SMWS Outturn February 2025 goes live on Friday 7th February 2025
Whisky With Expert Noses – The Scotch Malt Whisky Society releases (outturn) several single cask bottlings of Scotch, Whisk(e)y, Rum and Gin, to name a few, usually on the first Friday of every month.
See below the full list of bottles being released for the February 2025 outturn. If you are not a member, Don’t worry you can join the SMWS here but be quick several of the bottlings sell out as quickly as the day they are released.
(Here is a quick link to last month’s SMWS Outturn: SMWS January 2025 outturn).
Whisky With Expert Noses February 2025 Outturn bottles:
4.388 – An Island Reverie
62.2% ~ 1st Fill Ex-Bourbon Barrel ~ 14yo ~ Highland ~ £85.00
We combined selected eight-year-old hogsheads from this distillery and then matured that single malt further in a variety of casks, of which this first fill bourbon barrel is one. The resulting nose was an island reverie of heather muirburn, smoked kiln rafters, old retired fish boxes, beach barbecues, welly boots and rock pools. On the palate, that smoke was linked with ash, tar, oak, smoked fish, balsamic, chipotle chillies and muscle rub to create a pleasure-enhancing retronasal experience….read more
10.274 – Life’s A Riot
60.5% ~ 2nd Fill Ex-Sherry Butt~ 10yo ~ Islay ~ £826.00
The neat nose suggested to us such appealing things as caramelised ginger, heather ales, buttered pumpernickel bread and salted Dutch liquorice. With time a really deep and potent peat smoke aroma unfurled itself, along with impressions of kerosene, roof pitch, bitumen and exploded first aid kits (we thought, anyway). With water we got a campfire topped up with camphor, plus burnt heather, salted honey, smoked meats and fruity chutney sharpened with sherry vinegar – what a riot … what a beast…read more
19.103 – Delight in the Uncanny
56.4% ~ 1st Fill Ex-Bourbon Hogshead ~ 21yo ~ Highland ~ £149.00
The nose took us simultaneously to a farm shop café and to the orangery, where we found warm rubber boots, a shaved fennel salad topped with rapeseed oil, coffee grounds and cola. The palate was oozing with strawberry, melon, passion fruit and blackberry pie, and offered a touch of mace to a steaming bowl of custard sprinkled with sugared almonds. Water amplified the custard, added a raspberry slushie and gave coconut on the nose… read more
30.124 – Sunshine on the Soul
56.7% ~ Re-Fill Ex-Bourbon Hogshead ~ 31yo ~ Speyside ~ £425.00
A warm glow flickered and radiated as a Christmas cake, liberally dowsed in brandy, was set ablaze. The glow illuminated handmade croissants fresh from the oven, soft and chewy flapjacks, and chunks of dark chocolate. Glorious silky textures of salted butter embraced a palate abundant with almond biscuits, fennel liqueur and heart-warming mace and allspice. With a dash of water a wave of fruitiness flooded the soul. Fresh strawberry tarts, raspberry ripple ice cream and tutti frutti danced with joy as they united with slices of charred pineapple, sticky honeycomb and white chocolate… read more
35.390 – The Land of Make Believe
62.3% ~ 1st Fill Ex-Oloroso Hogshead ~ 9yo ~ Speyside ~ £50.00
Fresh tangerine juice joined an effervescent sparkle in a classic buck’s fizz while strawberries and cream were served alongside dark cocoa powder and tobacco. The spicy tingle of padron peppers excited the tongue before stem ginger in honey combined with raisins and a hint of chocolate. With a drop of water we were transported to the land of make believe as we strolled through orchards of orange blossom, branches loaded with cherries and cedar trees bearing marzipan… read more
44.185 – Nectarous Tenebrosity
60.2% ~ 2nd Fill Toasted Hogshead ~ 18yo ~ Speyside ~ £115.00
This multidimensional nose ranged from toasted nuts and jamon serrano to chocolate raisins, lavender oil and the smoky dryness of spiced vanilla. We found reassuring sweetness within the intensity of the palate – caramel logs, chocolate hazelnut spread, honey and cherries dipped in dark chocolate; plus white pepper, coffee, fig and eucalyptus. The reduced nose suggested dark sweetness (dates, brandy snaps, demerara) with lighter fragrances of laurel hedge and orange blossom…. read more
53.490 – Heather Honey Cashew Nuts Roasted with Sea Salt
57.7% ~ 2nd Fill Ex-Bourbon Hogshead ~ 12yo ~ Islay ~ £84.00
We imagined joining a barbecue on the beach with an array of shellfish just about ready for us to enjoy. What a choice – prawns, shrimps, crabs and lobsters, as well as scallops and octopus. We however took the roasted skate wing prepared with dried chilli flakes, lemon and vinegar. Following reduction, we had seared ahi tuna with a sesame crust and wasabi served on a bed of seaweed salad seasoned with sesame oil, vinegar and honey…. read more
59.89 – Tempura Toast
56.4% ~ 1st Fill Ex-Oloroso Butt ~ 17yo ~ Highland ~ £100.00
Perusing the library shelves, we found a slice of toast among the dusty leather-bound volumes, accompanied by seaweed, rapeseed oil and toffee. To taste, the dram mirrored the nose, with an added side dish of tempura buna-shimeji mushrooms and wasabi peas tossed in coal soot and basil. Water gave both the nose and palate orange oil, coffee grounds, salted crème caramel and a pinch of peppermint…. read more
60.41 – It’s Time To Spice Things Up
57.3% ~ 1st Fill Ex-Bourbon Hogshead ~ 10yo ~ Highland ~ £65.00
A fresh aroma greeted the Panel with the scent of grass, cherries, strawberries and gooseberries, while in the background we noted hints of heather honey and a floral perfume. On the palate, as the nose suggested, this was zingy and fresh, with flavours of grapefruit segments mixed with slices of ripe banana and blackcurrants. In the very pleasant dry finish came bitter chocolate with almond cocoa. Following reduction we found a freshly brewed nettle tea as well as apple cordial and canned pineapple rings… read more
80.56 – Still Life with Flavours
58.6% ~ 1st Fill Ex-Bourbon Hogshead ~ 13yo ~ Speyside ~ £69.00
This complex, slightly understated nose combined light-touch brush strokes of fruit (pear belle Hélène, lemon drizzle cake and flambéed pineapple) with impressionistic dabs of chamomile, geranium, cinnamon and white pepper. The palate initially offered fruitiness again; grapefruit, tangerine and toffee apple blending with some subtle aromatics, such as jasmine and bergamot, then finishing with various spice notes, releasing nutmeg, ginger and cumin – but it was gently warming, not hot… read more
93.220 – The Coastline in Winter
59.3% ~ 1st Fill Ex-Bourbon Barrel ~ 8yo ~ Campbeltown ~ £62.00
A coastal scene in winter: with reeking lums, saltwater-soaked hessian on freshly laid tarmac, and the scent of applewood-smoked bacon in the air. The palate followed with gusto, serving lollies of beechwood tar, smoked tomato soup, an oily sausage roll and salted popcorn. Water gave a lighter feel to the nose, revealing hair wax smeared on linen, smoked raspberry jam and lemon zest… read more
105.54 – Rum n Raisin Ice Cream with Florentines
61.9% ~ 1st Fill Ex-Oloroso Hogshead ~ 10yo ~ Speyside ~ £64.50
An inviting aroma of figs drizzled with honey and buttery toffee was followed by rum and raisin ice cream with florentines. To taste, we found caramel and vanilla panna cotta sprinkled with roasted hazelnuts and served with a ‘Black Forest coffee’ – cherry and chocolate liqueur, coffee, whipped cream and green crème de menthe. Following reduction, sticky toffee popcorn, treacle and maple syrup with aromatic eastern spices danced in the background… read more
108.75 – Alpine Scene
56.6% ~ 1st Fill Ex-Bourbon Barrel ~ 13yo ~ Speyside ~ £73.50
We imagined walking on a sunny afternoon through alpine meadows with snow-capped mountains wherever we looked and, around us, a sea of flowers: yellow gentian, edelweiss, vanilla orchids and alpine crocuses. On the palate a touch of spice, ginger, cinnamon and clove was soon met by the sweetness of lemon honey scones and refreshing strawberry soda. Following the addition of water the sweet freshness developed as we found ourselves on a porch, on a sunny winter’s day, wrapped up in our favourite blanket… read more
121.109 – Isle of Ambulance
61.0% ~ 1st Fill Ex-Bourbon Barrel ~ 8yo ~ Highland ~ £57.00
The Panel immediately noted such things as bandages, ointments, mouthwash, plasters, mercurochrome and all things hospital! Behind that was a beautifully aromatic and brittle smokiness and the salinity of beach pebbles and seawater. Water brought out a blade of pure, brilliant peat smoke, with lashings of pin-sharp citrus fruits and iodine drops. The palate was full of pure, crystalline peat smoke, with bags of oceanic coastal freshness and character – delivering lots of pure seawater, grapefruit juice and phenol antiseptic… read more
122.69 – Smile and Nod Folks, Smile and Nod
58.42% ~ 1st Fill Ex-Bourbon Barrel ~ 9yo ~ Highland ~ £55.00
At first sniff our body language included nodding and smiling – under the influence of vanilla, barley sugars and syrup tarts, lemon, dried pineapple, polished wood and a forest walk. The palate was a pleasing combination of an apricot danish, vanilla custard and orange fondant, with a delicate woody touch of coconut, sweet ginger, eucalyptus and Thai red curry. Apricot jam, peach melba and lemon meringue pie graced the nose after adding a drop of water, while on the palate the spice held up well and the sweetness turned just a little sharper… read more
135.62 – And Me and My True Love Will Yet Meet Again
55.1% ~ HTMC New Oak Hogshead ~ 16yo ~ Highland ~ £95.00
A wonderfully zesty and vibrant initial nose was dominated by crushed nettles, tart exotic fruits and impressions of New Zealand sauvignon blanc. This evolved quickly into passion flower, mint julep cocktail and tropical fruit teas. Reduction brought a more floral profile, scented hot-house flowers, runny honey, firm wood-resin notes and still-abundant tropical fruit aromas. The palate was similarly dominated by tropical fruits and showed a gorgeously syrupy texture, full of sweet mango, passion fruit, pineapple and impressions of very old Irish whiskey… read more
138.24 – Full-Throttle Coal Scuttle
57.1% ~ 1st Fill Ex-Bourbon Barrel ~ 5yo ~ Taiwan ~ £79.50
Bunches of fragrant lavender and heather flowers were blackened and sooty with the dark dust from a coal skuttle. Packed beneath we discovered smoked ham, glazed with honey, and grilled peaches arranged beside dairy fudge. Then chillies and ginger chocolate danced around the edge, making way for chunks of barbecued butterscotch. A little water softened the delivery. Ripe honeydew melons now emerged, wrapped in floral-scented bed sheets… read more
138.31 – Higher Power
55.1% ~ 1st Fill Ex-Bourbon Barrel ~ 5yo ~ Taiwan ~ £79.50
We closed our eyes, sat back and relaxed. Freeing our minds in a haze of sandalwood incense, cinnamon spice and fragrant rosewater, we drifted away to a distant world of nectarines, scented earl grey tea, and Turkish delight dipped in dark chocolate. A sprinkle of sacred water brought further enlightenment in the shape of juicy jelly sweets and bitter lemons. Exotic aromas embraced cumin, caraway seeds and fresh peppermint leaves… read more