SMWS Codename : 130.2 “Tropical Thunder”

Distillery : Chichibu

Country/Region : Japan

ABV : 60.9%

Cask : First Fill Ex-bourbon Barrel

Age : 8 Years (Distilled 23 Jan. 2010)

Nose : Bursting with tropical fruits— pineapple cake, starfruit, mango sticky rice, and creamy Dole whip.  Creamy coconut custard, taro boba milk tea, banana split, and honey follow the fruit with loads of sweet cream.  Further in were rich wood notes of old ryokan floors, church pews, sandalwood, along with hints of warm salt water pools and candle wax.

Palate :  Rich, thick, sticky, and jammy.  Tropical fruit preserves and syrup pour across the palate.  Gentle effervescence with ginger stem, cinnamon spice, and herbal tea.  The flavors are bright and clean with cedar wood and cream filled pastries before transitioning back to canned pineapples and peaches.

Finish : Long and lingering with mild dryness accompanying sweet floral sugars, subtle bitter chocolate, citrus, and lychee.

SMWS Codename : G13.1 “A complete revelation”

Distillery : Chita

Country/Region : Japan/Single Grain

ABV : 58.3%

Cask : First Fill Virgin American Oak Puncheon

Age : 4 Years (Distilled Oct. 2009)

Nose : Rich oaky notes of tapioca custard, vanilla cream pudding, and honey.  Dessert in the garden as floral notes of gardenia and plumeria came into focus.  A bit of youthful heat shines through along with sweet cinnamon, cardamon, and sweet shoyu.

Palate :  Medium to thick mouthfeel with loads of oaky structure.  Banana pudding, vanilla crème brûlée, toasted marshmallows, and toffee.  Fruit builds in the mid-palate with guava, peach tea, and candied almonds.  A few drops of water brought out sugar and creme with coconut candies, bubble gum, and an extra helping of crème brûlée.

Finish : Dry and sweet with warm caramel drizzled over vanilla bean ice cream.

SMWS Codename : 4.237 “Essence of Orkney”

Distillery : Highland Park

Country/Region : Scotland/Islands

ABV : 51.9%

Cask : 24Y Ex-Bourbon, 2Y First Fill American Oak PX Hogshead

Age : 26 Years (Distilled 31 May 1991)

Nose : Seaside barbecue with faint smoke and salty air.  Platter of dried fruits: dried mango, dried pears, marzipan pastries, and a pot of fresh apple sauce.  Faint sulphur and coal fire join with herbal winter mint and salt crusted leather.

Palate : Medium bodied with undertones of maritime salt and beachside bonfires.  Damp driftwood fire, mineral rich salt, mild astringency, and salmon oil.  A bit of water brought out sweet mesquite wood smoke and salt rimmed margarita.

Finish :  Long and herbal with campfire smoke and salt.

SMWS Codename : 3.189 “Echoes of bonfires and funfairs”

Distillery : Bowmore

Country/Region : Scotland/Islay

ABV : 58.4%

Cask : Refill Sherry Butt

Age : 14 Years (Distilled 25 Sept 1997)

Nose :  Leather studded lobster, used fireworks on New Years Day, and perfectly salted caramel.  The nose moves between impressions of the sea, grilling in a barnyard, and sweet desserts.  Sticky toffee, slightly medicinal iodine, black-cherry Kool-Aide, sour plums, Hawaiian Sun, and tangerines.

Palate :  Medium bodied with good viscosity and palate coating oiliness.  First came the sweet donuts and fried funnel cakes before a gasoline powered generator came online.  Sweet fruity strawberry guava, fresh cut grass, muddled herbs, salted limes, and caramel apples.  Sitting atop the Ferris Wheel admiring the county fair below— the midway food stalls, animal pens, generators— everything drifts up on the breeze.  A few drops of water brought out butter, candied nuts, milk chocolate, and leather.

Finish : Long and lingering sticky toffee with mild dryness.