Scotch Malt Whisky Society of Canada October 2023 Outturn – Scotch Whisky News
It’s all treats and no tricks with the October Outturn! We kick things off with Cask No. 38.34 “Exceedingly exquisite” – a 25 year old black label bottling from a closed (demolished, in fact) distillery. We follow that with Cask No. 60.31 “Sweetly modern” which is the first appearance from this distillery for SMWS Canada!
And Cask No. 94.34 “That Heilan’ feelin'” is only the second bottling we’ve seen from this distillery in our 12-year history!
Some sherried drams and a couple of peat bombs round things out, so contact your local retail store to order any of these hauntingly good whiskies.
EXCEEDINGLY EXQUISITE
REGION: Speyside
INITIAL CASKS: Ex-bourbon barrels
FINAL CASK: 2nd fill ex-bourbon barrel
AGE: 25 years
FLAVOUR PROFILE: Old & dignified
BOTTLE NOTE: “A gorgeous and decadent mature single malt. Detailed, beautiful and lush. Single malt originally from bourbon barrels, married in this cask.”
SWEETLY MODERN
REGION: Highland
CASK TYPE: 1st fill ex-bourbon hogshead
AGE: 9 years
FLAVOUR PROFILE: Spicy & sweet
BOTTLE NOTE: “Easy, sweet, uncomplicated and pleasurable modern highland style whisky. Fruits and citrus sweetness with caramel and rich cereal notes.”
THAT HEILAN’ FEELIN’
REGION: Highland
CASK TYPE: 1st fill ex-bourbon barrel
AGE: 13 years
FLAVOUR PROFILE: Spicy & sweet
BOTTLE NOTE: “Rich and sweet but also textural, nicely waxy, old school and full bodied. A charming Highland character full of honey, tweed and porridge.”
LOSE YOURSELF BY THE FIRE
REGION: Speyside
INITIAL CASK: Ex-bourbon hogshead
FINAL CASK: 1st fill Oloroso hogshead
AGE: 15 years
FLAVOUR PROFILE: Deep, rich & dried fruits
BOTTLE NOTE: “The cask and distillate vie for influence, but the result is an entertaining mash-up of dark fruits, wood tannins, chocolate and earthy heft.”
AT HOME ON THE RANGE
REGION: Highland
INITIAL CASK: Ex-Oloroso butt
FINAL CASK: 2nd fill Pedro Ximenez butt
AGE: 8 years
FLAVOUR PROFILE: Spicy & dry
BOTTLE NOTE: “Lentil stew and Scotch broth were followed by spicy chili con carne – not for the fainthearted. Diluted, cowboys and cowgirls dine around a campfire.”
A MARRIAGE MADE IN HEAVEN
REGION: Islay
INITIAL CASK: Ex-bourbon hogshead
FINAL CASK: Refill Spanish oak sherry hogshead
AGE: 13 years
FLAVOUR PROFILE: Peated
BOTTLE NOTE: “We enjoyed gambas a la plancha, Sanlúcar king prawns and manzanilla sherry, before having tuna steaks in warm coriander and caper vinaigrette.”
THE TRINIDADIAN ILEACH FROM KENNETHMONT
REGION: Highland
INITIAL CASK: Ex-bourbon barrel
FINAL CASK: Refill Trinidad rum barrel
AGE: 9 years
FLAVOUR PROFILE: Heavily peated
BOTTLE NOTE: “A mighty wee beast of a dram. The rum influence is very slight, making space for an avalanche of seawater and billowing pure peat smoke.”
