SMWS The Dentist’s waiting Room

 In an effort to keep this endeavor fresh I have ventured further afield.  After 119 whisky reviews published, that is no small challenge…..This powerhouse dram is from “The Scotch Malt Whisky Society”, a very cool club indeed. They buy and bottle entire casks , only once the esteemed tasting team has given the green light.  The same panel of experts also gives us the wacky entertaining names. The actual distillery is a  deep mystery. You’d first think of Islay based on the peaty nose, but it’s a Highland.  At 65.1% this is an ultra powerful malt and I suggest that after a sip to begin, add water to your preferred taste.  I loved the smell of iodine and wet stones along with honey sweetness, the later from the ex-bourbon barrels.  The golden amber color is delightful in the late day sun.  The finish is over the moon long so let it linger.  Sadly , this expression has just sold out but I suggest you take a look at membership for other options.  I did just that, all in the name of science of course.  Rated a monumental 8 on the snob scale.    Slàinte

Benriach “The Twelve”-  Spring is a time for renewal in all things.  Our subject malt has been matured and crafted in 3 very different casks…port wine, bourbon, and sherry.  This unique trio gave birth to a terrific flavor profile and a rich floral nose.  I found complex fruit and honey immediately and with the second taste some chocolate notes.  The thing about this whisky is its mellow power, and no that’s not a contradiction. Refresh your glass and you can actually taste the 3 wood barrels…..The bronze color and fresh punchy strength ( 92 proof), make for a perfect spring dram.  Renew your pre-dinner drink with this charming Speyside malt and put some beautiful spring flowers on the table as well.  Rated a solid 8 on the snob scale.  Slàinte

Aberfeldy 12-  Sports cars and whisky don’t seem like a logical pair, or do they?  This amber hued beauty might be the ideal coolant for the end of your drive.  Whether you push the limits on track or just enjoy exercising your steed on a country tour, we all need a quality finish to the days events. As a Highland spirit, the glassy smooth and honey rich flavor is expected and it delivers in spades.  While you pivot to downtime this vanilla drenched dram is only 8o proof ( low octane ), and perfect for sharing.  I found subtle citrus notes and malty sweetness on my second taste, along with sherry barrel spices. There is nothing exceptional here, but a fine dram might be your perfect ‘checkered flag’ moment. Take your time, inhale the sweetness, and plan your next adrenaline inducing moment in your favorite marque.  Rated a 7.5 on the snob tachometer. 

Shieldaig  Islay-  If you are lucky, mid winter might find you on a snowy mountain with blue skies and friends.  The crisp air is invigorating and by day’s end, you need a roaring fire and a glass of this fine malt.  Nothing warms the spirit better…. Our featured whisky is a new expression to me and for an Islay, its on the mild side.  The peat is soft and the flavors are subtle but tasty with toffy and apple notes.  There is nothing really special here but its an exceptional value and a good bottle to try with a cube or two.  The nose is delicate and the finish is about as quick as your last run on the double black diamond. It’s mild enough at 80 Proof for a generous pour and seems to help melt the frost on your tired muscles. There is some apple fruit and a bit of spice mid taste.  Best enjoyed before dinner with your companions and share generously. The distillery is a mystery known only to the craft crew at Ian McLeod, they know a few things too.  Enjoy the evening but rest up for tomorrow’s run.  Rated a  frosty six on the snob scale.

Bowmore 12-  Each of us celebrates the New Year with optimism and good cheer. My proposal is to include this tasty whisky in your plans.  The smart folks on this island know a thing or two about making a balanced whisky with all the right flavors.  There is a thick and rich sweetness from sherry barrel aging and just a delicate whiff of smoke.  The nose is ultra full with some subtle citrus fruit.  Mid-taste I  found honey and vanilla with really nice complexity….At 80 proof, you must consume this neat , just don’t spill any on your dinner companion! There is a genuine sparkle  here if you use the correct glassware!    Let’s all look for a fresh start, I wish you health, joy, and friendship in the coming months.  This Islay classic rates a 7.5 and almost guarantees a festive and special new year. Slàinte

The label screams tradition so are the tasting notes going to be the same?  Many of us enjoy the unusual rule breaking distillers, but when push comes to shove, this whisky wins by a Highland kilt!  The bottle tells us that the sweet citrus notes are commingled with beautiful floral notes…..thanks to the gardener of the house!   The nose is ultra aromatic and full of spices , almost like a bake shop.  I found a wonderful complexity and a creamy mouthfeel that would pair nicely with a smoked salmon dinner, yum…. Its mild at 80 proof so why not sub this in for wine next time around?  I have done that more this fall and it’s a winning combination.  This isn’t a dram for the snooty peat lovers, or the status seeking snobs, ( did I just say that?) .  On the flip side however, you’d never get a complaint if you served this 10 year old to a sophisticated friend.  As the benchmark song in “ Fiddler on the Roof” says……Tradition, always welcome here.  Rated a solid 8 , best enjoyed before all the leaves drop. 

Major Grant , our subject malt today, is a fall appropriate whisky in its flavor profile, and in its leafy coloration.  There is an amber warmth here that is second to none, and a massive dose of honey in your initial taste….enough in fact to make a beekeeper swoon.  Our porch is surrounded by flowering plants artfully tended to by my better half.  Those flowers are currently mobbed by honey bees, which brings us back to the malt in my glass.  The complexity here includes dried fruits, bountiful vanilla and at 43 proof, just the right power for neat consumption. My outdoor tasting method is highly recommended, the crisp early fall air makes for a delicious event.   At nearly 2 decades in oak, some of that in rebuilt hogshead barrels, the glassy mouthfeel is spot on terrific.  Generous time aging equals a remarkable tasting experience. Its a splurge bottle at a buck and a half but you’ll savor every dram, spend it!  The finish was nearly forever and my glass actually attracted a few of the local bees!  I’m pouring a second and you should find a source post haste…..Snobishly rated 9, make sure you share the wealth!

Meyer’s French Whisky- Sacre´bleu mon ami ! Recently, while traveling  across the charmingly scenic countryside in Alsace-Lorraine, I happened upon a distillery.  Lucky me!  I spent some quality time with the distillery master and learned a good bit about how the French accomplish their task.  We Scottish types think we are the only quality game around but my new pal Jean-Claude begs to differ.  The spirit in question was floral and grassy on the nose with some woody notes in the background.  I found honey and mystery spices in the first taste with a solid and rounded mouthfeel. The aging process relies on once filled french oak wine casks, and ultimately it’s finished in Pinot Noir oak. . The barley used in the making was all grown on site in the Rhine river plain , a historically rich agricultural region. Also worth noting is the entire process is held within the family and the nuances are closely guarded secrets, intriguing indeed.  While the flavors here are unique to me, they are also very enjoyable….Maybe the lesson learned is to broaden our horizons, there are plenty of interesting spirits to sample. So in closing, “Le Whisky Artisanal” is tres bien and rates a solid 7 on the snob scale.

Finlaggan-  Your faithful reviewer travels far and wide to keep you on the cutting edge of the spirits world.  Last fall I travelled to Amsterdam Holland and while touring that great city, I happened upon this unique single malt.  The name comes from an island castle but there is no distillery present. My faithful network of spies think the spirit comes from young barrels of Lagavulin, but that’s simply a guess. There is a smokey brine right up front with a not so subtle caramelized orange peel…..yup really.  The oaky notes come from the acorns packaged right in the bottle.  I found spices aplenty mid taste and a very thick mouthfeel.  The nose is sharp and fiery, right in my wheelhouse.  I loved the deep amber color and make sure to try it neat !  The bottom line is ”peat with sweet”, and in typical Islay fashion,  the iodine makes it complex and oh so warming.  Fun fact, the actual castle is seasonal and it opens on April 5th !  So fire up the Gulfstream and report back on your findings.  We’ll all look forward to your photos and observations….. Rated a snobbish 7, and let me know if you find it in your neighborhood.  Oh yeah, I fibbed about the acorns, but they made for a cool photograph.

Tamnavulin Double Cask-  As a diversion from the storms of winter & world madness, let’s enjoy an earthy pleasure.  As we all know, the scalawags in whisky marketing are masters at creating cool looking labels and names.  I was hooked by the former, and the sunset like color !

The real story here is Speyside terroir that brings its character to the bottle.  The valley soils in that region grow remarkable barley that morphs into our subject malt .  The twist here is after the once filled bourbon barrel aging, the  liquid gold is given a sherry barrel vacation which brings out cherry notes and sweet cake flavors. It’s a common technique, but seldom seen at this bargain price point.   Ultimately, this golden beauty gives us an entire fruit salad in a glass. At a mild  80 proof, you definitely need to enjoy this neat…..The finish was a tad speedy but this tasty malt earned my respect.  It overachieved in character and earned a solid 7 rating.  Cheers to the entire team……