SMWS releases — August 2024

In short · Macduff (Highland), 15 years.

“The aromas on the neat nose reminded us of key lime pie, mascarpone cream, lemon shortbread, and honey and nut granola – but also of tart green apples and sour…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Bunnahabhain (Islay), 10 years.

“Things opened with a classic nose – dying beach bonfires, sweet smoke, ash, a sea breeze and maybe potatoes in the embers – with additional hints of toffee, vanilla,…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · BenRiach (Speyside), 15 years.

“Wow!…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · BenRiach (Speyside), 15 years.

“The aroma evoked vivid impressions, like a "punch on the nose" with a leather boxing glove, or walking into a dentist's waiting room a“ very clean, and with a faint…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Inchgower (Speyside), 15 years.

“The ultrasweet nose enticed us with toffee sauce over ice cream, calvados-soaked sultanas, glaca cherries and dried pineapple, before we found additional hints of…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Tullibardine (Highland), 11 years.

“There was a desert-like dryness in the air, but we could also spot an oasis, and this was no fata morgana.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

“A very pleasant aroma of juicy peaches, nectarines and plums greeted the Panel before deeper notes such as cinnamon, marzipan and a sweet acorn muffin emerged.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Linkwood (Speyside), 12 years.

“The nose was cured ham slices atop a bed of panko breadcrumbs.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Dailuaine (Speyside), 15 years.

“Into our nostrils fell popcorn topped with freeze-dried raspberries, candied lemon peel, salt and powdered hessian.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Tobermory (Islands), 18 years.

“At first nosing we detected a sooty, ashy and yet nicely crisp smokiness.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Craigellachie (Speyside), 17 years.

“We cooked Japanese udon noodles with spicy duck breast in a wok using plenty of sesame oil and a generous sprinkling of shichimi togarashi.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Balmenach (Speyside), 15 years.

“We cracked the hard caramel top of a mixed berry crème brûlée and had a bite of a coconut, almond and raspberry traybake.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Caol Ila (Islay), 15 years.

“The complex nose included fish boxes, tarry ropes, lemon peel and ash, smoked blackcurrant jam smeared on bandages, perfumed cigarettes stubbed out in treacle, and…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Strathisla (Speyside), 16 years.

“Aromas of banana split, blueberries, orange peel and honey, flower meadows and dusty straw bales in the sun made us think of a harvest hoedown.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Teaninich (Highland), 16 years.

“To start things off, the Panellists breathed in the delightful aromas of a distilled cocktail made using black cherries, coal, treacle and oak.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Glentauchers (Speyside), 20 years.

“The neat nose suggested to us honey on sandalwood, wintergreen, dusty flower pollens, fir wood sap and flowers in vase water.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Mannochmore (Speyside), 26 years.

“The nose here gives the lie to the notion that this is a lighter or in any way 'lesser' make.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Ardmore (Highland), 12 years.

“The very pale colour stopped us short to wonder whether this sample had ever been in a cask.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Balblair (Highland), 14 years.

“Blackcurrants were crushed by sticks of cinnamon and liquorice, before a drizzle of lemon juice, waxy green apple segments and a dollop of bread sauce.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Glenburgie (Speyside), 11 years.

“Light, delicate, fragrant and attractive a“ the nose had fruit pastilles, raspberry sauce on vanilla ice cream, pineapple cube sweets, candied lemon and a bouquet of…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

“After seven years in ex-bourbon wood, further maturation in a first fill d’Arenberg shiraz barrique has given this a ruby hue.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Glencadam (Highland), 11 years.

“Fragrant roses, lavender and carnations merged with strawberry jelly and vanilla sponge cake topped with icing sugar, white chocolate and marshmallows.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

“Bold aromas of marmalade, figs and walnut oil joined fragrant heather honey and caramel wafers while spiced apple chutney was served with Serrano ham.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

“The light and fragrant aroma surprised the Panel as we prepared a pitcher of fresh lime margarita combining tequila, triple sec, lime juice and sugar, served in a glass…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

“Classic C-Town funk on the nose; tinkering under the bonnet of an old car, green olives in brine, pears and chocolate candies – all with the sea close by.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Auchroisk (Speyside), 11 years.

“The Panel found new leather gloves wrapped in heavily waxed paper, hidden for a generation in a cedar cigar box.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Knockdhu (AnCnoc) (Speyside), 32 years.

“Our noses offered visions of Basque tart, mango cubes and mandarins drizzled with linseed oil and decorated with a fan of exquisitely thin red apple slices and quince…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Loch Lomond (Croftengea) (Highland), 11 years.

“Fresh doughnuts arrived on a bed of crispy seaweed, with the smoke of a coal fire dancing across the beach.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · FEW Spirits (Illinois, USA), 5 years.

“Initial notes from the Panel included sawn rosewood, exotic hardwood resins, winter mulling spices, strawberry syrup and eucalyptus resins.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

“One of the Panellists was quick off the mark as he raided his grandpa’s old drinks cabinet; the scent of walnut wood, furniture polish and sweet booze put him right back…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

“The floral aroma of a potpourri of scented geranium and rose leaves was followed by limes, sweet cantaloupe melon and spearmint.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · The Borders Distillery (Lowland), 4 years.

“We meandered through a candle shop, our noses homing in on lime and basil as we walked past peaches rolled in breadcrumbs, and mojito slushies.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS