SMWS releases — July 2024

In short · Highland Park (Islands), 20 years.

“On the nose, we got beach bonfires, with seaweed and heather sprigs chucked on; mussels cooked in white wine (and some wine got spilled on burning fish boxes).…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Bunnahabhain (Islay), 10 years.

“From deep in the dark depths of a Spanish bodega, the robust aromas of smoky bacon crisps and paprika mingled with miso paste melting into burnt butter with a splash of…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Glenturret (Highland), 9 years.

“A deep, emphatic, bass-level smokiness at first nosing.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Benrinnes (Speyside), 11 years.

“For us this one was all over the place!…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Linkwood (Speyside), 10 years.

“The neat nose bristled with citrus air freshener and linen cupboard starchiness.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Dailuaine (Speyside), 15 years.

“The nose – pilgrims on dusty roads to El Rocío: wooden wagons, leather harness, sun-warmed pine trees, pipe tobacco and men’s cologne, nutty pastries and chestnuts…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Craigellachie (Speyside), 18 years.

“Sophisticated and complex, the nose suggested maple candies, barley sugars and golden syrup, with hints of duck à l’orange (with a cherry on top).…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Balmenach (Speyside), 9 years.

“A dollop of strawberry jam arrived, wrapped in rice paper and topped with mango purée.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Old Pulteney (Highland), 30 years.

“Fizzy apple sherbet tingled the tongue as we stood at the end of the pier, the salty sea air carrying wafts of quince jelly and singed pink grapefruit skin.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

“An amazing nose brought us black bun, liquorice, rum-flambaed pineapple and oysters with lemon and tabasco-pepper sauce, plus quaint hints of engine fan belts.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Caol Ila (Islay), 12 years.

“Serene, sublime, solitude, sunset, seaside and, yes, we almost forgot to mention sweet smouldering smoke.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Teaninich (Highland), 13 years.

“This dram took us back in time to the ‘golden twenties’ of the last century in Berlin, and a certain cabaret, with those long cigarette holders, cocktails and…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Ardmore (Highland), 12 years.

“Well, the colour already prepared us for what one can only call a spirit-driven dram.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Miltonduff (Speyside), 13 years.

“A light, floral nose – we imagined a cricket pavilion: linseed oil, painted wood, freshly laundered cricket whites, parched summer grass, with peaches and cream…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Aultmore (Speyside), 11 years.

“Drops of lemon and lavender oil landed on straw bales dusted with icing sugar and double cream.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

“The Panellists initially discerned an air of a red wine and cola reduction, wagyu strips dipped in guava syrup, sesame seeds and blackcurrants.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

“Sliced figs tumbled into a newly polished leather satchel filled with straw.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Fettercairn (Highland), 10 years.

“We imagined getting the lawnmower out for the first time following a long winter.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Auchroisk (Speyside), 11 years.

“We sharpened pencils (erasers at the ready) to draw the nose – a still life of strawberries, apples and pears, then a deli counter with prosciutto ham and custard tarts.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Strathmill (Speyside), 17 years.

“A strong waft of orange (an orange box and orange blossom) almost overshadowed the black tea, mahogany, demerara, vanilla, figs and raisins...…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Allt-a-Bhainne (Speyside), 14 years.

“Initial notes brought a burst of spirity fruit as ripe bananas merged with peach yoghurt and lemon drizzle cake.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Loch Lomond (Inchmurrin / Inchmoan) (Highland), 17 years.

“Sweet and salty liquorice, as well as dark chocolate with sea-salted caramel, were followed by maple syrup, walnuts and salted honey cashews, plus mushrooms and salty…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Penderyn (Wales), 9 years.

“On the nose we got freeze-dried raspberries, pencil shavings, hay and tropical aromas of passion fruit, lemon and banana.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

“One Panellist felt like opening a closet which has not been broached for many years.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Balcones (Texas, USA), 5 years.

“We were served an espresso with a shot of cherry liqueur and a slice of a Russian honey cake coated in that, so moreish, burnt honey icing alongside traditional…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · MGP (Midwest Grain Products) (Indiana, USA), 4 years.

“Plenty of sweet aromas greeted the Panel, marzipan, whipped vanilla cream and brown sugar but at the same time a wisp of wood smoke and sweet tobacco tickled our fancy.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · The Borders Distillery (Lowland), 1 years.

“The fragrance was very earthy, spicy and comforting, like primroses at the edge of a pine needle-carpeted woodland floor alongside nutmeg, liquorice and candied almonds.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Caroni (Trinidad), 24 years.

“We all mentioned cherries on the nose neat, boozy chocolate coated cherries, black ‘mountain cherry’ liqueur as well as an aviation cocktail which led us all to fly…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

“This tasty drop was crafted exclusively for Society members in partnership with our friends at King's Inch whisky.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS