SMWS releases — January 2026

In short · Glenfarclas (Speyside), 12 years.

“This sample really sparked our imaginations.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Auchentoshan (Lowland), 22 years.

“This bottle comes from The Scotch Malt Whisky Society’s exceptional Creators Collection series, each one lovingly curated by our Whisky Team to take you on a flavour-led…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Macduff (Highland), 18 years.

“We made pumpkin doughnut waffles with a vanilla cardamom glaze as well as rhubarb and apple crumble served with honey-roasted peanuts.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Macduff (Highland), 10 years.

“The nose, lush and inviting, was a cascade of orchard fruits, especially pears (in syrup), green apples and apricot danish.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Tamdhu (Speyside), 9 years.

“The initial nose gave us summer fragrances of sweet peas, chamomile lawns and hedgerows, and the fruity zing of tangerines, pink grapefruit and fino sherry.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Glen Grant (Speyside), 21 years.

“This bottle comes from The Scotch Malt Whisky Society’s exceptional Creators Collection series, each one lovingly curated by our Whisky Team to take you on a flavour-led…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Bunnahabhain (Islay), 11 years.

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

In short · Bunnahabhain (Islay), 16 years.

“A superb aroma greeted the Panel, one that recalled heather ales, salted dark chocolate, aniseed gobstoppers and chocolate-coated peanuts.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Bunnahabhain (Islay), 11 years.

“Autumn leaves and coffee beans fell into tar pits as coal soot dusted the thick head atop a pint of milk stout.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Dalmore (Highland), 11 years.

“The aroma reminded us of warm chestnuts, mulled wine, chocolate-covered raisins, marzipan croissants and fresh pipe tobacco.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Glenturret (Highland), 12 years.

“Are you into   punchy aromas of   wetsuits , bonfire ashes, vintage car   engines   and lemon yoghurt ?…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Macallan (Speyside), 16 years.

“The nose danced in with rich wood oils, walnut and dried figs, swirling to the snap of castanets at a Spanish fiesta.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Tullibardine (Highland), 10 years.

“Bittersweet consolation is a whisky that stands apart from our regular offerings of cask strength bottlings.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Linkwood (Speyside), 13 years.

“The Winter Series returns this year capturing the magic of the season in four single malt bottlings.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Dailuaine (Speyside), 12 years.

“At first nosing we found a classically honeyed and full-bodied Speysider.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Tobermory (Islands), 19 years.

“This had a clear maritime character with the scent of sea spray, slices of cantaloupe melon sprinkled with sea salt and a salted caramel cheesecake.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

“Looking at the colour, one Panellist’s thoughts went to cricket; the batsman came in and departed without troubling the scoreboard!…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Teaninich (Highland), 14 years.

“This   spirit is   mainly used   as a   component   in blended whisky   rather than being widely available as a single malt .…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Mannochmore (Speyside), 17 years.

“We entered a shisha bar where we ordered oaty toffee apple crumble accompanied by a glass of breadfruit wine.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

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

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

In short · Blair Athol (Highland), 12 years.

“The aroma was that of a classic breakfast muesli, whole grain oats and crispy almonds, dried pineapple and grapes but then with a delightful addition of milk and dark…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Balblair (Highland), 17 years.

“This bottle comes from The Scotch Malt Whisky Society’s exceptional Creators Collection series, each one lovingly curated by our Whisky Team to take you on a flavour-led…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Glenburgie (Speyside), 10 years.

“Choosing between bunches of blooms for mother, our noses supped on golden syrup milkshakes before taking a seat on hay bales drizzled with lemon buttercream.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Auchroisk (Speyside), 13 years.

“Wow!…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Tormore (Speyside), 10 years.

“A lovely aroma, agreed the Panel, playfully full of fig rolls, spiced plum jam, Dundee cake and candied pecans, plus treacle, mirabelle eau de vie and hothouse flowers.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Braeval (Braes of Glenlivet) (Speyside), 15 years.

“A bright and summery aroma was captured nosing this sample neat.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Knockdhu (AnCnoc) (Speyside), 9 years.

“The neat nose on this one suggested such varied things as rooibos tea, camphor and menthol balm, and warm honey and butter on toast.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Ardnamurchan (Highland), 9 years.

“We found the nose to be wonderfully starchy, fresh and full of fabrics, cigarette papers and barley extract before big notes of hessian, lemon rind and buttery oatcakes.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Milk & Honey Distillery (Israel), 3 years.

“A sticky pulp of cranberries, plums and oranges was boiled with strawberries in a clay pot to create a rich jam seasoned with thyme, bergamot and a few flaked almonds.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

In short · Mars Shinshu (Japan), 5 years.

“Smoke from smouldering coconut shells wafted through the branches of oak trees, bringing light notes of tobacco and leather.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

“This whisky was so very nearly from distillery 40, until a teaspoon changed its fate.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS

“For this latest Creators Collection, Fortified , we have turned to Australia, where casks once holding fortified chardonnay, tawny and muscat bring new layers of flavour.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS