27/07/2015 A dram at the SMWS

Meeting up with MJ at the SMWS for one dram. JS joins us after a bit.

The recent 55 and 85 are both gone. Have to make do with what is left. Fortunately, there is no shortage of whisky, in here.

48.59 11yo d.2003 Cidre de Glace (62.7%, SMWS Society Single Cask, 1st Fill ex-Bourbon Barrel, 210b): nose: it seems fairly spirity in a plum-eau-de-vie way. Herbs come forth slowly, but surely (scented thyme, tarragon), as well as melting milk chocolate. MJ gets cherry coulis -- cherry lipstick, actually. With water, lots and lots of pine wood, wood lacquer, varnish, then citrus. Mouth: initially velvety, then the heat grows (green chilli). Behind the fury, chocolate coulis and warm milk try to be heard, resting on a bed of pine needles. Water makes it more velvety. Finish: pine needles again, with the distinct vegetal acidity and a bit of chilli heat. It is a surprisingly short finish, save for the lingering warmth. With water, the chilli quietens down with a ladle of custard and milk chocolate. 7/10

64.57 11yo d.2003 Tutti-frutti, limoncello (61.7%, SMWS Society Single Cask, 1st Fill ex-Bourbon Barrel, 232b): nose: forest floor, decaying wood shavings, vanilla-scented hot cocoa. Mouth: smooth and velvety, coating and soft. Finish: hot custard, chocolate roll, caramel and a touch of acidity from pine needles. 7/10

26.113 10yo d.2004 A joy to savour (58.3%, SMWS Society Single Cask, 1st Fill ex-Bourbon Barrel, 185b): nose: lemon marmalade, pine wood and the flames of a a camp fire into which thyme leaves have been thrown. Wax ends up emerging too, of course, but it is not the waxiest 26 ever, I find. Mouth: wax is now more easily detected, with added touches of vanilla and lacquer. Finish: warming, with pine-scented chocolate. This one started alright, but I find it disappointing, all in all. 6/10

We end up staying much, much longer than foreseen... once again.

We had ice cream too!