Macallan 2008 SMWS 12 Year Old 24.154

'Confessions of a Sherry Cask'

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS) was founded in 1983 by a group of friends lead by tax accountant Phillip ‘Pip' Hills as a private members club. The concept behind the society was to source casks from all over Scotland which would then be bottled and made available exclusively to its members. Perhaps the most famous feature of these bottles are the unique codes. Each distillery is represented by a different number and the following digits indicate that particular release. That same year, the SMWS set up its first location in Leith's Vault buildings in Edinburgh where it still stands today.

This was distilled in 2008 and aged for 12 years, initially in an Oloroso butt and then finished in a first fill Oloroso hogshead (whooo that's a lot of sherry).
This is one of 313 bottles produced.

    Nose:   Sticky treacle and molasses oozed over Christmas pudding packed with prunes, dates and figs before a generous soaking of navy rum was lit by a single match. An abundance of cinnamon, nuts and dark chocolate caramelised with muscovado sugar while on the palate came star anise, cloves and brandy butter. Rich flavours of coffee, liquorice and plum chutney then merged with cigar boxes and burnt cereals.

    Taste:    Almond oil and Brazil nut butter while thick custard arrived with rye bread, burnt ham and grilled black pudding.