Scotch Malt Whisky Society 124.4
$314.99
FULL OF SECRET PLEASURES
This 17 year old Japanese single malt is from a 1st fill sherry butt and is 60%.
Flavour profile: Deep, rich & dried fruits
Outturn: 479
Panel's tasting note: "The nose held dark, brooding sherry aromas – prunes, syrup of figs, molasses and marmite – also some lighter impressions (plums, black grapes, damson jam, cocoa powder and spices). Some of us imagined a motor museum, others an artist’s studio. After reduction, we got sacks of raisins and bouquets of black orchids and tulips. The neat flavour was supremely intense – treacle, cinder toffee, ginger cake, liquorice root, maraschino cherries, strawberry jelly cubes and chocolate sauce. With water, despite a faint hint of old-fashioned telephone flex, this was an immensely tasty Pandora’s box of a dram – dark, but full of secret pleasures."
Drinking tip: "Perfect digestif"
Scotch Malt Whisky Society 29.158
$143.99
THE SMOKING GUN
This 14 year old is from a refill sherry butt and is 61.7%.
Flavour profile: Peated
Outturn: 584 bottles
Panel's tasting note: "Initially a rich, soft, sweet peat smoke followed by aromas of chestnuts roasting on an open fire, crème caramel and caramelized brown sugar. Also noted was prosciutto dry cured ham and that of a well-used leather saddle. The taste was that of hickory smoked almonds and cashew nuts and a tussle between honey sweetness and peat smoke like preparing a ‘Smoked Old Fashioned’ using a smoking gun. With water we all moved to the fish market by the sea; tarry ropes, fish boxes and salted codfish on the nose and flavours of peat smoked salmon and haddock – probably not infused by a smoking gun."
Drinking tip: "Chilling out with friends"
Scotch Malt Whisky Society 66.65
$118.79
HOLY SMOKE!
This 10 year old Highlander spent its life in a 1st fill white wine hogshead and is 62.7%
Flavour profile: Heavily peated
Outturn: 270 bottles
Panel's tasting note: "Smoky, peaty, medicinal were immediate comments before descriptors of smoky bacon crisps, peat fired barbecue with pork bellies, peppered pork sausages and grilled scallops next to witch hazel gel, Vicks VapoRub and a freshly brewed cup of turmeric tea. On the palate like a ‘smoke explosion’ or ‘breathing diesel’ – quite an experience! Behind that a well roasted chicken with fresh thyme and tarragon. Water released perfumed spices, burnt raspberry marshmallows and a Thai green prawn curry using coconut milk. The taste was like a sweet and sour pot roast. You either love it or hate it – most of us loved it!"
Drinking tip: "One for the road - or maybe two"
Scotch Malt Whisky Society G7.9
$165.59
Scotch Malt Whisky Society G7.9
Brora 35 Year 2014
$1,484.99
The 2014 release from the closed and highly sought after Brora distillery is another 1978 from a mix of American and European Oak casks. 2,964 bottles have been released world-wide at 48.6%. Only 6 bottles coming to KWM! The initial offer price would have pegged this at more than $2000/bottle. Thankfully Diageo came closer to sanity in the end!
Andrew's Tasting Note
Nose: beeswax and honey are prominent with orange and apple peel; clean smoke, almost floral flourishes and a hint of salt; a touch nutty (Macademia nut butter).
Palate: wow, stunning, beautiful waxy-honeyed notes and bulding salty smoke; lots of fruit here, far more than the nose impied: pineapple, mangoes and papaya; chewy and coating, the smoke and salt are very prominent.
Finish: long and oily with bold honey, smoke, salt and fruits.
Comments: Dr. Nick, in the tasting where I sampled this remarked that the peating level of Brora varried enormously' "Broras are vatted seldom vintage.”
Aberfeldy 21 Year
$155.99
Billed as one of "The Last Great Malts", Aberfeldy is a hidden gem from the Highlands. Just down stream from Loch Tay the distillery is nestled in the foothills of the Grampian mountains. The bottling strength is only 40%, but the whisky is stunning, and very complex. Excellent value at this price. Frankly way underpriced!
Advent Calendar Whisky GD 15
$8.09
Advent Calendar Whisky GGE
$8.54
Advent Calendar Whisky GML 1999
$10.79