SMWS releases — July 2022

In short · Glenfarclas (Speyside), 10 years.

“A playful nose – wedding cake, bucks fizz and melon boats, then a jogger runs past, wearing perfume and new trainers and chewing bubblegum.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

“A traipse along the shoreline with coastal greenery, white flowers, chalky pebbles and flint smoke.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Longmorn (Speyside), 12 years.

“The nose – well, ‘two roads diverged in a yellow wood’ – chocolate Swiss roll, Demerara, parma violets and cherries with crème anglaise to the left – and bran flakes,…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Glen Grant (Speyside), 14 years.

“Right from the start we were all under a spell.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Glenturret (Highland), 8 years.

“Did someone throw oranges and/or fir tree branches onto the bonfire?…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Tullibardine (Highland), 9 years.

“An inviting and rather 'grown up' aroma at first, full of clove spiced honey, peanut brittle, boiled butterscotch sweets and things like menthol tobacco, apricot…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

“Aromas of autumn leaves and plum skins led us towards kirsch before morphing into Armagnac and finally spicy rye whisky.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Caperdonich (Speyside), 25 years.

“Warm and salty sea air brought with it the fragrance of coconut and almond oil as we sat sipping hibiscus tea, cranberry juice and chewing dried apricots.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Linkwood (Speyside), 10 years.

“A soft and creamy aroma reminded the panel of fresh fluffy towels washed in fabric softener, marigold and comfrey hand cream as well as Chantilly cream and peaches.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Balmenach (Speyside), 11 years.

“After nine years in ex-bourbon wood we transferred this into a first-fill American oak PX hogshead.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

“We all felt we couldn’t get any closer to the naked truth of what that spirit was like - savoury aromas of fresh extra virgin olive oil infused with smoky olive wood…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Caol Ila (Islay), 30 years.

“A haunting and evocative nose that brimmed with undulating and soft notes of seawater, green olives, red diesel, mercurochrome, Fisherman's Friends, eucalyptus throat…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

“An almost bashful aroma on the neat nose, reluctant to draw attention to itself.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Mannochmore (Speyside), 12 years.

“An intriguing medicinal note to start with, which was followed by a delicate wood smoke like roasting marshmallows over a campfire.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Imperial (Speyside), 30 years.

“Limited to 1 per member Nosing this one neat one of the panellists was reminded of the line “it washed away in a tide of longing” from the song “In the shadow of our…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Ardmore (Highland), 14 years.

“Two forces collide here: the rugged distillate with the richly fruited sherry.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Blair Athol (Highland), 14 years.

“We imagined poaching pears in a red wine sauce as well as preparing a cranberry, orange and Port reduction enjoyed over turkey or with cheese.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Aultmore (Speyside), 10 years.

“The nose delivered an uplifting vibe – we imagined shafts of sunlight playing through fluffy clouds onto heathery hillsides sloping down to the springtime machair and…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Strathmill (Speyside), 11 years.

“A rich and earthy aroma up front, one which incorporated honey roast parsnips, mead, cherry bakewell tart, chopped hazelnuts, ground ginger, green peppercorns and red…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

“We could smell a floral fragrant peat smoke with some marshmallow dust while we threw a couple of pinecones into the fire, closed our eyes and heard the crackling.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Loch Lomond (Inchmurrin / Inchmoan) (Highland), 10 years.

“There was an autumnal feel to the nose – roasting chestnuts, pumpkin pie with cinnamon, clove-studded orange and gingerbread men – but some confectionery too (foamy…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

“A curious nose – dried marigolds and plum sauce, banana loaf, caramel candies and toffee popcorn, then Beech-nut chewing gum and cigars in a barber shop.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

“Immediately massive and 'in yer face'!…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Nantou (Taiwan), 6 years.

“We found a rich and enticing aroma full of spiced rosewater, red chilli, treacle pudding and red liquorice.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS