24/05/2013 A few drams at the SMWS

Visitors in town who like whisky. And a long weekend ahead -- that certainly calls for celebration.
Fixou calls off: although it was supposed to be his day off, he had to work all the same. I reach the venue much too early myself. It is not crowded at all, though a pack of Americans is hugging the sofas and being a little loud. During my first dram, I am joined by adc, JS, KidJ and O. I mostly do not take notes of everyone else's whiskies, as they were too busy tasting them themselves to share. :o)

63.24 19yo Hawick Balls in Granny's drawers (52.7%, SMWS Society Single Cask, Refill ex-Bourbon Barrel, 186b) (me): nose: very gentle and distant, mostly reeking of varnish. It soon turns into sponge cake (madeleine). Mouth: warm and gentle. There is a little heat, but it is mostly hot milk or warm pudding. Finish: quite grassy now -- bay leaves? A touch of metal or flower petals (dandelions is my guess). Milked-up coffee. Rather good, if slightly drying in the aftertaste -- peach stone, I think. Eventually, peach and custard emerge. A good dram to start with and a nice comfort in this drab weather. 7/10

121.59 14yo 1998 Vanilla candles on a polished table (55.8%, SMWS Society Single Cask, 187b) (adc): nose: fruity and astringent as citrus (adc). 7/10

Glenburgie claims another casualty

71.34 13yo 1998/2011 Rabbit, ginger & treacle tart (56.8%, SMWS Society Single Cask, Refill ex-Sherry Gorda, 830b) (O): O asks me for something out of the ordinary and a bit stinky. Following a previous experience, I reckon this one should do the trick. KidJ and O reckon it smells of a men's work-out room.

31.26 24yo 1988 BBQ smoke by a rolling sea (53.6%, SMWS Society Single Cask, Refill ex-Bourbon Hogshead, 262b) (KidJ): he likes peat so I have a plot -- start with a 3 and work the way up to a 127. He joins me at the bar while I struggle to choose a 3 and asks for a recommendation himself. The barman gives him this one, which KidJ has a hard time acknowledging is a Jura, as this is so different to all the ones he has had.

37.52 9yo 2002 Bottled essence of gardens and orchards (58.9%, SMWS Society Single Cask, Refill ex-Bourbon Hogshead, 586b) (JS)

Now, KidJ and O giggle about weird smells in whisky and decide they want something that smells of pee for one and of manure for the other. I suppose the bar staff have heard others, as they do not seem bothered at all and are quite able to help. I do not try them, but both men seem satisfied with their drinks... and their respective smell.

3.180 15yo 1996 Wet coal and peppermint tea bags (61.2%, SMWS Society Single Cask, Refill ex-Bourbon Hogshead, 221b) (O)

"It smells like manure? Did you wash your hands,
Old Man of Huy?"

28.23 21yo Attention-grabbing spicy wood (57.5%, SMWS Society Single Cask, Refill ex-Sherry Butt, 607b) (KidJ)
7.83 19yo 1993 Fresh, airy and sherbety (52.1%, SMWS Society Single Cask, Refill ex-Bourbon Hogshead, 248b) (adc)

121.46 11yo Exotic fruit and scented wood (55%, SMWS Society Single Cask, Refill ex-Bourbon Hogshead, 275b) (me): nose: green pepper (KidJ), grass, an unexpected amount of leather and lots of green tea. Mouth: more green tea and green capsicum. Finish: pear (O), lovely chocolate milk , waves of dryness and chocolate milk. Water only dilutes it -- same character, but tame. KidJ, the "peat freak" decides this is the best drop he has ever drunk. They still have one bottle for sale. Not any longer.

G4.3 30yo 1982 Custard creams and Kentucky staves (54.5, SMWS Society Single Cask, Refill ex-Bourbon Barrel, 252b) (JS): nose: varnish, hair lacquer, wood shavings and dark soda -- yes! Mouth: green chilli, paint thinner. Finish: wood juice. Nice vanilla, wood shavings, varnish. A rather predictable grain, but so good.

I then decide to take things into my own hands. O is a Bourbon enthusiast. He needs a grain.

G1.10 21yo 1990 Sweetness somersaults around the mouth (61.1%, SMWS Society Single Cask, ex-Bourbon Cask, 137b): cedarwood and some strawberry. Good, but will not do the trick. The barmaid, who is celebrating the end of her last-ever exam recommends G3.3. I have already had it, so had not thought of it, which is silly. It is good and O has never had it, of course.
KidJ needs a stupid peat attack. No 127 left at all. I am then lost for ideas, when she recommends the latest 29. I notice it is now also the only 29 in house. Scary, considering they have had as many as ten different ones on the shelf.

G3.3 26yo 1986 Curious but good (56%, SMWS Society Single Cask, Refill ex-Bourbon Barrel, 174b) (O): he seems stunned with this Caledonian -- and who would not be. It is excellent.
29.130 19yo 1993 A chimney sweep smoking a cigar (52.1%, SMWS Society Single Cask, Refill ex-Bourbon Hogshead, 230b) (KidJ): he likes it so much he buys a bottle of this too. To be fair, I think he would buy a pink tractor, in this state of his.
G9.1 11yo 2001 Sweet and Sour Mélange (57.8%, SMWS Society Single Cask, 187b) (adc): she is convinced by this one too.

66.37 10yo 2002/2012 Building site workers dram (55.7%, SMWS Society Single Cask, Refill ex-Bourbon Barrel, 240b) (me): KidJ wanted to try this one, before he got obsessed with manure. Not too sure what to get myself, I decide to go for it. Nose: 'it smells like a frog' (KidJ). 'That's manure' (me). Bacon, chorizo, even, mud, barbecue sauce and cologne. Grapefruit (KidJ). Mouth: more barbecue and teriyaki sauces. Finish: long, with cured meat, covered in barbecue-sauce. A bit of chocolate and mushrooms (KidJ who is obviously reaching his limit, by now :o) ). This is lovely indeed.

76.95 10yo 2001 Tropical Fruit Salad (58.2%, SMWS Society Single Cask, Refill ex-Bourbon Hogshead, 307b) (JS): she wants tropical fruit. That is difficult enough, but to make it more challenging, it sort of has to be something that we do not own and have not tried before. Again, the staff have an answer. A Mortlach!? Not as tropical as promised (keep in mind we had a 1966 Bowmore last week), but comes with lots of coconut in the back. Nice.

A nice session indeed. Good to catch up with friends I have not seen in nearly a decade. Many good drinks, lots of silly nonsense, most of which about masturbating monkey cuff links the boys found in a shirt shop, the other day, and discussions about the differences between Europe and the USA. Thanks adc for inviting us.

'I am telling you: you need those cufflinks!'