SMWS Outturn January 2025 goes live on Friday 10th January 2025
Kickstart Your Whisky Adventures – 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 January 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 November 2024 outturn).
Kickstart Your Whisky Adventures January 2025 Outturn bottles:
Skooshy Stroopwafel
50.0% ~ Bourbon & European Oak PX ~ 11yo ~ Single Malt ~ £55.00
For this special small-batch single malt, we sourced some top-notch European oak sherry butts from our friends at Tonelería Juan Pino in the south of Spain. The butts were seasoned in the sherry triangle for 13 months with syrupy sweet PX wine, before coming to Scotland to be filled with a wonderfully fruity Speyside single malt, which we are now proud to present to you….read more
6.78 – Tis Not For You To Hear What I Can Speak
57.0% ~ 2nd Fill Ex-PX Hogshead ~ 16yo ~ Highland ~ £96.00
The neat nose bristled with slightly pickled dark fruits, then wee hints of bergamot, blood orange and candied citrus peels. The Panel also detected brown bread spread with treacle, chocolate gingers and heather honey. With reduction we found it became lighter, more aromatic and more playful, with notes of custard creams and liquorice. The palate was a little bigger than expected, with a medicinal tang of cough drops and herbal extracts…read more
8.49 – Tumble into Toffee
59.2% ~ 1st Fill Ex-PX Butt ~ 8yo ~ Speyside ~ £60.00
Tumbling into a warm sticky toffee pudding, pancetta lardons began to mingle with pine resin and peaches. The nose was rich, and time gave rise to nutmeg, ginger and hot sand at the beach. To taste, the dram emulated the nose: chorizo braised in grenache wine, red apple slices and vanilla custard topped with brown sugar. Water gave the nose a pancake batter quality, with dried figs, currants and marshmallows… read more
10.272 – Jereztering Home
61.0% ~ 1st Fill Ex-Oloroso Hogshead ~ 11yo ~ Islay ~ £85.00
We felt this one displayed a wonderful and classical sherry maturation profile. We noted some superb aromas of roasted game meats, walnuts, pine wood, camphor and beeswax, with a nicely tense and sharp saltiness in the background: classical bodega funk! Water revealed notes of cherries, resinous hardwoods, serrano ham, freshly brewed espresso and unlit cigars in a humidor. The mouth was immediately dominated by the rugged, coastal sherry character, with big notes of soy sauce… read more
10.279 – Powerful Perusal Potion
62.6% ~ 1st Fill Ex-PX Barrique ~ 11yo ~ Islay ~ £85.00
Big and bold, this was truly a dram for perusing, the Panel agreed. Dark chocolate muffins with glacé cherries met wet tobacco and lime zest, but at the same time we found crispy, salty bacon and garlic mussels in a red wine tomato sauce. On the palate we had a slice of sacher torte with a glass of Sicilian Nero d’Avola red wine, plus ripe red fruits, balsamic and hints of cocoa and tobacco… read more
11.52 – A Pyramid of Peach, Pear and Apricot Pastries
61.8% ~ 1st Fill Ex-Bourbon Barrel ~ 9yo ~ Highland ~ £55.00
The nose evoked a summery scene of honeysuckle, hay and vanilla floral perfumes, before a cascade of fruit arrived – mandarin segments, white peach, pear and banana. Somewhere in the background, earthier notes of soft leather and distant tobacco added depth and interest. The palate provided a pyramid of peach, pear and apricot pastries, with lashings of chantilly cream. On the reduced nose, some oaked white wine with a floral bouquet accompanied the red apple…. read more
13.108 – Classic Old-School Sherry Bodega Funk
63.5% ~ 2nd Fill STR Ex-PX Barrique ~ 11yo ~ Highland ~ £85.00
The nose delivered unmistakable sherry, rich sweetness and tart fruits – candy floss, brandy snaps and tablet, dried pineapple and cherry fruitcake, charred pine, hiking boots and cough medicine. The sweet, dark, fruit flavours of blackcurrant fruit leathers, redcurrants, raspberries and red wine reduction flooded our mouths; finishing with dry wood, root beer and rancio funk. The reduced nose became earthier, delivering salted caramel dark chocolate, camphor and menthol balm, old roses and tobacco pouches…. read more
28.108 – Cranberry Reverie
60.9% ~ 1st Fill Ex-Bourbon Barrel ~ 12yo ~ Highland ~ £74.00
Sliced pears soaked in cranberry juice, and honeydew melon chunks mingled with sliced apples, were to the fore while nosing this dram. On the palate, we folded vanilla being into the mix, along with plum and orange peel. Adding water was like being handed a bouquet of flowers: sweet peas, geraniums, tangerine blossom, lilacs and vanilla pods. The palate now echoed the initial nose, taking us back to cranberry…. read more
50.119 – Gallovidian Rhapsody
53.6% ~ Re-Fill Ex-Bourbon Barrel ~ 34yo ~ Lowland ~ £425.00
A complex orchestration of honeysuckle, pomegranate and earl grey tea harmonised with sizzling pork chops, glazed with manuka honey and served with sweet apple sauce on an antique writing desk. Base notes of candied orange peel, smashed hazelnuts and virgin olive oil created rich yet silky textures that perfectly carried the other flavours. A small dash of water established an ensemble of sweet ginger wine, maple syrup and marmalade, alongside a quartet of cassia bark, marzipan, Christmas cake and pineapple flambéed in armagnac… read more
60.46 – Forest Florist
58.0% ~ 1st Fill Ex-Bourbon Hogshead ~ 11yo ~ Highland ~ £64.00
This opened with a bouquet of croissants, lemon and lime peel, fruit leather and fresh strawberries. To taste, the bouquet shifted to a warm, wild Mediterranean fennel dipped in molten sugar, dusted with cardamom and poppy seeds, and served with lime cordial and strawberries. Water emphasised woody character on the nose, with a bale of wet twigs drizzled with evaporated milk, raisins, pine resin and stewed apple. The palate finished sweeter, as though a spoonful of brown sugar had been stirred into the dram, joined by baked orange… read more
64.153 – Very Satisfying
54.2% ~ 1st Fill HTMC Hogshead ~ 16yo ~ Speyside ~ £85.00
A complex set of aromas. On the one hand, we found plenty of antique furniture, waxed jackets, moss and wet bark. On the other, a delicate light and floral perfumed scent from a cashmere ruana. The taste was as complex, with mulled cider, cinnamon-baked apples, roasted macadamia nuts and blackcurrant fudge. Water turned the nose very chic, elegant, sweet and floral, evoking a suit pocket square. On the palate now, we sipped a cocktail called Bonnie Prince Charlie: St-Germain, orange bitters and sparkling wine… read more
70.62 – Honey and Dragon Fruit Sangria
60.8% ~ 1st Fill Ex-Bourbon Barrel ~ 10yo ~ Highland ~ £64.00
We were served a cup of earl grey tea with a choice of vanilla custard slices, cherry bakewell fudge or Spanish turrón. We then had a slice of almond and orange blossom cake bursting with sweet floral flavours and perfectly paired with a tangy whipped cream cheese buttercream frosting. Water released the scent of leather armchairs, sweet cigar smoke and toffee apples but also an intriguing combination of honey-roasted fennel, olives and rosemary.. read more
73.174 – A Real Taste of Summer
55.1% ~ 1st Fill Ex-Bourbon Barrel ~ 13yo ~ Speyside ~ £69.00
A surprising pale colour was followed by delicate aromas of sawdust, lime zest, elderflower, coconut, marshmallows and tender, juicy chicken in a lemongrass and honey sauce. This was certainly livelier on the neat palate, with barley sugar rolled in chilli flakes or licking honey with wasabi off a wooden chopstick. Following reduction, the scent turned into a pear and peach trifle, a simple summer wildflower meadow and a refreshing lemon sorbet… read more
93.217 – Seashore Crisps
59.2% ~ 1st Fill Ex-Bourbon Barrel ~ 10yo ~ Campbeltown ~ £65.50
The nose when neat was highly mineral at first, with lots of sharp salinity, crisp smokiness and dry medicinal tones. The Panel noted such things as beach bonfire aromas and clams frying in garlic butter. With water there were some greasy engine notes, along with swimming pools, lemon barley water and shellfish – all things we felt were typical of this distillery. The palate was a little peatier than the nose indicated, with more beach bonfire vibes, brittle smokiness, seawater and pickling juices… read more
94.50 – Hodgepodge
60.2% ~ HTMC New Oak Barrel ~ 12yo ~ Highland ~ £69.50
Initial nosing threw up such varied elements as lemon oils, herbal bitters, non-scented candle wax, cold Darjeeling tea and peach-topped danish pastries. As usual with this distillery, there was a bit of all sorts of stuff going on. Water brought fresh dunnage warehouse vibes, rum ‘n’ raisin ice cream, dried mango, redcurrant and shoe leather with a sprinkle of coal soot. The palate had some lovely orchard fruit notes up front, with cinnamon, raisins, fruity black coffee and aniseed all roving into view behind that. Water brought out a slightly lactic note, then black pepper, apple pips, cedar wood and spiced oranges… read more
100.43 – Pineapple Rum Flambe
56.6% ~ 1st Fill Ex-Oloroso Hogshead ~ 13yo ~ Speyside ~ £75.00
On the neat nose the Panellists found aromas of thick toffee with cracked black pepper and pineapple flambéed in rum, as well as cayenne and dry chilli flakes. To taste, crispy hash browns with brown sauce were served with pan-fried tomatoes and sautéed mushroom on toast. After reduction we had a bowl of natural Greek yoghurt with mixed fresh berries and dark chocolate-chunk oatmeal cookies with a touch of cinnamon and molasses… read more
112.129 – Breakfast Cocktail
54.5% ~ Hybrid Oak Hogshead ~ 15yo ~ Highland ~ £84.00
The mixologist tickled our noses’ fancy with a fun breakfast cocktail, expertly blending toasted rye bread, marmalade and alpine butter, followed by pain au raisin with apricot jam and lychees. The palate had a soft and creamy mouthfeel, with bright notes of grape, plums, Thai basil and crème caramel. Water transformed things, serving us a dessert menu of cheesecake, chablis, cherries and baked orange on the nose, and cola, macadamia nuts and honey on the palate… read more
121.111 – Tempura Tincture
62.1% ~ 1st Fill Ex-Bourbon Barrel ~ 8yo ~ Highland ~ £57.00
Sesame seeds cascaded from the clouds before our eyes, chasing lemon sherbet candies towards a bouquet of hay and chamomile in a bizarre game of capture the flag. The palate shared this earthy-sweet contrast, with baked lemon and ginger mingling with pine resin, mace-spiked chamomile tea, and a dry taste of smouldering sandalwood smoke. The Panel noted a likely peat influence. Water gave ripe melon slices wrapped in prosciutto, tempura enoki mushrooms and smoked sea salt on the nose… read more
138.28 – Thrills, Gills and Skills with Grills
57.6% ~ 1st Fill Ex-Bourbon Barrel ~ 5yo ~ Taiwan ~ £79.50
With sea views as our backdrop, we encouraged the barbecue with a little high-strength Barbados rum. The flames engulfed our Mediterranean vegetables, singeing the fennel, and charcoaling the pineapple rings and cherries on cinnamon sticks. Lamb chops danced amid the flames next, their sticky glaze of rosemary and redcurrant jelly sizzling in the heat. After a dash of water, we found sandalwood to add to the embers. The fragrant aromas wafted over beech-smoked salmon, lavishly coated with a honey and mustard sauce… read more
145.2 – Liquid Medicinal Smoke
66.5% ~ 1st Fill Ex-Bourbon Barrel ~ 10yo ~ Sweden ~ £149.00
Moss smouldered on a forest campfire as duck breasts, rolled in rock salt, sizzled in the smoke. A strong smell of antiseptic lotion engulfed the senses, followed by a blast of eucalyptus freshness that wrestled our faculties like camphor and menthol eye wash. The palate, however, introduced toasted black pepper oatcakes, coated with butter and served with venison salami, beef jerky, and smoked lemon sorbet. A dash of water released waves of peppermint spice that splashed the face alongside liquid smoke and chipotle chilli ketchup… read more
149.11 – Exotic Sweetness
63.0% ~ 1st Fill Ex-Bourbon Barrel ~ 8yo ~ Highland ~ £79.00
The sweet nose (toffee, marshmallows, meringues, honey on toast, and raspberry brownie) preceded subtler hints of kir royal, well-fired rolls and dried fruits in a Medina market. The palate’s velvety sweetness of fruit leathers, neapolitan ice cream and figs soaked in brandy prepared the way for a finish of cinnamon, spiced fruit cake, after-dinner mints, leather and oak. The reduced nose delivered shifting aromas of sandalwood and musk, orange boxes and tea chests, jam sponge, liquorice and affogato… read more