Outturn March 2013 Bottling List Issue 18
Welcome to the March 2013 Outturn! outturn n. 1 The number of Society bottles produced from a single cask. Varies from cask to cask. A finite number that will, sooner or later, run out. 2 The name given to Society bottling lists, containing Tasting Notes for each recently released Society bottling of which only a limited number are ever available (see above). How to use Outturn Each Society bottling is unique. And each can be identified by its markings. The tasting notes give you an insight into the characteristics of each whisky, and are the best place to start. You may find yourself drawn to a Femme fatale or have a preference for Soft light at sunset. Maybe your instincts lead you to a dram that s Immense, manly, meaty and peaty or perhaps akin to Boiled sweets & grapefruit peel. These curious descriptors are your best clue to what you ll find within each bottle, and are at the heart of The Society s raison d être. With The Society s monthly selection of single cask malts it s not surprising that some members find it hard to focus on their perfect bottlings. Thankfully it s not cheating to ask for help. Just call Kensington Wine Market at 403-283-8000 (within Calgary) or at 1-888-283-9004 (outside Calgary) or email us at curious@smws.ca or scotchguy@kensingtonwinemarket.com for advice of an expert nature. 2
Highland (Island) Don t worry about a thing... 121.54 $102.99 A fabulously fruity, perfumed nose passion-fruit, pineapple, sherbet, mango, cherry, citrus, kiwi and much more honey, vanilla pod, freesias and leather it promised a life of hedonism and sunshine! The reduced nose had us sipping piña coladas on a desert island beach while Bob Marley sang Don t worry about a thing... The unreduced palate was much the same a fruity cocktail with ripe mango, coconut milk, lime and gewürtztraminer wine with considerable heat. Water reduced the heat but not the flavour intensity Fantastic, said one panellist; My kind of dram! said another. The distillery is regularly visited by golden eagles. Just try it Colour: A golden eagle s beak Date distilled: 15 July 2002 Cask: Refill barrel, ex-bourbon Alcohol: 58.9% Age: 9 years Outturn: 192 bottles Notes, insights & thoughts: Not for swigging, glugging or knocking back! 3
Speyside (Deveron) Decadent & delicious 73.54 The nose, delicate and sophisticated, evoked an elegant lady (perfume, leather handbag, silk purse) in a tea-shop with jasmine tea, Battenberg cake, pear tarte tatin, sweet Muscat wine, flowers and pine cones on her table. The palate was rich, decadent and delicious buttery fruit cake, jellied fruits, lots of orange (mandarin flan, Fry s Orange Cream, orange blossom) and cinnamon spice in the finish. The reduced nose found Oreos, carrot cake, chocolate limes and glorious dark chocolate raspberry brownie. The palate now rewarded us with soft vanilla fudge, perfumed nectarines, teasing ginger and Old English Spangles. The distillery name means big stream. $164.99 One for the dimmed lights and soft music, you wicked schemer Colour: Varnished pine Date distilled: 5 March 1992 Cask: Refill barrel, ex-bourbon Alcohol: 57.2% Age: 20 years Outturn: 214 bottles NITs: 4
Speyside (Spey) Ticks all the boxes 76.92 The mesmerising and entrancing nose magicked a seventeenth century New England harvest festival hay-cart, horse-drawn carriages, deep fruits, flowers, fruit chutney, pumpkin, nuts it oozed fertile countryside and ripe contentment. With water, we found tobacco, dark chocolate, honey nougat, coconut and toasted marshmallows. The palate was magnificent and amazing red fruits, nuts, leather, spice, pumpkin pie and dark chocolate with sea salt and caramel; lots of lip-smacking round the table. In reduction, we tasted coconut, whole cherries dipped in chocolate, party rings and iced caramels. Ticks all the boxes the Vaultsmaster said, speaking for us all. From Dufftown s oldest distillery. $198.49 A celebration dram, or the perfect end to a perfect day, or just for sharing with special friends Colour: Marmalade Date distilled: 20 February 1986 Cask: Refill hogshead, ex-bourbon Alcohol: 60.1% Age: 26 years Outturn: 196 bottles NITs: Not for swigging, glugging or knocking back! 5
Suede shoes walking through clover 39.82 Speyside (Lossie) The nose conveyed clementines, cherries, sweet and salty popcorn, peppery jamon Serrano, clove-studded ham, a basket of mushrooms and suede shoes walking through clover towards a farm-yard. The palate had peppery, earthy, salty, savoury elements (pork scratchings) yet was surprisingly sweet too, with caramel and toffee popcorn. The reduced nose was floral and carbolic, a child was blowing bubbles and eating candy cigarettes in a sun-dappled pine forest. The reduced palate continued the sweet and salty fascination Turkish Delight, rock salt, clove rock, lucky tatties (cinnamon) and a lick of limestone. The distillery was once a safe haven for spiders. $120.49 With food - and maybe a beer Colour: Pear liquor Date distilled: 27 October 1997 Cask: Refill sherry butt Alcohol: 60% Age: 13 years Outturn: 603 bottles NITs: 6
Take a break and have a... 30.72 Speyside (Spey) The initial nose is of scorched brown sugar, fresh coffee beans, rum and raisin ice cream and a burnt walnut loaf dipped into a balsamic vinegar bread dip. It is big, almost mouth numbing, on the palate neat. Sweet and bitter notes of chocolate with 80% cocoa content, cardamom biscuits and a slightly sulphury note like burnt tablet. With water, aromas of leather and wood polish appear as well as caramel sauce, coffee cake and a breeze of salty air! - from a distillery in the heart of Speyside next to a cemetery. The taste is of freshly brewed nut flavoured coffee and a chocolatecoated wafer bar. $110.99 During a coffee break Colour: Burnt caramel gold Date distilled: 27 March 2001 Cask: Refill port pipe Alcohol: 57.3% Age: 11 years Outturn: 752 bottles NITs: Not for swigging, glugging or knocking back! 7
Highland (Island) Impressions of an Orkney landscape 4.166 The nose delivered bread toasted on an open fire (brass toasting fork, maybe marmalade) well-fired morning rolls, burnt heather, smoke and embers we also got light Orcadian peat and maritime notes, rice crispy squares and marshmallows. The palate was BIG light smoke balanced by sweetness; toasted marshmallows, honey-roasted ham with wholegrain mustard, cinnamon spice and oatcakes. The reduced nose evoked the sea a tall sailing ship by a rocky coast beyond which breathed heathery perfume. The palate had developed positive tensions between sweetness, mustard and Victory V heat and a boat chandlery. A dram that conveys impressions of its landscape. By the sea-shore or on a boat Colour: Pale ginger gold Date distilled: 31 May 1991 Cask: Refill hogshead, ex-bourbon Alcohol: 54.2% Age: 20 years Outturn: 243 bottles $164.99 NITs: 8
Islay Seafood party on the beach 29.121 The initial nose gave coal sacks, beach barbecue wood smoke, ash, Germolene, raisins, toffee and toasted nuts before turning Oriental (curry plant leaves, lemongrass, coconut, cinnamon). The beach factor increased with water freshly painted boats, beach huts, rock-pools, shells, dunes, seared scallops and smoked bacon in mussel chowder. The palate was very sweet coconut, candy, sweet tobacco and langoustines, balanced nicely by cigars and smoke from a driftwood fire. The reduced palate was softer now a rich, creamy, texture with savoury flavours of lobster and brown bread with moules marinières. The distillery was established in 1815 by the Johnston brothers. A nice outdoors dram - especially on the beach - anytime - with or without food Colour: Pale amber Date distilled: 14 October 1991 Cask: Refill sherry butt Alcohol: 55.1% Age: 20 years Outturn: 526 bottles $164.99 NITs: Not for swigging, glugging or knocking back! 9
Past Bottlings They won t last forever! Here s a chance to get your hands on some rare treats from our bottle bank of past Society releases. Remember, Society whiskies are bottled from single casks, so they don t last forever. As the number of remaining drams decreases, their rarity increases. Fortunately for you, the price doesn t! For past releases please check our website at or check the Whisky Bible at your local exclusive retail store 10
How to buy: The exclusive retail stores of The Society in Canada: Kensington Wine Market Edgemont Fine Wines, Spirits & Ales 1257 Kensington Road NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 3P8 Phone: (403) 283-8000 or 1-888-283-9004 Email: scotchguy@kensingtonwinemarket.com 3020 Edgemont Blvd., North Vancouver, BC, V7R 2N4 Phone: (604) 984-9463 Email: edgemontlrs@gmail.com The Strath Ale, Wine & Spirit Merchants 919 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC, V8W 2C2 Phone: (250) 370-9463 Email: whisky@strathconahotel.com Queen Street in Edinburgh Not for swigging, glugging or knocking back! 11
Curious? Read on! The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, founded in 1983 in Edinburgh, Scotland, is the world s largest single malt whisky club, with 26,000 members in 16 countries. The Society bottles in excess of 300 casks each year from up to 129 distilleries, all at cask strength, and available exclusively to members. Members also receive The Society s award winning magazine, Unfiltered, and have access to member s venues in Edinburgh, London, Tokyo and elsewhere. The Canadian branch releases new single malt whiskies every month on the first Friday of the month ( First Fridays! ). For Alberta, The Society s exclusive retailer is Kensington Wine Market in Calgary. Membership can be purchased for $230 plus GST (which includes the new member s kit, pictured above) by calling Kensington Wine Market at 403-283-8000 or visiting KWM s website at www.kensingtonwinemarket.com. Annual renewals are $120 (plus GST). Only single cask, single malt whiskies that promise to intrigue, entertain and delight our members are selected, true to our motto: To leave no nose upturned. 12