06/12/2014 December outturn at the SMWS (bis) + after-party

We have no fear and a few more bottlings to try. And cheeses to eat.

116.20 26yo d.1987 Fascinating complexity and finesse (61.6%, SMWS Society Single Cask, Virgin Oak Puncheon, 452b): nose: dried ham, Serrano ham, dried sausage, pine cones, paint, cigar boxes and tapenade. Mouth: silk and cotton, with a dash of allspice. Finish: warming, with a controlled sherry influence (hazelnuts, walnuts, raisins, chocolate) and a zest of peat smoke. I reckon this is the best Yoichi I have had. JS agrees. 8/10

25.66 23yo d.1990 Bette Davis doing DIY (57.8%, SMWS Society Single Cask, Refill Ex-Bourbon Hogshead, 157b): nose: spring flowers and bushes (kyria Japonica, brambles), but also unripe apricot. Mouth: more spring flowers and bushes of all sorts, black pepper, plant juice and the associated bitterness. Finish: the flowers soon vanish in favour of fruit, still not too ripe (apricots and peaches, carambola). Lovely! 8/10

G12.1 11yo 2003/2014 Oh, so sweet (58.9%, SMWS Society Single Cask, Re-Charred Hogshead, 246b): according to the SWA, this is a grain (hence the number). It is in fact whisky produced in a continuous still (or Coffey still) from 100% malted barley. Nose: varnish and lots of alcohol. Mouth: much more balanced, throughout, full of honey and onion relish. Finish: vanilla, then banana and tropical fruit. Love it. 8/10

G13.1 4yo d.2009 A complete revelation (58.3%, SMWS Society Single Cask, Virgin Oak Puncheon, 622b): this one is grain whisky produced from a mixture of grain and malted barley. Nose: coffee and spirit. Quite feinty. After 20 minutes, blackcurrant and blueberry show up. Mouth: coffee bitterness then pastry dough. Finish: coating, jammy pastry, full of blackcurrant. Very good for a four-year-old, but on the expensive side. I gave it a 7 to begin with. With more time, it deserves more. 8/10

We decide to not go for 1.183, after everyone tells us it is not worth it. Interestingly, I notice both 1.183 and 118.3 are available at the bar. 11.83 is nowhere in sight, but it gives me a theme for a future tasting.

With the addition of sausage, today

After that session, We elope to a secret venue, where a friend kindly lets us taste his dram.

90.5 10yo 1992/2002 Kola Kubes and Lilt (59.4%, SMWS Society Cask): nose: coffee, in a not-too-pleasant way. I reckon I am not going to like this much. Immediately, though, citrus kicks in (lime, lemon, grapefruit) and cut apples. Mouth: acidic at first, before it becomes amazingly sweet -- almost sugary. This is like candy floss. Finish: barley, sugar and a bit of cork -- wow! Unlike what the nose suggested. With water, the finish turns into blueberry juice, plain and simple. Great, this! 8/10 (thanks RT + PS)