Scotch Malt Whisky Society 29.105

$105.29

SOLD OUT! - Not expected to return to KWM!

MASSIVE AND VOLCANIC

This 12 year old from a Refill Sherry Butt at 59.6%.

Panel's Tasting Note: "The nose leapt out with smoke, tar and smouldering embers (waking up the 'danger' zone of the cortex); it was also briny, with minty humbugs, some kind of green leaf and vanilla. The palate was described as "Massive!" and "Volcanic" – ash, liquorice, tar and salt, with wild boar sausages and something lovely and sweet hiding away, like a ballerina in a group of miners. Water hardly dented the nose – sweet-cured bacon, diesel exhaust and molasses. The palate seemed sweeter – chocolate in among the smoke and a lavender after-taste. One of the founders, Donald Johnston drowned after falling into 'burnt ale'. Whisky pictured at right is a sample image."

Drinking Tip: ""A late night dram."

Scotch Malt Whisky Society 29.106

$109.34

SOLD OUT! - Not expected to return to KWM!

OLD LACE AND LAVENDER HAND CREAM

This distillery has a royal warrant from Prince Charles." Aged 13 years in a Refill Hoggy; 57.3%.

Panel's Tasting Note: "With coal dust, bacon flans, liquorice, tomato leaf, salty maple ham, fresh peat, charcoal bonfires and geranium leaf the Panel thought this inviting. Big and smoky to taste with white pepper, barbecued prawns, heather, chalky violets, sweet oysters and charcoal. Water brought out iodine, lavender hand cream, blackened pork, old lace, vanilla, mint sauce and salty oysters. Spicy, sweet, nutty, and salty on the palate with hot wood (saunas), heather, pine (likened to winter walks in the woods), and meaty notes, the smoke although dense was very much in the background. This distillery has a royal warrant from Prince Charles."

Drinking Tip: "Perfect for after a sauna, before jumping into the frozen loch in winter.

Scotch Malt Whisky Society 4.155

$101.24

SOLD OUT - Not expected to return to KWM!

BLACKPOOL ROCKS WITH THREADS OF CHILI

First Fill Barrel at 58.6% after 11 years from the island of Orkney!

Panel's Tasting Note: "The nose was fresh (freesias, grass, wood-sap, hay fields, laundry, grapes, apples, refreshers) also biscuits, hard candies, café au lait, light tobacco and sea breezes. The unreduced palate was a 'wow' hit of bitter and sweet with dryness and heat – dark chocolate and Blackpool rock with threads of chilli and wasabi. Water improved it – the nose had lemon and lime-flavoured boiled sweets and flower shop freshness but also now some smoke. The reduced palate became more rounded and toothsome – floral, perfumed, lemon zest and 'men's shower gel'; liquorice and Dutch tobacco tethered it to the ground. From Orkney's oldest distillery. Whisky pictured at right is a sample image."

Drinking Tip: ""An aperitif or with a good lunch."

Scotch Malt Whisky Society 125.50

$104.39

SOLD OUT! - Not expected to return to KWM!

HEAVENLY BEAUTY

"From a 12 year old Dechared Toasted Hogshead at 50.5%."

Panel's Tasting Note: "The nose started out quite lively – paint turning to William's pear schnapps, then sherbet, vanilla ice-cream, toasted peaches, plum jam, chocolate and chestnut purée. The unreduced palate seemed quaintly curious – quite floral, but with caramel, Ice Magic toffee sauce, cocoa butters, marzipan and spicy heat in the finish. The reduced nose delighted us with fruity toffee, white chocolate, guava and almond; someone described it as 'Heavenly'. The reduced palate had luscious pecan pie, and almond cake with pear liqueur – an unusual dram from the sixteen men of Tain. 'No twinkle-toed, shy maiden, but a mature, busty beauty!' one panellist opined. Whisky pictured at right is a sample image."

Drinking Tip: "With dessert or at least something sweet."

Scotch Malt Whisky Society 1.159

$100.79

SOLD OUT! - Not expected to return to KWM!

LIVELY AND EXPLOSIVE

Bottled after 11 years in a First Fill Barrel at 56.2%.

Panel's Tasting Note: "An unusual and intriguing wee dram on the nose – hard peaches, wood sap, nutty notes, quince, juniper, flint, Evo-Stik and green ginger – quite clean but was it floral or soapy? The palate was fizzy, lively and tooth-stripping, with explosive ginger heat, granny smith apples, vanilla and mint humbugs. The nose seemed smoother and sweeter with water – cocoa butter, sherbet fountains (with liquorice), ginger beer and lime – quite summery in character. The reduced palate became well-rounded and easy-drinking with some of the deeper botanical ingredients of gin coming through – liquorice, aniseed, angelica and cassia. The distillery sits north of Ben Rinnes. Whisky pictured at right is a sample image."

Drinking Tip: "Could be a summery drink, maybe even with ginger ale."

Scotch Malt Whisky Society 35.58

$161.09

SOLD OUT! - Not expected to return!

A CARAVANSERI ON THE SILK ROAD:

This 26 year old bottled at just 41% from a Refill Butt.

Panel's Tasting Note: "The nose was exotic and intriguing; 'like a Marrakesh spice market!' someone said; we also got sherbet, vanilla, golden syrup, banoffee pie, crème brulée and traces of leather. The unreduced taste had Turkish Delight, baclava, coffee, perfumed sweets and sherbet lemons – a theme was emerging – we imagined a caravanserai on the Silk Road. The reduced nose seemed lighter, more floral, with elusive perfumes – as the belly dancers departed the stage?! Adding a drop of water (though it surely needed none) we found spicy Oddfellows sweets, dry perfume and a nutty, woody, lip-sucking after-taste. The distillery is named after the county. Whisky pictured at right is a sample image."

Drinking Tip: "When dusk deepens and the promise of the night tingles the senses."

Scotch Malt Whisky Society 26.82

$117.44

SOLD OUT! - Not expected to return to KWM!

SOFT LIGHT AT SUNSET

Panel's Tasting Note: "Light and fresh with a hint of parma violets, recently pressed nutty oils, and the scent of hedgerows on a warm day in a breeze. Neat on the palate there was heat, a hint of vanilla and freshly milled very dry sea salt. On the nose water reveals open pine cones, flint and light chalky soil reminiscent of a fine Chablis. The reduced palate was creamy, soft and light with a hint of slightly chewy meringue. A whisky evocative of a camp-fire in the watery sunlight of a late summer evening shared with friends. Whisky pictured at right is a sample image."

Drinking Tip: "After a long day…"

Scotch Malt Whisky Society 38.21

$125.99

SOLD OUT! - Not expected to return to KWM!

MANUKA HONEY ON A RAZOR STROP

A strong 58% after 17 years in a 2nd Fill Hogshead from a closed Speyside distillery.

Panel's Tasting Note: "This rare offering, from the distillery originally built as Glen Grant Number Two, had a subtle, unusual nose – initially yeasty (sourdough bread, Hefeweizen beer), then developing leather, plasticine and peeled twigs, fruit skins (especially orange) and eventually, chocolate. The taste combined the dark sweetness of Demerara, toffee and Bourneville, with orange, black pepper and leather (someone suggested 'manuka honey on a razor strop'). The reduced nose had herbal notes (coriander, nettles) wood polish and sweet perfumes (jelly beans, dolly mixtures, gummi bears, rose hip tea). The palate balanced that jelly bean sweetness with slightly bitter lemons and mild pepper heat. Whisky pictured at right is a sample image."

Drinking Tip: "Whenever you have a craving for jelly beans."

Scotch Malt Whisky Society 53.154

$125.99

SOLD OUT! - Not expected to return to KWM!

A SURFER'S SUNDOWN DRAM

"This Islay dram is from a Refill Sherry Butt filled at 59.8% after 17 years."

Panel's Tasting Note: "Unreduced the nose was like the soft smoke of burning driftwood on a distant dune. Damp coarse sand, seaweed and brine fill the nostrils as if one were laying prostrate on a wet beach after an energetic swim across the bay. On the palate it sets the tongue ablaze with hot smoke and black peppercorns cracked between the teeth. With water the nose softens as if a mist has fallen; pleasant, cooler with a hint of eucalyptus. Citrus, tar and swirling smoke cover and console the palate. The narrows of the Sound of Islay remain visible through the mist. Whisky pictured at right is a sample image."

Drinking Tip: "Outside on a cool autumn evening."