Late September 2014 Outturn Offerings

Cask No. 29.148                                        $150 

A fantastic fusion of flavours 

Islay 

An evocative nose – sweet treats (liquorice allsorts, Blackpool rock, walnut whip, corn candies) competed with smoky, briny elements (sweet peat smoke, oysters, harbour, tarry ropes); panellists also found bicycle shops, new carpets, First Aid boxes, seared gammon and lavender soap. The palate – a fantastic fusion of flavours – medicinal, liquorice, perfumed smoke, hickory chips, rum and raisin fudge, muscovado and ash – an impressive sweet/smoky balance. The reduced nose had us enjoying tomato sauce crisps, chocolate limes and liquorice toffees by a swimming pool. The palate’s robust carbolic smoke was squeezed in hugs of barley and oak sweetness. Nearest distillery to Port Ellen. 

Drinking tip: To cheer you up and restore your balance and positivity 

Colour: Bullion bars

Cask: Refill barrel

Age: 18 years

Date Distilled: April 1995

Alcohol: 60.7%

USA allocation: 169 bottles 

Cask No. 5.38                                             $125 

Lemon drizzle cake 

Lowland 

Tart apple pie, with grass clippings, lemon zest/lemon marmalade, key lime pie and a hint of sherbet. Surprisingly sweet in the mouth, with lime, lemon sherbet then strawberry jello and wine gums. Water reinforces this with boiled sweets and artificial red fruits; fresh bread or proving dough and cornflakes behind. Not as sweet now, but soft and fruity (tinned fruit cocktail); mouth-cooling, with a short finish. Fresh and easy to drink, with a trace of lemon-grass in the aftertaste. An excellent aperitif. 

Drinking tip: With Thai food 

Colour: Pale gold

Cask: Refill hogshead

Age: 13 years

Date Distilled: October 2000

Alcohol: 57.2%

USA allocation: 78 bottles 

Cask No. 26.97                                           $125 

Spritzy Citrus and Ikea Candles 

Highland, Northern 

The nose packed a punch of pink grapefruit, fizzy sherbet, and cranberry followed by delicate floral – citronella, lilac and elderflower. Tinned mango, wine gums and pistachio emerged, and hint of water butt on a warm day. The taste was tingling and tropical with fresh wood, zesty mandarin and Edinburgh rock. Water delivered a box of Ikea candles, Turkish Delight, lemon and ginger marmalade and roses after summer rain. The panel were reminded of eating a meaty fish baked in salt whilst sitting on a wet rock. A spritzy finish softened with marshmallow, cream soda and a handful of playdough.  

Drinking tip: Ideal for summer drinking on a park bench or rock 

Colour: Old brass

Cask: Refill hogshead

Age: 13 years

Date Distilled: April 2000

Alcohol: 51.4%

USA allocation: 81 bottles

 

Cask No. 72.41                                           $95 

Girlie holiday breakfast dram 

Speyside, Lossie 

Some described this as a feminine nose – pot-pourri, tanning lotion, cocoa- butter, orange-scented candles, honey-nut cornflakes, pancakes and bucks fizz – perhaps a girlie holiday breakfast dram? Nothing feminine about the palate though – this was a big hitter! – burnt toffee, black bun, treacle scones, caramelized nuts, Jamaica cake, muscovado and rendang sauce – spicy, fruity and darkly sweet. The reduced nose turned to cinder toffee, pencil boxes, Maya Gold chocolate and jelly babies – plus the girls had now been in for a swim. The palate – mmm – coffee creams, sticky toffee pudding, chocolate-coated raisins – delish! The distillery, ironically, has connections with monks. 

Drinking tip: To go with dessert, or instead of dessert; or to get into the holiday mood 

Colour: Amber

Cask: First-fill white wine hogshead

Age: 9 years

Date Distilled: September 2004

Alcohol: 59.8%

USA allocation: 90 bottles 

Cask No. 73.61                                           $185 

A work of Art 

Speyside, Deveron 

We are transported into a joiner’s workshop that specialises in restoring antique mahogany furniture. The aromas filling the air are all very subtle and elegant; oily, waxy and hot melted glue mixed in with a smoldering Cuban cigar and a freshly made sticky toffee pudding. The taste is initially sweet, chocolate coated cinder toffees, a hint of smoke as well as ‘woody’ flavours and a surprisingly dry, nutty finish like a VORS Amontillado Sherry. With water a bag of mixed nuts, figs, prune juice, hickory wood chips and mead wine. The taste is now dry with a lovely sweetness – a coffee and walnut cake accompanied by a glass of Oloroso Dulce Sherry. 

Drinking tip: Enjoying a rest from working in the garden 

Colour: Golden syrup still in the tin

Cask: Refill butt

Age: 24 years

Date Distilled: May 1989

Alcohol: 57.2%

USA allocation: 108 bottles

Please visit the Scotch Malt Whisky Society at http://www.smwsa.com/