15/01/2020 SMWS x Phil Storry

As part of a series of events which see members "take over" the SMWS and host a tasting (remember BA did it not too long ago), PS has assembled a series of bottles for us to try. Some are from the manager's shelf, and we will be told what they are. Others are from PS's collection and we will try them blind. A semi-blind tasting, then.

tOMoH: "Who's speaking?"

The loose theme for the night is odd casks. It is not clear from the get-go, but PS will remind us as we go.
PS peruses the room and observes the many familiar faces. Considering he lives here, he gets no credit.

PS: "Anyone here I don't know?"

PS: "Now, do you know me?"

Dram #1
Nose: vanilla and baked apricot, soon joined by subtle pine needles. The apricot grows in intensity and turns quite waxy -- a Clynelish, perhaps? Pine cones arrive, later on, though it does not resemble a Benrinnes. Mouth: warm and velvety, it has gently-bitter apricot nectar. The second sip brings more acidity forward, with grapefruit and lemon. Finish: some acidity in the finish too, even if it is never unpleasant. Lots of chocolate as well, a drop of lemon juice, and growing grapefruit. Much later on (at the end of the tasting), it is full-on flowers -- not acidic, or anything: just beautiful. PS explains this was his joining bottle (the bottle he received as part of his membership pack). Well, the bottling, to be accurate. The bottle, we drank many years ago. With the power of teh Inturnettz, I call bullshit, however: that was 25.31. 25.47 19yo 1989/2008 Wakens the taste buds (56.7%, SMWS Society Single Cask, Refill ex-Bourbon Hogshead, 256b) 8/10

tOMoH: "What do you think about this, SL?"
SL: "I like it better, now I know it is a Rosebank."

Dram #2
G6.9 38yo d.1980 Listening to the frog chorus (46.5%, SMWS Society Cask, 2nd Fill Toasted Hogshead, 147b): nose: a grain, without a doubt, this one has buttery flapjacks and fruity turnovers all over it. Peach, a pinch of dried herbs (oregano) tiny whiffs of metal, hawthorn, laurel... and very soft rubber, not unlike a stress ball. Mouth: satin-like, with peach skins and woolly jumpers (I know). The second sip is more bitter, with oregano, sprinkled on top of apple turnovers. Finish: mellow and grain-like, warming, with peach nectar and drops of melted chocolate. Well, with this undeniable grain-like character and those bitter herbs, it had to be a Port Dundas. 8/10

Dram #3
Nose: another grain, though this one is much more "austere" -- herbaceous, almost metallic. Behind that "austerity," though, is a cast-iron cauldron full of jam, simmering away. Later yet, industrial glue comes up, hinting at some of the SMWS rums that I have tried. We confirm it is a grain whisky. Mouth: sticky, rubbery, glue-y, it develops some rubbery pastry dough, but it is not really as I remembered it (by now, the identity has been revealed). Finish: at last, some proper dough-y turnovers. Blackcurrant shows up late and will not leave, of course -- and it is lovely. Nice, yet also interesting to try it blind, as I remembered it being better. Perhaps a sequence mistake? G5.2 17yo 1993/2011 Strumming the strings of the soul (65.3%, SMWS Society Single Cask, Virgin Toasted Oak Hogshead, 248b) 8/10

PS [about BA]: "Very early in our friendship... if we can call it a friendship..."

N from Brighton: "I'm really enjoying the ABV."

It is 65.3, N from Brighton. Not sure what that says about you. ;-)

Dram #4
84.21 14yo d.2001 Satisfyingly sweet, silky and smooth (55.6%, SMWS Society Single Cask, 2nd Fill Sauternes Hogshead, 186b): Nose: back to malt, and this one has lots of candied citrus -- waxy satsuma peels and candied tangerine segments. It only plays one note, this one (the waxy citrus, innit), but does so very well. Much later, scented talcum powder and baby lotion appear, with a and gentle citrus twist. A bit of hay and more and more custard join in, as time passes. Mouth: with peach flesh and stones, it has lots of acidity and a generous dose of wood. The heat (slightly green) is impressive, with green chilli and ginger. Finish: the acidity is well pronounced in the finish too, with lemon juice and grapefruit juice. Some wood spices here too, ginger, mostly. Interesting. After being told what it is, I catch myself finding it similar to my bottle of Glendullan 16yo Centenary. JS's favourite, tonight. 7/10

PS: "2nd Fill Sauternes cask!? Who would use a Sauternes cask twice?"
tOMoH: "Still watertight? Let's use it again!"

Dram #5
Nose: a rich sherry maturation, with prunes, pressed dates, pressed figs, though very little leather or shoe polish -- it is a fruity number. Bramble, blackberry, blackcurrant and, later, pot-pourri. Mouth: lots of prune juice, diluted pressed dates, frangipane -- yes! A great sherry maturation (what? It is virgin oak?), but the distillery character is nowhere to be seen. Finish: long, warming and prune-y, mellow and full of soaked sultanas, re-hydrated dried figs and dates, perhaps soaked cork too. 26.118 16yo d.2000 Happiness is a warm hug! (52.4%, SMWS Society Cask, Virgin Oak Hogshead, 180b) 8/10

Good drop, but a perfect illustration of why virgin oak is not more widely used: it completely overrides the distillate.

PS: "I toyed with Madeira. I toyed with other things, but..."
tOMoH: "Please, don't tell us!"

JS: "How many virgin oaks did you have in mind, PS?"
tOMoH: "Seventy-two! Seventy-two virgin oaks!"

Dram #6
Nose: urgh! Meaty, full of gravy, sauce grand'veneur and smoked lingonberry compote, this is game-y and -- I suppose -- seasonal. Mouth: meaty again, it has wine sauce, apricot liqueur (WhiskyLovingPianist), rancid meat gone off (JS), rancio, elderberry compote and elderberry cordial. I find it drying. Finish: long, wine-y, with some heady spirit (liqueur praline). Mostly wine-y chocolate, in fact. I can see the merit of this, but it is not my thing much. Still, I am feeling generous, tonight. 10.60 8yo 1997/2006 Spicy Sevilla oranges (58.4%, SMWS Society Cask, 892b) 7/10

Probably from a Sherry gorda, judging by the huge outturn. Funnily enough, those are no longer allowed by the SWA, says PS, as they contain more than 750l.

PS: "I brought this, because it's not something you would associate with me."
PP: "You mean: good taste?"

PS [paraphrasing]: "The Society insisted there couldn't be a seventh dram. I asked about an eighth or a ninth, but that's not happening. But I don't like being told what the fuck I can and cannot do, so have some samples!"

WhiskyLovingPianist [after I winked at him]: "There's no point talking. I'll see you online."

PS: "Sorry for not coming to your tasting, tomorrow."
JS: "What happened to the PS we knew?"

The portions were huge and no nibbles. Drinking those high-strengths whiskies on an empty stomach make me tipsy, as expected. Pity. Otherwise, great night out.