We have three releases from the Single Malts of Scotland range in our glass. More precisely the upper class: one Bunnahabhain in the dumpy Director’s Special bottle and two Marriage of Casks releases from Glenrothes and an undisclosed Islay distillery.
The SMOS brand really takes me back to my early days of whisky. I even remember that particular Bowmore 1995 which made me place my first ever order at The Whisky Exchange to get it.
Bunnahabhain 44 yo 1975 (42,4%, Elixir Distillers – Single Malts of Scotland ‘Director’s Special’ 2020, sherry butt #4051, 492 btl.)
Nose: very elegant and slightly delicate. Rather fresh fruits, like yellow plum, mango and tangerines. Coastal notes and a hint of greenery as well. Whiffs of blonde tobacco and hay, along with some sunflower oil and dried wildflowers. Then mild herbal honey and some library dust.
Mouth: again this restrained but typical mix of dried pears, tangerines and a lot of oranges and orange peels. Then walnut (oil), a few drops of Manzanilla Pasada, as well as salty hints, sandalwood and more tobacco leaves. A little gorse, sweet spice and old oak in the end.
Finish: not very long and soft, with bit of cask char, figs, mint tea and precious woods.
Quite soft-voiced at times, but a beautiful Bunnahabhain with a very refined (refill) sherry influence. Perfectly polished by time. This one is still available from Master of Malt.
Glenrothes 31 yo (53,2%, Elixir Distillers – Single Malts of Scotland ‘A Marriage of Casks’ 2022, sherry casks, 560 btl.)
Nose: sweet and thick, with a lot of classic prunes, raisins, blackberries and dark cherries. A very subtle balsamic touch, with hints of sweet coffee in the distance. After that some walnuts, a hint of chocolate mousse and old leather.
Mouth: slightly darker still, on blackcurrant, black tea, dried orange peels and lots of prunes. Then dark chocolate, tobacco, nutmeg and hints of clove. The sweetness turns towards woody notes and a hint of cinchona and liquorice. Closer to armagnac at times.
Finish: long, with more of these dark fruits, some grassy hints and bitter coffee.
This Glenrothes is a combination of a 1989 hogshead and a 1990 sherry butt. It reminds me of the heavily sherried 1997s that were popular a few years ago – though certainly more polished. Still available from The Whisky Exchange. Score: 88/100
An Islay Distillery 30 yo (47,5%, Elixir Distillers – Single Malts of Scotland ‘A Marriage of Casks’ 2023)
Nose: I could have written these notes without actually trying it. You get some tight grass smoke, engine oil and damp chalk but also rounder vanilla, lime, yellow orchard fruit and marzipan. Then new wool, coastal breeze and very subtle peat smoke.
Mouth: lovely. Slightly more medicinal and peaty, but there’s still some candied fruit, lemon candy, mango and pear syrup as well. Then back to sea spray, light bitumen and campfire smoke. Small herbs, spearmint and a little pepper. Wee notes of honey too.
Finish: long, salty and smoky, with citrus and hints of verbena.
This undeniable Laphroaig character is never tiring. It pretty much ticks all the boxes for this kind of bottling. Still available from Master of Malt and a number of retailers in mainland Europe. Score: 91/100