It’s October and we’re thankful for another line-up of delectable drams, so go ahead, dig in!
Enjoy the brief bottle notes below and visit http://www.smws.ca/ for the full tasting notes.&
CASK No. 39.98 BUTTERFLIES, BATS & SPIDERS
23 years old; refill hogshead; 59.1%; Sweet, fruity & mellow
The nose starts floral, fruity and fresh (syrupy crumpets, pineapple) later uncovering dark tobacco, leather boots and black-jack chews. The palate has orchard fruits, tannic woodiness, liquorice and blackcurrant, plus honey and raisins in a spice cupboard – mouth-watering and sensuous.
CASK No. 59.49 CELEBRATION IN A GLASS
30 years old; refill hogshead; 49.2%; Old & dignified
Calming and relaxing – deep breathing; treacle sponge, roasted chestnuts, beeswax and a tropical rum trifle. The taste – words can hardly do it justice, depth and harmony like a well-aged Riesling. Water adds sweetness as well as juiciness and the rich texture needs to be experienced.
CASK No. 52.20 ALL DAY AMERICAN BREAKFAST IN THE GARDEN
13 years old; refill barrel; 64.7%; Spicy & sweet
Step into the garden of aloe vera and warm bark for an all American feast of bacon and honey on waffles with creamy coconut and lime margarita. Sticky Thai rice with shozu, doughnuts, undercooked meringue with a silky agave finish.
CASK No. 72.41 GIRLIE HOLIDAY BREAKFAST DRAM
9 years old; 1st fill white wine hogshead; 59.8%; Deep, rich & dried fruits
The nose offers pot-pourri, tanning lotion, cornflakes, pancakes and mimosa – girlie holiday breakfast? (cinder toffee and pencil boxes later). The big palate has burnt toffee, black bun, Jamaica cake and rendang sauce – but with water sticky toffee pudding and chocolate raisins.
CASK No. 124.4 FULL OF SECRET PLEASURES
17 years old; 1st fill sherry butt; 60%; Deep, rich & dried fruits
The nose harbours brooding aromas of molasses, marmite, figs and prunes, spices, motor museums, sacks of raisins and dark flowers. The palate is a Pandora’s box of secret pleasures – treacle, ginger cake, liquorice, dark cherries and chocolate sauce – intense and immense.
CASK No. 129.6 PEATED CANDY
6 years old; 1st fill barrel; 58.9%; Lightly peated
Sweet peat smoke, hot smoked salmon flakes and maple bacon cinnamon rolls neat on the nose. The taste was of sweet incense and a soy-balsamic marinade. With water, kissing a perfumed smoking nurse whilst being served gravlax canapés and sweet dressed crab.
CASK No. 29.158 THE SMOKING GUN
14 years old; refill sherry butt; 61.7%; Peated
Rich, soft peat smoke followed by chestnuts roasting on an open fire and prosciutto dry cured ham. The taste, hickory smoked almonds and a ‘Smoked Old Fashioned’. With water; salted codfish on the nose and flavours of peat smoked salmon and haddock.
