SMWS releases — April 2024

In short · Highland Park (Islands), 12 years.

“The smell of a sweet, elegant and gentle smoke permeated the room like a burning candle infused with fragrances of orange, cinnamon and clove.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

“Tart and sweet, the nose gave us toffee popcorn, apricot flan and tinned mandarins with custard, golden grapes shrivelling on the vine and cranachan components…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Glen Moray (Speyside), 32 years.

“We entered into a molecular gastronomy experience; the welcome drink was a test tube combining orange liqueur, pink peppercorn, smoked mince pie, birch sap, spiced mead…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Benrinnes (Speyside), 16 years.

“A sweet-savoury treat, as rapeseed oil was applied to an old leather belt, alongside alum block, refried beans and lemon drizzle cake.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Linkwood (Speyside), 10 years.

“Delightful aromas of almond croissants, digestive biscuits and vanilla combined with burnt toffee coated with custard powder, lemon sherbet and fine oak sawdust.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Linkwood (Speyside), 8 years.

“A sweet, malty, musky perfumed and oriental woody aroma joined by a very boozy apple pie and a mug of gunfire (black tea with rum) made us a little mindful before…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Dailuaine (Speyside), 17 years.

“The exuberant aroma ranged from yeast extract on burnt toast and spicy gingerbread cookies to a full-bodied shiraz and, finally, beef jerky.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Craigellachie (Speyside), 18 years.

“On the nose we found jammy fruits, nuts and candle wax mixed with wet paint and cream. The palate gave us Christmas: cinnamon, oranges, cloves and chocolate, with…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Balmenach (Speyside), 9 years.

“The nose enticed us with superficial sweet charms – candy cigarettes, banana chips, brown sugar and dried fruits – but we also detected cereal notes (muesli, sacks of…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Balmenach (Speyside), 12 years.

“Sweet memories of walking for hours on deserted beaches, the cool sea breeze touching our warm cheeks as we share a bag of saltwater taffy.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Mannochmore (Speyside), 13 years.

“This felt like a basket full of enticing aromas: juicy ripe red berries, marzipan fruits, cinder toffee and rumkugeln (German rum balls) made with rich melted chocolate…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Ardmore (Highland), 15 years.

“After 12 years in ex-bourbon wood, we introduced this to a first fill Spanish oak oloroso hogshead.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

“We were transported to the region of Montilla-Moriles in Andalucia where we laid grapes on straw mats to dry in the sun, referred to as the soleo process.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

“Our hosts welcomed us on board with croissants filled with almond paste, covered in icing sugar and presented on a hay bale.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Auchroisk (Speyside), 10 years.

“We entered a flower shop where plenty of bouquets for that day's weddings were being prepared before we had, in the back room, a scoop of buttermilk, brown sugar and rye…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Domaine d’Espérance (France).

“A potpourri of aromas greeted the Panel – cherry chocolate fondant, powder puffs, cinnamon, white pepper, ginger, mace and resinous wood.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · FEW Spirits (Illinois, USA).

“Like most celebrations, it all started in a mature and grown-up fashion with fresh fennel, dill and coriander seeds leading to the acquired bitterness of pine sap, then…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · MGP (Midwest Grain Products) (Indiana, USA), 6 years.

“Plenty of coconut on the nose neat, desiccated, cream, chocolate and flowering gorse with its distinctive smell of coconut and vanilla.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

“Spring time, walking through the sea buckthorn tunnel to the beach in East Lothian, munching digestive biscuits – the sea breeze hits you on its way to the fields of…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Glasgow Distillery Company (Lowland), 1 years.

“Well all agreed this one possessed a super-fresh aroma that included citronella candles, lemon sorbet and citrus-scented washing powders.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Demerara Distillers (El Dorado) (Guyana), 18 years.

“Sticky fruits tumbled towards us like an avalanche of mangos in syrup, strawberry jelly and pineapple marinated with cloves and star anise.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

“Set out on a rich, warming journey to the heart of Spain’s sherry triangle, with a selection of our expertly chosen sherry cask-matured delights.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS