SMWS releases — August 2023

In short · Glenfarclas (Speyside), 11 years.

“Society founder Pip Hills is marking the 40th anniversary of the club he formed with an updated edition of his book Maverick – The Founder’s Tale , which covers…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

“We opened an old library book, each page having been gently buttered by a toast obsessive.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Linkwood (Speyside), 16 years.

“Butter melted into toasted malt loaf before marmalade was spread like orange tarmac on a highway to charred mango, mixed spices and forests of resinous exotic woods.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Dailuaine (Speyside), 15 years.

“The nose was a journey from Dundee (Dundee cake, linoleum) to France (brandy snaps), and from Spain (sherry trifle) to Madeira (sweet wine) and the USA (butter pecan…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Craigellachie (Speyside), 20 years.

“The nose had honey and nut cornflakes, sticky buns, moist gingerbread and peanut brittle, orange boxes and cherry cola in a leather shoe.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Glenlossie (Speyside), 13 years.

“After nine years in ex-bourbon wood, this spent further time in a first-fill American oak PX hogshead.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Balmenach (Speyside), 11 years.

“The nose seemed playful and confectional – jelly and fruit chews, tooty frooties and foam shrimps, plus some tropical fruits (papaya, mango etc) – and there was even a…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

“A deep, kippery smokiness greeted the Panel at first nosing.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Aberfeldy (Highland), 9 years.

“Hot buttered toast was topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, butterscotch sauce and rapeseed oil infused with lemon peel and Seville orange.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Glentauchers (Speyside), 20 years.

“Elegant aromas presented white chocolate, cherry blossom and tokaji dessert wine alongside soft marzipan on a vanilla sponge cake and apple crumble served with creamy…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Glentauchers (Speyside), 21 years.

“A gorgeously 'complete' and old-style profile we agreed at first nosing, with lots of bubblegum, fir sap, banana split, lemon posset, crystallised exotic fruits, mango…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Ardmore (Highland), 15 years.

“The generous and vibrant nose brimmed with smoked honey, hessian, sacks of freshly malted barley, malt extract and milky darjeeling tea.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Blair Athol (Highland), 9 years.

“A cascade of pineapples, mango and roasted red apples tumbled through a layer of sticky honey before becoming entrenched in creamy yoghurt.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Glenburgie (Speyside), 13 years.

“Initially elusive, the nose suggested grassy notes or new pencils in a tin box – then more character emerged, with jam tarts, caramel wafers and rum-flambéed banana with…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Miltonduff (Speyside), 14 years.

“We dunked French fries into vanilla and caramel milkshake as the assembled company spread ripe plums, crème brûlée and Black Forest gâteau on to burnt toast.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Deanston (Highland), 11 years.

“The fresh scents of pine needles combined with dry straw as we tucked into our picnic of marmalade sandwiches, wild strawberries and creamy crème brulee.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Glencadam (Highland), 12 years.

“What a lovely nose – pear drops, jelly tots, lemon bonbons and potpourri; fresh pineapple on wooden boards and piña coladas at sunset, somewhere exotic.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Tomintoul (Speyside), 10 years.

“We found this one immediately very honeyed with big notes of malt extract, treacle tart and golden cinnamon breakfast cereals.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Fettercairn (Highland), 12 years.

“Rich and buttery aromas suggested shortbread and digestive biscuits while maple syrup mixed with cinnamon, nutmeg and caramel wafers.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Auchroisk (Speyside), 15 years.

“Nosing cowboy boots, saddles and wood, our Panellists were line dancing in the Deadwood saloon before eating sugared almonds, marzipan and custard pastries.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · GlenDronach (Highland), 15 years.

“Someone, somewhere, was poaching orange slices in milk with smoked rosemary, the aromas drifting past as we opened up the sauna to inhale tea tree, hot coal must and…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Braeval (Braes of Glenlivet) (Speyside), 13 years.

“The nose opened slowly to honey, caramel-flavoured chocolate bars, sugar cane and straw – then blossomed into a repast of wild boar with redcurrant jelly, peaches in…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Penderyn (Wales), 7 years.

“A vibrant, dark ruby colour was followed by the warm scent of black cherries, bergamot, red berries and almonds.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

“Having dipped orange segments in molten sugar, we tossed them in soot and lemon zest.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

“The aromas were heady and invigorating, like a cleansing wave of eucalyptus and wintergreen crashing over the rockpools of your mind, displacing memories of brown sugar,…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · George Dickel (Cascade Hollow) (Tennessee, USA), 7 years.

“The nose brimmed with dark orange peel, rye bread spices, bitter marmalade with coriander seed, and heavier notes of warm strop leather, furniture polish, face cream and…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · George Dickel (Cascade Hollow) (Tennessee, USA), 6 years.

“We imagined walking among grapes which were being sun-dried on straw mats, a process known as "soleo" in Spain.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Cambus (Lowland), 32 years.

“A prosperity of pears and a poverty of peppercorns opened the nose – quickly superseded by chocolate flakes in ice cream cones, maple pecan danish, caramel, coffee cake…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Holyrood Distillery (Lowland).

“An evocative, floral lavender aroma at first followed by a sweet citrus and vanilla scent reminding some of a twister ice lolly while others poured themselves a…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS