Reviewing the SMWS Schweppervescence Single Cask Malt Whisky

let’s begin

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS) is many things. It is a members club, a place to meet like-minded individuals and an independent bottler.

They seek to bring together Whisky lovers from all over the world to share in a love for the water of life and to appreciate it together.

They were first formed in 1983 by a group of people who only wanted one thing: to enjoy quality Whisky with friends.

Today they are international and create some of the best Whiskies available.

They decide what to bottle based on the views of a panel of judges, who know nothing about the dram except what it tastes like. This completely removes any unconscious bias and ensures that only the best liquid makes it to the bottling stage.

They have a very distinct way of bottling their product as well, with every part of the label having meaning and telling you something about the Whisky.

They even include codes that tell you the distillery it comes from and the number of single casks that were used from that distillery.

Not only are the bottlings from the Scotch Malt Whisky Society unique but their names are as well.

Take ASchweppervescence Moment. That’s definitely not a name you hear every day, and yet it captures your interest and reflects what’s in the bottle.

A Schweppervescence Moment, or G10.5, is a dram that was distilled at Strathclyde Distillery in the Lowlands and is a great example of the magic SMWS create in their bottlings.

The nose opens with lots of malt and wholegrain. There is a tngy citrus and melon flavour that also comes through and bounces off the somewhat duller grain flavours.

This makes for a wonderfully complex dram that captures interest from the very beginning.

As well as the malted notes there is a hint of cinnamon and summer berries. These are bright and clear, with a lovely freshness to them.

On the palette the flavours blossom and become richer. The citrus fruits lead the way with a lemonade and lemon sherbert, which really rings true of the name Schweppervescence. It has a lovely fizz to it that tingles and warms.

There are also more malted and grain notes on the palette that again play a lovely background melody to the tang and zest of the citrus fruits.

The finish is long and lingering, with lots more lemons and limes. There is also a hint of white sugar and more malted barley to boot.

Tags: G10.5SchweppervescenceSMWSStrathclyde Distillery
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Greg

My name is Greg, and I’m a brand strategy consultant, writer, speaker, host and judge specialising in premium spirits. My mission is to experience, share and inspire with everything great about whisky, whiskey, gin, beer and fine dining through my writing, my brand building and my whisky tastings.

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