SMWS releases — March 2023

In short · Glenfarclas (Speyside), 10 years.

“We blowtorched orange segments, sprinkled them with coal dust and topped with crushed petals before storing the concoction in granny's handbag.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Auchentoshan (Lowland), 19 years.

“Surrounded by polished furniture in a stately home, we identified vanilla tablet, dolly mixtures and cinnamon toast, along with considerable fruit (passion fruit, plum…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Dalmore (Highland), 9 years.

“At first we detected golden sultanas, peach fuzz, orange muscat, shoe leather, strawberry yoghurt and mineral oils.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Glenturret (Highland), 9 years.

“The aroma recalled, for some, the cigar smoker of old watching black and white television while chomping on long stogies, and next to them a retro walnut wood ashtray.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Inchgower (Speyside), 12 years.

“After eight years in ex-bourbon wood, this spent the rest of its days in a first fill oloroso hogshead.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Laphroaig (Islay), 11 years.

“Limited to 1 Bottle per Member A fantastically pure and vividly expressive example of this Islay legend, we felt this second fill barrel left the distillate character…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Laphroaig (Islay), 27 years.

“Elegant perfumed smoke met juicy ripe tropical fruits in a near-perfect balance.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Glen Moray (Speyside), 10 years.

“Our noses got a burst of toffee, caramel, honeydew melon and syrup-soaked banana fritters, then gorse flowers in an old wooden drawer.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Benrinnes (Speyside), 16 years.

“This dram brought together influences from the cask (a second fill oloroso hogshead after 13 years in ex-bourbon wood) and from the distillery process (especially worm…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Cragganmore (Speyside), 19 years.

“Limited to 1 Bottle per Member After 15 years in ex-bourbon wood, this was introduced to an American oak first fill PX hogshead.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Linkwood (Speyside), 11 years.

“The fruity zing of fermenting grape must led into a handful of fresh raspberries bobbing about in a glass of eau de vie before fields of roses, geraniums and apple…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Craigellachie (Speyside), 10 years.

“A single salt crystal balanced atop a teaspoon of heather honey, alongside leather, butter and cask char.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Glenlossie (Speyside), 12 years.

“Upbeat and forthright aromas delivered the spiritous fragrance of perfume and vanilla sponge cake on a bed of crushed digestive biscuits and cut grass.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Balmenach (Speyside), 10 years.

“The scent reminded us of a bowl of salmorejo, that cold Spanish tomato soup, with Serrano ham and olive oil-laced croutons, before we had a sip of barley wine packed…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Caol Ila (Islay), 31 years.

“Like opening a hamper of succulent smoked shellfish, this is “the stuff that dreams are made of”, with a lot more smoke on the palate neat than expected from the nose.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Caol Ila (Islay), 31 years.

“We imagined spring cleaning a manor house the old-fashioned way.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Royal Brackla (Highland), 16 years.

““What a fabulous nose”, with aromas of roasted chestnuts, beeswax, saffron and marzipan combined with a fruit layer of raspberries soaked in orange liqueur and then…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Strathisla (Speyside), 14 years.

“At natural strength, the nose was a melange of peach, guava, plum tart, tinned mandarins and cherry stones – all sweetly swathed in a swirl of custard and buttery…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Mannochmore (Speyside), 13 years.

“Plenty of aromas left us somewhat confused as they ranged from beeswax and vanilla pods to monstera fruits and mango coulis, then finally medicinal ointments and muscle…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Ardmore (Highland), 24 years.

“We barbequed beef and fruit skewers – cubes of sirloin marinated in a mixture of orange peel, cilantro and smoked paprika alongside watermelon, peaches and mango.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

“First, we noticed lighter aromas of a paper bag filled with pick 'n' mix and a resinous, sweet, sappy scent before heavier notes of a buttoned leather armchair, pipe…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Glenburgie (Speyside), 13 years.

“Fresh aromas of green apples, gooseberries and kiwi fruit joined honey, sandalwood and the lavender fragrance of washed linen drying in the sunshine.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

“The neat nose bristled with sherry influences that suggested tangy dark-fruit chutneys, brown sauce, bruised apples, ginger wine, orange peels, mulling spices and a…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Auchroisk (Speyside), 14 years.

“A bountiful and deeply enticing nose bristled with brown sugar caramelising with vanilla pods, bananas flambéed with dessert wines, fir wood resins, myrtle and exotic…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Loch Lomond (Inchmurrin / Inchmoan) (Highland), 13 years.

“A generous pour of oaky chardonnay topped with whipped cream observed one panel member initially.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Penderyn (Wales), 8 years.

“While honeydew melon and dried apricots soaked in rum, curious aromas of extra virgin olive oil and peach yoghurt coated spicy oak.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Chichibu (Japan), 7 years.

“Limited to 1 Bottle per Member T he panel were very happy to taste an example of this cult distillate from refill wood.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Cotswolds (England), 6 years.

“This almost started a ‘rumbullion’ in the Panel – a Devonshire word meaning ‘a great tumult’.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Ardnamurchan (Highland), 6 years.

“Immediately, we were walking in pine forests, hunting mushrooms and smoking pipes; after that the nose wafted brown sugar, toasted marshmallows and clover honey, apple…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Ardnamurchan (Highland), 7 years.

“The nose had smoke from burning hay, waxed jackets, linseed oil and a trip to the seaside, with smoked mackerel and prawns on a beach barbecue.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Milk & Honey Distillery (Israel), 4 years.

“Our entrée was spiced marmalade on a wholewheat cracker before, floral and flagrant, rose petals landed on a warm hay bale.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Glasgow Distillery (Lowland), 5 years.

“We struggled to light our beach bonfire, but eventually the smoke was massive, with medicinal elements (menthol, clove and carbolic), sizzling birch twigs and flaming…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · FEW Spirits (Illinois, USA), 5 years.

““Wow, what a nose” and “turn up that dial” were just two of many comments nosing neat.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

“Our latest blended malt is comprised of malt whiskies from the islands of Islay & Orkney.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS