Scotch Malt Whisky Society “Region Rumble” Tasting Notes

In celebration of the Spirit of Speyside and Fèis Ìle Festivals, Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS) have announced three exclusive membership offers, pitting Speyside against Islay in a “Region Rumble” where newcomers can choose membership with either a bottle of Islay or Speyside whisky, or an exclusive Mixed Festival Discovery Pack

Scotch Malt Whisky Society “Region Rumble” Tasting Notes

LIMITED TIME SCOTCH MALT WHISKY SOCIETY “REGION RUMBLE” MEMBERSHIP DEALS

Islay

One-year membership of the Society + 70cl bottle of Islay whisky (10.145 Leviathan Rising) – £110 (save £20)

TASTING NOTES: 

10.145 Leviathan Rising

ISLAY – 10.145 Leviathan Rising

IslayHeavily Peated, 9 years old, 61.7%, Refill Ex-Bourbon

Look

Dark amber

Nose

Concentrated peat with notes of oil, creed nuts, crushed fennel, gravel, and ash. Lapsang Souchong, ocean spray and herby smoke comes through as it opens up

Taste

This is a bruiser of a dram! Huge and tangy, it is redolent with coal dust, peat oils, earth, spice and kippers. The addition of water complicated things with mint, eucalyptus, liquorice, cocktail bitters and root beer coming through

 

108.11 Strawberry Cheesecake Macaroons

Speyside

One-year membership of the Society + 70cl bottle of Speyside whisky (107.13 Andalusian Gazpacho) – £110 (save £10)

SPEYSIDE – 108.11 Strawberry Cheesecake Macaroons

Speyside, Sweet, fruity & mellow, 11 years old, 58.1%, 1st Ex-Bourbon Barrel

Look

Rich caramel

Nose

A fresh, creamy, exotic and fruity array of aromas jumped out of the glass followed by baked papaya with coconut cream and chocolate peppermint biscotti.

Taste

Almost seamlessly we moved to the taste as chocolate Swiss roll, lemon cream turnover and cherry madeleines with hot rum toffee sauce. Honey vanilla marshmallows, apple fritter rings sprinkled with powdered sugar and strawberry cheesecake macaroons come through with the addition of water and time in the glass

 

SWMC Mixed Festival Discovery Pack Region Rumble Split Decision

Split Decision

Membership + Mixed Festival Discovery Pack – £95 (save £10)

MIXED FESTIVAL DISCOVERY PACK

3.307 A JOURNEY INTO JOY
3.307 A Journey Into Joy

Islay, Peated, 20 years old, 55.9%, Refill Butt Ex-Oloroso

Look

Dark amber

Nose

Warm, spicy nose with a gentle nuttiness

Taste

Warmth resonates from the get-go, unravelling into a gorgeously spiced and smoked marmalade with gentle ginger and lingering cardamom. Whilst the islay peat is present, it is not the presiding feature. The pervading character of the ex-olorosso brings a toffee-like fruitiness to the dram

9.143 GRACEFUL GRAVITAS
9.143 Graceful Gravitas

Speyside, Sweet, Fruity, Mellow, 21 years old, 60.6%, Refill Hogshead Ex-Bourbon

Look

Very pale yellow

Nose

Heather honey and sweet earthy tobacco

Taste

Leather and coffee define a full-bodied, complex palate that slowly builds to reveal layers of fruit and sweet chocolate cake. Caramalised orange rind and Muscat continue to be alluded to throughout and their rich sweetness lingers on the palate

10.141 INDULGENCE BY THE SEA
10.141 Indulgence By The Sea

Islay, Oily & Coastal, 12 years old, 59.5%, Refill Barrel Ex-Bourbon

Look

Pale yellow gold

Nose

Sea-sprayed stone and light floral fragrance

Taste

Salty with a touch of sweetness. This is a lighter dram with oily and gentle bitter notes that is very subtle for an Islay whisky

29.244 WEAVING WONDROUS DREAMS
29.244 Weaving Wondrous Dreams

Islay, Peated, 8 years old, 62.2%, Refill Barrel Ex-Bourbon

Look

Very pale straw

Nose

Light maki sushi scents, sea air and smoke. The smell transports us straight back to the quiet, wet and atmospheric coast of Islay

Taste

The first sip coats the tongue with a robing sweetness. Smoke-driven with a slight liquorice essence, it is exceptionally well developed and surprisingly easy to sip for its strength. The mouthfeel remains creamy and our takeaway is that of a crème brûlée crust

107.13 ANDALUSIAN GAZPACHO
107.13 Andalusian Gazpacho

Speyside, Spicy & Dry, 9 years old, 65.0%, Refill Butt Ex-Olorosso

Look

Darker, deep amber

Nose

Full, woody and rich. Thick Moroccan stew, olives and red wine come through, ending with a slight whiff of musty fermented yeast

Taste

Wow! The meatiness on the nose carries through with cooked dates pervading to add a thick treacle taste and mouthfeel. There is a hefty hit of coffee, which peters off into an orange and macadamia nut finish

 

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Click here to find out more about what SMWS membership includes.