SMWS releases — June 2023

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

“Smoked lime skins and burning heather complemented fresh thyme and dill served on crab meat, anchovies and brine-soaked olives, finished with a squeeze of lemon.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Auchentoshan (Lowland), 19 years.

“Croissants coated with raspberry and strawberry jam were served on a driftwood platter with Turkish delight, lime jelly and oak sawdust.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Auchentoshan (Lowland), 19 years.

“Our noses encountered gentle sweetness (spun sugar, fudge, marshmallows dipped in chocolate, and caramel cups with nougat, caramel and a hazelnut, topped with a…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Macduff (Highland), 16 years.

“At first we got juicy, booze-soaked sultanas and raisins.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Macduff (Highland), 13 years.

“A complex and rather robust neat nose brought aromas of pineapple chunks in a rum and demerara sugar dressing and the earthy sweetness of honey-roasted root vegetables.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Longmorn (Speyside), 12 years.

“An assortment of juicy fruits, encouraged by enthusiastic nectarine and lemon, welcomed the floral aromas of potpourri with open arms and a hint of sticky wood resin.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Longmorn (Speyside), 11 years.

“The sweet, woody fragrance of pencil shavings combined with vanilla sponge cake, cherry sweets and coconut, like a treasure trove in a lunchbox.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Glen Grant (Speyside), 17 years.

“A rainbow of fruit arched over us, scattering delightful aromas of citrus, juicy mango, pineapple and soft fruit compote; also honey, caramel, condensed milk and vanilla.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

“A picture developed on the neat nose.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Glen Grant (Speyside), 15 years.

“Raw sugar cane was served on a bed of cold raisins, topped with a hessian sack soaked in mango pulp.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Bunnahabhain (Islay), 9 years.

“First up, the Panellists were served a cocktail of cold smoked plums, cherries, unsalted peanuts and seared venison wrapped in wax paper.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · BenRiach (Speyside), 11 years.

“Initial comments on the nose neat were all ‘green’, as in grassy, hedgerows, moss-like and eucalyptus but then descriptors of toasted lemons, honey glazed walnuts and…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Glenturret (Highland), 9 years.

“Bewilderingly peaty at first nosing.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Glenturret (Highland), 9 years.

“A dusty gravel path, with encroaching heaths and heathers, was being dusted with the ash from a nearby smokehouse.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Inchgower (Speyside), 15 years.

“In the depths of a fathomless cavern we found walnuts, hazelnuts and ginger biscuits lurking among blankets of soft chamois leather, planks of polished mahogany and…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Glen Garioch (Highland), 20 years.

“We topped mascarpone with orange zest and dark cherries seasoned with cracked black pepper before spreading it on brown packing paper.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Clynelish (Highland), 10 years.

“The nose was a comforting cascade of orchard fruits and citric sunshine – including tutti frutti, toffee apples, peaches, orange peel; rhubarb rock and sherbet lemons in…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Tullibardine (Highland), 10 years.

“On the neat nose there were plenty of fruits to start with – pineapples, bananas, strawberries and apple pie.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

“Orange fondant was smothered in black chocolate, and adorned with tayberries and icing sugar.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

“The immediate nose gave dry grass and hessian – then honey cake, fudge and popping candy sweetness arrived, slowly overtaken by fruity notes (raspberry ripple,…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

“Aromatic notes of banana sweets, fermenting apples and blackcurrant jam on rice pudding joined green aromas of cut grass, pine wood and gorse flowers with a hint of earl…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

“The neat nose showed all the trademarks of a Spanish oak cask, with macadamia and brazil nuts, raisins, figs, prunes, dates, brown sugar, molasses and leather.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Benrinnes (Speyside), 13 years.

“Familiar and comforting aromas of toasted oak and pencil shavings wove their way through lush green grass towards a surprising burst of redcurrants and pineapple slices…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Linkwood (Speyside), 11 years.

“We lobbed plums into the spice cupboard before faceplanting into a Victoria sponge.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Linkwood (Speyside), 10 years.

“On the neat nose, a heady combination of delicate almond blossom, shea butter, honey and coconut oil aromas next to balsa and sandalwood, plus fresh tea leaves.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Dailuaine (Speyside), 15 years.

“A hot saw blade ripped its way through new oak, leaving behind scorched wood.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Craigellachie (Speyside), 16 years.

“The neat nose suggested emulsion paints, blackcurrant jam, brown bread spread with treacle and curious notes of mint sauce, dark chocolate and walnut wine.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Craigellachie (Speyside), 16 years.

“A variety of aromas were mentioned – sun-dried raisins, honey-roasted gammon, and barbecued pork spare ribs, plus a French polished writing bureau, new leather shoes and…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Balmenach (Speyside), 16 years.

“We could tell straight away this was a heavier and oilier type of distillate.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

“The Panellists burned their plimsols at the end of term, extinguished the flames with a bucket of tar and camouflaged the resulting mess with seaweed, heather and salted…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

“After 13 years, this was re-racked from ex-bourbon wood into a first fill Spanish oak oloroso hogshead.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Strathisla (Speyside), 12 years.

“We were first served a smoothie of fried plantain, birch sap and cotton candy, with a squeeze of lemon juice.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Strathisla (Speyside), 11 years.

“Tinned peaches blended with single cream, salted peanuts and eucalyptus, plus lemon verbena and pink peppercorns.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Aberfeldy (Highland), 9 years.

“We imagined that we had just finished the spring cleaning – having vacuumed and shampooed the carpets, polished the furniture, and cleaned the windows and the linoleum…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Mannochmore (Speyside), 11 years.

“Feeling the funk, we boogied through allspice apple pies, dried lemon peel and hard boiled sweets on a dancefloor of rum-soaked sawdust.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

“The nose gave us sherry trifle and armagnac-soaked prunes, apple tart, apricot jam and muscovado, with hints of curry spice.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Balblair (Highland), 14 years.

“A new leather jacket was soaking in olive oil.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Balblair (Highland), 14 years.

“The nose suggested various things – flowering shrubs, new suede, beach balls and suntan lotion, burnt toffee, Edinburgh rock, salt and chilli on pineapple and flambéed…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Balblair (Highland), 33 years.

“We were transported to the Amalfi coast in Italy, sitting at an outside café as we enjoyed the warm sunshine and an espresso romano, combining a coffee shot with a…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Glenburgie (Speyside), 9 years.

“Wonderful warming and comforting aromas: marshmallows, cinnamon swirls, coffee and walnut cake, as well as bourbon cream biscuits, butterscotch, shortbread and fudge.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Aultmore (Speyside), 11 years.

“The nose had wafts of vanilla (vanilla ice cream, crème Catalan), milky coffee with fudge and coconut macaroons, hints of toasted almonds and a smear of lemon.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Aultmore (Speyside), 10 years.

“Apples and lemons were the theme on the nose neat, a zesty juice, muffins topped with cinnamon, apple crumble with lemon ice cream while on the palate brown butter…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Aultmore (Speyside), 10 years.

“The Panelists picked out plenty of fruity sweetness on the neat nose, with red apples, barley sugars, jelly babies and popcorn, as well as lavender and vanilla.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Ben Nevis (Highland), 10 years.

“Spirited aromas of freshly polished wood and nail varnish blended with fruit jelly sweets dipped in sherbet to give a racy zing.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

“A slab of toffee was being consumed by the soot from a volcanic eruption, joined by smouldering hay bales and a new first aid kit.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

“Aromas came at us thick and fast as spicy marmalade, hard toffee and strawberries in brown sugar ricocheted off a wax-polished mahogany table and into a glass of spiced…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Glencadam (Highland), 11 years.

“Initial nosing suggested lemon air freshener, warm milled grist, mentholated green herbs and sweet dairy vibes such as custard and condensed milk.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Glencadam (Highland), 11 years.

“Aromas of overripe bananas, pears and marzipan combined with fragrant notes of honeysuckle, cherry blossom and lavender, before lemon sponge cake was served with creamy…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

“On the nose, neat aromas of peach melba, cherry blossom, caramel-coated peanuts, sultanas and nougat were all held perfectly together by a delicate, sweet, oaky scent in…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Tomintoul (Speyside), 10 years.

“A wedge of wholemeal toast as thick as a bus featured hand paintings in butter, honey and thick-cut marmalade that depicted Stone Age apple picking and popcorn making.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

“The Panel found this one to have a highly evocative nose that brought to mind sooty coal scuttles, laundry drying by a shoreline, old beach wood and wet beach pebbles.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Fettercairn (Highland), 13 years.

“Fresh plums dipped into emulsion paint and varnished quince fruits were just two of the rather strange descriptors used when nosing neat.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Fettercairn (Highland), 14 years.

“In a fit of alchemy, we poured concentrated apple juice, plum and soy sauce on a new carpet as we simultaneously detected freshly cut grass.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Fettercairn (Highland), 14 years.

“Classic fudge walnut brownies were followed by the scent of sweet tobacco and leather, as well as sour cherries in syrup.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Auchroisk (Speyside), 15 years.

“Initial nosing suggested lightly smoky earl grey tea, the richness of bouillon stocks, myrtle, heather flowers and tea tree oils.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

“There was an exotic fruity vibe, initially with aromas of pineapple, mango and banana.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

“Initial nosing revealed a vigorous and charismatic profile that popped with peaches, cream soda, and menthol herbs such as wintergreen and myrtle, before we discovered…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Loch Lomond (Inchmurrin / Inchmoan) (Highland), 18 years.

“The aroma was that of cinnamon-spiced plum jam on hot buttered toast, teacakes and the Belgium brioche with raisins called kramiek.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Knockdhu (AnCnoc) (Speyside), 12 years.

“The nose was fresh and fragrant with the grown-up complexity of white port and manzanilla sherry mixed with potpourri, apple chutney and almond paste.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

“A precise and delightfully idiosyncratic nose, full of long-aged grappa, buffed leather, dried flowers, freshly cut garden herbs and wintergreen.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Loch Lomond (Croftengea) (Highland), 10 years.

“The scent of warm milk poured over a slice of madeira cake served in a papier-mâché bowl greeted the Panel.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Nantou (Taiwan), 4 years.

“A fascinating peaty profile suggested coal scuttles, langoustine shells in a shellfish broth, medical ointments, samphire frying in salty butter and then crushed nettles…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Copperworks Distilling Co. (Washington, USA), 3 years.

“A very calm, relaxing, and fragrant intoxicating scent of thyme, tarragon and moss as well as lavender and angelica and under fern-laden undergrowth plenty of wild mint.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Cambus (Lowland), 32 years.

“After 30 years in a bourbon hoggie, we introduced this to a heavy toast, medium char, first fill barrel.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Glasgow Distillery Company (Lowland).

“After the juniper berry essential oil used in a candle burner cleaned and purified the air, we got the scent of lemon and honey next to tiger balm and boysenberry jelly.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Holyrood Distillery (Lowland).

“At first we detected blood orange sorbet, lime zest, elderflower champagne and orange segments studded with juniper.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

“The nose instantly evoked memories of root beer, maple syrup and rum and raisin ice cream with spicy aromas of caraway, cinnamon and cumin gently evolving into bakewell…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

“Distilleries 1, 9, 8 and 3, of course, spell out the year that the Society was founded.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS