Review

SMWSA Cask G2.2

/ / Review, Scottish Whisky, SMWSA Whiskies /

SMWSA Cask No. G2.2
Grain
53.6% ABV
Distilled November 1976
$250
US Allocation: 60 bottles
Winter 2012 Outturn Release

What the SMWSA Says:
Once the largest grain whisky distillery in Scotland, it was closed and dismantled in 1983. Its make was never bottled by its owner and is very rare in indie bottlings. Jaunty for its age: ‘red patent-leather dancing pumps’ came to mind. A school art-room, with poster paint, Gloy glue, ink, vinyl and coated card – all behind vanilla fudge. Sweet and oaky to taste, with vanilla, coconut and light liquorice. With water it became a newly crafted coffin, wax-polished and resinous. A light texture and a short finish, with a hint of Murraymints and strong, lorry-drivers, tea, and condensed milk.

Drinking tip: While watching a school tap-dancing class

What Richard Says:
Nose: Astringent and antiseptic opening to hayrides and hints of honeysuckle.
Palate: Buttery sweet with light vegetal, herbal, and floral traces. It reminds me a lot of pot still Irish whiskey.
Finish: Dry, clean, and short.
Comments: Nice, light, and pleasant. This reminds me so much of a good Irish whiskey that it’s a little creepy. Very tasty and a good exercise in the aging of grain versus malt. The nose and finish haven’t acquired much over the years but the palate is lovely.
Rating: Stands Out

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

SMWSA Cask G2.2 Read More »

SMWSA Cask 27.97

/ / Review, Scottish Whisky, SMWSA Whiskies /

SMWSA Cask No. 27.97
Campbeltown
57.6% ABV
Distilled May 1998
$110
US Allocation: 180 bottles
Winter 2012 Outturn Release

What the SMWSA Says:
Stunning for its age? Creamy fudge, condensed milk, Golden Syrup on hot buttered toast; Caramac toffee/chocolate; ‘Dolce de Leche’ (Argentinian pastries). A very sweet taste, then mouth drying, with a thread of smoke in the finish; caramelised cashew nuts and fresh kindling wood. A drop of water musters crushed rosemary, beurre noir, ‘lemon lollies in warm sand’, sea-salt and a trace of struck matches; the taste smooth and viscous, with a light sweetness balanced by dry tannins; allspice, leather and tobacco in the finish. A classic old-fashioned example of the make from Campbeltown’s leading distillery.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Wispy smoke, compost, vanilla toffee sweetness, and hints of mint infused cocoa powder.
Palate: Rich, sweet, and mouth coating. Odd hints of grape Kool-Aid and the bouquet garni from a coq au vin recipe.
Finish: Tannic and dry. It settles into leather and cigar wrapper right out of an old New York men’s club.
Comments: I have said on several occasions that I would be hard pressed to think of Springbank I haven’t liked. They just make great whisky. This is another shining example. Grab this one if you get the chance.
Rating: Must Buy

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

SMWSA Cask 27.97 Read More »

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.

SMSWA Cask 42.10 Read More »

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.

SMWSA Cask 9.62 Read More »

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.

Innis & Gunn Winter Beer 2012 Read More »