SMWS Outturn May 2024

Cask No. Distillery 12 Rare Release – Heritage Puddings Follow Breakfast

58.4% ~ 2nd Fill & New Oak Bourbon & HTMC Barrels ~ 10yo ~ Speyside ~ £65.00

As chef presented us with honey nut cornflakes crowned with kumquat and molasses, we finished dipping bacon-wrapped croissants in wheat beer. On the palate, cinnamon toffee apples were served with farmhouse cider, a pecan danish and toasted coconut chips dipped in chocolate, all washed down with a glass of apple juice. Water offered a rustic nose, evocative of heritage puddings swimming in condensed milk and topped with chantilly cream… read more

Cask No. Distillery 39 Rare Release – Cross-Atlantic Destinations

58.4% ~ Re-Fill & 1st Fill Bourbon, Oloroso & PX & Hogsheads ~ 15yo ~ Speyside ~ £90.00

A new pair of leather sandals baked in the heat of the sand on a sun-drenched beach in the Algarve. The whisp of wild fennel, limestone and thyme drifted in the air. The palate took us to the other side of the Atlantic, slicing into a Jamaican ginger cake topped with candied rose petals and toffee, raspberry jam and browned butter. Water pulled the toffee forward and introduced jasmine alongside dark brown sugar on the nose. A gentle oak spice underlined the palate now, complemented by blackcurrants and cocoa powder, chewy pretzels and crème pâtissière… read more

Cask No. Speyside Batch 2024 – The Writing Bureau

53.1% ~ 2nd Fill Bourbon Barrels ~ 30yo ~ Speyside ~ £175.00

Our eyes danced across an old writing bureau, the shine from its green leather-topped desk being casually absorbed by the woodwork’s patina. On the nose, lime zest was woven into honeydew melon, joined by a puff of sherbet and the arrival of polished antique furniture. The palate was intense, full of waxy apples and pears, creamed coconut, quince paste and spiced witbier. A trickle of water pulled forward lime pastilles and elderflower as we walked into a botanical garden’s hothouse. It is here we write our best stanzas. The palate was custard tart, cubes of Turkish delight and pears… read more

Cask No. Distillery 85 Rare Release – Freeform Jazz

57.5% ~ Re-Fill & 1st Fill Bourbon & Spanish Oak Oloroso Hogsheads ~ 15yo ~ Speyside ~ £90.00

Using burnt twigs we stirred coal tar and beech wood-smoked nectarines into a medicinal potion of chamomile and syrup. Then to the mix came figs infused with hickory smoke, sweet mustard and orange segments, before in went barbecued brisket to simmer. A dash of water caused the flames from burning heather to tickle the rind of bacon dipped in treacle as the skin of juicy pineapples bubbled and popped. Our attention now turned to sticky ginger cake and walnuts in brioche buns, fresh from the oven and finished with bramble jam, coffee beans and sprigs of thyme. The starting point for this small batch was two bourbon hogsheads of single malt Scotch whisky… read more

Cask No. Distillery 48 Rare Release – Tawny Garibaldi

49.8% ~ Re-Fill & 1st Fill Bourbon & American Oak PX Hogsheads ~ 14yo ~ Speyside ~ £85.00

We walked through the deep, dark forest, stepping over moss-covered tree roots and troupes of wood mushrooms. As the wind whispered through the dense evergreens, the aroma of steamed raisin pudding with a tawny port wine sauce emerged. We followed our noses and found a little gingerbread house with vanilla-based frosting, supported by tonka beans, cinnamon sticks and garibaldi biscuits. When we added a couple of drops of water the scent of chocolate-coated dark red cherries flirting with turrón ice cream and PX raisins dominated, while on the palate we enjoyed blueberries freshly picked from the woodland… read more

5.128 – Stirred with Sugarcane

54.7% ~ 1st Fill Ex-Bourbon Barrel ~ 20yo ~ Lowland ~ £137.00

Almond tarts topped with raspberry jam. White chocolate shavings on a warm croissant. The nose was full of heady sweet notes, think honey and varnish. The palate, likewise, was full of vanilla, orange oil, plum conserve and a blend of nutmeg and soft brown sugar. Introducing water offered caramel stirred with sugarcane and poured into a wellington boot. It was more buttery now on the nose, and with more fruits on the palate…. read more

9.154 – Pickled in an Orchard

54.7% ~ 1st Fill Charred Red Wine Barrique ~ 14yo ~ Speyside ~ £82.80

Juicy and sumptuous aromas led us into an orchard filled with a rich variety of ripe fruit. Cinnamon and white chocolate offered an intense sweetness that was balanced by spicy fruit pickle and plums. Freshness came from mint and citrus fruits that combined with a hint of leather and malt milkshake. Succulent fruit returned with sweet pineapple and soft cherry cake as the palate turned towards waxy oranges and pickled ginger. Finally we indulged in chocolate covered brazil nuts and sticky orange liqueur …. read more

10.241 – Sound of Singing Sand

58.8% ~ 2nd Fill Ex-PX Hosghead ~ 9yo ~ Islay ~ £79.50

We were all in agreement nosing neat – a bowl full of herby chicken and bacon lardons with a red onion mash next to a green lentil curry. On the palate, we sat on lovely sun-warmed stones at the beach listening to the calming sound of “singing sand” and eating salty crackers with a smoked tuna dip. Dilution delivered an aroma of peat-smoked marshmallows and charred lobster meat combined with an emerging freshness of sea salt and citrus…. read more

16.93 – Chewing on a Pirate’s Wooden Leg

63.9% ~ Re-Charred Hogshead ~ 9yo ~ Highland ~ £60.00

The nose was a lively evocation of tar barrels, engine oil, race track tyre marks, a Guy Fawkes bonfire, over-toasted nuts and meat loaf (not the bat out of hell one). The palate conveyed charred wood, peat embers and caramelised brown sugar, with an ironic pairing of strong menthol lozenges and “chewing on a pirate’s wooden leg” (salty, with tarred leather). The reduced nose combined garden bonfires and cheroots in an ashtray with creme brulee and well-done currant buns… read more

16.94 – Marmalade Tanker Fuego

64.4% ~ Re-Charred Hogshead ~ 9yo ~ Highland ~ £60.00

A tanker full of marmalade was ablaze on a freshly laid tarmac road. The nose was big on salted caramel too. To taste, thyme and peanuts were joined by charred blackcurrants, rapeseed oil and a touch of chilli flakes. Offering water added cold-smoked sugar snap peas to the nose, along with charcoal and German hunting schnapps, before the palate focused on clove, charred cinnamon sticks, ginger wine and smoked pumpkin… read more

19.89 – Marzipan Meditations

54.6% ~ 1st Fill Ex-Bourbon Barrel ~ 19yo ~ Highland ~ £125.00

Relaxing on a mattress of vanilla sponge we drifted off into a dreamy world of mellow marzipan surrounded by dried rose petals, baked apple and bread and butter pudding generously coated with cinnamon sleeping powder. Sweet memories of toffee apples and fudge revived the sensations of crystallised ginger, nutmeg and dried coconut, before lemons and limes met aniseed and curry leaves. Adding water brought lemons, grapefruit and hot tomato plants to the fore, while marzipan murmured in the background alongside linseed and beeswax… read more

39.274 – Marmalade Pipe Tobacco

57.8% ~ 1st Fill Ex-Oloroso Hogshead ~ 16yo ~ Speyside ~ £106.90

Deliciously sweet aromas encapsulated sugared almonds, marshmallows and red liquorice before fruity notes of dried apricots, ripe apples and sultanas joined pencil shavings and beeswax polish. The palate was a big and chewy affair as figs, dates and toffee collided with pipe tobacco mixed with marmalade dusted with cinnamon, cocoa and a splash of oloroso. Water brought out oxidised sherry notes of hazelnuts and walnuts with creme caramel and the oily character of cured ham… read more

48.164 – Dark Fruit Feedback Loop

54.2% ~ 1st Fill Ex-Oloroso Butt ~ 17yo ~ Speyside ~ £97.00

The nose on this one was immediately impactful and brand spectrum, with notes including raspberry jam, a fat, rum-like worm tub funk, powdered cinnamon and ginger, and also clove-studded baked apples. We also found treacle, crushed hazelnuts and malt extract. Water brought more rum notes, pine sap, toffee sauce and dusty coal scuttles. There was a scattering of dried exotic fruits in the background too. The palate opened with rich and emphatic notes of hessian, orange muscat wines, fennel seed and salted liquorice… read more

53.443 – Fishing Boat in a Car Wash

61.5% ~ Re-Fill Ex-Bourbon Hogshead ~ 10yo ~ Islay ~ £75.00

We were at the beach, peat smoke wafting from a nearby smokehouse and sun-dried seaweed; the children had candy floss and ice cream chocolate wafers. We tasted a big smoke and brine combo, peppered hot-smoked salmon, tabasco sauce on oysters, tar, ash, chimney soot and a dry halva-like sweetness. The reduced nose combined smoked sea salt, rosemary and bitter lemon with winkle gatherers and waders and a fishing boat in a car wash (maritime, but clean). The palate offered muscovado sugar and treacle scones, wood smoke…read more

53.445 – Nothing To See Here

56.7% ~ Refill American Oak PX Hogshead ~ 15yo – Islay ~ £99.00

The Panel were dismayed to encounter such a deliberately terrible whisky! To look upon the colour you might imagine this was a stunningly concentrated dram infused with deeply syrupy peat aromas. Or that it may contain notes such as ancient balsamico, natural tar liqueurs, herbal wood smoke and root beer syrup. Alas! It is dreadful and must be avoided like Vogon poetry. In happier circumstances water might have brought further notes of umami paste, salted honey, iodine drops and menthol tobaccos… read more

55.92 – Dows What It Says On The Tin

57.2% ~ 1st Fill Ex-Oloroso Hogshead ~ 15yo ~ Highland ~ £95.00

Does exactly what it says on the tin, with aromas of oak, leather, sweet tobacco, marzipan and mulled wine, as well as figgy bread and butter pudding. On the palate, spice emerged quickly in the form of a dark, creamy, spiced rum caramel sauce and spiced baked figs with ginger mascarpone. After reduction we lit a cigar while, in the same room, someone was sanding down an old table, the tin of light oak wood stain open by the side. To taste, frozen wild berries poured over a vanilla blueberry ice cream… read more

71.100 – Afternoon Banana

50.2% ~ 1st Fill Ex-Bourbon Barrel ~ 14yo ~ Speyside ~ £78.00

First nosing suggested candy floss, banana chips, sweet flower nectars, shoe polish and melon cordial, with a little malted milkshake and fruit loaf – easy, sweet and very enjoyable. With water we picked up gorse flower, sandalwood, sunflower oil, marshmallow and a delicate nutty vibe that included walnut whip and hazelnut cream. The neat palate was fruity and sweet up front with lychee syrup, banana liqueur, bubblegum, jasmine flower and notes of bourbon cocktails… read more

85.78 – A Real Tonic

57.6% ~ 1st Fill Ex-Oloroso Hogshead ~ 14yo ~ Speyside ~ £85.00

We found ourselves walking through a pine forest eating parkin and golden syrup flapjacks before we made a break and started a barbeque with Texas-style baked beans and sausages. A wonderful texture on the palate neat, with the dark sweetness of cherry fondant chocolates, maple pecan pie and cinnamon butter. After reduction we found that an enticing herbal note appeared, like in candied fennel seeds and ground coriander but also cocoa powder and a hint of sweet mint… read more

93.207 – Harbourside Hoopla

52.0% ~ 2nd Fill Ex-Bourbon Barrel ~ 32yo ~ Campbeltown ~ £750.00

The nose was a colourful collage of sea salt, dried kelp and pecorino romano; wasabi, rosemary and Assam tea; chamois leather, teak oil, pipe tobacco and toasted marshmallows – endlessly entertaining. The palate transported us to Campbeltown harbour, watching hessian sacks of grain being unloaded from an old paddle steamer, while we chewed tobacco, dried apple rings, fresh crab or smoked salmon, according to our preferences. Adding water brought a canvas-rigged sailing ship into the harbour; mariners in waxed jackets gave us peaches and orange blossom honey… read more

95.97 – Smile and Wave

55.9% ~ 1st Fill Ex-PX Barrique ~ 15yo ~ Speyside ~ £92.40

We found ourselves walking through a market in Madagascar where the scent of spices such as saffron, cumin, nutmeg and wild red pepper permeated the air at the same time as warm, smooth notes of vanilla. To taste, we recollected flavours ranging from marzipan, walnuts and sultanas to dried figs and dates, ginger and cinnamon. After reduction we baked a tea cake, almond croissants and apricot tarts, while on the palate were initially creamy, sweet Turkish delight and puff pastries… read more

G15.23 – Tuck Shop Treats in an Old School Desk

60.6% ~ 1st Fill Ex-Bourbon Barrel ~ 8yo ~ Highland ~ £50.50

The initial nose had lemon and unripe melon, then some sweetness (marzipan, fudge, jam) and vaguer earthy hints (prosciutto, tobacco, balsamic). Our palates were awakened by zingy, zesty notes of orange, lemongrass and tart grapes before deeper, darker elements appeared – figs, treacle toffee, cigars and leather, with ginger, black pepper and incense to finish. The reduced nose sweetened considerably – brown sugar, crème brûlée, coffee cake and chocolate caramel chews in an old school desk… read more

R11.9 – Rumbustious

67.1% ~ Re-Fill Ex-Islay Barrel ~ 9yo ~ Jamaica ~ £67.50

Initially plenty of fruity aromas, bananas and pineapples complemented by a vanilla sweetness and hint of macadamia nuts. There was smoke lingering in the background, growing in time. It reminded one panellist of a friend as he unrolled his well-used leather pipe and tobacco pouch. To taste, boisterous and unruly, heavily ashy and peppered, smoked jerk chicken and biltong. After reduction the scent was that of ash rolled watermelon, varnished fences, or indeed varnished pineapple cubes, while to taste there was sweetness and smoke in perfect harmony… read more

RW3.8 – Don’t Think Twice!

58.0% ~ 1st Fill Charred New Oak Barrel ~ 4yo ~ New York ~ £60.00

Don’t read the label before you have tried it! A sweet, heady, musky bouquet of floral perfume notes in combination with wood polish and oriental spices was followed on the palate neat by a flavour being equally oily and spicy as well as sweet and grainy with a tremendous texture. Following reduction, warm comforting aromas as we baked an Alsatian pain d’épices with rye flour, generous amount of honey and spices while to taste a mixture of vanilla, oranges and hazelnuts with a cranberry, apple ginger finish… read more

RW6.2 – Aquavit-Spiked Fig and Lemon Verbena Jam

51.0% ~ New Charred Oak Barrel ~ 6yo ~ Finland ~ £80.00

This was a real foodie dram on the nose. A spicy root beer barbecue sauce followed by olive oil, cranberry and apricot scones gave this a real umami vibe. This was reinforced on the palate, as we found sweet, sticky and savoury char siu pork belly burnt ends and, in the finish, caramelised spruce tip syrup. After the careful addition of water, there was an initial gentle hint of tobacco which was beautifully balanced by the scent of beeswax and marzipan… read more

Underwater Barbecue

50.0% ~ Bourbon and Spanish & American Oak Oloroso Hogsheads ~ 12yo ~ Blended Malt ~ £70.00

This small-batch blended malt was created by bringing together the worlds of bourbon and oloroso cask maturation, along with spirit from the islands of Orkney and Islay. There are Spanish and American oak influences in here that complement the savoury smoke, leaving a post-barbecue glow. A gustatory dram, sure to delight peat heads and foodies alike.

This had a bountiful aroma at first, one chock full of smoke-laced flowers, liquorice, smouldering heather, sweeter sherry impressions and singed orange peel. We also found deeper tones of barbecue smoke, coconut shavings, suncream and silky trails of distant peat smoke… read more