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.
LIMITED TIME SCOTCH MALT WHISKY SOCIETY “REGION RUMBLE” MEMBERSHIP DEALS
Islay
TASTING NOTES:
ISLAY – 10.145 Leviathan Rising
Islay, Heavily 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
Speyside
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
‘Split Decision’
Membership + Mixed Festival Discovery Pack – £95 (save £10)
MIXED FESTIVAL DISCOVERY PACK
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
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
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
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
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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