SMWS releases — November 2022

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

“At six years of age, we combined selected casks from this distillery and then returned the single malt into a variety of casks to develop.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

“A beautiful and richly satisfying nose we thought.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Glen Grant (Speyside), 18 years.

“Mellow fruits flood the nose with interest and enchantment – pears, plums, peaches, banana liqueur and sherbet lemons; then evasive hints of hazelnuts and sesame seeds…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Bunnahabhain (Islay), 7 years.

“We thought the peat and sherry were singing in beautiful close harmony with this one.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · BenRiach (Speyside), 12 years.

“This felt immediately ‘on the edge of your seat stuff’ – like a pulse-pounding thriller, think of Hitchcock (Vertigo, Psycho or Rear Window) or the short stories of…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Glen Garioch (Highland), 19 years.

“Sweet aromas of mango, coconut and milk chocolate brought a tropical smile as we discovered peach yoghurt and brandy snaps.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Macallan (Speyside), 33 years.

“A deep russet hue led us straight into an autumn landscape with aromas of polished horse chestnuts, rosehip, birch branches, prunes, dates and figs.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Tullibardine (Highland), 10 years.

“The nose combined sweet fruitiness (tinned fruit salad, Black Forest gateau, stewed plums in custard) with nutty, woody aromas (peanut shells, nougat, coconut snowball,…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Tullibardine (Highland), 9 years.

“Limited to 1 bottle per member We came in from the cold, waxed jackets tossed on the mahogany table, woollen slippers on, fire lit – and enjoyed a feast of lemon puffs,…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

“We all enjoyed this gentle nose, which ranged from carnations and cherry blossom fragrance to fruit salad chews, melon, green grapes and candied plums, with pale hints…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Benrinnes (Speyside), 12 years.

“Limited to 1 bottle per member An inviting aroma of dark cherries, marzipan, plum pudding and bramble jam while in the background a note of Black Forest kirsch salami.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Benrinnes (Speyside), 15 years.

“Thirteen years in ex-bourbon wood preceded final maturation in a first fill American oak PX hogshead.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Caperdonich (Speyside), 25 years.

“We all got apples on the neat nose – apple blossom, polished apples, cider-baked apples, apple-flavoured shisha tobacco and an apple storage cellar.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Linkwood (Speyside), 10 years.

“We imagined preparing a carrot, tomato and beetroot salad with a few strands of coriander and fenugreek leaves, drizzled with fresh lemon juice.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Linkwood (Speyside), 10 years.

“Fresh aromas brought the vibrancy of green apples, menthol sweets and lemon garnish on a citrus cocktail while sweet aromas of apple blossom, creme brûlée and toasted…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Dailuaine (Speyside), 15 years.

“Limited to 2 per member Pomegranate and orange merged with dried apricots and raisins before heavier aromas of manuka honey, cocoa nibs and molasses mixed with strong…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Glenlossie (Speyside), 15 years.

“Some lovely, classically sherried qualities were immediately apparent upon first nosing – lots of brown bread, treacle, walnuts, damp leaf mulch and cocoa powder.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Balmenach (Speyside), 8 years.

“Limited to 2 bottles per member Lifted aromas of intense peppermint wafted over sweet caramel and geraniums beside the potting shed at the bottom of the garden.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

“Limited to 1 bottle per member We played on the beach – buckets, spades, wet towels, bonfire, frankfurters and lobster – when a mermaid emerged dripping from the water,…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Caol Ila (Islay), 13 years.

“We got a wealth of mentholated peat smoke at first nosing, then olive brine, pickling juices, cornichons drenched in natural tar resin and fir wood smouldering on a…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Strathisla (Speyside), 15 years.

“Limited to 1 bottle per member Baked bananas and pineapple combined with cinnamon butter, toasted pine nuts and vanilla in an old dunnage warehouse along with casks of…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Glentauchers (Speyside), 20 years.

“Limited to 2 bottles per member Fragrant aromas of apple blossom, banana and heather honey combined with ripe pineapple, nougat and sweet bourbon whiskey.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Ardmore (Highland), 9 years.

“Limited to 1 bottle per member Refined aromas gathered heather, orange blossom and croissants around burning gorse, bacon-flavoured crisps and salted ham served with…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Ardmore (Highland), 24 years.

“Imagine warm, comfortable handknit mohair slippers, a pipe and a leather-bound book next to an open fire - a cliché you might say but if that is the case, why not write…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

“Limited to 1 bottle per member At first we noticed the beautiful colour, like a perfectly groomed Irish setter.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Blair Athol (Highland), 13 years.

“Limited to 2 bottles per member A wonderful black walnut gloss colour greeted the Panel.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Glenburgie (Speyside), 14 years.

“Limited to 2 bottles per member Our eyes lit up as soon as we smelled the aroma of vanilla-flavoured scones with fresh strawberries and a big dollop of cream.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Ben Nevis (Highland), 8 years.

“We cooked a lentil stew and a Scotch broth using barley, stewed cuts of lamb, root vegetables and dried pulses.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Glen Spey (Speyside), 11 years.

“Limited to 1 bottle per member Bold aromas of burnt caramel, red liquorice and cherry jam mixed with the more savoury elements of Mediterranean herbs, sandalwood and…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Glendullan (Speyside), 12 years.

“Lots of clean and spicy cask influence in this one.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Dufftown (Speyside), 12 years.

“The dram fairy had been flitting around the room cleaning and polishing furniture – as a reward she got purple jelly beans, a sugar lump and some lemon tonic.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

“Limited to 1 bottle per member This multiplex nose included milk chocolate melted in a farmer’s waxed jacket pocket, Camp coffee with chicory, sherbet lemons and…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

“Limited to 2 bottles per member Evocative harbour aromas of smoked seafood platters and samphire mingling with farmyard tractors with hints of first aid kits and funky…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Fettercairn (Highland), 11 years.

In short · Auchroisk (Speyside), 14 years.

“The nose neat was bursting with vanilla, custard tart, blackberry and lemon fool as well as crème brûlée warmed on a sun-baked terrace after a leisurely lunch on the…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Auchroisk (Speyside), 14 years.

“The neat nose had the dark sweetness of a coffee chocolate liqueur and mocha Tia Maria truffles, as well as honey roasted carrots and parsnips.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Auchroisk (Speyside), 16 years.

“A German proverb says literally “the cherries in the neighbour’s garden always taste sweeter” (the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence).…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

“Some of the panellists compared the smell to a first aid kit, burning twigs, marmite, and a smelting plant while others described the aroma somewhat differently with…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Loch Lomond (Inchmurrin / Inchmoan) (Highland), 12 years.

“Limited to 1 bottle per member The nose opened with dry earth and parchment paper with the feel of dusty leather.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

“Initially we noted sweetened porridge, deep, syrupy orchard fruitiness, honey on Madeira cake and passion fruit mousse.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Penderyn (Wales), 7 years.

“A slightly more delicate vibe than usual from this typically highly fruity and expressive distillery.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

“Certainly unusual, maybe even disputatious.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Nantou (Taiwan), 6 years.

“The initial nose showed charred wood embers, dried seaweed, boot polish, salted liquorice and marzipan.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · West Cork Distillers (Ireland), 7 years.

“Coconut oil and polished oak beckoned us towards rosemary, basil and thyme while butterscotch and strawberries combined with nutmeg and allspice.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Shelter Point (Canada), 10 years.

“The saloon doors burst open and in strode the satsuma sheriff accompanied by a posse of papaya, dried banana and the cocoa nib kid.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Domaine de Cavaillon (France).

“We were handed a bouquet of roses, dark red with soft and velvety petals, with the most deliciously heavy scent – think warm, rich chocolate combined with balsamic and…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Heaven Hill Distillery (Kentucky, USA), 12 years.

“Aromas of pure temptation bound bags of toffee, butterscotch and cinnamon rolls with the sweet wood of a carpenter’s workbench and toasty bakery notes.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Cambus (Lowland), 31 years.

“An initial nose that suggested toasty and polished oak, serrano ham, waxed canvass, tea tree oil and aged demerara rum.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Holyrood Distillery (Lowland), 1 years.

“At first nosing we found it to be on the sweeter side with fruit pastilles and pink marshmallow.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

“Already award-winning, J.G.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

“Already award-winning, J.G.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS