SMWS releases — May 2025

In short · Glenfarclas (Speyside), 11 years.

“WHISKY WANDERERS   This year we’re celebrating Scottish whisky festivals differently with specially selected casks that defy traditional expectations.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Macduff (Highland), 13 years.

“WHISKY WANDERERS   This year   we’re   celebrating Scottish whisky festivals differently with   specially selected   casks that defy traditional expectations.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · BenRiach (Speyside), 35 years.

“WHISKY WANDERERS   This year   we’re   celebrating Scottish whisky festivals differently with   specially selected   casks that defy traditional expectations.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Inchgower (Speyside), 16 years.

“We summarised the neat nose thus – “sea salt and soot, with a whiff of petrol and beef drippings”.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Tullibardine (Highland), 9 years.

“First sniff – a blast of fruit: apricot, peach and plum-filled marzipan, sherbet lemons and wasp-molested fallen orchard fruits.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Glenrothes (Speyside), 15 years.

“We all initially noted very similar aromas of vanilla tablet, condensed milk, sweetened caffè latte, raisins and butterscotch.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Balmenach (Speyside), 11 years.

“A clean, fresh nose with fruits in a wooden bowl, church candles and a fuchsia hedge got us started.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

“WHISKY WANDERERS   This year we’re celebrating Scottish whisky festivals differently with specially selected casks that defy traditional expectations.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Aberfeldy (Highland), 11 years.

“Waxed paper enveloped an oozing honeycomb slab.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Mannochmore (Speyside), 15 years.

“This was soft, sweet and seductive, yet had a fairly intense first impression with aromas of golden syrup porridge, stewed orchard fruits and honey-roasted macadamia…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Mannochmore (Speyside), 17 years.

“Ready to embrace your taste for adventure?…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

“WHISKY WANDERERS   This year we’re celebrating Scottish whisky festivals differently with specially selected casks that defy traditional expectations.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Miltonduff (Speyside), 11 years.

“The aroma reminded us of an old yet bold oloroso, fruit and nut, dried apricots, old leather and crystallised ginger.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Ben Nevis (Highland), 12 years.

“Ready to embrace your taste for adventure?…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Glen Scotia (Campbeltown), 8 years.

“Wisps of wood smoke wafted through the earthy undergrowth of a wet pine forest, passing over moss-covered tree bark and green leaves.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Auchroisk (Speyside), 16 years.

“WHISKY WANDERERS   This year we’re celebrating Scottish whisky festivals differently with specially selected casks that defy traditional expectations.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

“WHISKY WANDERERS   This year we’re celebrating Scottish whisky festivals differently with specially selected casks that defy traditional expectations.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Loch Lomond (Inchmurrin / Inchmoan) (Highland), 14 years.

“Inhale as golden syrup and foam banana candies are stirred into dill pickle liquor.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Knockdhu (AnCnoc) (Speyside), 10 years.

“WHISKY WANDERERS   This year we’re celebrating Scottish whisky festivals differently with specially selected casks that defy traditional expectations.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

“Delightedly, we Panellists tucked into a warm pastry with a topping of mango and custard in exquisite balance.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Loch Lomond (Croftengea) (Highland), 12 years.

“WHISKY WANDERERS   This year we’re celebrating Scottish whisky festivals differently with specially selected casks that defy traditional expectations.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Paul John (India), 5 years.

“Heavy wedges of marzipan sandwiched a thick layer of hazelnut praline, like the geological layers of spicy ginger cake mountain.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Loch Lomond (Highland), 19 years.

“WHISKY WANDERERS   This year we’re celebrating Scottish whisky festivals differently with specially selected casks that defy traditional expectations.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Nantou (Taiwan), 7 years.

“Initial nosing suggested dried pineapple rings, brandy snaps, mint tea, foam shrimp sweeties and tinned lychees preserved in syrup.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Isle of Raasay (Islands), 5 years.

“WHISKY WANDERERS   This year we’re celebrating Scottish whisky festivals differently with specially selected casks that defy traditional expectations.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

“A bourbon vanilla sweetness – combined with a lightly spiced pinewood aroma, the scent of a new marble slab and oak-aged matured pear schnapps – made this a pleasing…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

“Perhaps unusually for gin, this had enough interest and flavour to be enjoyed neat.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Worthy Park (Jamaica), 10 years.

“The nose, after an initial blast of new wooden furniture, eventually sweetened to maple syrup over banana fritters, rum and raisin ice cream, and stewed prunes in…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

“Cheers to the spirit of adventure this Father’s Day!…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

“Cheers to the spirit of adventure this Father’s Day!…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS