Islands region – 700ML – 750ml bottle – Go here to join the society & gain access to their bottles
So, beyond bottling some fine whiskies, the SMWS (in America) puts on a series of tasting events called “The Single Malt & Scotch Whisky Extravaganza“. The “Extravaganza” is now in it’s 17th year. If you’ve never been to one of their events, you may want to change that, and soon!
Perhaps I can help. I’ve been working with the good folks at the society and they were kind enough to extend to me a discount code for my readers; specifically for people who are not members of the SMWSA. Tickets to one of their Extravaganzas, for members, are $120.00ea, non-members are $135.00ea. If you use the discount code JMS10, all of you non-members can purchase your first two tickets at the member price of $120.00. Not bad!
For more information on the SMWS events and on how to purchase your tickets, click here.
See below for a full listing of their fall events schedule. I always jump at a chance to meet my readers so, for those coming to the Boston event, drop me a line: jewmalt [at] yahoo [dot] com – I’d enjoy the chance to talk with you.
Now, onto the review of what I think is a fine Highland Park:
On the nose – Chewy sweets gums like Jujyfruits; the lemon ones specifically (these are also known as wine gums to my friends on the other side of the pond).
Increasingly fruity and altogether tropical (papaya, horned melon, mango).
Very tangy and a deliciously smoked backbone.
Not smoky but smoked; like smoked cheese (interesting, I’ve been finding this note in a few of the whiskies I’ve had as of late. Maybe I shouldn’t do these reviews on an empty stomach…).
Rosewater chews/Turkish delights.
On the mouth – Hello you little shapeshifter.
I think this is more a transformer than it is a whisky – tons of sweet coconut; both toasted and the milk thereof, salt, nail polish and vanilla.
What started off as a thin mouth feel gets viscous, the taste of the smell of hot plastic milk jugs (tee-hee, I said jugs…).
The smoked quality I got on the nose is gone giving way to some nice sharp cheddar notes but the body now has a smoky tone to it (just around the edges).
Like I said, this is a transformer, not a whisky 🙂
Finish – Makes the mouth water with hints of powdered sugar and the rosewater pops again.
Long and strong like bull.
In sum – Another summer dram with lots to offer. Very different from any OB Highland Park I’ve had but hey, that’s OK. It’s more than OK. It’s wonderful, surprising and welcome. Thank you single cask whiskies, thank you SMWSA!
As a reminder, a short while back I did an interview with Alan Shayne (President of the SMWSA and an all around great guy). To read that, click here.