SMWS Outturn September 2024 goes live on Friday 6th September 2024
Let’s Get Together – 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 July 2024 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 August 2024 outturn).
Let’s Get Together September 2024 Outturn bottles:
29.292 – Peat in Parts Per Thousand
58.2% ~ Ex-Oloroso Butt ~ 23yo ~ Islay ~ £435.00
This one displayed all the usual refinements this distillery is famed for: peat smoke tinged with dried exotic fruits and encroaching waves of iodine, antiseptic, kippers and peppered mackerel for starters. Then, going deeper, we found it gathered complexity with suggestions of smoked olive oil, tarred rope, creel nets and wet beach kelp. Gorgeous!…read more
9.294 – Penitence Potion of Sackcloth and Beeswax
56.7% ~ 1st Fill Ex-Bourbon Barrel ~ 20yo ~ Speyside ~ £112.00
A pleasure from start to finish: the nose had the freshness of melon, pear drops, lemon sorbet, cut meadows and peppermint – and then beeswax, sackcloth, mahogany and vanilla candles. The rich, full-bodied palate had buttery honey sweetness, chocolate honeycomb bars, lime-drizzled mango and fruit-flavour boiled sweets; then gentle mouth tingles of ginger, clove and tropical spiced-rum notes…read more
122.67 – Builders Brew, Masala Chai and Chilli Boba Tea
60.8% ~ 1st Fill Ex-Bourbon Barrel ~ 8yo ~ Highland ~ £57.00
A sweet floral scent coming from lavender, gladioli and lilies appeared at first before, with time, blondies (chocolate brownies where the cocoa is substituted with vanilla) took over. On the palate neat what for one Panellist was a proper builder’s brew was for another ‘trendier’ Panel member a masala chai or, even more contemporary, a chilli boba… read more
Spanish Splendour
50.0% ~ 1st Fill American and Spanish Oak Oloroso and Refill Bourbon Hogsheads ~ 10yo ~ Highland ~ £55.00
Spanish Splendour is the latest addition to the Society’s non-standard ‘Heresy’ series of small-batch bottlings, and even for this collection, it is a bit of an unusual expression as it is a single malt rather than a blended malt. Hailing from the Scottish Highlands, Spanish Splendour will provide you with just the right amount of fruity decadence to celebrate the arrival of autumn… read more
G15.38 – A Bed of Crushed Sea Shells
58.5% ~ 2nd Fill Ex-Bourbon Barrel ~ 9yo ~ Highland ~ £55.00
On a bed of crushed sea shells, peach syrup was poured over milled wheat and sliced banana. A topping of coal dust and menthol added a dynamic contrast to the nose. The palate was likewise; a fruit salad, white rum and a core-but-light menthol smoke character. Water opened a tin of tea tree oil, pine resin and bubblegum, a soothing balm of sweet medicinal notes that were joined by vanilla ice cream… read more
60.36 – Never Judge a Dram by its Colour
59.0% ~ 2nd Fill Ex-Bourbon Barrel ~ 9yo ~ Highland ~ £59.00
The first thing we noticed, pouring the samples, was the very pale colour which would indicate very little influence from the cask. But far from it, as warm, oaky, vanilla notes met citric fruits such as kiwi and lime, as well as floral aromas from a millefiori honey. This was fresh and clean, with plenty of zing on the palate, like a wake-up call with the sweetness of a marble chiffon cake, plus cocoa and vanilla swirls in the background. Water added a New York lemon cheesecake, elderflower and rhubarb pavlovas, and spicy gooseberry chutney on the nose…. read more
18.64 – A Golf Caddie with a Tea Caddy
53.2% ~ 1st Fill Ex-Bourbon Hogshead ~ 15yo ~ Speyside ~ £79.00
We had an early breakfast of blueberry flax cereal with cinnamon, apple slices and pineapple tarts before heading to the first tee of a links golf course on a sunny, cool autumn morning. After the ninth hole we took a respite to enjoy challah French toast with damson jam, golden syrup cake and spinach and feta tart. With a sip of water we moved on to the 10th tee. Now the sun felt warm, for us Scots almost tropical…. read more
39.294 – A Perfumed Strawman Chews Liquorice Comfits
60.2% ~ 1st Fill Ex-Bourbon Barrel ~ 11yo ~ Speyside ~ £64.00
This delivered a big blast of Turkish delight, rosewater, hibiscus, orange blossom and floral runny honey or, as one Panellist described it, “like a strawman doused in perfume”. It was vibrant and juicy on the palate, with the gentle, sweet spiciness of an anise liqueur with notes of black liquorice, rock candy and straw. Following reduction, we recalled memories of how we created a tulip bed as we now enjoyed their radiant blooms after a short, sharp spring shower…. read more
59.77 – Leather Tobacco Pipe Roll
55.5% ~ 1st Fill Ex-Oloroso Hogshead ~ 13yo ~ Highland ~ £80.00
We unrolled our very well-used leather pipe tobacco pouch with all the necessary utensils to fill and light a pipe a“ a warm feeling of homecoming. On the palate, we found a dry bitterness of almonds coated in dark chocolate and sprinkled with sea salt as well as herbes de provence-roasted vegetables with a gentle drizzle of olive oil. Careful when reducing; a few drops and we poured a well-aged calvados with those typical aromas of polished oak, stewed orchard fruits and dark chocolate… read more
95.93 – Trule a Braw Dram
61.1% ~ 2nd Fill Ex-Oloroso Hogshead ~ 10yo ~ Speyside ~ £50.00
This reminded us of cranachan, a Scottish traditional dessert but this time with a twist. Instead of raspberries we used brambles, along with double cream, honey and, of course, whisky. Silky smooth on the palate, we found caramel wafers, ripe plums and baked marsala figs with pine nuts and mascarpone. Water added a sweet floral aroma typical of a muscat wine beside stewed apricots, sultana cake and a rhubarb trifle. To taste, we sampled chocolate and walnut brownies, toffee apples and blackcurrant-flavoured wine gums… read more
66.247 – For the Drenched Hillwalker
54.2% ~ Re-Fill Ex-Bourbon Hogshead ~ 25yo ~ Highland ~ £195.50
Up on a forested hillside by a freshly painted gate we were taking a break after a very wet ascent through peatbogs. Neat, the nose revealed fruit pastilles, heather honey and burning heather sticks in our portable barbecue, grilling a miso and molasses-glazed steak. On the final stretch back to the car, we kept our spirits up by snacking on sweet, blowtorched blackberries and toffee-glazed banana slices served on a bed of sphagnum moss with peated heather honey… read more
48.167 – Wham Bam Ginger Jam
51.5% ~ 1st Fill Ex-PX Hogshead ~ 15yo ~ Speyside ~ £90.00
The airways were cleared by camphor and menthol, paving the way for the wonderful aromas of juicy slices of red apple fused with peanut butter and jam sandwiches. It was on to desserts without delay as treacle tarts and battenberg cake arrived coated with apricot jam, honeycomb candy and crunchy brandy snaps. A little water released deeper layers of cocoa nibs, soft leather and candied citrus peel steeping with stem ginger in sweet ginger wine… read more
73.163 – A Flavourful Fountain of Fruit
56.3% ~ 2nd Fill Ex-Bourbon Barrel ~ 12yo ~ Speyside ~ £69.00
We encountered a clean, subtle nose, where a sponge flan full of strawberries, raspberries and cherries mingled with vanilla ice-cream cones. Background hints of pan drops, dry cleaners and flower beds added to the appeal. The palate displayed uncomplicated sweetness (white chocolate mice, marshmallows, fruity hard candies, lemon bonbons), which morphed into sharper, lip-nipping tones of bitter lemon, rhubarb and even chilli jam; an intriguing development… read more
4.389 – Yellowtail Sashimi and Smoked Mackerel
62.7% ~ 1st Fill Ex-Bourbon Barrel ~ 14yo ~ Highland ~ £85.00
We grilled on a sandy beach on a sunny day, searing ahi tuna with a lavender-pepper crust and chargrilled sun-dried tomatoes. While we waited for those, we had a bento box with spicy salmon uramaki, smoked salmon and avocado sushi, as well as yellowtail sashimi with truffle ponzu. After reduction a savoury note appeared: salted crackers, peanuts and oatcakes topped with cra¨me fraiche, salmon caviar and chives. On the palate we found a sweet, salty and smoky combination as two dips came to mind: honey mustard pretzel and smoked mackerel…read more
78.80 – Give us the Funk
60.3% ~ 1st Fill Ex-PX Barrique ~ 13yo – Highland ~ £87.00
The neat aroma brought to mind creamy dark chocolate and salted liquorice. The Panel also detected cedarwood cigar boxes, hessian and stewed dark fruits. With water we got additional levels of fruitiness, with kumquat and lemon emerging, then softer herbal complexities and plum wine. The neat palate was richly salty and displayed many funky, earthy bodega notes. We enjoyed the big umami vibe, and the natural tar and pinewood resin that emerged over time. Water brought out lots of classical, heavy distillery character and revealed a lovely fat, waxy and oily texture… read more
GN3.22 – Bath-Time Pamper Session
51.8% ~ 1st Fill Ex-Bourbon Barrel ~ 1yo ~ Hawick ~ £49.50
Definitely perfumed, the nose exuded parma violets, beeswax and mint, lemon travel sweets, green tea and polished wooden furniture. The palate evoked a pamper session in the tub, with lavender bath bombs and citrus oils; sweet notes of honey and caramel and a dry finish of fennel seed and tree bark. The reduced nose was like running a spirit safe in a perfume department – along with Christmasy notes of tangerines, cloves, yule logs, apricots and vanilla… read more
36.223 – Toffee Fairy Cake
56.6% ~ 1st Fill Ex-Bourbon Hogshead ~ 12yo ~ Speyside ~ £65.00
A fragrant, floral sweetness of heather honey-cinnamon cream cheese spread on cinnamon raisin bagels or as a dip for apple slices made us all smile. The taste was so deliciously smooth. Imagine a chewy nougat caramel cup with hazelnut and chocolate before you have a glass of a caramel sweet hazelnut liqueur made with special hazelnuts which only grow in Piedmont. Following reduction, we used pine needles for mulching the rose beds before sitting down to enjoy banana tarte tatin with vanilla bean ice cream… read more
48.168 – Tantalising and Temptatious
59.8% ~ 1st Fill Ex-Bourbon Barrel ~ 10yo ~ Speyside ~ £59.00
Tart fruits tantalised our noses – gooseberry fool, lemon drops, waxed orange, redcurrant jam, marshmallow twists and popping candy – with traces of pink peppercorns and pencils; generally clean and attractive. The palate enjoyed blackcurrant fruit pastilles, lime marmalade and fruits of the forest, but was far from one dimensional – we also tasted honeysuckle, sweet birch sap, custard bao buns and ginger. The reduced nose was like being served lemon-scented sweets, sticky toffee pavlova, and gin and tonic in a florist’s… read more
10.250 – Peat Lovers’ Night
58.5% ~ 2nd Fill Ex-PX Hogshead ~ 9yo ~ Islay ~ £79.00
The immediate aroma presents us with notes of peat and campfire smoke, while sweet sherry and syrupy nuts linger in the background. Neat, the flavour is dominated by peat, with a pronounced smokiness and sweetness in the finish. When water is added, the scent becomes smokier, and the sweetness recedes slightly. With a few drops of water, the palate is filled with intense smoke, and the finish brings to mind pancakes with syrup. After a day in the wilderness, we sit by the campfire in the evening, savouring a good smoky dram… read more
24.175 – Andalusian Daydream
62.5% ~ 1st Fill Ex-Oloroso Hogshead ~ 15yo ~ Speyside ~ £125.00
We found ourselves transported into a world of flavours, as dried figs and dates were served alongside serrano ham and toasted almonds. Standing in the shade of the bodega, the heavy smell of oak mingled with maturing sherry boasting wondrous aromas of dried fruit. With a dash of water we discovered a darker side, however. Now cocoa powder rained down on black forest gateau… read more
108.71 – An Autumn Vineyard Walk
61.5% ~ Refill Cosecha Wine Barrique ~ 15yo ~ Speyside ~ £85.00
A fruity, interesting nose; first we imagined walking through autumn vineyards, then we found toffee apples, sugared plums, fruit cake and boozy trifle. The palate had both creamy (yoghurt bar) and tart elements (pineapple jelly, dried strawberries, apricot jam and citrus), before finishing with cinnamon, fig and damson stones. The reduced nose included honey and spun sugar, grape must and orange zest, polished shoes and perfumed candles… read more
73.162 – Fresh, Bright and Charming
59.9% ~ 1st Fill Ex-Bourbon Barrel ~ 11yo ~ Speyside ~ £63.00
A very fragrant and fruity aroma on the neat nose delivered freshly squeezed orange juice, vanilla wafers, caramel toffee, honeyed flapjacks and freshly sawn wood. The initial taste was like an explosion of creamy mascarpone followed by big vanilla notes, honey and lemon, with a sweet oaky flavour in the finish. Following reduction, we imagined strolling through a meadow in springtime with daisies in full bloom enjoying a scoop of lemon sorbet in a sweet ice cream cone… read more
35.354 – Dolly’s Mixture
60.3% ~ 1st Fill Ex-Bourbon Barrel ~ 10yo ~ Speyside ~ £50.00
Hessian sacks were piled high, gathering dust in a nutmeg-processing factory in Grenada. The palate opened up with toffee apples, covered in crushed popcorn, with the slightest hint of mace and black pepper. Candied lemon peel joined in as we were handed a latte and a bag of dolly mixture. Adding water enhanced the presence of lemon on the nose, with an addition of cardamom buns and a spoon of custard… read more
R9.14 – Thunder and Lightning Scones
63.4% ~ Re-Fill Ex-Bourbon Barrel ~ 15yo ~ Panama ~ £82.00
Warm baking spices next to vanilla syrup, honey and marzipan were the initial aromas mentioned. Given time, the scents of nutmeg, bananas and a soft, lightly musky note of cashmere wool appeared. We were all surprised by the spiciness on the palate neat; pepper, ginger and cinnamon. There was also sweetness in the form of a warm ‘thunder and lightning’ scone. Water released the scent of a blackcurrant frangipane tart, vanilla slices, cognac liqueur-grilled orange slices and barbecued mangoes with pistachio nuts and honey… read more
11.51 – Beef Consomme
58.4% ~ 2nd Fill Ex-Oloroso Hogshead ~ 9yo ~ Highland ~ £64.50
With its warming, sweet aroma, we Panellists found ourselves dipping a marzipan croissant into a hot chocolate or spreading spiced orange marmalade on a slice of sultana cake. The taste was more like a hazelnut spread on a piece of hot toast or an Ecclefechan tartan all-butter pastry filled with sultanas, cherries and almonds. After reduction, we had sweet meatballs in an oregano-flavoured tomato sauce next to a boiled and baked ham. On the palate, warm porridge oats with blueberries were followed by beef consomme flavoured with pepper, onion and a touch of sherry… read more
28.100 – Fresh as a Mountain Stream
49.8% ~ 2nd Fill Ex-Sauternes Barrique ~ 18yo ~ Highland ~ £115.00
This cheerful nose combined green grapes, sherbet lemons, stewed pears and cherry bubblegum with sun-kissed barley fields, sugared almonds and honey drizzled over walnuts. The palate started off sweet – honey, baklava and vanilla – before finishing slightly dry and waxy, with lino cuts, pickled ginger, citrus peel and pine. The reduced nose seemed brighter – mountain streams and ocean ozone freshness, cloudy lemonade, pear drops, barley sugars and yoghurt-coated raisins… read more
80.52 – A Topic of Conversation
58.8% ~ 1st Fill Ex-Oloroso Hogshead ~ 15yo ~ Speyside ~ £85.00
The Panel was divided. Some got strawberry jam, yum yum cake, sultanas and prune juice, while others described it as being more like paint, chemicals, a whiff of struck matches and a sour cream dip. That divide continued on the neat palate as strawberry tarts, plum juice and a fruit loaf met sharp green apple slices, manchego cheese and fig chutney. After reduction the opposing views levelled off, as we discovered melted butter, orange liqueur and cigar boxes, as well as sweet and sour bamboo shoots. To taste, we found rice pudding and sweet and salty porridge, with a finish of sour cherry negroni… read more
1.288 – What the Bells of St Clements Say
58.7% ~ 1st Fill American Oak Oloroso Hogshead ~ 12yo ~ Speyside ~ £85.00
We transferred this from a first fill bourbon barrel into a first fill American oak oloroso hogshead after nine years. The nose gave maple syrup poured over warm buttered pancakes, prunes, chocolate-covered honeycomb bars and flowers on a polished table. The palate was intensely sweet – serving up toffee, butterscotch, pecan pie and fruit cake – with additional flavours of limoncello, dark chocolate, black pepper and sherry. The reduced nose held up wonderfully to deliver Valencia orange peel, medjool dates, marzipan and toasted almonds… read more
RW6.4 – Land of a Thousand Cakes
52.3% ~ 1st Fill #3 Char Barrel ~ 6yo ~ Finland ~ £80.00
Against a stunning backdrop of doughnut hills topped with a dusting of cinnamon, and rivers of dark chocolate ganache, we broke apart some warm rye bread and poured a glass of old calvados. The sweet notes of baked apples rolled in, bobbing gently across a calm lake of mulled cider. After a dash of water we strolled higher into the mountains, amid peaks of honeycomb and cinnamon rolls. Soft vanilla cream pastries tumbled past, kicking up fragrant dust from witch hazel before colliding with flaked almond tarts… read more