SMSWA Cask 2.81

/ / Review, Scottish Whisky, SMWSA Whiskies /

SMWSA Cask No. 2.81
Highlands, Speyside (Livet)
59.9% ABV
Distilled April 1996
$120
US Allocation: 210 Bottles
September 2012 Outturn Release

What the SMWSA Says:
Rich and heady aromas of butterscotch, molasses adn rum soaked raisins together with creme brulee, orange oil, geraniums and a greenhouse on a warm day. Toffee sweetness was balance by balsamic and a trace of struck matches. The taste was hot, there was liquorice, black tea tannins, toffee and black pepper. Water improved it offering smooth buttery toffee, tobacco and balsamic. The palate was still tannic (like chewing sticks) with brown sauce bitterness but also sweet with vanilla, butterscotch and caramel. This Speyside distillery is close to the famous pack horse bridge.

Drinking tip: A pudding dram.

What Richard Says:
Nose: This one noses somewhere between a Kentucky rye bourbon and a robust California Cabernet. Water brings out more of the sherry.
Palate: Rich, dark, and chewy like a plum and raspberry Starburst candy. Water lightens the load again toward pronounced sherry notes.
Finish: The finish is a little hot out of the barrel with a heavy dry oak influence. Water mellows the dry oak nicely and leave a pleasant liquorice flavor.
Comments: In reviewing the provided tasting notes after I did my tasting I zeroed in on “molasses” and “balsamic” vinegar. Those are great descriptors that permeate the nose and palate. However, they were foreign to me until pointed out because they are unusual for me to find in a scotch. This is a very rich thick dram that is fun to explore. Aberlour maybe?
Rating: Must Try

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

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Isle of Arran Devil’s Punch Bowl

/ / Island, Review, Scottish Whisky /

The Isle of Arran Devil’s Punch Bowl Single Malt Scotch Whisky
52.3% ABV
$100 to $110
Website
The Isle of Arran Devil's Punch Bowl Single Malt Scotch Whisky
What the Distillery Says:
The Devil’s Punch Bowl Chapter No.01

“I have selected the casks for the Devil’s Punch Bowl with a view to creating a special release of The Arran Malt where the sum is even greater than the wonderful parts. The Sherry Butts act like the rhythm section of a band; setting the tone and driving the character of the malt. Deep in colour and rich on the palate these casks are the heartbeat of this whisky. The 1996 Bourbon Barrels add a wonderful honeyed sweetness to proceedings whilst the Sherry Hogsheads imbue a perfect harmony of aroma and flavour. As a unique twist I have added some of our 2006 Peated Arran, in combination with regular un-peated Arran for the very first time, giving the finish a subtle smoky edge. They say the Devil has all the best tunes but here he has the perfect whisky too”.

– James MaTaggart (Master Distiller)

Devil’s Punch Bowl

The Devil’s Punch Bowl is a limited edition expression of The Arran Single Malt inspired by the glacial hollow Coire na Ciche whose sinister presence dominates the north-east coast of Arran. Our Master Distiller, James ‘Lucifer’ MacTaggart, has been to hell and back to select only the finest casks for this demonic masterpiece. Each cask has been chosen to contribute a specific characteristic and through the dark art of blending these whiskies have conspired to create an elixir of exceptional complexity and finesse.

Bottled at natural strength and without chill-filtration, The Devil’s Punch Bowl is a testimony to the consistent superior quality of The Arran Malt across each year of production. For your elucidation the numbers of every cask, hand-picked for this bottling, have been listed on the inside of this box. Dare to meet the devil and savour the astonishing array of aromas and flavours on display.

• Multi-Vintage release of The Arran Malt
• Named after a stunning landmark on the Isle of Arran
• Limited Edition of 6,660 Bottles Worldwide
• Bottled at Natural Cask Strength 52.3%
• Unique vatting of 24 Arran casks – Full details (Cask Number, Year of Distillation & Cask Type) printed on the inside lid of the gift box
• Based around stunning 1996 Sherry Butts
• Includes 2006 Peated Arran Barrels
• First-ever combination of peated & un-peated Arran
• Non Chill Filtered & No artificial colouring

What Richard Says:
Nose: Out of the bottle it’s sherry, heather, and herbal notes but it is also hard to get much else through the alcohol. With some water you get fruitier notes of under ripe Bartlett pears and over ripe grapes.
Palate: Clean and mildly oaked. Water mellows it even further. It’s a light, crisp dram with a little spicy woody note that carriers into the finish.
Finish: The finish dries quickly leaving raw oak and burnt simple syrup. As the dryness fades it gets bitter like Warheads candies. Water makes it finish a little spicier and reminds me more of extra aged air dried oak staves.
Comments: In a word…underwhelming. There’s nothing wrong with this dram. It’s pleasant to drink. I was just hoping for more (especially at $100+ a bottle for NAS whisky) and I’m not finding it.
Rating: Average

I would like to thank the U.S. Distributors and P.R. for Isle of Arran for providing me with a review sample.

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SMWSA Cask 53.157

/ / Review, Scottish Whisky, SMWSA Whiskies /

SMWSA Cask No. 53.157
Islay, North Shore
58.0% ABV
Distilled December 2000
$95
US Allocation: 120 Bottles
Late August 2012 Outturn Release

What the SMWSA Says:
Peat smoke drifts from a nearby island across calm waters – the sun is going down after a hot day on the beach – a driftwood fire is now lit on shingle between rock-pools – barbecued pork ribs, langoustines, lobster, then lemon meringue pie for dessert – nose the dram – ginger, Germolene, tobacco, boxing gloves – paint your own picture – Bruce Willis in Pulp Fiction? – taste it now – root beer, ice-cream, bananas, Old Holborn tobacco, liquorice cigarette papers, burnt heather, barley sugars rolled in ash – this whisky evoked all of these for us – now test your own imagination – it’s from the Sound of Islay.

Drinking tip: Sunset beach dram.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Briney sherry sweet with notes of fresh pine straw. Water tames the brine and brings out more sherry and freshly split wood.
Palate: Juicy ripe red fruit and very hot with doses of brown sugar. Water tames it down to a light sweetness with peaty floral notes.
Finish: Brine and black peppercorns that fades to dry oak before clearing. The finish takes the water and keeps on rolling. It’s less dry (ironically) but still hot and woody.
Comments: This one can be a bit of a rough youngster. I’m think at 15 it would be smashing. An interesting Caol Ila none the less.
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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SMSWA Cask 4.153

/ / Review, Scottish Whisky, SMWSA Whiskies /

SMWSA Cask No. 4.153
Highlands, Orkney
58.6% ABV
Distilled October 1999
$100
US Allocation: 150 Bottles
Late August 2012 Outturn Release

What the SMWSA Says:
Plenty to keep you occupied – smoked bacon, Golden Crunch Creams, Fry’s chocolate cream, ylang ylang, cherry liqueur, coal scuttles, Eton Mess, glossy magazines, and clean wood smoke. On the palate this multifariousness had become solventy – petrol, lighter fluid, kerosene – but was thick and mouth coating with ginger beer and lime pickle. Water drew forth pink grapefruit, orange, peardrops, Swarfega, coal tar soap, tinned fruit salad, faraway creosote and haggis spices. It had softened but still with a hint of petrol to taste, Lily of the Valley talcum powder and smoke (as if from a really large drawing room fire). From Orkney’s premier distillery.

Drinking tip: Enjoy while on a camping trip.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Delicate and slightly herbal with a wisp of sherry. Water opens it up to heater, honeysuckle, fresh cut grass, and a hint of smoke.
Palate: Rich, creamy, sweet milk chocolate covered caramels. Mouth coating. With water the sweetness is more honeysuckle with a little wheat grass.
Finish: The palate quickly fades to wood smoke, barrel char and bitter high cacao chocolate. Water leaves the finish extra dry and chalky.
Comments: This is a journey in a glass. The nose, palate, and finish all stand apart giving no hints of the others, each it’s own island of sensation. You don’t just drink this one, you experience it. Is there ever really a bad Highland Park dram?
Rating: Must Try

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

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SMSWA Cask 39.83

/ / Review, Scottish Whisky, SMWSA Whiskies /

SMWSA Cask No. 39.83
Highlands, Speyside (Lossie)
53.9% ABV
Distilled October 1982
$180
US Allocation: 120 Bottles
Late August 2012 Outturn Release

What the SMWSA Says:
The inviting nose was intensely floral (chrysanthemums, dahlias, elderflower, pot-pourri) but an array of other aromas (mocha, almond cakes, Crunchie bars, painted wood, blueberry bubblegum) suggested a coffee shop and book shop combination. The palate was rich and warm, giving thick heather honey, sweet coconut, Sunday roast, flower salad and varnished wood – we were bowled over. The reduced nose continued beautifully perfumed with the coconut of gorse flowers and sweet and sour Peking duck. The reduced palate became yummy and mouth-watering, with vanilla, meadowsweet and perfumed elderflower champagne. The distillery, dating from 1824, sits on the eastern edge of Elgin.

Drinking tip: To share with best friends.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Floral with almond scented Italian shaving soaps. The floral notes really need water to open up. There is also something that reminds me of chewy candy.
Palate: Creamy mouth feel with a light honey sweetness. Water brings out a weird varnish note and make it very peppery.
Finish: Out of the barrel the finish is clean and fading. With water it’s bitter and peppery.
Comments: There is a lot here to like. I’m just not fond of how it fits together. There is a distinct lack of balance. It’s a nice Miltonduff but not anything special.
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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