OCTOBER 2017
M A LT O F T H E M O N T H : ESSENCE OF BFG CASK No. 35.168
A vailable: Fr iday 6th O ctober
CELLARMASTER’S NOTE Dear Members,
The Society has long been known for bottling casks of amazing non-Scotch spirits. For example, there is a long tradition of bottling incredible Japanese whiskies, Irish whiskies, Bourbons, Armagnacs and rums. In the mid-2000’s, there were also several casks of apple cider brandy bottled by the Society and, more recently, we’ve seen the Society bottle casks of American whiskey (not necessarily bourbons) and Cognacs. Such has been the interest in and success of these bottlings, the Society is introducing a number of new labels to better reflect and distinguish these non-Scotch casks. These will now be bottled and labelled under a range known as Single Cask Spirits, or SCS. They feature a different Society label and I’m pleased to advise that the Australian branch has been able to secure a small number of bottles from several of the SCS range, including some incredible rums from Jamaica, Panama, Nicaragua, Barbados, and also a new Bas Armagnac.
You may also have seen or heard about our new “Exotic Cargo” bottling. This is a first for the Society: It’s actually a blended malt, comprising of several casks from more than one distillery. All the constituent casks are 1st Fill Spanish oak ex-sherry hogsheads that were filled in 2006. Please note that the whisky is not a blend, but a blended malt. (Until the nomenclature laws changed 10 years ago, it would previously have been called a vatted malt). In other words, all the spirit is malt whisky made from malted barley, and there is no grain whisky (e.g. made from maize or wheat) in the vatting. In another interesting move, following extensive tasting and panel testing
to find the optimum balance, the whisky has been bottled at 50% ABV. Again, Australia has been fortunate to secure a healthy allocation.
In more exciting news, we also have some exciting new distilleries being unveiled, with 133 and 134 now being added to our inventory. One of these, from an impressive Indian distillery, will be featured in Australia.
Finally, the Society also occasionally sources some exceptionally rare and highly soughtafter casks, and these will now be designated in a new Society range and livery known as The Vaults Collection. The first two bottlings are being released this month – the first is a 26yo cask from closed (and demolished) distillery No. 25, and the second is a 27yo ex-sherry butt from distillery No. 24. Both will be featured in Australia, although in very small quantities. Of course, one unfortunate issue with living on the opposite side of the planet is that it takes time to ship our bottles halfway around the globe. As such, we’ll generally be taking delivery of these bottlings three or more months after they’re released in the UK. So don’t panic if you see something on social media and haven’t seen or heard about it here. We’ll be taking delivery of the abovementioned bottlings over the next six months and releasing them slowly over a number of different Outturns. I’ve long believed Australians have good palates… we’ll make sure they’re well satisfied. Cheers,
Andrew Derbidge ~ Cellarmaster, SMWS Australia
SIMPLE IS SOMETIMES THE BEST – U N D E R S TA N D I N G G R A I N . There's a G here, a G there. We've had some absolutely stunning grain whisky coming through lately, so I thought I'd take a moment to talk about it and get a bit closer to it.
L
et's start with what it is: grain whisky, in this case made in Scotland, can be a mix of various grain cereals like maize, wheat, corn, rye, that can be malted or unmalted in differing proportions. When the Society releases a single cask, single grain whisky (which is every cask we release), the wording 'single grain' in this case does not refer to the use of a single type of grain to make the whisky – rather it refers to the production of the whisky solely on the site of a single distillery. The column 'continuous' or 'Coffey' style stills that make grain whisky are high output, low downtime, super high ABV contraptions, but just because they are high output, let's just remove the assumption they are low in flavour. Yes it's true that typically, (and I emphasize typically), grain whisky is light in profile and is mostly all very young spirit made with the sole purpose of going into blended whiskies (not to be again confused with blended malts) which accounts for 90% of all whisky consumption worldwide. Single grain whisky on it's own unblended down, is rare. Single cask single grain whisky is basically unicorn tears at this point in the apex then. We're very lucky that we get access to these kind of casks at the Society, especially with
the depth of flavour that the cask and grain types can impart. Grain whisky in that sense, is practically more diverse that malt whisky in that the mix of grains that vary from distillery to cask, going into a wide range of both traditional casks and more 'exotic' casks, is truly remarkable.
I've often said that mood plays a huge part of what you want in your glass, and sometimes a 'Simple Pleasure' like the new release G7.11 has, hits the spot. I've had the good fortune of being able to taste G7.11 a few times now leading up to the release in this month's Outturn, and for a grain that is on the 'younger end' of the spectrum for grain whisky (but still a very respectable 15 years in refill bourbon) it holds it's head high. Chocolate wafers, malty, dusty, sweet leather and blue cheese. Distillery G7 makes remarkable grain whisky for some of the best selling blended whisky on earth, so I encourage you to consider something light and delicate in Spring like this.
There are of course other great grains on sale like G6.3 from a demolished distillery, G9.3 an organic wheat, and often more. As always, find them on smws.com.au. Matt Bailey SMWS National Ambassador
HELLO, SPRING Spring has well and truly sprung – with an outpouring of more single cask bottlings, both on Outturn and at our events as the end of year approaches and festivities begin. All new releases will be available online from Friday 6th October at midday AEDT.
SPICY & SWEET
CASK No. 39.139 A M O ST LU S C I O U S R E M E DY TASTING NOTES: At first the panel found a fresh character of menthol, lemon sherbet, tonic water and After Eight mints with apple tart. Then came the richness of tobacco, prunes, spices, dark chocolate, raisons, vanilla and sweet Sherry notes. Remaining fizzy there was sweet pink wafer with cinder toffee and a herbal edge with dandelion and burdock before orange and blackberry fruit and a woody finish of furniture polish on charred oak. After maturing for 19 years in an ex-Oloroso butt it was transferred to a 1st fill ex-Pedro Ximinez butt for the remainder of its maturation. Drinking Tip: To be contemplated with little distractions and a lot of time.
20 YEARS 1 S T
F I L L
0 1 J U LY 1 9 9 6
P E D R O
Colour - Warm honey
X I M E N E Z
58.2% B U T T
SPEYSIDE LOSSIE
1 of 594 bottles PRICE: $305
S W E E T, F R U I T Y & M E L L O W
CASK No. 5.55 FLOWER MEADOW IN SPRING TASTING NOTES: The nose is as fresh as a flower meadow in spring – and full of sweet treats (orange fondant chocolates, coconut marshmallow tea-cakes, heather honey). The palate combines mouth-tingling spice (chilli, anise, liquorice) citrus and oak with exploding sweetness (strawberry, Hubba Bubba, orange muscat wine). The reduced nose is gentle but complex, with vanilla, coconut, barley sugars and fruit salad and Pimms served among summer foliage. The palate balances sweetness and oak – soft leather, strawberry laces, red fruits, pick-n-mix sweeties and cinnamon, with a satisfying, lingering finish. After 15 years in ex-bourbon wood we transferred this to a first-fill Pedro Ximenez hogshead. Drinking Tip: A dram to enjoy in the garden.
16 YEARS
1 1 O C TO B E R 2 0 0 0
56.8%
1 of 306 bottles
1ST FILL PEDRO XIMENEZ HOGSHEAD
Colour - Yellow gold
LOWLAND
PRICE: $248
P E AT E D
CASK No. 29.205 TWO WHEELED BEACH CRUISER TASTING NOTES: Cycling along the beach we passed an old shipwreck with its weathered and tar-covered timbers that sat amongst the glistening rock pools and dried seaweed. The sweet smell of sticky pork ribs on a bbq hung in the air along with smoked rhubarb crumble with whipped cream and roasted limes. Suddenly my tire punctured on the sharp edge of an oyster shell, releasing a sweet innertube aroma. We sat down on a rock and opened a packet of salted almonds and some sweet smoked salmon, and as a rain shower started we relaxed whilst watching patterns being made by the raindrops in the sand. Drinking Tip: Drink whilst cleaning barnacles off of fresh mussels.
17 YEARS
0 1 J U LY 1 9 9 9
R E F I L L
B A R R E L
Colour - A West coast sunset
58.8%
I S L AY
1 of 216 bottles PRICE: $299
M A LT O F T H E M O N T H CASK No. 35.168 ESSENCE OF BFG Diversity of spirit from distillery 35 is never more pronounced than in this rich and treacly Black Forest Gâteau of a dram for our Malt of the Month. This is a must for jaded sherry-lovers and is a true steal at only $189. Divine.
TASTING NOTES: An unstraightforward, extrausual nose – we, the no-flannel panel, found oodles of tastylacious toffeenesses, essence of BFG (black forest gâteau), prunes, Madeira-madearie, tobacco threads and polished pipes. The gob-smack was gob-smackingly impactful and chewy as a Wookie’s teazle – maple candies, cinder toffee, cherries in syrup, leather and spice. The water-weakened nose had well-stroked razor-stroppers, fine-and-fancy fumadors, orange peel, lickerish liquorice and pink and dandy candy floss – tip-top snifferoos. The taste was now all fig jam and Jaffa, Jamaicy ginga caky, juicy pear-belly Helene and sugarcoated fennel seeds. A crodscollop dram to drain hum-drum tedium from the dullest day – gloriumptious, phizz-whizzing and jumpsquiffling. Drinking Tip: A lip-smackering accompaniser to reading Roald Dahl. P R I C E $ 1 8 9 ( R E D U C E D F R O M $ 2 1 0 ) . 4 2 B OT T L E S AVA I L A B L E .
15 YEARS
1 7 T H M AY 2 0 0 1
60.44%
VIRGIN OAK BUTT, HEAVY TOAST MEDIUM CHAR
Colour - Deep gold
SPEYSIDE LOSSIE
1 of 594 bottles
PRICE: $189
O I LY & C O A S T A L
CASK No. 10.111 “A L L A B OA R D ” TASTING NOTES: We found ourselves on board an old fashioned boat under full sail, wooden deck, slightly tarry ropes and the salty sea breeze in our nostrils as we were received a lesson on celestial navigation using a marine sextant. As the sea got calmer we relaxed in a hammock chair and got served a Hemingway Daiquiri, of white rum, fresh grapefruit and lime juice, Maraschino liqueur and syrup. With water the sun appeared from behind the clouds and after freshening up with some dusty rose and lavender perfume, we enjoyed the sunset with a bowl of Bombay mix and a lemon basil ginger Martini. Drinking Tip: Being on, or dreaming of, a sailing adventure.
10 YEARS
0 6 O C TO B E R 2 0 0 6
R E F I L L
61.3%
I S L AY
1 of 192 bottles
B A R R E L
Colour - Pine tree sap
PRICE: $209
Y O U N G & S P R I T E LY
CASK No. 84.22 REFRESHING AND BRIGHT TASTING NOTES: We found the nose sweet and fruity – pineapple humps, rhubarb rock, gooseberry and damson jams. The palate started sweet, smooth and easy, before turning sharp and fruity – flying saucers, ice-lolly sticks, sherbet straws and lemon Lockets; maybe some lime. Lime definitely appeared on the reduced nose – lime marmalade, lemon peel and an apple press in an orchard – refreshing and bright, even minty and floral. The reduced palate was an enjoyable experience of bitter-sweet tropical fruit cocktails, with long-lasting afterechoes of nippy humbugs and cinnamon fondant sweets. After seven years in ex-bourbon wood, this was finished in a second-fill white wine hogshead. Drinking Tip: One to enjoy while waiting for the sun to reach the yardarm.
8 YEARS 2ND
FILL
19 MARCH 2008
WHITE
Colour - Bright gold
WINE
5 7. 2 %
HOGSHEAD
SPEYSIDE SPEY
1 of 243 bottles PRICE: $155
SPICY & SWEET
CASK No. 50.82 FEEL-GOOD DRAM TASTING NOTES: We found the nose heady, satisfying and ‘feel-good’ – beeswax polished wood, sherbet straws, honey, Danish pastries, buttered corn and delicate floral notes (honeysuckle, hyacinth, wild flower meadows). The palate was sweet and tart (toffee, honey-glazed wings), with a healthy spice kick (ginger cake, toasted hot-cross buns, onion chutney) and leather, tobacco and wood in the finish. The reduced nose had acacia honey, orange blossom, nectarines, dark chocolate, corn candies and cinnamon – ‘something of the Deep South’ (which, in a way, it is). The palate now seemed juicier – orange zest, ginger beer, sticky toffee, fudge and Gran Marnier – delicious and well-integrated. Drinking Tip: For moments of happy reflection – ideally, but not necessarily, in a summer meadow. 25 YEARS
1 5 M AY 1 9 9 0
R E F I L L
60.8%
1 of 84 bottles
B A R R E L
Colour - Marmalade amber
LOWLAND
PRICE: $429
L I G H T & D E L I C AT E
CASK No. G7.11 SIMPLE PLEASURE TASTING NOTES: This is a light and simple dram. Initial aromas are spirity, light and clean – lemon, flaked maize, pencil shavings, honey and even window cleaner. The taste is sweet and hot with a nice mouthfeel. Vanilla and woody spices, slightly nutty too and like flat lemonade. Adding water reveals gentle aromas of pine, shortbread, banana with Weetabix cereal and straw on a hot day. The flavours are bourbon-like and remain fairly simple. It is very mouth-coating, sweet and clean with banana chips. Don’t be tempted to try it with ice though. Drinking Tip: For when you want something sweet, simple and uncomplicated.
15 YEARS
27 SEPTEMBER 2000
R E F I L L
Colour - Light gold
B A R R E L
59.6%
LOWLAND
1 of 168 bottles PRICE: $199
P E AT E D
CASK No. 3.289 DON’T GO FOR THE BURN TASTING NOTES: Herbal, sweet barbequed meat aromas wafted through the room and made all the Panel members feel very hungry. Sticky aromatic pork ribs, honey and mustard roast gammon and herbal pork sausages were being prepared, but while we waited we had a sip. Smoke as well as ash filled our mouths - did we get a piece of Cumberland sausage which had fallen into the hot ash (hopefully recovered within the 5 second rule!)? With water we got a glass of sweetened lime juice, moved on to the beach and had smoked cardamom ice cream with salty honey caramel. Drinking Tip: One, two, three, four … too late!
17 YEARS
25 SEPTEMBER 1998
R E F I L L
60.4%
I S L AY
1 of 150 bottles
B A R R E L
Colour - Sandpaper
PRICE: $239
S W E E T, F R U I T Y & M E L L O W
CASK No. 55.41 SOOTHING AND INVITING TASTING NOTES: The nose was invitingly sweet, fruity and juicy – we got candied orange and lemon slices, pineapple, apple sour liqueur and candy floss, with some sweet Madeira wine depth behind it all. The palate had toffee chocolate éclairs and cinnamon Danish sweetness, but with a spritely chilli and popping candy mouth-feel. The reduced nose had handbag fragrance, flower posies, apricot jam and iced chocolate buns. The palate balanced Demerara and spun sugar with lemon drizzle cake, Haribos and wine-soaked wood – a soothing sweetness but with interest and character. After fourteen years in a bourbon hogshead, we transferred this whisky directly into a second-fill Sauternes cask. Drinking Tip: A little bit of a puzzle, this one – maybe to sip while doing the crossword.
15 YEARS 2 ND
FILL
26 SEPTEMBER 2000
SAUTERN ES
Colour - Bright gold
5 7. 9 %
HOGSHEA D
SPEYSIDE FINDHORN
1 of 264 bottles PRICE: $231
AMBASSADOR’S NOTE
TWILIGHT W H I S K Y TA S T I N G
BY MATT BAILEY
L
ast month, September, has to have been probably one of the most important months in the Society's now fifteen year Australian history with the release of our iconic 73.83 'Anzac biscuits and cricket bats'. It was so encouraging to see so many members in so many cities enjoying it and being a part of this milestone. If you haven't yet posted up a photo of your bottle arriving or enjoying a dram of it, please join the discussion on our Facebook group or tweet me on Twitter with it! Looking forward, which is what we do best here, and October Outturn is already upon us. As you'll no doubt read in Andrew's message, there's an incredible array of new Society innovation coming through from our first ever blended malt (watch this space), our new Vaults Collection of some truly rare casks, one of which I've been told is very possibly the last example we'll ever see from that demolished distillery. This is a hugely exciting time for the Society and the members that make it what it is, and
remember we love you inviting a friend to the Society who's just starting their whisky journey into full flavour! Apart from that, as always our events are the talk of the town and the ones coming up all over Australia over October thru to Christmas are definitely worth coming out for. Check out the back page of Outturn this month for our Highland Park night with Martin 'The Viking' Markvardsen among others. SlĂĄinte,
@smws_matt bailey@smws.com.au
CHRISTMAS BUMPER OUTTURN
To ensure you get all your sumptuous casks sorted in time for proper festive dramming, Christmas will come early at the Society! For newer members, our Christmas Outturn is a scorcher packed with at least twice as many casks, the premiere of our Society Whisky Concierge service, festive whisky bundles to save on gift buying, and of course Andrew's premium selection of casks for the month.
Our bumper Christmas Outturn this year will fall on FRIDAY 17th NOVEMBER at midday AEDT and will be our November & December Outturn combined.
UPCOMING EVENTS MELBOURN E
PERTH
15TH BIRTHDAY SINGLE CASK CELEBRATIONS
SUMMER CELEBRATION – SUPPER & SINGLE CASKS
WEDNESDAY 18TH OCTOBER
THURSDAY 23RD NOVEMBER
P.J. O'Brien's Southgate Avenue, Southbank Host: Owen Smythe, VIC Manager
Bar Lafayette Brookfield Place, 125 St Georges Tce, Perth
AD EL A I D E AN EVENING WITH THE CELLARMASTER WEDNESDAY 25TH OCTOBER
Public Schools Club 207 East Terrace, Adelaide Host: Andrew Derbidge, Cellarmaster C ANBE RRA CONVIVIAL COCKTAILS & QUALITY DRAMS THURSDAY 26TH OCTOBER
Hippo Co 1/17 Garema Pl, Canberra City Host: Drew McKinnie, ACT Manager
THURSDAY 30TH NOVEMBER
The Odd Fellow 47 South Terrace, Fremantle Host: Justin Davies, WA Manager WO L LONG O NG CHRISTMAS WHISKY DINNER FRIDAY 8TH DECEMBER
Novotel Northbeach Hotel 2-14 Cliff Rd, North Wollongong Host: Fred Apolloni, Wollongong Manager B R I S B ANE 15TH BIRTHDAY SINGLE CASK CELEBRATIONS CHECK THE WEBSITE FOR EVENT DETAILS
SY D N E Y SINGLE MALT & SINGLE ORIGIN SOURDOUGH THURSDAY 26TH OCTOBER
Brasserie Bread 1737 Botany Rd, Banksmeadow Host: Andrew Derbidge, NSW Manager
For more information or to book in for any of the whisky tasting events listed above, please visit: smws.com.au/events
W W W. S M W S . C O M . A U
0 2 9 9 74 3 0 4 6
All day every day
Mon-Fri, 9:00am–5:00pm AEDT
AUSTRALIANSMWS
SMWS_AUSTRALIA
Society whiskies are offered and sold through The Wine Empire Pty Ltd, Liquor Licence LIQP770010175.