SMWS – The Whiskyphiles

Laphroaig 21 Years Old 1996 29.249 Sweet black tea in the surgery ( 48.6%, SMWS, Refill PX HH, 230 Bottles, 2018)

By Barry Bradford on September 30, 2018 • ( 1 Comment )

SMWS 29.249 Sweet black tea in the surgery whisky review: OK so it is a finished whisky and my conscience still tells me that doesn’t sit right with the old ‘Product of a single cask’ statement the bottles used to carry. Finishing is not only here to stay within SMWS, but has apparently been around since 1991 according to John. So here’s to there being a little more explicit information or openness around finished casks. It only occurred to me after the tasting, but I wonder if finished casks have previously failed the tasting panel so badly they get sent for finishing? Whatever the history of this cask, it is undeniably tasty and drinkable now – in case a 21 year old PX sherry finished Islay malt hadn’t piqued your curiosity… 89/100

Glen Scotia 15 Years Old 2002 93.94 The final trawl (56.8%, SMWS, Refill Bourbon Barrel, 226 Bottles, 2018)

By Barry Bradford on September 30, 2018 • ( Leave a comment )

SMWS 93.94 The final trawl whisky review: Yes! A fantastic Campbeltown malt whisky, slightly oily and fishy just as they should be. I loved this one and thought it was going to be my favourite of the tasting. 87/100

Inchmoan 10 Years Old 2006 135.6 Cones versus crones (57.1%, SMWS, Refill Bourbon HH, 297 Bottles, 2018)

By Barry Bradford on September 30, 2018 • ( Leave a comment )

SMWS 135.6 Cones versus crones whisky review: An intriguing dram this one, with a nose full of fresh vanilla and a palate of pure crazy in comparison. I actually rather liked this one, maybe a ot more than I should have. Not quite perfect for me, but a great indicator of where this spirit is headed with a little more maturation. I’ll definitely be seeking out a few more of these 135’s. 81/100

Glentauchers 11 Years Old 2006 63.49 In the dark of the abyss (60.6%, SMWS, Refill Oloroso Butt, 549 Bottles, 2018)

By Barry Bradford on September 30, 2018 • ( 1 Comment )

SMWS 63.49 In the dark of the abyss whisky review: A beautifully over-sherried anything. Sold like hot cakes because of its dark colour. Lots of overtly sherry-like influence only not the good bits. Too spicy, too burnt. Not a trace of Glentauchers left. A great swig, probably better with water but it could take some time to find the right amount to dilute this one with. 83/100

Glen Moray 22 Years Old 1995 35.214 Without Pretence (55.7%, SMWS, 1st Fill Bourbon Barrel, 221 Bottles, 2018)

By Barry Bradford on September 30, 2018 • ( Leave a comment )

SMWS 35.214 Without Pretence review: Sadly a good example of the numbers on the bottle just not adding up for me. Amazingly ethereal for a 22 year old whisky. Too old to boast much Glen Moray character, too under-active cask to display much flavour anywhere really. Nothing wrong with it, but not much to write home about either. 80/100

Bowmore 20 Years Old 1997 3.307 A journey into joy (55.9%, SMWS, Refill Oloroso Butt, 564 Bottles, 2018)

By Barry Bradford on May 24, 2018 • ( Leave a comment )

SMWS 3.307 A journey into joy whisky review: Quite harsh, over matured, too woody and tannic and far too strong cask influence – the peat is almost non-existant. Once the tannins have beaten your palate the end result is like licking a bar of lavender impregnated coal tar soap. A less joyful journey than the name implies. 80/100

Bunnahbhain 12 Years Old 2005 10.141 Indulgence by the sea (59.5%, SMWS, Refill Bourbon Barrel, 174 Bottles, 2018)

By Barry Bradford on May 24, 2018 • ( Leave a comment )

SMWS 10.141 Indulgence by the sea whisky review: Sweet, fruity and spicy, fizzy and a little waxy, quite an unusual cask this one with plenty of bite. With a mix of salt and sweet this reminded me a lot cookie dough. 85/100

Laphroaig 8 Years Old 2009 29.244 Weaving wondrous dreams (62.2%, SMWS, Refill Bourbon Barrel, 222 bottles, 2018)

By Barry Bradford on May 24, 2018 • ( 1 Comment )

SMWS 29.244 Weaving wondrous dreams whisky review: A deliciously smooth and malty dram from Laphroaig with their characteristic medicinal peaty nose and malty body. 87/100

Glenallachie 9 Years Old 2008 107.13 Andalusian Gazpacho (65%, SMWS, Refill Oloroso Butt, 624 Bottles, 2018)

By Barry Bradford on May 4, 2018 • ( Leave a comment )

Whisky Review: SMWS 107.13 Andalusian Gazpacho: Sweet and spiced cured meat, followed by more sweet dried fruit, nut and tannin from the cask before the malt is included. Plenty of staying power and takes water well. I much preferred this one reduced but then 65% is a challenge. 87/100

Glen Grant 21 Years Old 1996 9.143 Graceful gravitas (60.6%, SMWS, Refill Bourbon HH, 258 Bottles, 2018)

By Barry Bradford on May 4, 2018 • ( Leave a comment )

Whisky Review: SMWS 9.143 Graceful gravitas: A delicious tropical fruit and herbal-wood filled expression that took me way back to Cheroot cigars and oddly fig and passion fruit balsamic vinegar, there is a strong dessert-wine or gooseberry wine like influence in here too. A superb expression, just delicious. 91/100

The Whiskyphiles

Whiskyphile, noun [C] specialized / ˈwis.ki.fajl / a disciplined devotion to whisky. The latest Whisky and spirits news, new releases and independent analysis. With over 1,300 tasting notes, ratings and reviews of Scotch single malt and World Whisky. Established 2013.

Tag: SMWS

Laphroaig 21 Years Old 1996 29.249 Sweet black tea in the surgery ( 48.6%, SMWS, Refill PX HH, 230 Bottles, 2018)

Glen Scotia 15 Years Old 2002 93.94 The final trawl (56.8%, SMWS, Refill Bourbon Barrel, 226 Bottles, 2018)

Inchmoan 10 Years Old 2006 135.6 Cones versus crones (57.1%, SMWS, Refill Bourbon HH, 297 Bottles, 2018)

Glentauchers 11 Years Old 2006 63.49 In the dark of the abyss (60.6%, SMWS, Refill Oloroso Butt, 549 Bottles, 2018)

Glen Moray 22 Years Old 1995 35.214 Without Pretence (55.7%, SMWS, 1st Fill Bourbon Barrel, 221 Bottles, 2018)

Bowmore 20 Years Old 1997 3.307 A journey into joy (55.9%, SMWS, Refill Oloroso Butt, 564 Bottles, 2018)

Bunnahbhain 12 Years Old 2005 10.141 Indulgence by the sea (59.5%, SMWS, Refill Bourbon Barrel, 174 Bottles, 2018)

Laphroaig 8 Years Old 2009 29.244 Weaving wondrous dreams (62.2%, SMWS, Refill Bourbon Barrel, 222 bottles, 2018)

Glenallachie 9 Years Old 2008 107.13 Andalusian Gazpacho (65%, SMWS, Refill Oloroso Butt, 624 Bottles, 2018)

Glen Grant 21 Years Old 1996 9.143 Graceful gravitas (60.6%, SMWS, Refill Bourbon HH, 258 Bottles, 2018)

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