07/03/2015 March outturn at the SMWS

It feels as though we were here last week. MS is there, quickly becoming a regular. He came with K. JS joins us later -- of course, PS and the usual are there before us (before the staff, for some -- make of that what you will).
PS notes that all the bottlings of this month are from ex-Bourbon casks. No sherry in sight. Some will sing, some will cry.

30.84 34yo d.1984 'To sit by the samovar' (44.5%, SMWS Society Single Cask, Refill ex-Bourbon Hogshead, 213b): the most venerable of the lot, it comes recommended. Funnily enough, a shopkeeper tried to sell me a 1970 vintage from the same distillery earlier this week. At 5500$, I had to turn it down. Nose: cider? Cider vinegar, probably. Then it morphs into a broth of infused yellow flowers (forsythia, kerria japonica). A lot more astringent and sharper than the official expressions. With water, the trademark butter ultimately shows up. Mouth: mellow, juicy and syrupy -- pulpy fruit juice. Water makes it more vinegary. Finish: long and persistent, buttery, with apricot flesh, still stuck to the stone (that would be a hint of bitterness, then). Best Glenrothes I have had, I think. 8/10

MS is excited about his whisky app.
It is a slippery slope from here, mate!

55.24 20yo d.1994 Cherry pie moonshine (52.7%, SMWS Society Single Cask, 2nd Fill ex-Bourbon Hogshead, 189b): paint, acrylic. This turns rich, with polished walnut wood, vintage car dashboards, brandy, buttery corn cobs, as well as baked clay (terra cotta) and even roasted apricot. Mouth: noble, full of walnut flesh, including the associated bitterness. Walnut liqueur and pumpkin soup are present too. Finish: balanced, with touches of wood and avocado oil, before it dies down with dark ale tones. Very nice. Best 55 I have had. 8/10


84.16 13yo d.2001 'A beaker full of the warm south' (56.6%, SMWS Society Single Cask, Refill ex-Bourbon Barrel, 184b): nose: sharp, white wine-like. In fact, it is closer to grappa. Very citrus-y (lemon, yellow grapefruit, lime) with a dash of mint. Flint emerges, alongside Turkish delights. Mouth: warm, citrus-y (chock-full of lime, actually) and sweet. Finish: long and warming, with hot custard and citrus. 7/10

'This is a phone'

5.44 14yo d.2000 Fizzling, sizzling lip-smackingness (59.1%, SMWS Society Single Cask, Refill ex-Bourbon Hogshead, 170b): the only vile dram of the lot, according to PS. We know not to listen to his "advice," though. Nose: vermouth, cereal (porridge), vanilla. Mouth: thin and acrid. It feels acidic, though it becomes milder over time. Finish: long and lingering, with vanilla and hay. Not that horrible, but it is indeed less good. 6/10

7.112 11yo d.2003 Gooseberry fool  and biscuits (60.3%, SMWS Society Single Cask, 1st Fill ex-Bourbon Barrel, 202b): nose: βανίλια (look it up) and coconut. This one smells like a grain! Mouth: soft and sweet, with more vanilla and custard. Finish: a bit short and abrupt, with more vanilla and dough. Lovely, if not very complex. Great bang-for-your-buck dram, though. 7/10

Flippin' geeks!

3.239 16yo d.1998 Acrylic paints and petrichor (57.6%, SMWS Society Single Cask, Refill ex-Bourbon Barrel, 134b): MS smells it and embarks on a tirade against all things peated, why they should be made illegal and all. Nose: citrus, though it is hidden behind an onslaught of farmy scents -- cows, milk vessels, butter. MS notes acrylic paint. No shit, Sherlock. Mouth: very acidic. The peat is subtle, if present at all. Lime and grapefruit dominate, with melon in the back seat. Finish: long, invading and full of grapefruit. If this is anything to judge by, I reckon the 1990s are the new 1960s. Something to rejoice at! 8/10

29.159 17yo d.1997 Anyone for cricket? (51.7%, SMWS Society Single Cask, Refill ex-Bourbon Hogshead, 280b): again, MS agonises verbosely. Nose: antiseptic on a background of peach, then dry earth. Mouth: again, the peat is more tamed, letting room for the ripe peach action to unfold. Finish: the peat now speaks, with peach added in for good effect. After a while, spent matches and marmalade shine through as well. 7/10

4.203 15yo d.1999 Romantic tales, songs and whispers (55.8%, SMWS Society Single Cask, 1st Fill ex-Bourbon Barrel, 202b): nose: heather, vanilla and green grapes. Mouth: hits a nice balance, with hints of chalk, heather fire and marmalade. Finish: heather-infused marmalade with distant smoke. Lovely. One of the best 4 we have had in a while. 8/10

41.60 25yo d.1988 Fun to chase (49.6%, SMWS Society Single Cask, Refill ex-Bourbon Hogshead, 275b): this one is a repeat. Since it is here, we should try it again. Nose: even after all the above, this is super sharp and smells of cow dung, ploughed fields and forsythia. Mouth: a bit indistinct, at this point, though it has citrus, coconut shavings and yellow-flower infusion -- what is not to like? Finish: coconut cream, vanilla. Better than the first time, this. 7/10

Nail brothers!

Good session. Not one blinder, but all good drams. In good company. Win.