SMWS releases — August 2025

In short · Tamdhu (Speyside), 9 years.

“Bitter lemon soda cascaded down a cedar plank towards a marble chalice full of watermelon.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Tomatin (Highland), 9 years.

“Initially the Panel detected jelly beans, pineapple, star fruit, and camphor and menthol balm – all very in keeping with this distillery's usual fruit-forward profile we…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Inchgower (Speyside), 13 years.

“We began by pouring cold pear juice over the morning newspaper, rummaging through a bag of fruit gummies and dusting the air with lavender talc.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Laphroaig (Islay), 11 years.

“The nose struck with an intense wave of smoked cheese, salami and creosote, followed by hints of first aid kits, antiseptic cream and earthy moss on a crackling fire.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

“Initial nosing revealed roasted red peppers, mango salsa, hints of cocoa infused with chilli, freshly brewed black coffee and prune eau de vie.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Benrinnes (Speyside), 28 years.

“They take up more space, they require more maintenance, they can’t condense the same volumes of new-make spirit as modern shell and tube condensers.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Linkwood (Speyside), 13 years.

“Woven with burnt honeycomb and apple sauce, the nose was accented with black sesame seeds, treacle tarts and peanut butter.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Glenlossie (Speyside), 11 years.

“The sweet-scented nose delivered figs, dates, sultanas and chocolate raisins, toffee fudge ice cream, maple syrup and coffee liqueur.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

“The nose gave individual Panel members suggestions of apple turnover, clover honey and candle wax, but we all got onshore sea breezes, oilskins, crab claws and fishing…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

“The nose evoked the seashore – tarry driftwood, rock pools, seaweed and beach bonfires (sausage sizzle time) – with puffer boats in a harbour nearby.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Caol Ila (Islay), 16 years.

“First impressions were of stirring a glass of fine red wine with a stick of peat that had been marinated in smoky barbecue sauce.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Teaninich (Highland), 13 years.

“Ten years in ex-bourbon wood preceded a further spell in this second-fill oloroso hogshead.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Aberfeldy (Highland), 11 years.

“After eight years in ex-bourbon wood, we transferred this whisky into a first fill Australian tawny cask.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Ardmore (Highland), 26 years.

“Heather honey and rosemary-infused olive oil melded seamlessly with the toasty aroma of fermenting beer, creating a fragrant ointment to be drizzled over fresh kelp.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Glenburgie (Speyside), 13 years.

“Chocolate muffins straight out of the oven, the charred topping of a crème brûlée, orange candied jelly fruits and ginger biscuits.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Mortlach (Speyside), 18 years.

“Using worm tub condensers is just the final quirk in a distillery known for its unique approach to distillation.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

“As we sat in the carriage of an old steam train, a glass of cold-brew coffee cascaded over a glossy magazine and a leather satchel full of sultanas, cassia and chunks of…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

“We were met by a super fresh, fragrant scent of cut grass, vanilla and orange blossom perfume, honeydew melon, pure squeezed pineapple juice and coconut water.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Glen Scotia (Campbeltown), 10 years.

“The neat nose revealed a taut, brittle and highly mineralic profile – with lovely, tense elements of chalk, fresh linens, beach pebbles and sea-air freshness.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Loch Lomond (Inchmurrin / Inchmoan) (Highland), 9 years.

“The initial whiff of nail polish remover soon faded as fruits galore – gooseberries, kiwi, green grapes, melon, apples and banana, all doused in strong peach schnapps –…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

“This was a really wonderful nose, full of robust aromas of polished leather, pipe tobacco, camphor and precious hardwoods full of resins.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

“Looking at the comments from the Panel members, the aroma neat was hard to pin down: rubber and glue, polish and caramel, but also overripe pineapple, red apples, key…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Nantou (Taiwan), 6 years.

“A heavenly mix of dried cherries, nuts and berries mingled with fragrant bergamot, rose petals and pipe tobacco.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Ardnamurchan (Highland), 9 years.

“The neat nose was immediately crisp and pure, with vibrant peat smoke, beach pebbles, smoked cereals, mineral salts, smouldering pine wood, and delicate farmyard and…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

“The nose was a mug of hot strawberry tea, stirred with lemongrass and sweetened with pine resin and pear.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

“Each one of these t hree whiskies offers a different take on Islay peat with coastal character, smoky charisma and culinary intrigue .…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

“Tales of the Worm Tub: Celebrating the bold, the rich, and the robust This Creators Collection celebrates this old-school approach to whisky making and the bold, rich…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS