November 2012

SMSWA Cask 42.10

/ / Review, Scottish Whisky, SMWSA Whiskies /

SMWSA Cask No. 42.10
Highland, Island
62.7% ABV
Distilled March 2005
$85
US Allocation: 60 bottles
Winter 2012 Outturn Release

What the SMWSA Says:
Yes it was young – but perfectly enjoyable – we nosed dried grass, flowers, herbs, creosote and soft tar (perhaps in a farmyard context?); also lemon sponge, vanilla, pepper and chocolate Easter eggs in boxes. The unreduced palate was pretty straightforward, sweet and spicy; specifically milk chocolate and white pepper, along with grass and paper. The reduced nose offered green grapes, melted vanilla ice-cream, some salt and a ‘scorched boiler-suit’. That simple balance (don’t look fro much complexity) also inhabited the reduced palate – plum jam, syrup, MDF furniture, ‘licking a TV screen’ and some spicy warmth to finish. From Mull’s only distillery.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Very hot on the alcohol but tasty savory note sneak through. A little water opens up ground ginger and fennel seed coating roasted meat.
Palate: Dried out old chocolates (think holiday candy left in a drawer and opened the next year). Watering reminds me of sweet grass and under ripened fruit.
Finish: Sucking on wooden toothpicks dusted with white pepper.
Comments: Meh.
Rating: Average

Review sample provided courtesy of the SMWSA and is available to society members through their website or 800.990.1991.

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SMWSA Cask 9.62

/ / Review, Scottish Whisky, SMWSA Whiskies /

SMWSA Cask No. 9.62
Speyside, Spey
62.1% ABV
Distilled August 2002
$85
US Allocation: 149 bottles
Winter 2012 Outturn Release

What the SMWSA Says:
The nose started out really fresh – laundry flapping on the line, lemon, pineapple, strawberry and polished wood, but changed to caramel, toffee and cinnamon; then later, to leather and musk. The palate was spicy, oaky and astringent – suggesting chilli heat or spicy boiled sweets (aniseed balls, clove balls). The reduced nosed offered soft spice, butterscotch, some wood shavings and plasticine (‘a carpenter’s workshop’) with lemon spikiness. The reduced palate became mouth-waterlingly sharp and sweet (like Moffat toffees) but also had little flickering flames of gentle drying spice – Fisherman’s Friends, cinnamon. The distillery has a secret dram safe in the gardens.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Out of the bottle that is a seriously hot nose. It’s hard to break through the alcohol. Even with water the nose is clean and muted. Not enough time in the cask?
Palate: Bitter and vegetal. Water improves it a lot and leave me with saltwater taffy and chilli powder.
Finish: Damn the finish is as hot as the nose. Chalky, woody, bitter and hot! Water tames the heat but leave it very woody.
Comments: Definitely a dram in need of some water. Apply liberally. This isn’t a bad dram but there isn’t anything that make me want to come back for more.
Rating: Average

Review sample provided courtesy of the SMWSA and is available to society members through their website or 800.990.1991.

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Innis & Gunn Winter Beer 2012

/ / Other Spirits, Review /

Innis & Gunn Winter Beer 2012
Porter Brewed with Molasses
7.4% ABV
$10.99/4 Pack
Website

What the Brewer Says:
This is the first time we have brewed and oak matured a Porter, which has been imparted with great depth of flavour thanks to the addition of some roasted wheat, crystal malt and treacle (molasses). * Please note it is called Winter Beer as it was created for our US market (it is exactly the same beer as Winter Treacle Porter)

Nose: Chocolate / Treacle
Palate: Starts light with oak and molasses in the force. Develops a firm, rich malt backbone, with notes of orange oil and oak. Hints of roast malt, tobacco smoke and chocolate.
Finish: The roast malts, molasses and hop bitterness fall into balance and linger with occasional hints of vanilla.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Mmmm, beery. Seriously though, I’m getting yeast, malt, and hops. Classic beer nose.
Palate: Prickly to start but quickly settling into light wood, a creamy sweetness, and roasted malt on the way down
Finish: This is where I’m getting the molasses. Christmas cookies, more malt, and trailing vanilla.
Comments: A very nice beer that I’d be happy to drink anytime or save for special occasions. It’s really the finish on this that reminds me of winter and Christmas. The nose and palate just say good beer.
Rating: Stands Out

I would like to thank Shannon Fischer with Handcrafted PR for sending a few of these beauties over for review.

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SMWSA Cask 129.1

/ / Review, Scottish Whisky, SMWSA Whiskies /

SMWSA Cask No. 129.1
Islay
60.2% ABV
Distilled June 2006
$85
US Allocation: 114 bottles
Holiday 2012 Outturn Release

What the SMWSA Says:
Your speed boat rockets out of Leith; you’re heading for 60 knots; the city disappears behind; the clouds part. The noise of traffic dies down; the hubbub and stress are left behind; your mind floats to aromas of barley fields and eucalyptus in rainforests; the only sound is the ticking of the engine; the dominant flavours are the Arbroath smoky, butter beans and tzatziki on the sandwiches you packed. Think of incense, forget the rate race, cut the engine…and enjoy the finish of smoky, peachy yoghurt of loveliness as you float into open water.

Drinking tip: Day or night; come rain or shine; wit friends or alone.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Camp fires, roasted meats, and a peat heavy on heather and decayed floral matter. Adding water reminds me of applying burn ointment next to the smoking coals of a campfire.
Palate: Salty and medicinal. Water doesn’t do much to help.
Finish: Hot, chewy, and over brined out of the bottle. The finish leaves you with Chloraseptic throat spray. Ugh.
Comments: The nose on this is amazing. If they made an aftershave like this I’d pair it with Italian Proraso shaving cream for every shave. Unfortunately the palate and finish are medicinal in an unpleasant way.
Rating: Probably Pass

Review sample provided courtesy of the SMWSA and is available to society members through their website or 800.990.1991.

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SMWSA Cask 128.3

/ / Review, Scottish Whisky, SMWSA Whiskies /

SMWSA Cask No.128.3
Welsh
61.3% ABV
Distilled October 2006
$85
US Allocation: 78 bottles
Holiday 2012 Outturn Release

What the SMWSA Says:
The nose was sweet and fruity – macerated raspberries, Kirsch, cherry jam, Dr. Peppers, chocolate-coated cranberries and Haribo mix, but with fudge, toffee, hints of swimming pools and ‘brake pedals in an ambulance’. The palate held something deeply rewarding but hard to describe – sweet woodiness; hot, but also smooth – sumptuous flavours of vanilla slice, banana ice lollies (right to the stick) and milk chews. The reduced nose had evident vanilla, Berwick Cockles, prunes, plums, peaches, chestnut puree and new hiking boots. The palate now delivered exotic fruits (passion fruit, star-fruit) like some long-matured single malts. From the only distillery in Wales.

Drinking tip: A bit of surprise dram – use it to create a stir.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Delicate and coy. Brandy, fruit blossoms, and something that strangely reminds me of Hawaii. Very buttery. Water brings out ripe sweet berries.
Palate: Vanilla milk and a sweet woody flavor. Water leaves you with something like sweet milk drank from a wooden cup.
Finish: Dry and tart. Water juices up the finish leaving it fruity and floral.
Comments: Really nice. I’m not sure why the Welsh can make a fine 5 year old but the Scots can’t.
Rating: Stands Out

Review sample provided courtesy of the SMWSA and is available to society members through their website or 800.990.1991.

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