SMWS releases — July 2025

In short · Glenfarclas (Speyside), 13 years.

“The Panel found the nose initially dominated by leafy sherry notes and warming wood spices.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Highland Park (Islands), 15 years.

“The fragrant scent of violets and roses merged with the delightful bouquet of fresh panettone and salted bread from next door.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Auchentoshan (Lowland), 11 years.

“The playful nose combined jasmine, vanilla and peach, desiccated coconut and brown sugar, and cinnamon on barbecued banana.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Bunnahabhain (Islay), 11 years.

“We took a capsule of crispy seaweed, filled it with hard toffee and salt crystals, dipped it in beechwood tar and tumbled it over sand dunes.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Tomatin (Highland), 9 years.

“This sample was all over the place nosing neat.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · BenRiach (Speyside), 16 years.

“The nose delivered red vermouth, crusted port, amarena cherries and cassis with hints of anise-flavoured liqueur, hessian and willow.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Glen Garioch (Highland), 22 years.

“Begin by soaking madeira cake in a light-roast espresso, add some crumbly brown sugar, vanilla, a spoon of marmalade, and stir in some toasted almonds.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Benrinnes (Speyside), 13 years.

“The aroma was that of cashew-coconut chocolate tartlets, peanut maple fudge bars and hazelnut chocolate brownies next to balsamic strawberries served with a slice of…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Dailuaine (Speyside), 12 years.

“At first nose autumn greeted us with grain sacks from late harvests, apple wine and lemon peel as if to make a toddy to wash down coffee cream choux buns.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Craigellachie (Speyside), 17 years.

“The Panel detected initial notes of leather, runny honey, camphor and the familiar fat waxiness of this worm tub-influenced distillate.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Old Pulteney (Highland), 11 years.

“We borrowed a descriptor from the perfume industry: aquatic – a smell that reminded us of a mountain or a forest stream mingling with the spicy fusion of white pepper…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

“The neat nose bristled with carbolic acidity, brined green peppercorns, anchovy paste and crushed aspirin.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Royal Brackla (Highland), 11 years.

“The nose found crème brûlée and raspberry sauce on chocolate ice cream, but the main impression was clean and floral – honeysuckle, rose, orange blossom and holiday…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Strathisla (Speyside), 14 years.

“We nosed a warm franzbrötchen laden with cherry jam, crushed blackcurrants, lemon zest and rhubarb crumble.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Teaninich (Highland), 13 years.

“A bowl lined with tobacco leaves and filled with warm custard comes topped with a decorative drizzle of soy sauce and a spoon laden with strawberry jam.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Glenburgie (Speyside), 29 years.

“Waves of exotic fruit merged with apricot shisha tobacco, weaving fragrant aromas into a tapestry of sweetness.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Glen Elgin (Speyside), 15 years.

“Grape must and crushed bergamot were subsumed by hessian sacks and deposited in a vintage car showroom – a fitting fragrance for the location.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Auchroisk (Speyside), 16 years.

“The neat nose was redolent with fruit scone mix, vanilla essence and aromatic notes of cherry blossom, white chocolate and sweet earthiness.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Auchroisk (Speyside), 13 years.

“The sweet, fruity nose offered enticements of danish pastries (with apricot and custard), ripe melon, banana toffee, candied pineapple and clover honey.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

“Like stepping into bright sunshine, this nose was immediately vivid with rich, crisp, pure, maritime peat smoke.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Ardnamurchan (Highland), 9 years.

“We found a wonderfully bright, citric and mineral profile on first nosing.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Loch Lomond (Rhosdhu) (Highland), 10 years.

“The nose welcomed us into a dentist's waiting room, delivering the scents of clinical contraptions, a new carpet and insulating tape enveloping a stack of warm…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

“Hailing from a forward thinking and truly modern Fife distillery, this unique small batch single malt is a delicious peaty potion.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

“Some distillery codes slip right under the radar.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

“It’s summer.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS