SMWS 97.13 (Littlemill 18 yo 1987/2008)

SMWS 97.13 (Littlemill 18 yo 1987/2008)

2008, SMWS
Single malt - Lowlands
Ginger gold
55.8% ABV
Dram

Nose: Orange peel, cloves, cinnamon, lemon zest, Seville oranges, honey, popcorn. With water, lemon curd, rhubarb.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens quickly, becomes syrupy.
Tasting: Sweet. Tutti frutti, pineapples, orange peel, cloves, chillies, honey, vanilla, hints of peaches. With water, less spicy, orange marmalade.
Finish: Long. Chillies, popcorn, cloves. With water, peaches.

Comments:

Excellent - gently but just a little feisty, like a young colt. Although the whisky is already 18 years old, and not very young anymore.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

SMWS 58.8 (Strathisla 28 yo 1977/2005)

SMWS 58.8 (Strathisla 28 yo 1977/2005)

2005, SMWS
Single malt - Speyside
Pink gold
49.3% ABV
Dram

Nose: Lemon sweets, rhubarb, pears, brass polish, lemon curd, hints of biscuit, hints of pine.
Mouthfeel: Light body, quite watery, expands.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Lemon zest, butter, lemon sweets, rhubarb, brass polish, citron, hints of meringue.
Finish: Medium. Biscuit, brass polish, lemons, raisins.

Comments:

Subtle, almost wispy. Maybe I'm getting too used to having my tastebuds bludgeoned by 50% + ABV whiskies. This one requires due care and attention.

Verdict:

I like this.

SMWS 95.7 (Auchroisk 9 yo 1997/2007)

SMWS 95.7 (Auchroisk 9 yo 1997/2007)

2007, SMWS
Single malt - Speyside
Almost colourless
58.1% ABV
Dram

Nose: Butter, vanilla, sponge cake, oranges, honey, rosewater, hints of raisins, hints of strawberries.
Mouthfeel: Light body, thickens quickly, slightly watery still, astringent.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Sponge cake, vanilla, white chocolate, brioche, marzipan, butter, honey, hints of raisins. With water, bitter gourd, bitter almonds.
Finish: Long. Butter, vanilla, white chocolate, raisins. With water, even longer, more almonds.

Comments:

Heavy going, tends to overwhelm my palate. Very tasty though, and if I weren't paying attention, most of the complexity would just slip down and never be noticed.

Verdict:

I like this.

SMWS 91.18 (Dufftown 20 yo 1985/2005)

SMWS 91.18 (Dufftown 20 yo 1985/2005)

2005, SMWS
Single malt - Speyside
Pale orange
51.4% ABV
Dram

Nose: Vanilla, marzipan, orange juice, lemon sweets, popcorn, caramel, hints of lemon zest.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens slightly, then static.
Tasting: Sweet. Lemon sweets, vanilla, marzipan, sponge cake, caramel, butter, orange peel, marshmallows.
Finish: Medium. Bitter, mossy, wet leaves, sponge cake.

Comments:

Like sipping a cloud. Very elusive flavours, except for the mulchy finish. Despite the way it sounds, it's actually quite enjoyable, like a counterpoint, akin to the pleasure I get from eating chillies.

Verdict:

I like this.

SMWS 80.3 (Glen Spey 20 yo 1985/2005)

SMWS 80.3 (Glen Spey 20 yo 1985/2005)

2005, SMWS
Single malt - Speyside
White wine
51.9% ABV
Dram

Nose: Raisins, white wine, milk chocolate, plums, peaches, baked apples, hints of butter.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, dry, slightly astringent, turns watery.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Chocolate, vanilla, white wine, plums, butter, milk, hints of nutmeg.
Finish: Medium. Milk, orange peel, nutmeg.

Comments:

Light and appetising, would be brilliant as an aperitif. Gets me salivating due to the dryness - a texture reminiscent of crisp Chardonnay. Delicious.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

SMWS 59.32 (Teaninich 21 yo 1983/2005)

SMWS 59.32 (Teaninich 21 yo 1983/2005)

2005, SMWS
Single malt - North Highlands
Sun gold
54.8% ABV
Dram

Nose: Butter, raisins, rum, salt caramel, hints of ginger, hints of apple.
Mouthfeel: Light body, watery, hot, slightly astringent.
Tasting: Sweet salty. Popcorn, raisins, salt caramel, galangal, ginger, apple crumble, butter, hints of peat.
Finish: Short. Honeydew melon, apple, ginger, soursop, new plastic.

Comments:

Tastes quite strong despite coming in a tad under 55% ABV. Not very easy drinking - a little too harsh on the tongue. Still, this whisky rewarded some quiet reflection sitting in the corner. Interesting ketone-y notes.

Verdict:

I like this.

SMWS 36.34 (Benrinnes 36 yo 1970/2006)

SMWS 36.34 (Benrinnes 36 yo 1970/2006)

2006, SMWS
Single malt - Speyside
Amber
52.7% ABV
Dram

Nose: Dried apricots, maraschino cherries, sultanas, plum jam, hints of dark chocolate.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, quite static, slightly watery around the edges.
Tasting: Sweet. Rum, maraschino cherries, plum jam, dried apricots, wolfberries, brown paper, caramel, hints of dark chocolate.
Finish: Long. Brown paper, dried apricots, cinnamon.

Comments:

Very nice indeed. Much to my surprise, the whisky was aged in a refill hoggie. It tastes like first fill sherry cask - rich, unctuous and fruity.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

SMWS 2.65 (Glenlivet 29 yo 1975/2005)

SMWS 2.65 (Glenlivet 29 yo 1975/2005)

2005, SMWS
Single malt - Speyside
Amber
56.1% ABV
Dram

Nose: Raisins, chillies, baked apple, caramel, toffee, orange juice, cinnamon, hints of brown paper. With water, more butter, popcorn, toffee.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, hot, a little volatile.
Tasting: Sweet. Candied orange, dark chocolate, cinnamon, brown paper, egg yolk, salt caramel, hints of mint. With water, vanilla, more brown paper, caramel popcorn.
Finish: Long. Red wine, lemons, brown paper, chillies.

Comments:

Very much like egg nog, despite the heavy hints of brown paper. Pleasantly spiced, quite Christmassy. I can imagine drinking this in front of the fire with snow falling outside.

Verdict:

I like this.

SMWS 106.17 (Cardhu 20 yo 1984/2005)

SMWS 106.17 (Cardhu 20 yo 1984/2005)

2005, SMWS
Single malt - Speyside
Dull gold
57.8% ABV
Dram

Nose: Butter, raisins, orange peel, hints of peat, hints of red wine, hints of milk chocolate.
Mouthfeel: Light body, slightly watery, then static.
Tasting: Sweet. Vanilla, sponge cake, chinese egg roll, peaches, milk chocolate, plums, nutmeg, hints of red wine.
Finish: Long. Peaches, milk chocolate, raisins, sponge cake.

Comments:

Almost as expected - a lot of fruit, slight winey notes. The official bottlings have more intense fruit, which almost extrudes onto the palate. In comparison this is a little more subtle. I have to say I'm slightly disappointed.

Verdict:

I like this.

SMWS 99.10 (Glenugie 25 yo 1980/2005)

SMWS 99.10 (Glenugie 25 yo 1980/2005)

2005, SMWS
Single malt - Eastern Highlands
Orange gold
47% ABV
Dram

Nose: Raisins, chocolate, orange peel, pink honeydew melon, sage, butter, hints of milk chocolate.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens slightly, slightly watery around the edges.
Tasting: Bitter. Butter, honeydew melon, sage, walnuts, cream soda, orange peel, hints of chocolate.
Finish: Medium. Walnut skins, hints of cream soda, butter.

Comments:

Glenugie is a distillery I've had high expectations of - it's been really built up in my mind. Perhaps because of that, I found this whisky a little disappointing. It's quite pleasant, but the bitterness in the mouth takes away that little bit of enjoyment.

Verdict:

I like this.

SMWS 87.8 (Millburn 21 yo 1983/2005)

SMWS 87.8 (Millburn 21 yo 1983/2005)

2005, SMWS
Single malt - Speyside
Sun gold
53.7% ABV
Dram

Nose: Leather, lemon zest, orange juice, orange peel, citron, gooseberries, hints of peat. With water, vanilla, butter and cream appear.
Mouthfeel: Light body, slight watery around the edges, static. Strangely, it gets tighter and more viscous with water (stimulating salivation, maybe?). Strange.
Tasting: Sour. Lemons, orange juice, melons, vanilla, butter, raisins, hint of peach. With water, more butter, more peaches, peat appears. Like bread and butter pudding.
Finish: Medium. Leather, orange juice, hints of peat.

Comments:

Excellent stuff, especially with water. Like a slightly peaty dessert, loaded with fruit and vanilla. Shame this distillery closed!

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

SMWS 81.11 (Glen Keith 32 yo 1971/2004)

SMWS 81.11 (Glen Keith 32 yo 1971/2004)

2004, SMWS
Single malt - Speyside
Mahogany, tinge of rose
56.4% ABV
Dram

Nose: Port, toffee, brandy, raisins, orange peel, caramel, Pedro Ximenez sherry.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, astringent, static.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Rubber bands, sherry, raisins, red grapes, ba zhen tang, walnuts, hints of chocolate, hints of toffee.
Finish: Long. Spicy, raisins, rubber bands, walnuts.

Comments:

Lovely colour, lovely whisky. Nicely sweet, with all the classic signs of sherry maturation, but shot with interesting bitter threads - walnuts, Chinese herbal soups come to mind. Very good indeed.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

SMWS 55.18 (Royal Brackla 9 yo 1998/2008)

SMWS 55.18 (Royal Brackla 9 yo 1998/2008)

2008, SMWS
Single malt - Speyside
White wine
61.0% ABV
Dram

Nose: Milk, butter, cream soda, lemons, yoghurt, oranges, hints of butter, hints of shallots. With water, butter cookies, hints of marzipan.
Mouthfeel: Light body, static, volatile, slightly watery around the edges.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Cookie dough, vanilla, butter, shallots, oranges, yoghurt, lemons, hints of cream soda, hints of grilled meat. With water, butter cookies, hints of marzipan.
Finish: Medium. Vanilla, yoghurt, orange peel.

Comments:

Pleasantly fruity, with elaborate dairy notes (yoghurt is particularly unusual), but the hints of shallots let it down. I associate the shallots with the bitterness in the taste. Not bad, but not great either.

Verdict:

Not bad.

SMWS 38.13 (Caperdonich 24 yo 1980/2005)

SMWS 38.13 (Caperdonich 24 yo 1980/2005)

2005, SMWS
Single malt - Speyside
Golden
57.9% ABV
Dram

Nose: Lemon sweets, brass polish, rhubarb, incense, sandalwood, cedar, hints of orange peel.
Mouthfeel: Light body, volatile, watery, loosens up quickly.
Tasting: Sour bitter. Green apples, cedar, orange peel, lemon sweets, pepper, rhubarb, hints of hazelnuts.
Finish: Short. Butter, vanilla, cookie dough, lemon sweets.

Comments:

Quite sour - not the way I expected it to taste, certainly. Nice notes of lemon sweets running through the entire whisky, with little spicy peppery zings on the palate. Not unpleasant!

Verdict:

I like this.

SMWS 78.38 (Ben Nevis 10 yo 1997/2008)

SMWS 78.38 (Ben Nevis 10 yo 1997/2008)

2008, SMWS
Single malt - West Highlands
Pink gold
58.7% ABV
Dram

Nose: Butter, orange peel, fried eggs, caramel, burnt sugar, tyre rubber, crème brulee.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loose, static, slightly watery around the edges.
Tasting: Sweet. Orange peel, cherries, fried eggs, photocopier paper, burnt sugar, hints of walnuts.
Finish: Medium. Tyre rubber, fried eggs, hints of biscuit.

Comments:

A little too eggy to be pleasant, although somehow the burnt sugar notes complement the slight savouriness. Not that great - I think this is one of the less pleasant SMWS bottlings.

Verdict:

Not bad.

SMWS 63.22 (Glentauchers 18 yo 1989/2008)

SMWS 63.22 (Glentauchers 18 yo 1989/2008)

2008, SMWS
Single malt - Speyside
Sunset pink
53.8% ABV
Dram

Nose: Butter, black tea, condensed milk, raisins, hints of milk chocolate, hints of plums. With water, pear, plums.
Mouthfeel: Light body, astringent, hot, volatile, watery.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Condensed milk, cream, butter, black tea, milk chocolate, Baileys. With water, more fruity, orange peel, plum tart.
Finish: Medium. Walnut skins, cream, raisins.

Comments:

Very milky, much like Baileys, although I swear I didn't add cream! Got more fruity with water, as I'd expect a Glentauchers to be. Very pleasant whisky, probably the best I've had from this distillery so far.

Verdict:

I like this.

SMWS 10.66 (Bunnahabhain 11 yo 1997/2008)

SMWS 10.66 (Bunnahabhain 11 yo 1997/2008)

SMWS 2008
Single malt - Islay
Golden
57% ABV
Dram

Nose: Peanuts, sausages, butter, peat, raisins, sage, bacon, hints of smoke. With water, orange peel, plums, fried eggs.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens a little, still quite loose.
Tasting: Salty. Bacon, peat, heather, honey, peanut, biscuit, sage, hints of toffee, hints of tablet. With water, plums, hints of chocolate.
Finish: Long. Peanuts, bacon, peat, honey.

Comments:

Not as peaty a Bunnahabhain as have come out of the Society's vaults recently. Quite fruity, pleasant, but maybe not quite sweet enough. Perhaps a little too salty? But then again I quite like bacon...

Verdict:

I like this.