09/02/2015 February outturn at the SMWS

Doing it on a Monday, this time. No cheese on the Monday, but steaks. A good chance to catch up with friends as well -- MS, JH, JS and myself.

25.68 23yo d.1990 Vichy kisses (57.8%, SMWS Society Single Cask, Refill ex-Bourbon Hogshead, 214b): obviously, this is the most anticipated bottle of this outturn. It sold out in minutes (a recurrent issue, that), but is still available by the dram. Nose: peach, yellow flowers (jonquils), pepper. As it unfolds, another scent surfaces -- bacon? No! Beef jerky! And finally green tea leaves. Tantalising nose. Mouth: soft and sweet, though it quickly makes way for a strong pepper kick. Slightly acidic and drying, like fresh apple peels. Once the dryness fades away, honey emerges. Finish: peach and apricot, as well as crisp apple and tea leaves. Wonderful. 8/10

112.9 14yo d.2000 Cooper's apron; perfumed mink (58.3%, SMWS Society Single Cask, Refill ex-Bourbon Barrel, 204b): we missed 112.7, a couple of months ago. Good to have a new 112 so soon afterwards. Nose: this smells like a grain, a bit. Dough and herbs (tarragon, sage) with a touch of honeysuckle and an ounce of vanilla. Mouth: mellow and doughy, with daffodils and tea leaves. JS reckons it tastes like putty. Finish: big, yet gentle, long, sticky and never-ending, with herbs on custard. 8/10

Steaks come in. We were asked how we wanted them cooked when we ordered. One went for rare, three chose medium-rare. Interestingly, the maître d'hotel managed to bring four rare steaks. The SMWS waitress sent three back. They brought them to us... rare again.
Why do they do that? If the meat is not cooked to my satisfaction, I will be mildly frustrated. If I am asked how I want my meat cooked and it ends up not being cooked to my satisfaction, I will be frankly upset, dammit! Even the SMWS waitress was annoyed with the kitchen staff.

121.77 19yo d.1995 Dunnage warehouse orange boxes (53.4%, SMWS Society Single Cask, Refill ex-Bourbon Hogshead, 276b): unfortunately, I never get to try this one, due to lack of time. My companions love it.

G3.8 35yo d.1979 Eccentric and exotic (53.9%, SMWS Society Single Cask, Refill ex-Bourbon Hogshead, 198b): nose: gunmetal, sage and lemon. Mouth: yellow flowers and honeysuckle. The usual grain pastry really takes the back seat, in this one. Finish: there is the pastry! Bakery and herbs. Another winner. 8/10

Many seem to think this is a Cambus, including the staff, who confuse G3.8 with G8.3. Oddly enough, the following morning, I feel as though I have had a G8: headache and ruined tongue. It is an almost automatic reaction to any Cambus I have had, though I had never had that with Caledonian, thus far.

4.202 27yo d.1986 Salt and pepper (45.1%, SMWS Society Single Cask, Refill ex-Bourbon Hogshead, 261b): nose: lots of bitter oranges, worn-out leather and lots of buttercups (yellow-flower day, is it?) Burning heather far in the back. Mouth: balanced, with honeysuckle (sweet and fragrant) and buttercups (bitter). Finish: at last, the heather-peat smoke, so typical of the distillery, takes over, supported by more yellow flowers. A magnificent malt, this! 8/10

Unfortunately, that is the point I need to leave. Brief, but good times nonetheless. 8/10 for all the drams is almost unheard of.

My preciouses!