SMWS Outturn 267 - Distinguished Characters

SMWS 27.112 - A broadside cannon barrageJuly is a slightly smaller list than usual, with just 18 drams and one of those is mail-order exclusive. And yet there are also venue exclusive bottles and the usual mid-month top-up... So over the whole month it evens out!

The quality's high - lead by the superb Caol Ila which I think has depth we don't normally see from this distillery.

But why should we stick to scores? Let's look at everything else by using the new scoring system! In "I'd like more than one bottle" there's the Auchentoshan which is delightfully fruity with floral hints. Very tempting. The sweet, gingery Mannochmore is something that probably wouldn't last long when opened! As is the Springbank, despite being the polar opposite - a superb sherry casked dram with a hint of sulphur. Finally, how about the wonderful Ledaig? It's maple and bonfire smoke, and wonderful.

"I'd like a bottle" scooped up quite a few too! There's the Linkwood with its floral, fruity and oak notes, the Dalmore with fruit and cinnamon. The Glen Grant also has plenty of fruit and a little cinnamon, but is quite different. The Strathisla and the Ardmore are both very good, and when's the last time you saw a Speyburn from the Society?