The leaves are turning colour, the air is crisp, winter isn’t far away so there’s no better time than now to be blown away by our delicious drams!

We’re pleased to announce the October Outturn:

Cask No. 31.24 Lively as an acrobat
24 years old; refill bourbon hogshead; 54%abv
The nose was as nutty as a pie-eyed professor – macadamias, cashews, almonds, peanuts – savoury too – straw, treacle, honey and smoke. The taste was as lively as an acrobat – powerful flavours of orange peel, coal, treacle, tar and sanded beech wood.

Cask No. 41.54 Takes the biscuit
8 years old; 1st fill ex-bourbon barrel; 58.7%abv
The initially reluctant aromas start as clean and fresh with apple boiled sweets, muesli, old cut flowers, macaroons and milk chocolate. The taste was surprisingly sweet and long. A mix of rich tea biscuits, Wagon Wheels, sweet tea and tropical fruits.

Cask No. G4.2 Attractive spirit in a cloak of oak
28 years old; refill hogshead; 55.4%abv
We found abundant wood on the nose – dunnage warehouses and a French polisher’s workshop – plus corn cobs, tobacco leaf, vanilla, chocolate-coated marshmallows and rum truffles. The palate held our interest – bourbon-like sweetness (butterscotch, chocolate, peanut brittle, caramel) with slightly bitter hints of cocoa powder, tobacco and leather.

Cask No. 24.124 Close to the edge of extreme
23 years old; refill sherry butt; 50.8%abv
The sherry influence dominated the nose – layers of wood and tons of treacle, plus toffee, tobacco, leather, orange and ham cooked in coca-cola. The taste was huge and mouth-drawing – flavours of honeycomb, dark chocolate, salty ham, pipe tobacco, toffee, toasted hazelnuts and oaky tannins.

Cask No. 30.74 Sweet, fruity and rich
11 years old; refill port pipe; 60.3%abv
We found plentiful fruit on the nose (sherry-soaked raisins, strawberry jam, dried cherries, bananas, toffee apples), candy floss, creme brulee, honey, sawdust and Muscat wine. The delightful palate had plum jam on scones, almond cake, peaches, apricots, syrupy figs, Armagnac and a faint whisper of a struck match.

Cask No. 29.126 Protects against vampires
17 years old; refill ex-bourbon barrel; 60%abv
Early nose impressions conveyed fresh hay and canvas, then spun sugar, honey-cured smoked ham, peppered steak, sweet cigar smoke – quite a feast. The palate was hot, fiery, effervescent, robust and earthy – provoking talk about cigars, ginger beer and barbecued meats retrieved from the ashes.

Cask No. 53.169 Invitation to a beach barbecue
18 years old; refill sherry butt; 59.2%abv
The nose invited us to a beach barbecue – bonfire smoke, pork ribs in BBQ sauce, oven-toasted burger buns, fruity chutney, sand, beach balls, buckets and spades. The appetizing palate offered smoked sausage, venison burger, relish, pickled gherkins, jalapenos and pink peppercorns.

For complete tasting notes and information on ordering from our retail partners, please visit www.smws.ca