In our special “Dream Drams” evening in Dubai early 2019, we went from a lively and most enjoyable Irish whiskey to a completely different direction with a single grain.
And no ordinary grain, it was a Strathclyde bottled by The Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS) from 1977, matured for 38 years, producing only 72 bottles from a refill ex-bourbon cask…
And in their trademark way, it was creatively dubbed “Busy Buzzing Bees” by the SMWS folks.
What did our merry tasting group in Dubai have to say about it?
SMWS G10.10 “Busy buzzing bees” 38 years (23 Nov 1977) 49.6%
- Nose – It greeted us with fresh pepper, then mellowed in vanilla, nougat, eucalyptus, emerging a distinctive farm-like quality, cedar wood, light lavender
- Palate – Honey and caramel, a few found it “buttery”, delightfully sweet
- Finish – Bitter almond
- Water – Beautiful and silky
How rare it is to have a grain whisky that has matured nearly 40 years… we were honoured to have such an opportunity.
What did the SMWS folks have to say about this whisky?
A light, sweet and floral aroma greeted the Panel. Sugar dusted fruit flavoured bonbons and candy corn were mentioned before a picture full of promise emerged; sitting in the garden sipping on a Lemon Drop Martini and listening to the bees buzzing in the laurel hedge.
The taste had honey-roasted peaches with lavender ice cream whilst the overall impression was one of an almost perfect balance between delicate, perfumed sweetness and dry wood spice.
A drop of water and a plate of seafood pasta in a creamy marinara sauce and a glass of chilled, slightly mineralic, Riesling Auslese was being served.
DRINKING TIP: Perfect to replace a dessert wine
For those curious to try, it is still showing as available through the SMWS for £278.40.
Here are a few more whiskies we sampled in our Dubai Dream Drams evening:
- Midleton Very Rare (2011) No 042585 L121731255 40%
- Old Pulteney 17 year 46%
- Longmorn 25 year (1988/2014) Cask 14384 46% (Berry’s Bro)
- Kilchoman Sherry (2007/2013) Cask 447/2007 59.5%
- SMWS 29.229 “Harmonious balance” 19 year (13 May 1998) 55.2%
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