SMWS releases — September 2023

In short · Glenlivet (Speyside), 16 years.

“Forget tea and biscuits, we were dunking madeira cake in red wine and tearing open a waxed paper bag full of raisins.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

“The aroma brought to the Panel's collective mind swimming pools, plasters, celery salt, kimchi and lime juice.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Highland Park (Islands), 18 years.

“What an intoxicating scent – scallops and mackerel barbecued on a peat-fired grill, crumpets made with burnt honey butter, and creamy sea-salted caramel fudge.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Highland Park (Islands), 19 years.

“We prepared a cullen skink with lightly smoked fish, while barbecuing lobster tails as well as New York-style hot dog sausages.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Macduff (Highland), 16 years.

“Newspapers sat in a tray of treacle that soaked up the news as a glass of port was poured nearby.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Macduff (Highland), 13 years.

“This one displayed an immediate and very attractive richness.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Glen Grant (Speyside), 27 years.

“The initial aroma was both rich and beautifully finessed by time and the various cask influences.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Tomatin (Highland), 8 years.

“The sumptuous aroma suggested tinned peaches in syrup, orchard fruits baked in honey and cupboard spices including nutmeg, clove and allspice.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · BenRiach (Speyside), 12 years.

“The nose suggested French toast with cinnamon and maple syrup, "cowboy boots trampling blood oranges", dried fruits, honey on straw and balsamic glaze – wonderfully…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Dalmore (Highland), 10 years.

“Seduced by baked pineapple rings, hazelnut praline and key lime pie, we fell deep into a world of cinnamon sticks, orange oils and nutmeg.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Glenturret (Highland), 11 years.

“Light notes of fino sherry and white wine blended with meaty beef jerky, apricots and lumps of turf beside an old tree stump.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Glen Moray (Speyside), 27 years.

“The aroma was intoxicating and exhilarating.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

“Fresh and fragrant aromas embarked on a journey through citrus, rose gardens and wild strawberries before arriving at raspberry jelly topped with rainbow-coloured candy…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Linkwood (Speyside), 13 years.

“The nose had us floating euphorically on magic carpets of apple blossom, mango, manuka honey and floral aromatherapy oils.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Dailuaine (Speyside), 13 years.

“The nose plays with notes of grilled pineapple, candied olives and a hint of elderberry and fresh herbs.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Dailuaine (Speyside), 17 years.

“The nose suggested brown sugar on roasted peach, raisins, salted caramel and manuka honey, with a slightly funky edge of liquorice and antiquarian bookshops.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Dailuaine (Speyside), 12 years.

“For nine years this was in a seasoned oloroso butt, before being transferred into a butt which had previously been used in a bodega solera system.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Craigellachie (Speyside), 20 years.

“At first nosing we found heather honey, menthol tobaccos, aged sweet wines and old leather, plus mineral oil, sultanas, rancio and dark honey.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Caol Ila (Islay), 9 years.

“Opening the door of the shack we are met with the smell of burning wood in the fireplace, burnt sugar and plate of smoked maple syrup cared bacon.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

“The nose evoked memories of gathering amber on the Baltic coast and peat smoke drifting through an Islay village, plus crispy bacon and lemon squeezed over grilled fish.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Mannochmore (Speyside), 11 years.

“A swashbuckling start, with preserved lemons and black olives on the nose, and a light herbal undercurrent; golden sultanas and a whiff of bitter orange.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Ardmore (Highland), 32 years.

“Sticky heather honey and sauternes dessert wine were the base into which we blended tobacco leaves, sandalwood shavings and a trickle of pine sap.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

“The nose was a rich bounty of toffee apples, cinnamon buns, pecan pie and cherry marzipan cake, before a flamenco vibe of polished boots on wine-splashed floorboards.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Glenburgie (Speyside), 13 years.

“We found ourselves strolling through a late summer orchard, such was the wood and fresh fruit vibe on the nose, although this was complicated by honey and candy…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Aultmore (Speyside), 11 years.

“We imagined grilling ripe peaches until they were perfectly caramelised, then seasoning them with butter, brown sugar and cinnamon.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

“The neat nose suggested cherry distillate, then lanolin, salted milk chocolate, dry-roasted peanuts and hessian.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Glen Elgin (Speyside), 16 years.

“Cherry sweets, marzipan and raspberry ripple ice cream merged with toasted marshmallows and pencil shavings while we dipped freshly baked bread into melted milk…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Auchroisk (Speyside), 15 years.

“A very sweet, summery, floral breeze wafted over us on a hot day as we sat in the shade enjoying cotton candy, sweet popcorn and spaghetti ice cream – noodle-shaped…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Strathmill (Speyside), 13 years.

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

In short · Loch Lomond (Inchmurrin / Inchmoan) (Highland), 9 years.

“I'll have the chardonnay-butterscotch sauce to go with my mature cheddar and dried apricots please.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Loch Lomond (Croftengea) (Highland), 9 years.

“The nose gave a real blast of the outdoors – hay, heather and honeysuckle, elderflower, nettles and mint – along with honey, dried pineapple, pain au chocolat and a…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Penderyn (Wales), 8 years.

“Plenty of fruit on the neat nose – strawberry jam, wine gums, apple pie and preserved pears as well as cherry liqueur.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · St. George’s (The English Whisky Co.) (England), 9 years.

“We imagined dicing fresh green apples on a bamboo chopping board in a wood-carving workshop with the aromas of pine sap, sawdust and wood glue filling the air.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Nantou (Taiwan), 4 years.

“We imagined walking through a pine forest with that typical herbal and refreshing scent which immediately puts a smile on one’s face.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · MGP (Midwest Grain Products) (Indiana, USA), 5 years.

“Time for a pie as we all became very hungry.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Loch Lomond (Rhosdhu) (Highland), 12 years.

“Skipping through meadows after rain, we found yellow plums in baskets, waxed lemons, citrus sweets in paper bags and danish pastries with apricot, custard and icing.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · New York Distilling Co. (New York, USA), 7 years.

“A fruity and sugary aroma greeted the panel with vanilla, ripe bananas, apple strudel and Demerara sugar which was followed on the palate by everything nice, sweet and…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS