The SMWS 40th anniversary bottling!
Maverick – an unorthodox or independent-minded person – or dram!
Maverick is a 12-year-old small batch single malt Scotch whisky and there is more information on my previous blog post here.
Throughout 2023, the SMWS, which has grown to include branches in more than 30 countries across the world including China, Australia, the USA and Japan, will release several special bottlings globally to celebrate its 40th anniversary, alongside various events and collaborations, all inspired by its idiosyncratic founder’s unorthodox outlook.
Among the Society’s anniversary activities over the coming months are innovative creations such as a chilli-tinged whisky, collaborations with a ‘thrill engineer’ and a top-secret world-record attempt. The Society will also launch a new podcast series featuring maverick and game-changing characters from around the world.
The SMWS has very kindly sent me a bottle of ‘Maverick’ to try. Thanks SMWS!
So, what did I think? Here are my tasting notes …
Tasting Notes – SMWS ‘Maverick’ Single Malt Scotch Whisky (50%)
A limited-edition whisky with only 2,100 bottles available in 14 countries.
Age: 12 years
Date distilled: 21 June 2010
Region: Speyside
ABV: 50% abv
Cask Type: Refill bourbon hogsheads, then Spanish oak first fill oloroso and second fill Spanish oak Pedro Ximenez hogsheads
Spirit Type: Small batch single malt
£65
Flavour profile: Not assigned but would be very much be in the Deep, Rich & Dried Fruits category
|
Nose: Rich toffee apples, lemon citrus with sherbet sugar followed by oranges, hints of banana ending in rich sherry and red wine – very inviting!
Palate: Very smooth, creamy mouthfeel. The palate sweet and sherried with luscious Christmas fruit cake and candied orange. Add in some creamy chocolate with coffee grounds and that’s quite a palate! Finish: Heady, sweet, punchy spicy pepper with a little ginger ending with lemon and liquorice. Overall: I love this dram! Initially it comes across as a quite a simple whisky but over time it slowly reveals hidden complexities that are very rewarding. And it’s also a great excuse to treat yourself to another top-up! |
SMWS: Founder, Pip Hills sampling the 40th anniversary bottling
Many thanks to the SMWS (@SMWSUK) for sending me such a fine bottle!
About The Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS)
• The Scotch Malt Whisky Society was established in Edinburgh in 1983 and has 37,000 members around the world.
• It is owned by The Artisanal Spirits Company (ASC) plc
• The SMWS bottles rare single cask and single malt whisky, exclusive blends and a range of other Single Cask Spirits.
• The Society has bottled whisky from 180 distilleries from Scotland and beyond
• The Society offers a new batch of around 20 different single malt whiskies every month
• Members have access to four exclusive SMWS Members’ Rooms in Leith, Edinburgh, Glasgow and London along with a global network of 100 partner bars.
• The Society offers a variety of membership options that can be tailored.
• For more information about the Society, visit: https://smws.com/, Twitter: @SMWSUK Facebook: @thesmwsuk Instagram: @smws_uk
About The Artisanal Spirits Company (ASC)
• The Artisanal Spirits Company (ASC) plc is based in Edinburgh
• The Artisanal Spirits Company (ASC) plc is building a portfolio of premium brands that bring together some of the world’s best spirits producers with a growing movement of discerning consumers by curating unrivalled collections of craft spirits.
• ASC owns The Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS) and in 2021 it launched J.G. Thomson & Co. Inspired by its namesake, which was originally a wine and spirits merchant in Leith, Scotland, in the 1700s, J.G. Thomson is a new, adventurous blender, creating small batch blended malt whiskies, blended grain whiskies, rum and gin.
Related posts:
Grab Your Tasting Packs – It’s The SMWS April Virtual Tasting!
The SMWS June Virtual Tasting – Sampling Five Whiskies – “Sweet Dreams Are Made Of These!”
Sampling “Toast rack” (Cask No: 64.130) – An SMWS Dram Whisky That Packs A Great Palate Punch!
Sampling “Dram o’ clock” (Cask No: 9.222) – An SMWS Whisky That’s A Tasty, Gentle Giant Of A Dram!
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