SMWS releases — June 2024

In short · Bowmore (Islay), 20 years.

“In the shade of the pier a heather honey-glazed lobster sizzled on the barbecue.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Highland Park (Islands), 13 years.

“We began by serving honey-glazed gorgonzola baked on a charred pine plank and decorated with fresh mackerel and toasted marshmallows.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Auchentoshan (Lowland), 12 years.

“The panel found this to be an entertaining nose, studded with dates, cloves and nutmeg, with underlying aromas that suggested hessian, putty and prunes in syrup.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Macduff (Highland), 16 years.

“After 13 years in ex-bourbon wood this was enhanced in a first fill American oak PX hogshead.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

“The shy nose peeped out from behind haystacks, wearing dried flower garlands and smiled upon us with a sunny exposition of banana split, lemon curd, honey cake and…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · BenRiach (Speyside), 10 years.

“A lovely take on this typically very fruity make, with a lighter-touch second fill cask.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Inchgower (Speyside), 15 years.

“At first we got initial notes of Jamaica ginger cake, cedarwood cigar boxes, liquorice, pipe tobacco and damp dunnage funkiness.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Glen Garioch (Highland), 19 years.

“An alluring arrangement of roses, carnations and coconuts welcomed the senses before layers of milk chocolate, gooseberries and resinous pine needles began to build…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Tullibardine (Highland), 8 years.

“The nose delighted us with lashings of limoncello, sherbet and verbena, plentiful pear drops, green apples in a basket and musty-dusty hay barns.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

“An easy and immediately playful nose opened with juicy fruit bubblegum, pineapple cordial and pine needles.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Benrinnes (Speyside), 17 years.

“The aroma sent us into orbit with green asteroid belts (fizzy apple laces), strawberry stars and heavenly chantilly cream.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Caperdonich (Speyside), 31 years.

“In an antiquated sweet shop, jars filled with delicious treats lined the shelves, the smell of polished oak merging with scents of sour apple sherbet, peppermint toffees…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Dailuaine (Speyside), 15 years.

“We transferred this from an oloroso butt to a first fill PX butt (Spanish oak) after 10 years.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Tobermory (Islands), 15 years.

“One Panellist described the neat nose as 'quite fresh and windy' while another found themselves smoking a menthol cigarette on the deck of a boat and standing next to a…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Craigellachie (Speyside), 18 years.

“This brought back childhood memories for one Panellist of charcoal-grilled schaschlik kebab – skewers of cubed pork loin, beef, smoked bacon, peppers and courgette…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Glenlossie (Speyside), 15 years.

“Rich aromas of Seville orange marmalade, pears poached in claret and scumptious carrot cake blended into caramel wafers, dipped in honey and served with toffee, ginger…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Glenlossie (Speyside), 12 years.

“We were presented with a stunning arrangement of coconut and almond white chocolate truffles combined with a bouquet of flowers.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Caol Ila (Islay), 9 years.

“A sticky blend of milk chocolate and toffee was dunked in treacle, encrusted with coal shards and placed under our noses.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Caol Ila (Islay), 13 years.

“What a bouquet of aromas – teak oil, smoked walnut wine, sambuca with black liquorice flavour plus roasted pears, plums and peaches.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Royal Brackla (Highland), 14 years.

“We stepped into the glasshouse for a retronasal menu of orange oil, honeysuckle, teak and cinnamon-dusted apple pie.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Aberfeldy (Highland), 10 years.

“Mouths watering, the Panel entered a pactisserie, with its enticing aromas of lemon meringue pie, banana bread and honey-glazed apple doughnuts, as well as roasted…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Glentauchers (Speyside), 9 years.

“Bursting with aromas of red grape juice made from freshly pressed grapes, sun-filled pink grapefruits, Thai lemongrass and dark Manuka honey whilst on the palate neat we…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Mannochmore (Speyside), 14 years.

“Things opened with the rich, thick air of cured and smoked hams and cheeses, sliced madeira cake and nuts, some of them smoky.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Ardmore (Highland), 25 years.

“The Panel were greeted by a delightful, gentle, sweet wood smoke – possibly a couple of burning magnolia trees in full bloom – plus the scent of a chamomile lawn crushed…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Balblair (Highland), 15 years.

“We tweaked the tried-and-true combination of ham and cheese by using gorgonzola dolce, Black Forest ham, caramelised onions and grilled rye bread.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Glenburgie (Speyside), 12 years.

“As we spread brandy butter on white toast, a vase of lilies and carnations was topped up with condensed milk.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Glen Ord (Highland), 14 years.

“Oloroso sherry splashed on to natural stone tiles as we lay back, took a bite of soft orange sponge cake and lit another cigar.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

“An immediately assertive nose full of personality.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Ben Nevis (Highland), 8 years.

“We loved the immediate and clearly robust distillery character that came through on this one.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

“We donned our apron in granny's kitchen.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Glen Scotia (Campbeltown), 9 years.

“Imagine a big family party on the beach with a bouncy castle, marshmallows, cotton candy, gummy bears and foamy bananas for the children, while for the adults there are…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Fettercairn (Highland), 14 years.

“We found this one displayed plenty of thick and syrupy waxiness up front.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

“A typically expressive and exotic profile, as we've come to expect from this terrific and under appreciated make.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Loch Lomond (Inchmurrin / Inchmoan) (Highland), 16 years.

“This felt like folding a scarf around your neck for maximum warmth.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Braeval (Braes of Glenlivet) (Speyside), 11 years.

“The nose had a bittersweet character, like tarte tatin, apricot danish and upside down pineapple cake; plus hints of camphor and menthol balm, white pepper, liquorice,…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

“The initial nose popped and fizzed with coconut shavings, green under ripe melon, crème Catalan, rum and raisin fudge and a wee hint of buttery shortbread.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · St. George’s (The English Whisky Co.) (England), 11 years.

“Big, rich smoke greeted the Panel as, in the neighbour’s garden, beef jerky was being cooked over an open peat fire while we hung linen on the washing line.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Balcones (Texas, USA), 3 years.

“Scented aromas of dried flowers merged into mashed banana as we poured over melted milk chocolate spiced with chipotle chili paste.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

“Lost in the depths of a dark forest we spied a flickering light from a cottage coated with gingerbread, fudge and muscovado sugar.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Mars Tsunuki (Japan), 5 years.

“With a well-trodden floor of pine and birch, the dojo had an aroma reminiscent of saunas.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

“We walked through a magical forest full of the aromas of fresh pine, bitter orange, green leafy geraniums, woody balsamic fir needles and a resinous fruity herbal…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS