SMWS 2008 48.171 Berrylicious 15 yo

 

 

 

52,7°

Distillery : Balmenach - Speyside

Ex-Bourbon Hogshead and 2d Fill Toasted American Oak Barrique Finish

Independent Bottling 

By Scotch Malt Whisky Society

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2024

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

Founded in 1983, the Scotch Malt Whisky Society has now bottled nearly 15,000 casks in almost 43 years. Suffice to say, it's easy to get a little lost in all this variety and all these codes. Here we have a 15-year-old Balmenach which, after 12 years in a simple Bourbon Hogshead, was finished in a Toasted American Oak Barrique. As long as it's not mezcal or rum, I'm fine with it. 241 bottles have been produced, and at the time of writing, very few are still available. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It :  

Runny caramel and dates, varnished wood rubbed with Muscat grapes, woodland undergrowth, dry leaves, forest berries, roasted hazelnuts and peanuts, orange zest, whipped cream, a few candied yellow plums, possibly pineapple. On the palate, vanilla cream, coconut powder, intense woody notes, apricot kernel, smoked wheat galette, Basque cake with blueberry jam, very discreet spices. Long and fairly powerful finish, cola, milk chocolate, pieces of bark, resin, acacia honey. Vanilla pod, eucalyptus leaf. 

 

In Short, 

I found it very woody, even forest-like, but it's still a success. There is no bitterness, or it is almost imperceptible, the fruits are varied, and there is a good balance. I'm not very familiar with this distillery, so I don't know if this is typical of its profile, but in any case, it's very good. The release price was OK, but the price at which it's available today is a little too high for my taste. 

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Wild Horses - When I Was Younger

SMWS 2011 39.278 Plums in the Spice Cupboard 11 yo

 

 

 

61,6°

Distillery : Linkwood - Speyside

1st Fill Ex-Bourbon Barrel 

Independent Bottling 

By Scotch Malt Whisky Society

Limited Edtion 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

At the Scotch Malt Whisky Society, the figures are starting to look dizzying. This is already the 278th bottling of Linkwood in 2023. After all, Pip Hills and his friends have been churning out whisky for 42 years. This Linkwood could not be more classic, with an ageing process that is a credit to the distillate. 225 bottles came out of the cask.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Influenced by the title, I think of plums of all colours, but also raspberry marmalade, chocolate-covered pear, delicate floral notes, birch bark, candied lemons, red apples, and a few forest touches. On the palate, the strength of the alcohol makes itself felt, but it remains very fruity, with dried apricots, pears, watermelon and a good measure of pepper. The finish is fairly violent, but not too long, with ginger, cloves, pineapple, prickly pear, cashew nuts, hazelnuts and a drop of charcoal.

 

In Short, 

It's a bit high in alcohol, and that doesn't go very well with the subtlety of the aromas, that's what I thought. What's more, it's quite fruity, but not the deluge of fruit you'd expect from Linkwood. In short, it's a good whisky, complex, imposing, but not up to what you'd expect. It's much better with a few drops of water. It's not expensive, but very hard to find.

Score : 88  

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Junodream - White Whale

SMWS 2010 95.73 Raisin Rodeo 12 yo

 

 

 

65,3°

Distillery : Auchroisk - Speyside

1st Fill Heavy Toast Medium Char Barrel

Independent Bottling 

By Scotch Malt Whisky Society

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

Founded in 1983, the Scotch Malt Whisky Society has now produced thousands of bottlings, including more than 73 from the Auchroisk distillery, which is little known because its production is mainly for blends. The cask used here was heavily toasted to produce a smoky flavour unusual in Speysiders. 177 bottles were produced.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Macerated grapes, soggy wood, fairly strong brown tobacco, cigar ashes, shoe polish, dates and figs, marzipan, pudding, dark chocolate, black fertile earth, bay leaves, pan-fried mushrooms. Various vegetables. On the palate, still fermented grapes and dark chocolate, with liquorice and coffee, pastry filling, fierce spices, nutmeg, cumin, cinnamon, black pepper. Explosive finish, very powerful but not very long, cola, cedar leaves, Armenian paper, and still dark chocolate and grapes, deep earthy notes, chestnuts, truffles, sesame seeds.

 

In Short, 

It's very interesting, but I don't find the style of the other Auchroisk I've tasted at all. This one has a lot of character, which wasn't necessarily the case with the others. It's quite woody, with a hint of dried fruit. The finish is very intense, perhaps it would have been better to add a little water. All in all, it's not bad at all and deserves to be tasted. As for buying one, it's complicated, firstly because it seems to be sold out, and secondly because the high alcohol content may discourage some people.

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Chapter 24 - I've Never

SMWS 2013 78.65 Garbanzo's Cajun Train Ride 9 yo

 

 

 

67,7°

Distillery : Ben Nevis - Highlands

2d Fill Oloroso Sherry Butt

Independent Bottling 

By Scotch Malt Whisky Society

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Almost Unpeated

 

 

 

This is the 65th bottling of Ben Nevis by the Scotch Malt Whisky Society, a private club and independent bottler founded in 1983 by Pip Hills. And it's a special one because of its very high alcohol content. 529 bottles were produced.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

A fairly dark Sherry on the nose, blueberry tart, damp leather and cranberry juice, but also pan-fried mushrooms, forest undergrowth, damp earth. Figs with dark chocolate, grainy cereals. It's quite violent on the palate, it has to be said, the fruit is there but the alcohol is intense, it's very peppery, with cumin and cloves, and the wood predominates. The finish is even more deadly, I found liquorice and damsons, chocolate and cinnamon, but the essential is masked by the power of the juice. Fortunately, it doesn't last that long.

 

In Short, 

It's far too powerful, so much so that you don't feel anything, apart from the feeling of having been under a train, if you don't add at least a little water. Once you've diluted it, you realise that it's quite enjoyable, but it's still a violent product, closer to a hammer than a real whisky. Worth a try nonetheless.

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Perchta - Hebamm

SMWS 2012 53.423 Pirate Ship Cruise 10 yo

 

 

 

58,8°

Distillery : Caol Ila - Islay

Refill Ex-Bourbon Hogshead 

Independent Bottling 

By Scotch Malt Whisky Society 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 35 ppm

This is already the 423rd bottling of Caol Ila by Scotch Malt Whisky Society. Given that it has been in existence for 40 years, it's safe to assume that the trading company releases almost one Caol Ila a month on average, which isn't bad. This one was aged in a simple Refill Bourbon Hogshead, but I suspect that some Sherry staves were nailed to the cask. 280 bottles were put for sale, and quickly disappeared.

Let's Taste It : 

First of all, thick, razor-sharp smoke, a full ashtray that's still hot. You're inside the chimney of a steam locomotive, massive fragments of lignite, glowing coals, but behind that traces of grassiness, dark chocolate, soft caramel, and a mineral character, sandstone, slate, quartz. Fermented fruits. On the palate, burnt toffee, gingerbread, marzipan, on a layer of seaweed-filled peat. Broad spices, nutmeg, clove, ginger. Quite a long, explosive finish, charcoal, earthy, damp bark, black berries.

 

In Short, 

On a blind test, I hesitated to identify it as Caol Ila, as there was none of the iodine characteristic of the distillery. It's maritime, though, with seaweed and kelp, but nothing more. All the other hallmarks of the distillery are present. That's why I wonder if there weren't a few Sherry staves in the Bourbon Hogshead, because Caol Ila in Sherry casks is always much less iodised. Or maybe it was me, we were at the end of the tasting, and it's possible that I didn't appreciate all the nuances of the juice. In any case, it's a very good product, quite extreme, with a devastating smoke and a very deep finish. What's more, the price was quite affordable. No wonder it sold out so quickly.

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Seeping :

 

                                           Swallow the Moon - Dark Paths of the Soul

SMWS 2003 9.289 Break The Mould Artist #13 SMWS 40th Anniversary 20 yo

 

 

 

53,9°

Distillery : The Glen Grant - Speyside  

1st Fill Oloroso Sherry Hogshead

Independent Bottling 

By Scotch Malt Whisky Society 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

We're still working our way through the 5 bottlings specially distributed by La Maison du Whisky in France to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Scotch Malt Whisky Society. Unfortunately, I wasn't served the last two, so this will be the last. It's a Glen Grant aged 20 years in an Oloroso Sherry Hogshead. Only 174 bottles were filled, with a label featuring an artwork by Claire Barclay, entitled Unearthing 1.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Gourmand red fruits, blueberries and blackcurrants, with a mineral and balsamic touch. It's woody, with cinnamon and ginger, very liquoriced, but quite airy. Quince jam, fruit jelly, a few earthy notes. Still very fruity on the palate, with muscat grapes, ripe damsons, velvety cherries, soft caramel and lively spices, cloves and pepper. The finish is long, chocolatey and full-bodied, with hints of arabica, crushed figs and chocolate fondant. Nutmeg, pine needles, heather, brown sugar, sweet pears.

 

In Short, 

I found the whole thing very successful, a fine Sherry perfectly mastered, I was especially delighted by the finish, which is magnificently done, with light floral touches, spices and cocoa. Really, I'd be delighted to buy it, but it's only for the die-hard fans, as the value for money is unbalanced.

Score : 90

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           The Fyoogs - You Stole the Dark

SMWS 2007 85.89 Worm Tub Magic Artist #13 SMWS 40th Anniversary 15 yo

 

 

 

58,9° 

Distillery : Glen Elgin - Speyside

1st Fill Oloroso Sherry Hogshead

Independent Bottling 

By Scotch Malt Whisky Society

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

It's still the birthday party for Scotch Malt Whisky Society, the trading company founded by Pip Hills in 1983. And the second bottling in the series of 5 commemorating this event in the Artist #13 range launched by La Maison du Whisky is this 15-year-old Glen Elgin, aged in an Oloroso Sherry Hogshead. 234 bottles were produced, all featuring Claire Barclay's artwork entitled New View 2.

Let's Taste It : 

Nose with a certain minerality, and well done, with beeswax and maple syrup, fine oak, some vinous notes, yellow fruit, apricots, quinces, caramel and liquorice. Tightly wound strings, sharp leather. On the palate, as woody as ever, oak bark set with a little moss, dried figs and dates, toffee, cooked butter, harmonious spices, pepper, cinnamon. The finish is long and well-crafted, with hints of chocolate and liquorice, sandalwood, ginger, blood orange and Chasselas grapes.

 

In Short, 

Magnificently well-crafted, some of the distillery's hallmarks can be found despite the pervasive influence of Oloroso. It just lacks a little explosiveness in the finish to make it great. Here, it's just very good, but it will delight enthusiasts. The price, however, is outrageous, which is a shame.

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           The Five Dollar Sugar - Bad Bad Girl

SMWS 2013 13.106 Stag Wine Artist #13 SMWS 40th Anniversary 10 yo

 

 

 

60,1°

Distillery : The Dalmore - Highlands

1st Fill Cosecha Wine Cask

Independent Bottling 

By Scotch Malt Whisky Society

Limited Edition 

Single Cask

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

For 40 years now, Pip Hills, through his trading company Scotch Malt Whisky Society, has been having fun putting codes on the bottles he sells. To celebrate this anniversary, La Maison du Whisky has offered to distribute some of the Society's finest bottles via its Artist range. Here we have a Dalmore aged in a cask of a sweet Andalusian wine called Cosecha, made from the Pedro Ximénez grape variety. 237 bottles are on sale, and the label features an artwork by Claire Barclay entitled New View I.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The nose is full of sweet wine with vegetal notes. Grass cut in the morning, still beaded with dew, linden and birch bark, young trees. Stewed red fruits, damsons, muscat grapes, brandied cherries. Sandalwood, cinnamon, blood orange, minty freshness, slightly mineral. On the palate, spicy wood with a touch of vanilla and lots of red fruit, cloves, thyme and rosemary, some cereals, toasted wheat, crispy barley. The finish is long and chocolaty, quite explosive, powerful, liquorice and caramel, grapefruit coulis, braised peel, crushed nuts.

 

In Short, 

It's very well made, very close to excellence. The influence of the wine cask gives it something more frank and vigorous than the previous Dalmore I've tasted. And there's the same subtlety, the same depth. It's a complete success. I'd highly recommend it to fans of the distillery, except that it's completely sold out despite the sky-high price. Incidentally, I'd point out that SMWS bottling 13.105 was apparently already aged in a Cosecha cask, possibly the first part of the cask, and it was sold for more than half the price.

Score : 89  

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Bonnie Medicine - Crack Me Open

SMWS 2016 149.3 A Walk in the Woods The New Wave 6 yo

 

 

 

60,6°

Distillery : Ardnamurchan - Highlands 

1st Fill American Oak Pedro Ximénez Butt

Independent Bottling 

By Scotch Malt Whisky Society 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

To celebrate its 40th anniversary, the Scotch Malt Whisky Society, a trading company and connoisseurs' club founded in 1983 by Pip Hills, has decided to take an interest in promising young distilleries, and has even launched a small series for the occasion, The New Wave, which brings together 6 bottlings so far. And among them this one, from Ardnamurchan, a young distillery founded in 2014 and owned by Adelphi, another highly reputable trading company. The maturation is original, as it is a Pedro Ximénez Sherry cask, but of American oak, whereas Sherry casks are generally built with European oak. 650 bottles were supplied, and sold primarily in the USA.

Let's Taste It : 

On the nose, it is costal and at the same time pastry-like. I recognise the impetuous ardour of youth, with iodine, kelp, the power of the swell, but also Granny Smith apples, cream, mille-feuilles, icing sugar. Sabayon, pastry cream on the palate, slightly syrupy and leafy, autumn leaves, acorns and bark. Expressive spices, cloves, cumin. The finish is long and explosive, with some maritime fragrances, a trail of salt, but also humus, vegetal moss, damp black earth.

In Short, 

While there are indeed forestry elements in this bottle, it also has maritime notes and some lovely pastry flavours. You can smell the youth, but it's powerful and full-bodied, which can also be an advantage. All in all, not bad at all! A bit more than remarkable, it's really good. On the other hand, the price is too high in my opinion, especially as you also have to pay a membership fee to be allowed to buy it. However, if you're interested, they still have 17.

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           The Sonic Rootz - Wheels are Turning

SMWS 2013 128.25 Radical Juice 8 yo

 

 

 

62,6°

Distillery : Penderyn - Wales 

2d Fill Ex-Bourbon Barrel

Independent Bottling 

By Scotch Malt Whisky Society

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2022

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

Founded in 1983 by Pip Hills, the Scotch Malt Whisky Society is an enthusiast club and trading company with an excellent reputation, producing a wide variety of bottlings throughout the year. This one is a Penderyn aged in 2nd fill Bourbon casks, which allows the distillate to blossom. 214 bottles were released and quickly sold out.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Right from the first nose, it surprises with its robustness, but also with the variety of its fruits. Peaches, melons, pineapple, ripe pears, coniferous forest, heather earth. On the palate, as fruity as ever, but more exotic, mango, guava, passion fruit, but also a bit herbaceous, tall herbs, candied angelica, rhubarb. Explosive spices, cloves, cumin. Intense and powerful finish. Coal, black bread, hot chestnuts, rich, damp earth, humus. A touch of limestone.

In Short, 

Another astonishing and delightful expression from the Welsh distillery, a flood of fruits and conifers. Quite different from the other Penderyns I've tasted, but you can expect anything from SMWS. Now unobtainable, I'm afraid we'll have to make do with a future bottling.

Score : 90

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Tame Impala - Runway Houses City Clouds

SMWS 2012 93.181 A Burning Galleon of Tropical Fruit 9 yo

 

 

 

61,9°

Distillery : Glen Scotia - Campbeltown

1st Fill Ex-Bourbon Barrel

Independent Bottling 

By The Scotch Malt Whisky Society

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2022

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated 

 

 

 

Although launched in 1983, the Scotch Malt Whisky Society, a trading company founded by Pip Hills, did not make a bottling of Glen Scotia until 1991. But after that they caught up well, since they are currently around the 201st. That's an average of 9 bottlings a year, not bad guys. This one is the 181st, and nothing particularly original, 9 years old, aged in a first fill Bourbon cask. 219 bottles were filled.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Mineral and woody. The Bourbon leaves its mark, vanilla and honey. It's floral and herbaceous, zucchini flower, primrose. White plum, mirabelle. Banana Frecinette. Then it becomes more ethereal. With a few drops of water, the lemon comes out. Finally, I smell cereals, hay and young beam. Very citrusy on the palate, on grapefruit, lychee, kumquat, the spices are powerful, cumin, chilli. Green olives. The finish is long and explosive, cola, tall grass, wood leaves. Hazelnut, dry earth.

 

In Short, 

A very good whisky, very friendly and pleasant. It has character, but it is not at all aggressive, it is easily drunk on the contrary. There aren't so many exotic fruits, it's more on honey and vanilla. When it came out, the price was really interesting (knowing that you have to contribute as a member to buy it), but on the secondary market it is obviously more expensive.

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

                                           Antytila - Bakhmut Fortress

SMWS 2013 16.70 The Green-Fingered Blacksmith 8 yo

 

 

 

63,5°

Distillery : The Glenturret - Highlands

Refill Re-Charred Bourbon Hogshead

Independent Bottling 

By The Scotch Malt Whisky Society 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2022

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated from 80 to 120 ppm

What they like to do at the Scotch Malt Whisky Society, a trading company founded in 1983 by Pip Hills, is experimenting. For example, here we have a heavily peated Glenturret aged for only 8 years in a Re-Charred cask, that is to say passed a second time to the blowtorch before receiving the liquid. The peated Glenturret exists, it is even part of their Core Range. But it only claims 20 ppm at most. It was in 2009 that the very peaty experience was launched at Glenturret. They dry the barley with peat for three days, which gives a result that ranges from 80 to 120 ppm. The first bottlings of this nectar came out around 2018, but only independently, under the name Ruadh Maor, which would mean Red House in Gaelic. This is the secret of this 16.70, it should not be called Glenturret, but Ruadh Maor. I do not know the number of bottles put on sale.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Nose where charcoal takes a large part, it is significant but does not mask a certain sweetness, cream, genoise and braised blood oranges. Fruits from the orchard, green apples, Comice pears, on a cereal and earthy layer that is quite rustic. Lime, plastic, and some medicinal fragrances. In the mouth, it's successful, on grilled meat, with tomato sauce, the spices are rather strong, curry, black pepper, cumin, cloves. Once again, it's earthy and almost astringent. Long, thick, robust finish, it's like biting into lignite, pencil lead, mushrooms, loam.

 

In Short, 

Typical of the Highlands, very earthy and rural, and heavily peated, it reminds me a bit of Benriach, but bolder and more successful. It's all very interesting. This bottling is of course nowhere to be found, sold out a few days after its release, but I will be watching Ruadh Maor more closely from now on.

Score: 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Samantha Fish - Shake'em on Down

SMWS 2010 53.410 Smoked Sea Salt Liquorice 11 yo

 

 

 

56,9°

Distillery : Caol Ila - Islay 

Refill Ex-Bourbon Hogshead

Independent Bottling 

By The Scotch Malt Whisky Society 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2022

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 35 ppm

 

 

 

Already the 410th bottling of Caol Ila at the Scotch Malt Whisky Society, a trading company and also a club founded in 1983 by Pip Hills. This time it's an 11 year old, aged in a single Bourbon Hogshead, released in 270 bottles, and quickly sold out, as usual. This is an exclusive bottling, intended solely for La Maison du Whisky as part of its Antipodes range.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Coal, soot, tide, sea spray, waves whipping across the face, kelp and seaweed. Iodine by shovelful. Very large fullness. A cathedral of iodine. A drizzle of vanilla lemon. Pepper and cloves. The waves rock us. Medicinal touch, dressings, bandages, disinfectant. On the palate, oysters and Bourbon, crayfish, scallops, whelks, vanilla and pastry cream. Spices just the way it should be, cumin, ginger. Very nice finish, long and explosive, a mirabelle plum melts under the tongue and shards of filthy lignite. Icing sugar and sea water. Raisin Chasselas.

 

In Short, 

This is pure essence of Caol Ila. At the heart of its backbone. Caol Ila from Caol Ila. In the spinal nerve. It's terribly good. Just a few fruity elements. The rest is only the intensity of a distillery that has no equal. How can it be sold out? This bottling is in the public interest, it should be available for eternity.

Score : 90

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                          Screaming Trees - Julie Paradise

SMWS 2006 53.406 Exotic, Dark and Medicinal 15 yo

 

 

 

57,5°

Distillery : Caol Ila - Islay

Ex-Bourbon Hogshead and 1st Fill Pedro Ximénez Finish

Independent Bottling 

By Scotch Malt Whisky Society  

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2022

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 35 ppm

At the Scotch Malt Whisky Society, a Scottish trading company created in 1983 by Pip Hills, they do not hesitate to make the most daring experiments. Like this Caol Ila first aged in a Bourbon barrel, then finished in a Pedro Ximénez Sherry cask. 227 copies were put on sale, and sold out very quickly.

Let's Taste It : 

Straight away, the full-bodied Sherry PX. I can smell the sugar, it's sticky, with crushed strawberries and pomegranate. The distillery profile remains in the background, with iodine and oysters, sea breeze and a bit of salt. Then the peat comes in, quite abrasive and thick. A fine marriage with the Sherry, it becomes marshy, charcoaled, with hints of papaya and morello cherry. Big puffs of smoke, interspersed with hints of fermented fruits. Genoise and embers, bacon and lingonberry jam. Very sweet on the palate, with raspberry syrup, followed by intense spices, nutmeg, cumin, black pepper. It's unctuous, like fruit purée. Gooseberries, candy. Uppercut finish, spices shoot and vanilla beans, caramel and fresh fig, intense charcoal, liquorice. Coarse salt. Pineapple juice.

 

In Short,

There's a lot of Sherry. This obscures the distillery's profile a bit. It's still very good, but what can I say? It's overpowering. It makes me wonder if they're really only putting whisky in there. This bottling caused quite a stir when it first came out, with some people fighting to get it because it was rumoured to be monumental. I would say that it has the advantage of being original, and that a Caol Ila lover can have the pleasure of discovering something, if not totally new, at least rare. Of course, it's all sold out now, and I don't even want to know how much it cost.

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           The The - Beyond Love

SMWS 2007 33.138 A Thigh-slapping Dram 12 yo

 

 

 

60,9°

Distillery : Ardbeg- Islay

2nd Fill Oloroso Sherry Butt

Independent Bottling 

By Scotch Malt Whisky Society 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2019

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 54 ppm

 

 

 

In 1983, when Pip Hills created the Scotch Malt Whisky Society, the Ardbeg distillery was closed for two years. This is probably why it was given the number 33, which was a little late for a distillery of this level, as the illustrious Society's first bottling of Ardbeg didn't take place until 1986. But then they made up for it, and as the code indicates, this bottling is the 138th, made in 2019 after spending 12 years in a second-fill Sherry Oloroso cask, 615 bottles have been released for sale.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The nose is powerful, full-bodied, I'd say more of a flick on the cheek, but without fuss, it's still pleasant. The Sherry is intense, with cranberries, gooseberries, blueberries, combined with an oily peatiness, plastic, gravel, nails. Thick smoke. You can't get enough of it. The palate is straightaway very spicy, with cumin, paprika, nutmeg, prunes, dried grapes and varnished wood. Red fruits galore, raspberries, pomegranate, blackberries. A little sooty around the edges, this is close to a good fire. Atomic finish, woody, encaustic, charcoal, telluric tremors, apricot shade.

 

In Short,

An excellent one, pretty close to the Uigeadail, but better, more woody and complex, more intense, more fruity. In terms of price, we are on dizzying heights, it’s better to forget. 

Score : 90

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                          To Be Listened While Sipping :

  

                                          Amyl & The Sniffers - Some Mutts (Can't Be Muzzled)

SMWS 2001 4.293 A Cunning Combo 19 yo

 

 

 

58,9°

Distillery : Highland Park - Islands 

Oloroso Butt and 2d Fill ex-Laphroaig Oloroso Butt Finish 

Independent Bottling 

By Scotch Malt Whisky Society 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2021

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 20 ppm 

Founded in Edimburgh in 1983, the Scotch Malt Whisky Society is a trading company that sells only Single Casks and only to its members. Their gimmick is that the name of the distillery does not appear on the bottle, only a code gives an indication. Here, it is a Highland Park that was distilled in 2001 and bottled in 507 copies 19 years later, without any additives or cold filtration. It was aged in a Oloroso sherry cask, with a surprising two-year finish in a cask that contained Laphroaig whisky in second filling, and Oloroso sherry in first filling. The result should be peatier than usual for the Orkney distillery.

Let's Taste It : 

Slightly peaty nose, a little sweet, a little airy, evanescent smoke laden with lignite slag. The Oloroso gives a fine depth, raisins, leather, white fruits, plums, mirabelles, Williams pears, hazelnuts. A hint of vanilla, which is stronger on the palate, accompanied by rich spices, paprika, cumin, syrupy caramel, saline shade, lemon zest. The finish is strong but not so long, with a fruity thickness, citrus pulp, grapefruit, earthy charcoal and a square of milk chocolate.

In Short, 

Two years of finishing is relatively short, and the peat is still light. On the other hand, I liked the originality of the product, a nice dynamic, boldness and style. It's still Highland Park, but treated very differently, and not at all saturated with sherry. On the other hand, the price seems very exaggerated, but I imagine that the target is the wealthy collector who loves rarities.

Score : 89

                                          To Be Listened While Sipping :

  

                                          Chvrches - How Not To Drown