolate and hazelnut stollen.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Linkwood (Speyside), 10 years.

“The nose was summer in a glass – orchards and flower meadows, vanilla slice, brown sugar on mashed bananas, rhubarb rock, strawberry laces and summer creams.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Linkwood (Speyside), 12 years.

“On the nose, we got a cream soda ice-cream float, toffee apples and Madeira sponge, cherry pieces in dark chocolate, tea chests, cigar boxes, old wooden desks and…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Glenlossie (Speyside), 12 years.

“Limited to 2 bottles per member Aromas characterised by 'red' suggested strawberry sweets, red roses, red apples and tomato plants against a backdrop of Turkish delight,…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Glenlossie (Speyside), 22 years.

“Limited to 2 per member A nose to make you sit up and take notice.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Balmenach (Speyside), 9 years.

“The nose offered us a clear window onto this classic full bodied distillate with big notes of fatty waxes, cooking oils, herbal ointments and nettle tea with a spoonful…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Balmenach (Speyside), 17 years.

“With time and patience the nose discovers blackberry pie with nutmeg and cinnamon-sprinkled custard, chocolate-dipped candied orange, brandy snaps and old red roses…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Bladnoch (Lowland), 31 years.

“Limited to 1 bottle per member Certainly unusual, maybe even disputatious.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Caol Ila (Islay), 11 years.

“Limited to 1 bottle per member Lobster sizzled on a grill as sea-spray splashed onto kelp and dusty ash from a beach campfire.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Glentauchers (Speyside), 19 years.

“Zesty apple skins and gooseberries combined with green leaves, marjoram and oregano while wisps of fragrant incense smoke and smouldering heather washed over pot pouri.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Ardmore (Highland), 14 years.

“Limited to 1 bottle per member A wonderfully dense and thick nose, typical of this notoriously 'farmyard' distillery.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Ardmore (Highland), 12 years.

“The nose was typical of this make and suggested oily sheep wool infused with sea kelp.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Blair Athol (Highland), 11 years.

“Limited to 1 bottle per member The nose was big, bold and frankly offbeat – peanut brittle, gingerbread and Portuguese custard tarts, orange liqueur and preserved…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Balblair (Highland), 27 years.

“Limited to 1 bottle per member The gentle sweet fruitiness of mango, guava, melon and plums combined with the delicate aroma of elderflower and lime tree blossom to cast…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Deanston (Highland), 9 years.

“Limited to 2 bottles per member At once sweet and charming but also sophisticated and sassy, a joyful punch of a fresh, floral fragrant scent filled the room next to…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Glen Scotia (Campbeltown), 8 years.

“Limited to 2 bottles per member Stone fruits and gooseberry tarts merged with burnt hazelnuts and salted cashew nuts while maritime aromas deepened to peat bogs, tobacco…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Strathmill (Speyside), 11 years.

“Limited to 2 bottles per member A rather dizzying aroma that incorporated balsamic onions, ruby port glaze, red liquorice, aniseed, lemon cough drops, lanolin and cherry…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Glenallachie (Speyside), 9 years.

“Limited to 2 bottles per member A firm and fulsome aroma to begin, with waxes, eucalyptus balms, elderberries and then subtle notes of sandalwood, lemon barley water and…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Allt-a-Bhainne (Speyside), 10 years.

“Limited to 2 bottles per member Whisperings of smoke on the nose – like a distant Meerschaum pipe or rosemary on bonfire embers; hints of Turkish delight, treacle,…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Allt-a-Bhainne (Speyside), 11 years.

“Limited to 2 bottles per member Charred steak sizzled on a barbecue beside singed chestnuts while a sea breeze carried aromas of barnacles and antiseptic cream.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Allt-a-Bhainne (Speyside), 10 years.

“Limited to 2 bottles per member The persuasive nose convinced us of paper burning in the hearth and chimney scrapings, Branston pickle, boquerones vinaigrettes and…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Loch Lomond (Inchmurrin / Inchmoan) (Highland), 9 years.

“We were outside in sunshine (flower meadows, fresh laundry) when a tray of treats arrived (strawberry tarts, vanilla custard slice, lemon meringue pie).…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Braeval (Braes of Glenlivet) (Speyside), 22 years.

“Summery aromas of lush meadows and green grass merged with sweetly scented jasmine flowers as lemon and grapefruit brought a citrus twist.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Braeval (Braes of Glenlivet) (Speyside), 11 years.

“Limited to 2 bottles per member The neat nose suggested to us lemon lozenges, runny honey and the spicy warmth of cask char.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Loch Lomond (Croftengea) (Highland), 8 years.

“Limited to 2 bottles per member The nose wafts perfumed, shamanic, apothecary, witchcraft smoke; burnt twigs, singed lemon and grilled fish skin; cinnamon sticks in…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Rock Town (Arkansas, USA), 5 years.

“Limited to 1 bottle per member Immediately assertive, punchy and full of spicy madeira cake, bitter orange oils, wood spice, BBQ char, smoked mutton, birch beer and…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Strathclyde (Lowland), 16 years.

“Limited to 2 bottles per member We mixed a cocktail called ‘Smoked Cinnamon’- a concoction of cinnamon syrup, apple juice and grain whisky served in an old-fashioned…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Compañía Licorera de Nicaragua (Flor de Caña) (Nicaragua), 15 years.

“Limited to 2 per member An immediate nose of caramelised brown sugar on freshly baked soda bread kicked things off.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · FEW Spirits (Illinois, USA), 4 years.

“This bottle is limited to 2 per member The nose was sweet and punchy - spun sugar, salt-water taffy with raisins, caramelized pineapple and oiled wood in the sunshine.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

“Limited to 1 bottle per member This wonderfully ruby red small batch is a celebration of sweet complexity.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS