We’re wrapping up the week with a few more Scotch Malt Whisky Society reviews. These are all bottles that, as of now, have only been released in markets outside the UK. However, we’re hopeful they’ll become available more widely in the future.
As usual, you can check our social media (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram) to get an updates on our other reviews.
The scores below are based on our initial impressions. For full disclosure, we won't spend as much time with a dram as we usually do for a full review, but we hope you'll find the scores useful.
- 10 - Perfection. One in a million
- 9 - Outstanding. Exceptional whisky.
- 8 - Great. Would seek this out.
- 7 - Good. Quality whisky.
- 6 - Above average. Happy to have a dram.
- 5 - Average. Drinkable whisky.
- 4 - Below average. Passable.
- 3 - Flawed. Noticeable negatives.
- 2 - Defective. Significant faults.
- 1 - Offensive. Pour it out.
Onto the bottles...
10.276 - Bunnahabhain Distillery
Name: Roll Up Your Sleeves…
Flavour Profile: Deep, Rich & Dried Fruits
Region: Islay
Cask Type: 1st fill PX hogshead
ABV: 58.8%
Age: 16
Price: £115.00
On the nose we’re finding lots of brandy snaps, chocolate coated ginger biscuits, date purée, torched figs with brown sugar, alongside oilier notes, think extra virgin olive oil, wood polish, tea tree oil and a punnet of blackcurrants as the nose develops. The alcohol is in good balance, with only a mild black pepper spice showing through. The palate opens with ginger biscuits, candied almonds, creme brûlée, cooking chocolate, toffee bon bons, Nutella spread and some orange peel too. The spice is a touch more pronounced on the palate, with a chili heat taking over. Saying that, the strong flavours of chocolate coated coffee beans and burnt walnuts still shine through. The mouthfeel is reasonably oily and textured, and we’re finding a little glacé cherry when water is added. It’s a rich dram, one that you keep chewing long after you’ve swallowed your last sip. A tad hot but well integrated overall, very good for a 3 year finish.
Score: 7.5/10
Value: These international releases are usually more expensive than comparable UK bottles.
13.110 - Dalmore Distillery
Name: Boozy Marshmallows
Flavour Profile: Juicy, Oak & Vanilla
Region: Highland
Cask Type: 1st fill ex-oloroso hogshead
ABV: 58.3%
Age: 11
Price: £99.75
The nose has lots of orange essence and oils up front, followed quickly by vanilla sponge cake with a good dollop of whipped cream. We’re also finding a light nuttiness, hazelnuts perhaps, alongside a little lemon peel and chocolate coated marzipan cakes that appear around Christmas time. It’s not a nose that jumps out of the glass, rather a more subtle, subdued sensation which is quite pleasant. The palate opens with merengue, vanilla ice cream, digestive biscuits, a bit of cracked black pepper spice and some fudge too. It’s a bit hot on the palate, but has a decent balance with lots of confectionery, cakes and some lighter sherried flavours of cherry jam and blackcurrant cordial. The PX finish hasn’t imparted too much overt sherry character, instead we feel it’s rounded out some of the rougher edges this cask may have had previously. It’s definitely one of the better IB Dalmore’s we’ve had.
Score: 7/10
Value: Feels pricey even for a non UK release.
19.102 - Glen Garioch Distillery
Name: Effortless mindfulness
Flavour Profile: Sweet, Fruity & Mellow
Region: Highland
Cask Type: 1st fill ex-bourbon hogshead
ABV: 53.2%
Age: 21
Price: £155.00
The nose bursts open with a mixture of esthery tropical fruits, pineapple, mango, a little papaya, alongside well integrated oak. There’s perfumed aromas of orange marmalade, a little candied ginger, milk bottle sweets and lemon sponge cake. The alcohol is very well balanced, and the nose mixes richness with sweetness in good amounts. The palate opens with more of those tropical fruits, this time in purée form, backed up by sweet vanilla biscuits, coconut snowball confectionary, honeycomb, and a light gingery spice that’s a tad warm, however still balanced alongside those other flavours. The mouthfeel is thick and mouth-coating, and the finish lingers for a good length with a mixture of the tropical fruits and sweet oak flavours. It has all the hallmarks of Glen Garioch, with great cask integration which amps up these flavours and aromas.
Score: 8.5/10
Value: Only a few pounds more than we pay in the UK for an absolute cracking bottle.
53.448 - Caol Ila Distillery
Name: A New Ager on a Hog
Flavour Profile: Old & Dignified
Region: Islay
Cask Type: 1st fill PX hogshead
ABV: 56.0%
Age: 14
Price: £108.00
The nose hits you with a real maritime, ashiness up front, backed up by old leather bound books and dusty cupboards. There’s also a juiciness here, a punnet of red grapes, as well as some chemical cleaning fluid and charred barbecue grates. Even with those bold aromas, it’s a gentle nose, with the alcohol perfectly integrated with the spirit and cask. The palate opens with smoked strawberries, medical supplies, rubber gloves, plum jam, cigarette ash and torched oily mackerel. The mouthfeel has a nice, viscous texture, mostly coming from the syrupy PX we assume, and the finish lasts for a good while with a mixture of maritime peat smoke and red fruit cake. Again, the alcohol on the palate integrates well and it feels older than it is, however there are a few harsher, woodier notes on the finish that reveal the mid teens age statement. It’s a very well done sherry finish which has produced a really tasty dram. People who are looking for the classic smack of Caol Ila may find it a bit too sweet and not smoky enough, but we’re quite enjoying it. It gives off more of a modern whisky vibe.
Score: 7.5/10
Value: More expensive than a comparable UK release, but that's to be expected.
64.154 - Mannochmore Distillery
Name: We’re All Going on a Summer Holiday
Flavour Profile: Old & Dignified
Region: Highland
Cask Type: 1st fill htmc hogshead
ABV: 55.7%
Age: 16
Price: £99.75
The nose opens with old polished furniture, cherry pie, sweetened cough syrup, clove spice and a little key lime zest. It’s a soft but vibrant nose that hides the mid teens age statement, we’re in agreement with the old and dignified profile here. Alongside this, we’re finding something a little herbal, dusty bookshelves and pinecones. The palate has lots of toffee upfront, moving into more old wood, baking spices, and a bit too much peppery spice. The palate has more of a youthfulness, however the HTMC cask has imparted a lot of vanilla, caramel and chocolate flavours. The mouthfeel is a tad thinner than we’d like but the finish does last for a good length with more toasted coconut and chocolate, alongside a hint of menthol. This masquerades as an older dram, however the palate lets it down slightly, but it’s pretty tasty nonetheless.
Score: 7/10
Value: More expensive than a comparable UK release, but that's to be expected.
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