SMWS releases — October 2024

In short · Glenfarclas (Speyside), 10 years.

“Delightful aromas of tangerines, carnations and toffee blended with honeycomb, cherry-scented pipe tobacco and oily hints of petrol.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

“Delightfully waxy and oily textures on the nose coated rock salt, brown sugar and gentian liqueur.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

“We boarded a paddle steamer on the Mississippi river heading towards the Gulf of Mexico.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Auchentoshan (Lowland), 19 years.

“There was a surprising firmness about the nose on this one which discombobulated the Panel.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Glen Grant (Speyside), 19 years.

“The nose led us through a perfumed garden to a house made of sticky toffee pudding and malt loaf, where a pipe-smoking witch lured us with fruit pastilles, pear drops…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Glenturret (Highland), 8 years.

“After four years in ex-bourbon wood we transferred this into an ex-Islay, PX refill hogshead.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Glenturret (Highland), 9 years.

“The nose took one of us to the Caribbean, with barbecued prawns, rum and coconut, while others reported a "farmyard funk" of hay bales, sileage, and honey and soy…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Inchgower (Speyside), 12 years.

“An inviting aroma of blood orange and dark chocolate madeleines, and hot chocolate with marshmallows – along with delicious crispy bacon and a whiff of salty sea air –…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Macallan (Speyside), 15 years.

“The Panellists all found this one possessed a decidedly menthol note at first nosing, recording impressions of eucalyptus, menthol rolling tobacco and dried mint.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Tullibardine (Highland), 10 years.

“Aromas combined Turkish delight, fresh rhubarb and pineapple in an old wooden spice box with custard powder, pink wafer biscuits and vanilla ice cream.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

“An unusually full-bodied profile for this Speyside stalwart, with lots of sandalwood, waxed canvas, oatcakes, white pepper and soda bread.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Caperdonich (Speyside), 27 years.

“The nose suggested grassy, herbal, riverbank notes; toffee apple, candy floss, lemon and tart berries.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Linkwood (Speyside), 17 years.

“A very warm Society welcome to Matt Bailey!…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Linkwood (Speyside), 30 years.

“An air of understated elegance, a subtle tropical floral scent with a very soft richness like a Hawaiian lei garland presented to us as a symbol of affection.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Dailuaine (Speyside), 16 years.

“The cask influence was clear from the outset, but the Panel were immediately struck by just how rich, creamy and clean that influence was.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Craigellachie (Speyside), 17 years.

“We Panellists came face to face with a powerful nose featuring olives with chilli and black pepper, roasted chestnuts and crispy-skinned chicken.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Glenlossie (Speyside), 12 years.

“We thought this an interesting nose, and quite fresh also – rum-soaked vanilla, poached pears, sugared cornflakes and lifting a beehive lid (wood, wax, honey and…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Balmenach (Speyside), 10 years.

“The initial aroma was that of reeds growing in the saltmarshes of a river estuary before an aromatic, fragrant, perfumed scent of tropical water lilies in full bloom…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Caol Ila (Islay), 11 years.

“You name it, we got it: bonfire on the beach, tarry ropes, smoked lobster tails, ash-covered camembert, honey, nail varnish remover and a hint of eucalyptus and sweet…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

“While this bottling might look similar to our first Hallowe'en release, looks can be deceiving!…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Strathisla (Speyside), 12 years.

“We all found this undeniably sweet and attractive; its nose suggested tropical fruits, spun sugar, danish pastries, toffee, honey and candied citrus peel.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Ardmore (Highland), 25 years.

“Wisps of applewood smoke danced over savoury notes of olives in brine, cured game meat and fennel seeds.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Blair Athol (Highland), 14 years.

“Initial nosing suggested aromatic and herbaceous scents such as wintergreen, lemongrass and dried herbs, then citronella waxes, cinnamon sugar, mulling spices and aged…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Ben Nevis (Highland), 11 years.

“The Panel perused a variety of freshly treated aobjectsa such as newly polished leather boots, a newly varnished oak table and linseed oil applied to a newly…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

“Having just buffed our oak table to a high sheen using quality wax polish we felt we deserved a treat in the form of thin slices of pata negra (Iberian Spanish ham) from…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

“A familiar impression of swimming pools, distant shorelines, plasters and washed linens drying by the sea; classic and typical of this lovely make.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Auchroisk (Speyside), 11 years.

“We joined Beltane, an ancient Celtic celebration to mark the beginning of summer with music, dance and the burning of a giant wicker man.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Tormore (Speyside), 12 years.

“Plenty of dark fruits on the nose neat – plums, blueberries, grapes and cherries – intermingled with a sweetness coming from nutmeg and cinnamon.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Isle of Arran (Islands), 9 years.

“The Panel were surprised at just how much we all enjoyed this one from the off.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Cotswolds (England), 1 years.

“Oh yes, the typical juniper scent: piny and citrusy, with a hint of spice and sweetness like a steaming hot cup of juniper berry tea.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Peerless Distillery (Kentucky, USA), 5 years.

“A cascade of descriptors which included banana bread, fudge, butterscotch, figs, bramble jam, brown sugar, gorse flowers, toasted oak and marmalade were mentioned on the…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Peerless Distillery (Kentucky, USA), 5 years.

“The initial nose neat was like unwrapping cinnamon flavoured chewing gum which was followed by charred coconut flakes, buttered sweet popcorn and orange oil.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

“Give the gift of A Dram Good Christmas with our special festive tasting pack.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

“Our Winter Series is a toast to the spirit of the ceilidh , a tradition that once incorporated not only dancing but also storytelling, poetry and music.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS