Sampling The SMWS 44.116: “Pirate Ship In A Storm” – ‘The One That Got Away!’

This is the last sample I received from The Scotch Malt Whisky Societies’ selection of December Outturns. It was their 44.116: “Pirate Ship In A Storm”.

The 44.116 was a Speyside dram with 567 bottles being released – but unfortunately – this SMWS bottling sold out almost as soon as it was released online!
However, I still thought it was worth reviewing as some stocks may appear at some point (maybe they’ll find some down the back of the sofa!)

The SMWS (@SMWSUK) very kindly sent me a sample to try – thanks SMWS!

So, what did I think?

Tasting Notes – SMWS 44.116: “Pirate Ship In A Storm” (68.2%)

A Speyside Dram (Craigellachie Distillery) 8 years old, distilled on 20th. April 2011. Matured in a 2nd. fill ex-oloroso butt.
First released: 6th. December 2019.
567 bottles.

Nose: Loads of port and sherry aromas with bags of fruit and sweet marzipan. Palate: Basically and wonderfully, all of the above. Port, sherry, plump fruit and sweet marzipan wrapped up in a satisying rich mouthfeel. Finish: There’s a little pepper at the end but it’s mainly syrupy, fruity and sherry laden. But it’s also got some whoomph! to it at 68%! With water it smoothes out the flavours and to be honest makes the dram go further which is never a bad thing! Overall: I can see why this sold out so fast! An incredible, tasty dram and a perfect example of how joining the Scotch Malt Whisky Society gives you access to such fantastic whiskies!

Browse other whiskies in the SMWS December Outturn.

SMWS 6: “The Big Swirl”

Kept under wraps but released a day early is The Scotch Malt Whisky Societies’ latest offering from their December Outturn. It is 6: “The Big Swirl”.

The Big Swirl is a Blended Malt dram with 1,895 bottles being released – but remember – SMWS bottlings don’t hang around for long and this one has already been popular at members meetings where they got an early chance to make a purchase!

The SMWS (@SMWSUK) has very kindly sent me a sample to try – thanks SMWS!

So, what did I think?

Tasting Notes – SMWS 6: “The Big Swirl” (50.0%)

A Blended Malt Dram, 10 years old.

This latest experimental expression draws from a combination of whiskies matured full term in 1st. fill Spanish oak sherry casks, as well as those matured in bourbon wood before over two years of marrying in 1st. fill American oak sherry casks.

First released: 11th. December 2019.
1,895 bottles.
(160 BOTTLES IN STOCK AT PRESENT!)

Nose: Ooh! Plump, fruity Xmas cake packed with sherry soaked sultanas and plums. Top it off with vanilla fudge chocolate and you’ve got a nose to die for! Palate: Oily mouthfeel exploding into a fruit frenzy – Xmas cake, sherry, chocolate and creamy strawberries. Finish: Spicy finish, but it’s festive fun all the way with fruit, buttery chocolate and a little herbal pepper. Overall: I didn’t add water – I was enjoying it too much and never got round to it! This is a classic whisky for Christmas – sherry and rich Xmas cake with a warming spice that makes for a cracking, comforting dram.

Buy SMWS 6: “The Big Swirl” £47.00 to Members

SMWS 77.60: “A Feather Bed In A Gentleman’s Study”

Time for No.3 of The Scotch Malt Whisky Societies’ December Outturn. This one is their 77.60: “A Feather Bed In A Gentleman’s Study”.

The 77.60 is a Highland dram with 264 bottles being released – but remember – SMWS bottlings don’t hang around for long!

The SMWS (@SMWSUK) has very kindly sent me a sample to try – thanks SMWS!

So, what did I think?

Tasting Notes – SMWS 77.60: “A Feather Bed In A Gentleman’s Study” (59.6%)

A Highland Dram (Glen Ord / Glenordie Distillery) 10 years old, distilled on 7th. April 2009. Matured in a Refill ex-bourbon hogshead.
First released: 6th. December 2019.
264 bottles.
(70 BOTTLES IN STOCK AT PRESENT!)

Nose: Big white wood hit with citrus, particularly lemon. Scents of mint and some nice refreshing apple and tempting marzipan. Palate: Dark chocolate, apple and vanilla caramel – lovely indeed! Finish: Chilli spice with hints of black pepper. Tasty, rich dark chocolate with a hint of sweet orange. Overall: The hot spice will certainly warm you up on a cold day! It’s pretty punchy but it goes down nicely with the sweet chocolate! Water smoothes it all out beautifully but … I’m not sure I would. I think I’d miss the fire-breathing dragon too much!

Buy SMWS 77.60: “A Feather Bed In A Gentleman’s Study” £52.00 to Members

Sampling The SMWS 6.34: “Boundless Intemperance”!

No.2 of The Scotch Malt Whisky Societies’ selection of recently released drams – the SMWS December Outturn – is their 6.34: “Boundless Intemperance”.

The 6.34 is a Speyside dram with 321 bottles being released – but remember – SMWS bottlings don’t hang around for long!

The SMWS (@SMWSUK) has very kindly sent me a sample to try – thanks SMWS!

So, what did I think?

Tasting Notes – SMWS 6.34: “Boundless Intemperance” (58.6%)

A Speyside Dram (Glen Deveron [Macduff] Distillery) 12 years old, distilled on 29th. August 2006. Matured in a Refill ex-bourbon hogshead.
First released: 6th. December 2019.
321 bottles.
(78 BOTTLES IN STOCK AT PRESENT!)

Nose: Quite oaty with a vanilla honeyness. A little wood polish and some green apples. There’s also scents of woodland herbs maybe? Palate: Oily and a rich vanilla syrup plus there’s some banana in there as well. Finish: Smooth, sweet finish with some tongue zingy spice – quite dry with a grapefruit and tannin finish. It’s pretty short as well. Adding water brings out more grapefruit and lemon and dulls the spice – which is not great really. Overall: A pleasant dram, jolly enough on a cold Winters night. Adding water doesn’t really give much to the flavour.

Buy SMWS 6.34: “Boundless Intemperance” £54.20 to Members

SMWS 29.266: “Converting Vegetarians”

It’s that time of the year again! No, not time to disassemble the sprouts into their molecular component parts by over-cooking.

Yes, it’s The Scotch Malt Whisky Societies’ selection of recently released drams!

The outturn is released today and I’m going to be sampling each one in turn – my own mini-advent calendar! This particular sample of the SMWS December Outturn is their 29.266: “Converting Vegetarians”.

The 29.266 is an Islay dram with 249 bottles being released – but remember – SMWS bottlings don’t hang around for long – I guess a lot of people are waiting to jam their Xmas stockings with these beauties!

The SMWS (@SMWSUK) has very kindly sent me a sample to try – thanks SMWS!

So, what did I think? Well here you go!

Tasting Notes – SMWS 29.266: “Converting Vegetarians” (60.9%)

A Islay Dram (Laphroaig Distillery) 8 years old, distilled on 7th. April 2011. Matured in a 2nd. fill ex-bourbon barrel.
First released: 6th. December 2019.
249 bottles.

Nose: Peated smoke, sweet white wood with coastal aromas and that familiar antispectic aroma – so Laphroaig! Charred wood comes through after moments in time … Palate: Intensely sweet with a firm peat overtone that swiftly mutes the sugar and pushes forth a peppery spice that takes your taste buds away! Finish: Savoury and morish with a long, long finish – longer than an Island coastline. It leaves a warming spice at the back of your throat. There’s a touch of tannin and a longing to go back for just one more sip… It’s punchy but with kid gloves on. Adding water smoothes it out no end but your senses will still know it’s been there! Overall: If you like Laphroaig you’re gonna’ love this! If you don’t, then maybe you should give this classic peat another try – and give it time, after all you’ll have time-a-plenty while the sprouts are cooking – it’s well worth the effort!

Buy SMWS 29.266: “Converting Vegetarians” £75.00 to Members