SMWS 27.113 Springbank 26 1993 “What a song and dance”

This is something I never expected to try, let alone own. A rare distillery for the SMWS these days, of course a Springbank would command a tremendous price, particularly for its age, and be way too in demand if priced competitively. But I had recently started work on a master’s program and asked my mother if she’d be comfortable with this being an eventual graduation gift I buy now since it wouldn’t be available by the time I’d graduate. She agreed and we worked out that I’d pay for it, but she’d keep it and give me the bottle with reimbursement upon graduation. Basically, it set it up so she wasn’t on the hook if I stopped pursuing the degree for whatever reason. 

But about midway through the program I realized I didn’t want something that would eventually be gone and I’d feel bad about enjoying properly, so I explained that to her and asked for a pipe instead so I could have it and enjoy it without pause until the day I die. And since I’d technically already paid for this, ownership transferred to me and I figured it should still somewhat serve its initial purpose. I decided I’d open it upon my diploma officially being conferred to me, which I was fortunate enough to be able to share with my family on that day. A few weeks later, I poured myself another dram to review.

Springbank 26, 1993 Vintage, Scotch Malt Whisky Society 27.113, Campbeltown Single Malt, 50.6% ABV

Minutia: Distilled on April 23, 1993 and matured in refill ex-bourbon hogshead for 26 years yielding 179 bottles. This is part of the Old & Dignified flavor profile named “What a song and dance”. Enjoyed neat in a glencairn.

Color: Amontillado Sherry; 0.9.

Nose: Industrial, malt, anise. Pineapple.

Taste: Sweet, fruity explosion. So juicy. Slight heat comes in.

Finish: Super sweet, classic Springbank/Longrow sense with a tropical feel to it.

Wow, what a cask. I’m very glad a bottle which is special to me punches this well. I was not expecting that fruity burst to be quite as bursty as it was, and I’m glad it was.

Score: 90

Musical Evocation: Black Swan – “When the Angels of Twilight Dance”

Edradour 9 2011 The Ultimate

I hadn’t even heard of Edradour until a short while ago, I think my introduction may have been the r/Scotch Ballechin. I liked it enough to want to try their unpeated malt and picked this up when I had an opportunity.

Edradour 9, 2011 Vintage, The Ultimate, Highland Single Malt, 57.2% ABV

Minutia: Distilled on September 10, 2011 and matured in a 1st-fill Sherry butt for 9 years and bottled on September 28, 2020 yielding 396 bottles. Enjoyed neat in a glencairn.

Color: Treacle; 2.0.

Nose: Weird. Other than burny molasses, there are aromas for which I have no reference.

Taste: Sherry, spice, fruit, wood.

Finish: Cedar, spice. Medium.

It’s fine, but not really for me. It’s not off-putting, and a more well-exposed smeller/taster may get much more out of it than I did, but too much is unfamiliar for me to really appreciate it.

Score: 79

Musical Evocation: Bal Sagoth – “In the Raven-Haunted Forests of Darkenhold”

SMWS 35.275 Glen Moray 25 1994 “A desert island dr(e)am”

I don’t quite remember exactly why I bought this, especially for the price, but it had something to do with how much Jenna liked it in the tasting. Maybe she made a favorable comparison to something I know I liked? Anyway, I was willing enough and have finally opened it…

Glen Moray 25, 1994 Vintage, Scotch Malt Whisky Society 35.275, Speyside Single Malt, 59.6% ABV

Minutia: Distilled on November 24, 1994 and matured in a 1st-fill toasted hogshead for 25 years yielding 180 bottles. This is part of the Juicy, Oak & Vanilla flavor profile named “A desert island dr(e)am”. Enjoyed neat in a glencairn.

Color: Auburn, polished mahogany; 1.5.

Nose: Rich, toasty, and woody. Musty. Dried fruit. Malty vanilla. Very nice.

Taste: Sweet, spicy, woody. Cinnamon.

Finish: Maple and bourbon. Wood spice. Medium-long, leaning longer.

…and boy am I glad I have. I’ve been finding that as my palate grows and I like unpeated malts more than I did, I still prefer peat, generally, but when I like an unpeated expression I really like it. A recently reviewed old Glenlivet comes to mind.

Score: 88

Musical Evocation: Skyclad – “Our Dying Island”

Big Peat Peatrichor Feis Ile 2021

I was very pleased I was able to get this at auction for less money that the standard batches cost where I live. As a fan of peat and petrichor, it sounds like it’s made for me. Very pleased they went with a higher strength, too.

Big Peat Peatrichor Feis Ile 2021, Islay Blended Malt, 53.8% ABV

Minutia: Not sure if this is sourced from different distilleries than the usual blend since it’s not displayed on the packaging, but I’d guess it’s more likely there’s just no Port Ellen and they didn’t want to draw attention to that rather than involving different distilleries. Anyway, 1 of 5190 bottles released for Feis Ile 2021. Enjoyed neat in a glencairn.

Color: Pale straw; 0.2.

Nose: Earthy and vegetal. Iodine. Petrichor but as if from ash rather than soil.

Taste: Smoke, pepper, brine. Slightly medicinal.

Finish: Musty, dry. Citrus peel/rind. Medium.

This is nice. It’s different from the regular one, but not substantially. The name, though, while likely meant just as a pun, is actually quite accurate based on that note in the nose.

Score: 84

Musical Evocation: Lynyrd Skynyrd – “That Smell”

SMWS 108.25 Allt-a-Bhainne 8 2012 “Gets your blood pumping!”

The final bottle from that set, and one I was actually pleased to have since it’s a profile I tend to enjoy.

Allt-a-Bhainne 8, 2012 Vintage, Scotch Malt Whisky Society 108.25, Speyside Single Malt, 65.9% ABV

Minutia: Distilled in February 2012 and matured in a 2nd-fill barrel for 8 years. This is part of the Heavily Peated flavor profile named “Gets your blood pumping!”. Enjoyed neat in a glencairn.

Color: Yellow gold; 0.5.

Nose: Floral gin, wax, plastic.

Taste: Wax and spice. Green wood. Ash.

Finish: Herbal, earthy, woody smoke. Touch of jam. Long.

Well, it has potential, but it’s just a bit too youthful. If the way that came across was somewhat unappealing to me it could be a good deal better, but that’s the way she goes.

Score: 77

Musical Evocation: Children of Bodom – “Living Dead Beat”