If your New Year resolution is to enjoy more great whisky, then you’ve come to the right place.  Let the January Outturn awaken your senses – new year, new whisky adventures!

CASK No. 41.76  SUNSHINE IN A GLASS

11 years old; 1st fill barrel; 60.4%; Juicy, oak & vanilla

Aromas of lemon sponge cake, lemon sorbet and a light lemon linguine with the palate carrying on the theme; zesty lemon tart and caramelized lemon rice pudding. Water added to the lemon sweetness floral notes with a lip-smacking frozen sherbet cocktail.

CASK No. 36.101  DANGEROUSLY QUAFFABLE

18 years old; refill barrel; 57.9%; Sweet, fruity & mellow

Prosecco, sponge fingers in strawberry jelly, perfume and Mojito aromas. Water made it lightly floral (nasturtium), dusty (hay and sherbet lemons) and summery (Victoria sponge and fruit squash). Light and milky flavours – lemon meringue pie and a fruit smoothie.

CASK No. 26.117  SILKY SMOOTH SUNDOWNER

14 years old; 2nd fill Sauternes hogshead; 56.8%; Light & delicate

This is a ‘whispering dram’.  Listening carefully we ‘heard’ gorse bushes on a cliff side and vanilla & Tonka bean scented candles. Diluted, perfumed hand cream and silky smooth on the palate.  This whisky previously inhabited an ex-bourbon hogshead.

CASK No. G1.12  MOUTH-PUCKERING CITRUS AND PLEASANT SWEETNESS

23 years old; refill hogshead; 60.3%; Juicy, oak & vanilla

Delicate, yet lively, the nose has honey, vanilla, waffles and orange blossom, but mainly fruit (lemon drizzle cake, melon, tangerine, strawberry). The palate balances mouth-puckering citrus (lemon sherbet, lime zest) with crème anglaise and French fancies; dry woody spices to finish.

CASK No. 35.145  LOST IN THE DESSERT

24 years old; 2nd fill hogshead; 57.6%; Old & dignified

Which dessert were in? Apricot tart, lemon curd or spiced apple pie? Vanilla pods sprouted from the icing sugar as we passed dunes of coconut and Turkish delight. On the horizon… an oasis of green apple trees beside a lake of Manuka honey and cream.

CASK No. 42.21  PLOUGHMAN’S ON THE BEACH

9 years old; refill barrel; 59.4%; Lightly peated

Aromas of wet rope on a sandy beach, seaweed and Iberico ham made this a maritime, salty and slightly smoky experience whilst on the palate, a seafood barbecue. Water added smouldering tractor tires and a ploughman’s platter on the beach.

CASK No. 29.179  TARRY ROPES ON A WOODEN BOAT

16 years old; refill barrel; 51.6%; Peated

The nose is suffused with smoke, tar, seaweed and lemon squeezed scallops – plus toffee popcorn and Parma violets. The deeply satisfying palate has lavender, liquorice, wood embers, ash and tarry ropes on a wooden boat. Aromatic, invigorating and full of personality.

SMWS Canada