First organised tasting of the year, and we're starting with the Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS). I was a member of SMWS while in the UK, but the lack of support and availability in NZ meant I'd let membership lapse. But things seem to have turned around with WhiskyGalore taking over organisation and support. Which is great news.
105.40 8yo 66.2% "The sweet kiss of leather splinters"
- Nose: apples, spice, sweet, dry, bouillon, bourbon, treacle
- Palate: treacle, apple, spices, papaya, oaky
- Finish: hot, long, spicy
8/10 Liked this one, complex, interesting. Think it's first dram I've had from the Tormore distillery.
41.149 11yo 57.8% "Merry Cherry Sherry"
- Nose: sherry, caramel, salty, vanilla, coriander
- Palate: guava,pear, cinnamon, fruity, coriander
- Finish: long, smooth, sherry
9/10 Quite a stunner, from Dailuaine, who do seem to nail great whisky.
55.70 15yo 57.7% "Royal Barley-bree"
- Nose: pears, apples, thyme, malty, ginger
- Palate: ginger, spicy, peppery, star anise, oranges, pears
- Finish: peppery, ginger, long
8/10 again, another lovely dram. ginger dominated with other spices hovering around. From Royal Brackla.
68.78 13yo 60.8% "Smoking bananas in a Frankincense den"
- Nose: dried apricots, oranges?, eggs
- Palate: lemonade, spritzic, marzipan, complex, smoked ham
- Finish: complex, spicy
9.5/10 dram of the night for me, really complex and interesting. a lot happening in nose and palate. From Blair Athol.
4.296 17yo 56% "Uplifting and life-affirming"
- Nose: apple, pear, bourbon, sweet, hint of smoke
- Palate: seafood, peaty, honey, manuka
- Finish: med, complex
9/10 subtle smokey/peaty which did give away the distillery, Highland Park.
108.48 10yo 62.7% "Fire in the Hold!"
- Nose: iodine, salt, bacon, lemon, medicinal
- Palate: dry, salty, heavily peated, jalapenos
- Finish: med
8/10 Another good whisky, this time from Allt-a-bhainne, again somewhere I don't think I've had anything from.
Great tasting, all really good whiskies, with one stunning dram. Really fun tasting and nice surrounds (Roxy Cinema).
Slainte, B
