Cask No. 29.166                     $140

‘Elementary, my dear Watson’

Islay

This sample presented interesting challenges to our Sherlock noses – we were all over the place, from a hunting lodge (wellies, tweed jackets, rifles, log fire) to an amateur beach bonfire barbeque (jacket potatoes, toasted marshmallows, grilled pork – all slightly overdone). The unreduced palate had ash, wood smoke, peat smoke, singed lime, porridge with brown sugar, caramelised apple and donuts.  The reduced nose seemed fresher, with laundry flapping vigorously on a washing-line down-wind of chimney smoke; also sou’westers and pork crackling with apple. The reduced palate re-discovered its sweetness (white jelly babies, icing sugar, vanilla) – but with curious hints of smoked fish.

Drinking tip: A west coast holiday dram – or to provide warmth and calmness on a blustery day.

Colour: Playboy bunny platinum blonde

Cask: Refill barrel

Age: 15 years

Date distilled: July 1999

Alcohol: 51.5%

USA allocation: 120 bottles

Flavour profile: Peated

 

Cask No. 5.47                         $135

Floral perfumes in a Chinese restaurant

Lowland

We found the nose straightforward but attractive, with vanilla, lemon puffs, green apple, rhubarb and chalky sweets (Edinburgh Rock) but one panellist was in a Chinese restaurant (five-spice, fragrant rice, fortune cookies). With water the floral, citric perfumes edged forward and it became more buttery (popcorn, shortbread, caramel). The palate had good viscosity and body, with sweet and tart flavours of stewed rhubarb, gooseberry, plums, red grape Shloer, Haribos and Astro Belts; it even seemed fizzy and lively at times. Water emphasised different aspects – pistachios, almonds and salty bread, with lemon rind, white pepper and aniseed bringing dryness to the finish.

Drinking tip: A pick-me-up or palate cleanser.

Colour: Transparent pine

Cask: Refill hogshead

Age: 14 years

Date distilled: October 2000

Alcohol: 59.8%

USA allocation: 120 bottles

Flavour profile: Sweet, fruity & mellow

 

Cask No. 13.47                               $105

It’s a knockout

Highland, Northern

This was not subtle to start with, in fact, it felt like one of Mike Tyson’s unbelievable knockout punches and after being counted out we were helped back up on to our feet. As we slowly recovered we could smell the aromas from the ringside seats of toffee caramels, sweet and salty buttered popcorn and monkey peanuts. The taste was initially a spicy hot dog but then, sweeter flavours of strawberries with molasses sour cream sauce emerged. Water brought out boozy orange caramel pancakes with crispy bacon and in the finish, clootie dumplings with Drambuie custard – one for the real grown-ups!

Drinking tip: Preparing for something big

Colour: Sunflower oil

Cask: Refill barrel

Age: 10 years

Date distilled: May 2005

Alcohol: 59.3%

USA allocation: 90 bottles

Flavour profile: Spicy & sweet

 

Cask No. 54.34                       $100

Monkey’s Lunch

Speyside, Spey

This was a dancing dram for each time we got back it had changed. Aromas spread from sharp grapefruit slices, lemon sherbet and lime soda to tropical sorbet, marzipan fruits, vanilla pods and banana marshmallows. Sharp and citric without being bitter on the palate neat like freshly squeezed grapefruit juice and hot cinnamon bagels sprinkled with cayenne pepper combined with the dry, briny finish of a Manzanilla Sherry.  With water, a delicious adult milkshake called Monkey’s Lunch; Kahlua, fresh bananas and vanilla ice-cream. Whilst in the taste now surprisingly creamy, sweet and salty like that of a salted caramel crème brûlée.

Drinking tip: Afternoon in the garden

Colour: Mellow yellow

Cask: Refill barrel

Age: 9 years

Date distilled: October 2005

Alcohol: 59.8%

USA allocation: 120 bottles

Flavour profile: Young & spritely

 

Cask No. 58.17                       $105

“Not shaken, not stirred”

Speyside, Deveron

We all stepped into an old fashioned sweet shop; plenty of dust but the floor was recently spring cleaned with bleaching powder and chlorinated lime. When we left we strangely bought pancetta, prosciutto, freshly grounded coffee and Amontillado Sherry. The taste neat was like an erupting volcano with the lava flowing into the sea and causing a sizzling hot spray – exhilarating! Water calmed the scene and fruity aromas of apples, pears, plums and grapes appeared out of nowhere with the refreshing sparkle of a white grape and raspberry juice on the palate and a perfect Martini in the finish.

Drinking tip: In a moment of exhilaration

Colour: White swan feathers

Cask: Refill barrel

Age: 10 years

Date distilled: April 2005

Alcohol: 60.4%

USA allocation: 102 bottles

Flavour profile: Spicy & dry

Visit the Scotch malt Whisky Society of America at www.smwsa.com