SMWS releases — June 2025

In short · Glenfarclas (Speyside), 11 years.

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

In short · Tamdhu (Speyside), 9 years.

“The initial nose was a pleasing mixture of dried cranberries, sloes, plum tart and cherry brandy with leather boots, liquorice, espresso and treacle sponge (a flamenco…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Tomatin (Highland), 10 years.

“Admiring the scent of carnations wrapped in fresh linen, we became enamoured with the scent of fresh skolebrød passing by.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Glen Garioch (Highland), 13 years.

“The initial aroma reminded us of a multivitamin juice of blended carrots, orange and turmeric next to muesli with dried strawberries and orange marmalade on white bread.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

“Not what we were expecting – but a pleasant surprise nonetheless; the nose had confectionery (tooty frooties, rainbow drops, butterscotch), vanilla custard slice and…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Benrinnes (Speyside), 17 years.

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

In short · Craigellachie (Speyside), 17 years.

“The neat nose suggested strawberry wine drizzled over sheep's wool, with hints of balsamic glaze, sweet brisket and venison salami.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Balmenach (Speyside), 12 years.

“Walking through a freshly mown field on a warm summer evening, our noses grazed on pineapple and pear, vanilla and perfume.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

“We found an immediately classical and comforting profile full of pink antiseptic cream, gelatinous peaty notes and medicinal qualities such as gauze, mercurochrome and…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Teaninich (Highland), 17 years.

“This felt homely.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Glentauchers (Speyside), 15 years.

“The Panel stepped into a hybrid workshop as cobblers and confectioners crafted their next commissions; a place where leather and orange oil mingled in the air, accented…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

“The nose combined fruits (peaches, persimmons, prunes and fruit loaf) with earthier notes such as jamon, tobacco and wine-stained wood in a tapas bar.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Blair Athol (Highland), 13 years.

“We could not quite get our heads round this one, so we settled on mixing a Tom Collins cocktail using gin, blood orange and lemon juice, as well as Thai basil leaves.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Miltonduff (Speyside), 13 years.

“This opened with plenty of floral and herbal sweetness – lavender petals, patchouli oil and vanilla pods – but at the same time lots of good oak notes and fresh…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

“We rubbed our barbecue ribs with a black beef seasoning, along with the usual ingredients such as salt, pepper, garlic, brown sugar, onion and hot chilli.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

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

In short · Tormore (Speyside), 10 years.

“Toffees and orange blossom tumbled passed our noses, dropping into tinned peaches spiked with mace, anise and honeysuckle.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Allt-a-Bhainne (Speyside), 16 years.

“We imagined having a glass of a crisp white wine following a short, sharp spring shower in a daffodil field.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

“Smoke?…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

“The nose, although immediately enticing, turned out to be complex too – with candied rose petals, dried mango and cinder toffee, Chinese five spice and savoiardi…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

“We were greeted by the zesty, fruity note of burnt oranges followed by marzipan, brown sugar garibaldi biscuits, thick set honey and a warm golden syrup cake.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Glasgow Distillery (Lowland), 9 years.

“A sweet, fresh and fruity aroma greeted the Panel.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

“On the nose, we were sawing wood, mostly pine and railway sleepers; as a reward for our efforts we got toffee nut brittle and chocolate-covered fondant eggs.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Strathclyde (Lowland), 19 years.

“We followed our noses to the local café, ordering a cup of coffee, a slice of madeira cake drizzled with clove-infused toffee sauce and toasted ciabatta loaded with…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

“This is a fresh, clean, vibrant gin – the nose gets laundry flapping over bright flower meadows and juniper bushes; also, zesty orange peel and sherbet lemons,…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Cotswolds (England), 1 years.

“The neat nose evoked grappa and kümmel (caraway), lemon and mandarin skins, some juniper and opening an artist’s paint box (paints, turps, linseed oil).…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Varela Hermanos (Ron Abuelo) (Panama), 15 years.

“Warm baking spices next to vanilla syrup, honey and marzipan were the initial aromas mentioned.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS