Scotch Malt Whisky Society 4.211

$211.49

SUN, SAND, SURF AND SERENITY

From the 'Highland Islands' region, this 24 year old is from a refill hogshead and is 52.2%

Flavour profile:  Oily & coastal

Outturn:  208 bottles

Panel's tasting note:  "This sample had personality and character and brought up evocative descriptors on the nose neat. To mention just a few: grilled pineapple and lobster salad, barbecued langoustines in garlic and herb butter, tarry ropes and like lying in warm sand with a ’salty dog’ (the animal and the cocktail). The taste did not disappoint; salty, oily and sweet like skewers of barbecued scallops wrapped in crispy pancetta on a bed of lentils. With water a teasing light perfumed smoke appeared from a distant bonfire on the beach and in the taste the sweetness mingled with the smoke of lychees stuffed with smoked salmon."

Drinking tip:  "In your duffel beach bag"

Scotch Malt Whisky Society 36.76

$167.99

A SWEET WINTER WARMER

This Speysider spent its 17 years in a refill barrel and is 59.3%

Flavour profile:  Spicy & sweet

Outturn:  122 bottles

Panel's tasting note:  "A lush and intense sweet oaky aroma was the first impression on the nose neat. Out of the many descriptors the ones we all agreed on; honey-glazed parsnips, honeydew melon, freshly baked croissants, Danish cinnamon swirls and freshly made fudge. The intensity and sweetness continued in the taste; tingly, warm, spicy oak tannins, iced gingerbread and a dry finish of cocoa powder. Water added a floral dimension with roses and carnations and the spiciness of stewed apples and apple crumble with ginger and nutmeg. The taste now lively like popping candy, fizzy sweet cola cube candies and sour apple fruit jellies in the finish."

Drinking tip:  "After a long walk"

Scotch Malt Whisky Society 66.62

$152.09

CLASSIC CAESAR COCKTAIL

This Highlander spent 16 years in a refill sherry gorda and is 56.6%

Flavour profile:  Oily & coastal

Outturn:  615 bottles

Panel's tasting note:  "The first whiff was just like striking a match and lighting a gas stove to cook pork tenderloin studded with garlic as well as salty strips of bacon. This was followed by sweet aromas of maple syrup, toasted bagels and barbecue baked sweet potatoes. The initial taste was like the ignition of the gas fire before maritime flavours of lobster shells, langoustines, mussels and oily mackerels emerged. Water released toasted marshmallows and toffee apples with a Caesar cocktail (a Bloody Mary with Clamato instead of tomato juice). We then all enjoyed a corn on the cob with salted butter and baked salmon croquettes."

Drinking tip:  "Starting a barbecue on the beach"

Scotch Malt Whisky Society 119.14

$227.69

RASPBERRY IMPERIAL STOUT

From Japan, this 11 year old spent its life in a 1st fill sherry cask and is 53.9%

Flavour profile:  Deep, rich & dried fruits

Outturn:  538 bottles

Panel's tasting note:  "The Panel found deep notes of sherry trifle, black coffee and dark chocolate with cherry.  Also, spicy fruits of the forest, sweet, earthy beetroot, and imperial stout with raspberry.  “So rich!” exclaimed one Panellist.  “So sweet!” said another.  Water brought ginger preserve, malt loaf, raspberry concentrate, chocolate prunes and Fisherman’s Friend lozenges to the fore.  There were chocolate limes to taste, along with strawberry Starbursts, pear shisha, Dr. Pepper and a quality new leather note.  We were left with Blackjacks liquorice chews, lemon tea and ginger coated with dark chocolate as a fond reminder." 

Drinking tip:  "Keep aside for the best of times"

Scotch Malt Whisky Society 29.159

$163.79

ANYONE FOR CRICKET?

This 17 year old from Islay is from a refill hogshead and is 51.7%

Flavour profile:  Peated

Outturn:  280 bottles

Panel's tasting note:  "The panel were transported to a tranquil scene at the cricket pavilion. Old apothecary chests and antiseptic merged with gentle applewood smoke and wet, mossy grass. Tuna steak with a crust of wasabi was served with crispy seaweed and fancy salt and vinegar chips. A selection of tea was on offer: nettle, Berber, camomile, Earl Grey. Misty rain evoked damp burlap sacks, and sportsman leathers like well worn gloves and knee pads. Sweet pipe tobacco wafted over a old fashioned chest of fresh linen. It finished with cool, ashy flavours and dark chocolate with mint and sea salt."

Drinking tip:  "Careful with the water"

Drinking tip:  "Starting a barbecue on the beach"

Scotch Malt Whisky Society 121.80

$157.99

A CURIOUS AND ECCENTRIC CONUNDRUM

This Highland Islander spent 14 years in a refill hogshead and is 54.6%

Flavour profile:  Spicy & sweet

Outturn:  292 bottles

Panel's tasting note:  "This nose was a curious and eccentric conundrum - earthy bass notes of pepper, burnt twigs, tarry wood and salty sweetness growled resonantly with sugared almonds and meatballs, yet we also found trills, triplets and tremolos of fruit (pomegranate, banana, wine gums) and even flowers. The palate also had this odd salty/sweet combination – chocolate, toffee and ice-cream ricocheting off sea-salt, sardine and salted caramel. The reduced nose suggested salt and vinegar chips, lavender and a Bloody Mary sprinkled with celery salt. The palate remained mouth-tingling, with dark honey, salt and wood – odd as three different socks – but very tasty."

Drinking tip:  "Something to keep you amused while preparing dinner (or washing socks)"

Scotch Malt Whisky Society 76.122

$232.19

COMPLEX, SMOOTH AND ELEGANT

At 27 years old this Speysider is from a refill hogshead and comes in at 53.6%

Flavour profile:  Sweet, fruity & mellow

Outturn:  211 bottles

Panel's tasting note:  "A complex nose – layers of fruit (apple granny cake, pear crumble, strawberry), buttered malt loaf, fudge and ice-cream – then definite sub-strata of cinnamon spice, tea chests, saunas and incense smoke. We found the palate beautifully sweet and juicy – maple syrup, citrus, dark cherry, pralines, nougat, sugared almonds and salted caramel; but long years in oak came through as sandalwood oil, cask staves, anise and leather. The reduced nose combined pear sorbet and sherbet lemon with crispy aromatic duck, Moroccan spices and old-fashioned perfume. The palate now had elegant, aromatic fruits, smooth hazelnut and chocolate and light under-tows of pleasant woody spice."

Drinking tip:  "Versatile enough to enjoy any time at all - even first thing in the morning (but only very occasionally, of course)"

Scotch Malt Whisky Society 55.28

$118.49

DAINTY, MEASURED AND DELICATE

A 14 year old Speysider at 58% from a refill hogshead

Flavour profile:  Light and delicate

Outturn:  289 bottles

Panel's tasting note:  "Light, perfumed, dainty, measured and delicate.  We were met with the heady scents of a lemon syrup sponge served in a garden centre, with iced tea and toffee shortbread cookies on the side.  On further exploration it was sweet and peachy, with lychees, vanilla, white pepper zing and burnt orange syrup.  Water brought apple scented soap, distant potpourri, rose petals, cut flower stems and white lilies.  On the taste we found apple juice jelly, condensed milk and icing sugar with vanilla and dried cranberries to finish.  Gentle, yes, but give this time and you will find that it is no shrinking violet!"

Drinking tip:  "We enjoyed this most without adding water"

Cadenhead Small Bt. 12 Glen Moray 1998

$133.19

Part of Cadenhead's 12th Small Batch release, a range exclusive in Canada to KWM. This whisky was distilled on the 9th of February in 1998. It is a marriage of two Hogshead casks 54 and 57 and bottled at 55.8% after 17 years. 18 bottles coming to Canada. 

Distiller's Tasting Note

Nose: Plums, gingerbread with custard creams with hints of toffee.

Palate: Honey, very oily with all spice, brown sugar, cloves and a touch of cinnamon.

Finish: Warming ginger spice, lingering coffee beans and marzipan.

Distillery Fact: Previously closed in 1910 until 1923, the distillery is now expanding rapidly - it is due to almost double capacity by the end of the year from 3.3 to 6.5 million litres of pure alcohol.