Far Flung Flavours show the Society’s pioneering side
 
The Scotch Malt Whisky Society has always done things differently, from the dogged determination to uncover the most fascinating whiskies for its members to the curious and distinctive tasting notes that accompany each bottling. It’s adventurous, brave and, most of all, pioneering.
 
To reflect this pioneering spirit, the Society is making three outstanding single cask malts available for its members around the world to buy, each of which takes inspiration for its names and labels from particularly playful tasting notes. These rare and unusual bottlings are part of the Far Flung Flavours series, a celebration of the unique nature of the Society.
 
They’re still single malts and they’re still single casks but the Society feels that these are bottles that embody the enormous diversity of flavours that members can discover. So, this year the Society has created three wonderful bottles that are just a little more pioneering than all the rest; Clint Eastwood, Sweet Innocence Sacrificed on the Bonfire (Joan of Arc) and Hansel and Gretel.
 
Available for UK Society members to buy from November 5 this collection focuses on the pioneering characters hidden in the tasting notes. Clint, Joan and the witch-baiters – adventurous characters one and all, just like each whisky.
 
The bottles will only be sold as sets of three and stocks are limited. 209 full sets are available world-wide with only 30 of those destined for the UK. The trio of bottles will sell for £220. The three bottlings/casks come from distilleries in Islay (53.142 ‘Sweet innocence…’), Campbeltown (27.84 ‘Clint Eastwood’) and Speyside (76.77 ‘Hansel & Gretel’).
 
Paul Miles, Managing Director of The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, said: “We don’t release many Far Flung Flavours but when we do we know they’ll cause much debate with our members. We’ve put a few cats amongst the pigeons with Far Flung Flavours before but the cats have grown sharper claws and the pigeons should be looking worried.  Far Flung Flavours will provide whisky lovers the chance to sample something new, exciting and truly unique.  We can’t wait to hear feedback from our thrill seeking members.”

TASTING NOTES
 
Springbank 1997 (cask no. 733)
27.84 Clint Eastwood in the saddle
The nose was meaty (lamb with lemon and herbs) and medicinal, with tar, treacle, tobacco pouches and ropes on a boat. We also got some chocolate, heather and vanilla. The palate was fantastic – big, sweet, salty, citric, spicy and smoky, “like chewing a lit cigarette”, with pleasant brown sugar after-tastes. The reduced nose evoked figs, green grape, machair, honey, lanolin, leather – we imagined a meerschaum-smoking fisherman’s woollen jumper, after one inadequate wash. The reduced palate had enough masculine weight (leather, tobacco, wool) to guarantee interest; “Clint Eastwood in the saddle” someone said. This 1828 distillery is still in private hands.
 
Colour – deep honey gold
Cask – refill barrel
 
Drinking tip
An ideal Father’s Day dram
 
Bottle note
The nose is meaty and medicinal, with tar, treacle, tobacco, hints of vanilla and chocolate. Figs, honey and leather appear later. The palate is big, spicy, smoky and sweet, (chocolate, brown sugar) with enough weight (leather, tobacco) to command respect
 
Caol Ila 1989 (cask no. 5427)
53.142 Sweet innocence sacrificed on bonfires
The complex nose suggested seashores, smoked fish, bacon, space hoppers, mouthwash, Elastoplasts, pine-resin, lemon, herbs, barley sugar and toffee. The palate drew particularly positive comments; “A class act!” and “Scotland in a glass – the bottom line!” The balance, between nutty toffee sweetness and smoke, tar, ash and soot, was impressive, with touches of mint and spice rounding it off. The reduced nose was salty, lemony, floral and waxy (one panellist imagined a girl wearing a PVC coat, smoking in a bar). The reduced palate – honey, vanilla and ashes – sweet innocence sacrificed on bonfires. The distillery was built by Hector Henderson.
 
Colour – august sunset on corn fields
Cask – refill hogshead
 
Drinking tip
A sipping whisky for special moments
 
Bottle note
The nose is definitely complex – seashores, bacon, Elastoplasts, lemon, pine-resin, toffee and barley sugar; salty, floral and waxy with water. The palate impressively balances nutty toffee, honey and vanilla against smoke, tar, ashes and soot; sweet innocence sacrificed on bonfires.
 
Mortlach 1994 (cask no. 4848)
76.77 Hansel and Gretel
The panel enthused about autumn scents on the nose: an oak forest with wet leaves and mushrooms; yet there was sweetness throughout – orange marmalade and candy, Oddfellows dipped in butterscotch, spiced Madeira cake and dark chocolate.  The neat palate was rich with sweet and spicy combinations; Terry’s chocolate orange and clove oil, Nepalese tea and cinnamon, gingerbread and Demerara.  The reduced nose was of dried fruit (raisin and sultana), and there was a toasted aroma, perhaps cinnamon toast, a chocolate pop tart and burnt caramel.  The reduced taste reminded the Malt-meister of Mon Cherie chocolates (dark cherries dipped in chocolate). Cherry blossom brought a floral and elegant finish to the taste. The distillery was the first to be licensed in Dufftown in 1823, and was completely rebuilt in 1963.
 
Colour – amber jewel
Cask – 1st fill sherry butt
 
Drinking tip
One to savour in the late autumn sun – on a romantic walk in the woods.
 
Bottle note
The nose has deep oak and orange (marmalade and fudge), with candy, butterscotch and chocolate; more sherry-like with water (raisin and sultana, cinnamon toast). The palate is sweet and spicy (cloves and tea, gingerbread and Demerara); later, cherry blossom and chocolate.
 
Notes:
 
The Scotch Malt Whisky Society began 26 years ago when a group of discerning friends shared the price of a single cask of fine malt whisky.
 
The Society has over 26,000 members around the world with branches in 14 countries. It bottles over 300 single casks a year for its members from a range of more than 125 distilleries.
 
Members can choose from the world’s widest selection of single cask, single malt whiskies with only the very best selected and approved by the Society’s respected Tasting Panel.
 
Exclusive Members’ Rooms are located in Edinburgh and London for tastings, dinners, meeting and presentations.  www.smws.com