Review #: 300
Description: SMWS 26.105 “Bumblebees by the Sea”
Spirit: Scotch
Background: This offering from Scotch Malt Whiskey Society is a 29 Year Old Clynelish. Distilled in 1984 and aged in a refill sherry butt, this whiskey has received a 10 from my good friends t8ke and LIFOanaccountant. So when another friend presented the opportunity to purchase a sample, I jumped on it. Right about that time, the pandemic hit in full swing. I ended up losing my job and had a lot of uncertainty on how things would play out. I know plenty of people can relate or had it worse, but it certainly wasn’t a fun time. But I told myself I would open it when I made the next milestone in my life and things were looking up. After a long while, I got a new, better paying job and had to move a few states away. I told myself I would open this once my bar was setup and I could truly enjoy it. This pour isn’t just for me, but for those in the community that became my friends over the last few years and helped me through this time. So let’s jump in.
Distillery – Clynelish
Bottler – Scotch Malt Whisky Society
Brand – Scotch Malt Whisky Society
Selection – N/A
ABV – 57.6%
Age – 29 Years
Nose – Honeysuckle, fresh flowers, fresh bread, sea breeze, honeydew melon, light stone fruit restrained malty sweetness. Very complex and enjoyable
Taste – Light honey, black tea, sugar cookie, vanilla, lemon pound cake, cooked pears. Thick, oily, bright but restrained, punchy yet refined.
Finish – Delicate but extremely complex and pleasant oak, embers, light melon, fresh baked crusty bread.. Oily, well balanced sweetness and oak, touch of citrus and salt. The finish lingers forever, but it is not aggressive. The waxiness leaves your mouth coated until the next sip.
Score: 10
Would I buy a bottle? Yes, even if I could find one at auction
Thoughts: I really didn’t want to just be a hivemind with this. First sip was “oh this is good but not mind blowing. Maybe an 8.” But every sip dives further into layers of complexity and nuance with such subtlety that you can’t help but be impressed. By the end, I could not find a fault with it but wanted to drink more and more and more. Having hit a milestone of reviews and in my life with a new job and home, this was more than up to the task of celebrating. Drinking it reminds me of how thankful I am for the friends I’ve made in this community that have helped me get through a rough patch. While I’m sad to not have a bottle, it reminds me to be excited for the drinks that are to come, and especially those who I will get to share them with in the future.