21/12/2015 Celebrating the new gigs (and winter) at the SMWS

MJ got a new gig in town, after a longer-than-foreseen break for family reasons. Time to meet up and try some of the things that have come out since last time.
The focus is on catching up, meaning the notes are succinct.

28.28 10yo 2005/2015 Lay your head on my pillow (60%, SMWS Society Single Cask, Refill ex-Bourbon Barrel, 223b): you do not see a 28 every day. Nose: apple-y, almondy, says MJ. The alcohol is very present. Mouth: it seems rather thin and strong, though it is balanced all the same, if that makes any sense. Finish: milk chocolate-coated almonds with a few herbs. 8/10

80.7 16yo d.1998 Indian Summer Sangria (54.5%, SMWS Society Single Cask, 2nd Fill Sauternes Hogshead, 162b): this is for MJ to try, of course, since I had it last time. Nose: meat? Fleeting, yet the impression is there. Overripe grapes, melon (MJ), clean fruit and crème brûlée (MJ). Mouth: mellow as flan, pulpy as grape flesh. Finish: more grape flesh. It is warming too. One of the best ex-Sauternes casks I have had the pleasure to try. 8/10

35.140 20yo d.1994 Cornucopia of incredible creativity (55.5%, SMWS Society Single Cask, 1st Fill Toasted Oak Hogshead, 241b): no idea where this comes from; it was not in any UK outturn and is not available by the bottle. The only 35 on the shelf is 35.103 -- quite a gap, there! Nose: gingerbread and all sorts of yummy pastries, cotton candy and blackcurrants. Mouth: custard-y in texture, with the taste of currants. Finish: mellow pastry with more gingerbread, warm custard and fruit coulis. This is amazing. 9/10

112.10 14yo d.2000 A comforting hug in a mug (57.4%, SMWS Society Single Cask, Refill ex-Bourbon Barrel, 147b): I choose this one for MJ, although he hogs 35.140, which means I end up drinking this most. No complaint -- simply, I had it last time. Nose: stewed fruits, boiling water into which apples are dipped, as well as a dro pof custard. Mouth: warm and comforting, it is also soft and nicely fruity. Finish: tropical fruit now appear en force, accompanied by quite a bit of horsepower. Love this. 8/10

117.3 25yo d.1988 Hubba-bubba, mango and monstera (58.5%, SMWS Society Single Cask, 2nd Fill ex-Bourbon Barrel, 199b): if you are going to celebrate, celebrate. Nose: need I say more? This is stupidly exuberant, chock full of tropical fruits, even more so than last month. Mouth: overripe tropical fruit with a stupendous depth. Finish: more of that unbelievable tropical fruit cascade. It deserves more today. 10/10

Good times.

Despite the suit.