SMWS releases — April 2022

In short · Glenfarclas (Speyside), 8 years.

“The nose – mm – sharp, fresh, vibrant and head-clearing – candied lemon, damson liqueur, cassia bark and charred oak.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Bowmore (Islay), 17 years.

“Limited to 1 bottle per member We imagined walking upstairs to the bar of this distillery overlooking Lochindaal and the exotic, fruity, sweet and slightly smoky scent…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Macduff (Highland), 12 years.

“This nose combined savoury and woody impressions, like charcuterie on wooden serving boards or ‘pulling nori from miso soup with wooden chopsticks’ – it also had citrus…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

“Delicate, floral and easy-going, the nose whispered rumours of pecan pie, pears Belle Helene, crystallised orange, sugared almonds, honey and butterscotch – maybe hints…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Bunnahabhain (Islay), 13 years.

“Limited to 1 bottle per member  The colour was like a sunset over Loch Indaal as we opened a bottle of Oloroso sherry from Sanlucar, that typical coastal scent but with…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Dalmore (Highland), 9 years.

“We made Belgian waffles with melted white chocolate, vanilla ice cream and coconut flakes as well as almond tartlets with a plum cream and pineapple cubes.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Inchgower (Speyside), 11 years.

“Limited to 1 bottle per member We found ourselves in the kitchen making breakfast of blueberry pancakes, fruit scones with loads of sultanas and toast with salted…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Macallan (Speyside), 13 years.

“Limited to 1 bottle per member A big, uncompromising and direct aroma full of gingerbread, umami paste, bouillon stock and marrowfat peas in butter greeted us.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Clynelish (Highland), 9 years.

“Limited to 2 bottles per member The aromas embraced chalk, minerals and limestone while white fish sizzled on a hot stove with a pot of sweet and sour sauce.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Tullibardine (Highland), 9 years.

“The neat aroma suggested pear tarts, muddled green herbs, underripe cooking apples, foaming stout and fizzy lemon sherbet.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Glenrothes (Speyside), 8 years.

“Limited to 1 bottle per member We found ourselves transported into an Austrian tea house or, even better, into a hunting lodge with the smell of taxidermy mounts hanging…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

“The rather dry nose evoked hessian sacks and cigar boxes, nutmeg, ginger, and charred wood; also, currants, chardonnay, and butterscotch sweets.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Glen Moray (Speyside), 33 years.

“Imagine coming inside after a bracing walk in very cold conditions, you’ve slipped off your comfortable coat crafted from a blend of camel hair and virgin wool, put on…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Dailuaine (Speyside), 14 years.

“Limited to 2 bottles per member After eleven years in an American oak oloroso butt we moved this into a first-fill, Spanish oak PX butt.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Dailuaine (Speyside), 15 years.

“We imagined a wood carver unrolling a leather pouch with all the tools ready to start a new project.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Craigellachie (Speyside), 16 years.

“Nosing this neat, a variety of pictures came to our minds including boysenberry and almond granola clusters, rum and raisin fudge, bramble mille-feuille and pomegranate…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

“Limited to 1 per member  The nose combined smoke (‘peat smoke bubbled through vanilla water’) with oily and briny notes (lemon-scented olive oil, bacon fat, tinned tuna,…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

“Limited to 2 bottles per member This one was virtually clambering out of the glass!…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

“Limited to 1 bottle per member An enticingly coastal start welcomed us with rock pools, beach bonfire ash and salty sea air before heavier aromas of tarry ropes,…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Royal Brackla (Highland), 9 years.

“The nose was slightly unusual – not the vanilla custard, cereal notes, fruit pastes or white pepper and candied fennel seed warmth, but hair styling wax and eucalyptus…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Royal Brackla (Highland), 12 years.

“We remarked on the shiny auburn colour as one panellist dreamed of driving an original Porsche 911, complete with leather upholstery, wooden dashboard and steering wheel…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Glentauchers (Speyside), 19 years.

“A freshly baked soft, fluffy and slightly sweet slice of braided yeast bread (Hefezopf or challah) topped with sugar crystals and sliced nuts spread with butter – a…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Ardmore (Highland), 23 years.

“Limited to 1 per member We nosed clean, tantalising wood smoke and honey, ice-cream in a garden and paella or Sunday roast savouriness.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Blair Athol (Highland), 15 years.

“Limited to 1 bottle per member After twelve years in ex-bourbon wood we transferred this into a charred second-fill red wine barrique.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Balblair (Highland), 13 years.

“Limited to 2 bottles per member A nose full of ripe bananas and pears carried us towards salted caramel and treacle with a little side hustle of heavy cask char and…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Ben Nevis (Highland), 9 years.

“Initially strawberries and cream arrived with tinned sugar syrup and chewy nougat, however following close behind were deeper aromas of tea leaves, tobacco and nut skins.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

“Limited to 2 bottles per member The nose led to a garden – sunshine, cut grass, a fruit bowl (with nectarines, tangerines and bananas) and tea served with honey on…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Glencadam (Highland), 10 years.

“Limited to 2 per member We opened a bag of Thai sweet chilli almonds, cashew nuts and chickpeas as we baked kumquat pistachio brown butter tea cakes.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

“Limited to 2 per member The nose gave us engineer’s overalls, canvas tool-bags, antique wooden furniture, treacle toffee, humbugs, ginger biscuits and paprika sprinkled…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Fettercairn (Highland), 10 years.

“The aroma neat reminded us of banana loaf, sticky toffee pudding, rhubarb crumble and peach cobbler while on the palate, a big sweet oaky hit at first followed by a…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Fettercairn (Highland), 32 years.

“Limited to 1 per member The nose evokes a mansion house – sitting in a leather wingback armchair with Turkish delight and chocolate toffees on a mahogany table with…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Strathmill (Speyside), 14 years.

“The aroma reminded us of a Vermouth from Jerez based on a blend of Amontillado and PX Sherry and of course with the addition of herbs, fruits and of course, wormwood.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Braeval (Braes of Glenlivet) (Speyside), 10 years.

“A rich aroma of sandalwood aftershave, fresh linens in a warm cupboard, summery forest air, trampled dandelions and sunflower seeds popping in a hot iron pan.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Loch Lomond (Croftengea) (Highland), 7 years.

“Plenty going on; banana and coconut cream, pear drops and peach, white chocolate, but then also hand churned butter, coppers from your trouser pocket.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Penderyn (Wales), 9 years.

“The initial nose brought to mind mint chewing gum, dipped in bramble cassis and smooshed into a jar of high ester rum.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Nantou (Taiwan), 6 years.

“The cask had the upper hand here initially we thought.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

“Limited to 2 bottles per member What is this?…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

“Limited to 1 bottle per member A lovely initial aroma that evoked tobacco pouches and ester-rich exotic fruits.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

“A robust and toasty aroma that incorporated buttery shortbread, caramelised oatmeal, brown toast and thick cut sticky malt loaf.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

“FLAVOUR HUNTERS VIRTUAL TASTING Join our Flavour Hunters Festival at home with our virtual tasting event - the grand finale of what is sure to be an outstanding month of…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS