All three of these food and whisky pairings in this series has been graciously gifted by the Scotch Malt Whisky Society, of which I am an affiliate of. That means that, if you decide to purchase anything via the links in green, I may earn a small commission for. All opinions on mouthwatering dessert and luscious whiskies are my own. The Scotch Malt Whisky Society is a members-only club for whisky and other single cask spirit enthusiasts. Click here to learn more about the membership benefits!

As someone who has an absolute sweet tooth and will always say yes to a dessert, I was so excited to hear that the food and whisky pairings extended beyond main courses and starters. Of the food and whisky pairings I’ve done, the ones with “sweets” often see chocolate paired with whisky. But a full dessert course? Never before. (well, in my limited and humble experience!)

1. Scotch Malt Whisky Society – Greville Street – London!

Unlike the other tasting I’ve done with the Scotch Malt Whisky Society, this one coincided with a personal trip south of the border – to London, England! Home of the Queen, the Tower Bridge, and the Greville Street Member Room.

In true speakeasy style, the London Member Room wasn’t where Google Maps said it was – at least the entrance wasn’t. Perpendicular to Greville Street, down the Bleeding Heart Yard (alley), was a big wooden door and keypad, surrounded by pink columns. On the windows surrounding the door, an alphabetical listing of Scotch whisky distilleries, starting with Aberfeldy at the top, down to Tormore at the bottom.

Honestly, I’m sure there is a Scotch Malt Whisky Society sign somewhere, but sometimes I can be aloof, and maybe I overlooked it. The bottles of whisky in the window were a dead giveaway though!

The folks at Greville Street knew I was coming, and when I buzzed they let me up. I was greeted at the top of the stairs by their delightful team, who I would come to know better in the coming days. That’s the thing about whisky, you end up just chatting and befriending people.

I was so happy to be joined on this tasting with my friend B, who I hadn’t seen since pre-pandemic times. I met B on a Twins that Travel tour to Turkey back in 2019, and she’s her spirit is just full of fun and positivity – that great energy that you’d want around anywhere. So, thanks B for joining me and keeping up with the 5 whiskies we went through!!

2. Some charcuterie to start!

While the SMWS Greville Street doesn’t have a dedicated kitchen, they partner with the Bleeding Heart Bistro next door to offer nibbles, a handful of mains and some desserts. I had taken the train down from Glasgow that day, and needed to eat something before jumping into the world of dessert and whisky. So, the charcuterie platter it was! Jasmine, who works at SMWS, came to take our order and asked if we wanted a whisky to start out with prior to the tasting.

Well, I won’t turn down a good whisky.

The best thing to do, is to ask your SMWS Ambassador for a whisky recommendation. And Jasmine did not disappoint!!! Limitness Scrumptiousness, cask no. 39.218, which is categorized in the “sweet, fruity and mellow” profile. A 13 year old Speyside whisky, at 57% ABV. I have to say hands down, this is one of my favorite SMWS bottlings! Definitely, light and sweet and reminded me of lychees and other sweet deliciousness. Maybe I was just in the mood for something light and incredible to start the evening.

3. Dessert and whisky – onto the main event!

Any time the main event is a dessert, you can be sure I’m a happy Lannie. Tonight’s main event would be two desserts and 5 whiskies. (FIVE WHISKIES? well – the Scotch Malt Whisky Society doesn’t mess around on a food and whisky pairing event… I think you must’ve figured that out by now! After five whiskies, you’ll be glad you started the evening with some charcuterie!) Each of these desserts were expertly paired by JP, the Venue Supervisor at Greville Street.

Having had a chat with JP during the tasting about the pairings, his whisky pairing style became clear. He believes that everything should be a balance of opposites. While you could have whiskies that always complement the food, in order to achieve equilibrium, there should be a negative to balance the positive. Not saying that he chose negative whiskies, but rather the less obvious choices – intentionally not pairing citrus with citrus, fruity with fruity. That kind of inverse balance.

So now, onto the dessert and whisky pairing!

3.1 White Chocolate Cheesecake with Poached Apricots

The first dessert we delighted in was a white chocolate cheesecake with poached apricots. Cheesecake is arguably one of the most classic desserts, and when you drizzle it with poached apricots, it takes the classic cheesecake to new heights!

The cheesecake was paired with Clementine Confit and Who’s Been in the Biscuit Tin?

The Clementine Confit, a 10 year blended Scotch, at 50% ABV, was a perfect pairing for the sweet, rich cheesecake. Aromas of coconuts, dark chocolates, oranges and other stone fruits, which is a lovely complementary taste to the apricots and white chocolate cheesecake.

Who’s Been in the Biscuit Tin? (cask no. 44.136) is a 16 year old Speyside, at 55.6% ABV, matured in a refill ex-bourbon barrel. The tasting notes on this one says that the nose has lavendar and apricots, and tomatoes with brazil nuts, with the taste of juicy fruits and biscuits.

If I were digging deep into what JP was saying, I could definitely see the Biscuit Tin being a little on the inverse complementary side. Of course, whisky is a very personal experience, but I felt like following a nibble of the cheesecake, going back to the Biscuit Tin was a “punchier” taste than before.

3.2 Lemon Tart with Verbena Sorbet

We were forewarned by Jasmine that this lemon tart was super lemony. My mouth puckered up and I immediately began salivating at the thought of a really citrusy lemon tart. Although sour desserts aren’t my favorite, I can definitely appreciate a really tart lemon tart (hehe) or a key lime pie or anything like that really. One does not discriminate with sweet or sour desserts. Man. Just thinking of this lemon tart has got me salivating again. The struggle is real.

With the verbena sorbet, this lemon tart was just tart on tart.. but in a good way! This absolutely mouth watering dessert was paired with 3 whiskies, which were meant to be drank from left to right. The last one, is JP’s negative or inverse pairing.

We started with Salad Undressing (cask no. 1.226). In case you’re curious, I’m still giggling at the name. Anyway, Salad Undressing is an 8 year old Speyside, at 58.4% ABV. Very flavorful with hints of cream soda, orange cocktail bitters, and then some earthy, nutty tones. The lemon tart gave this whisky a nice balance, and brought out more of its “nuttier” flavors, if that makes sense.

Next up, Funky Rhubarb, Rum Baba (cask no. 44.137) – 16 year Speyside whisky, at 52.1% ABV. As you can expect with the name, the taste of it was sweet and tart like a funky rhubarb. But on the nose and a bit of the finish, was woodsy, but still a little sweet and tart. The ironic thing is, before the lemon tart, you didn’t get as much of the woodsiness. But after, that was all I could taste. Interestingly enough, the tasting notes from the bottle say:”With some water, we took an axe and wandered into a forest on a hot autumn day to chop some wood.” If that doesn’t accurately describe it, I don’t know what will.

The last whisky of the night was When Life Gives you Lemons (cask no. 68.43), an 11 year Highland whisky, at 55.6% ABV. JP’s infamous negative pairing for balance. A little lemony, a little oaky spiciness. Honestly, this was my least favorite whisky before the lemon tart, and after, to me, it was just too much of a contrast. Personally, I thought that it brought out all the wrong flavors.

My friend, B, didn’t have as adverse a reaction as I did, but like I said – whisky tasting and food pairings are a personal experience, and everyone experiences something different and unique. This one wasn’t for me, and that’s ok. I was happy to abandon the whisky and go back to my mouthwatering lemon tart.

Parting Thoughts

I absolutely love the idea of desserts being paired with whisky. And honestly, what a wonderful evening at the Scotch Malt Whisky Society Greville Street! The staff there are so friendly and wonderful, my friend and I just had a fabulous time! Ok, so with my honest review, I didn’t like the last whisky and dessert pairing. But that’s ok! I want a food and whisky pairing to challenge my pre-existing notions of what works and what doesn’t work. I want it to expand my palate!

I love how innovative the Scotch Malt Whisky Society is with their food and whisky pairings. Let’s continue to challenge the notion of what can be paired with whisky. Let’s keep innovating and trying out new ideas and foods and whiskies!

A little closing note – as a huge foodie and newbie onto the whisky scene, the tastings and pairings that I did with the Scotch Malt Whisky Society were absolutely incredible. I enjoyed every single one of them! Just because August’s food and whisky pairing month is officially over, doesn’t mean you can’t head over to the Scotch Malt Whisky Society for some food and whisky pairings yourself. Staff and ambassadors there alike are always there to give advice on complementary or inverse pairings – whichever you’re in the mood for!

A huge thank you to the Scotch Malt Whisky Society for gifting me these food and whisky pairings! Hope you all enjoyed reading about the food and whisky pairing series as much as I did experiencing them!

• If you’re planning to move on from London over to SMWS in Scotland, consider taking the Caledonian Sleeper – an overnight sleeper train to Glasgow, Edinburgh and others!

Until then, everyone stay safe and slainte mhath!

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Lannie

Lannie is a perpetual wanderer and loves to share her travel adventures and the food she eats along the way with everyone.  She works during the day while bouncing around the world and dreams about new places and faces at night!  She has a home on the magical Isle of Islay in Scotland, where the whisky flows freely and happily.

Click on the blue icons below to follow her on social media!

lanniesfoodandtravel.com/index.php/about-me/

Food and whisky pairing month at Scotch Malt Whisky Society continues in a spectacular fashion, with surf and turf and whisky! If you didn’t manage to read the first post in my food and whisky pairing series, I started out in Edinburgh with a tasting menu food pairing – decadent and wonderfully paired.

This time, we go back to Bath Street in Glasgow to see what they’ve been cooking up there, since we last visited. And I’ll tell you – it’s as exciting as ever – Surf and Turf and whisky. Bet you didn’t know that would be an amazing combination, did you?

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society generously gifted me these food and whisky pairings. I am also an affiliate, which means that if you make any purchases or become a member of the SMWS via the links in green or in the yellow boxes, I will earn a small commission from that. Otherwise, my opinions and experience are my own, and I’m happy to be able to taste this amazing food with incredible whisky!

I’ve written before that many people are surprised at the thought of whiskies during dinner, as opposed to a before or after dinner drink. But, everyone’s different. The whiskies here are individually paired with each starter and your main course. So, with 2 starters, 1 main meal, and a wee dessert, that puts the total for the evening up to 4 cask strength whiskies!

Before I begin, a big thank you to Anthony who hosted the tasting at SMWS Bath Street. I’ve known Anthony since the first day I walked into Bath Street a few months ago, and was excited to have my first tasting with him! He was a wonderful host and selected a beautiful selection of whiskies to go with the meals. So, thank you! Looking forward to coming back to Bath Street!

And now, onto the food!

1. Food and whisky pairing: the starters!

The surf and turf theme started out strong, with both, a “surf” starter, and a “turf” starter. With appropriately paired whiskies of course.

The first starter: a whisky cured salmon, with fennel and orange – with the whisky being a blend of Islay and Speyside whiskies. In case you’re looking for it, you’ll find the cask sitting on top of the bar. The salmon and orange was tart, with a creamy sauce, and crunchy toppings. It was a delightful mix of textures and flavors.

The salmon was paired with Cask No. 52.41 “Seahorse Ramen” (fitting for tonight’s theme), which had its flavor profile was “Oily and Coastal.” 52.41 is a 7 year Highland whisky, at 59.6% ABV. After nibbling the salmon, it smoothed out the heaviness of the whisky, but left much of the “sea salt in your face” oceanic tastes.

The second starter: a braised beef croquette, with a creamy mustard mayonnaise sauce inside.

The croquette was paired with Cask 10.199 “Norse & Hawaiian Mythology”, categorized as “Deep, Rich and Dried Fruits.” 10.199 is an Islay whisky, aged 10 years, at 59% ABV. The whisky was peppery and salty, but ironically for Islay, unpeated. Initially it was orangey on the nose, and following a bite of the braised beef croquette, turned fruitier.

This whisky was finished in a Pedro Ximenez sherry cask, which gave it its dark, delightful color. A quick note on the sherry cask finish… Whisky smells and tastes are a personal experience, with everyone experiencing something different and unique. One of the other guests said that sherry finishes “smell of the inside of a Wellington boot.” When he said that, what I wanted to say in return was:

If you don’t have something nice to say, don’t say anything at all.

– a woman who loves a sherry cask finish, and does not think that it smells like a smelly boot.

2. Surf and Turf and whisky: the main event!

Here’s what I’ve been waiting for – the main event! A mouthwatering, expertly grilled ribeye steak with king prawns. Served with chips (or for this American, “fries”), roasted tomatoes and marrowbone butter. Boy oh boy, can the Scotch Malt Whisky Society do food!!

The main course was paired with a peated whisky, from Cask no. 137.9, entitled “Massive oak and mighty smoke!” (exclamation point included). This whisky was interested – the peated malt was from either Laphroaig or Port Ellen Maltings (that was a little unclear), but then it was distilled south of the border in Norfolk England. At 65.2% ABV, it was a kicker. This whisky started the first year of its life in a charred new oak barrel, and then was moved for 7 years to an ex-bourbon barrel. Delightfully smoky and a little sweet, an amazing dram!

The ribeye was a nice medium rare to medium – the perfect steak doneness if you ask me. Steak and whisky pairing is something that I had never done before. And the smokiness of the dram added more flavor to the chargrilled steak. Absolutely incredible!

And just another close up of the steak, because why not! It was delicious!!

3. A sweet treat and a dram

We finished off the evening with an “Illegal Gianduja” chocolate coin. Not sure what makes it illegal, but it’s pretty darn delicious! Gianduja is an Italian nougat, made from a mix of hazelnut and chocolate. Paired with cask G1.16, “Chardonnay flavoured white wine gums” – a single grain whisky (not single malt) hailing from the Lowlands. At 26 years, the oldest of our whiskies tonight, with still a heavy and respectable 61.9% ABV.

I’m a newbie to single grain whiskies. For those new to single grain whiskies, they hail from a single distillery (not a blend), and are made with barley and at least one other grain (usually wheat or corn). Because single grain whiskies are not made from malted barley, they’re typically a lighter bodied spirit. Perfect pairing, for say a dessert.

aaaand that’s it for my second food and whiskey pairing at Scotch Malt Whisky Society!

Parting Thoughts

I’m sure you can tell I had another incredible meal at the Scotch Malt Whisky Society. The chef is amazing, and the food is phenomenal. I also love the creative thought that goes into the food and whisky pairings! All in all, it was a great tasting hosted by Anthony!

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society member rooms have lunch, dinner, and bar snacks available regulary to pair with your drink of choice. They also regularly host food and whisky pairing events for both members and non-members. If you’re not a member, I’d highly recommend checking out some of their non-member events to test the waters and sample a fabulous meal.

If you enjoyed this post, here are some others you may like to read:

• If you’re looking into Scotch Malt Whisky Society membership, I’ve explained all the fun and exclusive benefits to membership;
• Get a jump on your tickets to The Gatherings at SMWS – a month long celebration of whisky and gatherings!
• If you missed the first in this series and are looking for a drool-worthy meal, try a 6 course tasting menu, with 6 corresponding whiskies;
• Curious about SMWS more experimental whisky casks?
• Looking for inspiration to do your own SMWS virtual tasting in style?
• What about a trip to Islay, Scotland’s whisky island;
• A guide on how to get to Islay from Glasgow.

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Lannie

Lannie is a perpetual wanderer and loves to share her travel adventures and the food she eats along the way with everyone.  She works during the day while bouncing around the world and dreams about new places and faces at night!  She has a home on the magical Isle of Islay in Scotland, where the whisky flows freely and happily.

Click on the blue icons below to follow her on social media!

lanniesfoodandtravel.com/index.php/about-me/

This post will be the first in a series, highlighting the events that I attended with the Scotch Malt Whisky Society, during food and whisky pairing month.  There’s still a few events left in August, so hurry and sign up for them!  Most of the food and whisky pairing events are for both members and non-members alike (probably to reel in and delight those non-members!)  For those sad folks that can’t manage, don’t worry – there are delectable food options in the SMWS Member Rooms at all times, and your SMWS Ambassador will help you make a delicious pairing with their current outturn offerings. 

My attendance at these events were graciously gifted to me by the Scotch Malt Whisky Society, of which I am an affiliate.  That means, should you choose to sign up for a SMWS membership following this post, I will receive a small commission for that referral.  All opinions and delights in this post are my own and are not influenced by the gifted tastings.  Thank you, SMWS as always!

The first food and whisky pairing event I attended was hosted at SMWS Queen Street in Edinburgh.  Executive Head Chef James Freeman created an exquisite 6 course tasting menu, with each course paired with a SMWS whisky to enhance the whisky experience.  Most people I’ve spoken to consider whisky an after-dinner drink, often considering whisky during dinner to be too heavy.  While I wouldn’t suggest it for every night of the week, on certain special occasions, it can be just the thing.

Your typical food and whiskey pairings are charcuterie platters (meats and cheeses go nicely with heavy, rich whiskies) and chocolates or desserts, where the sweet flavors enhance the soft sweetness in the whiskies. But this? One whisky per meal course? Unheard of, and so decadent!

Before I begin on that evening’s frivolities, allow me to express my great thanks to:

• Logan, our delightful host for the evening,
• Our dinner companions, who added light-hearted laughter and color to the dinner;
• And my friend, Jenny, who joined as my plus one.

Without further ado:

The SMWS Food and Whisky Pairing Tasting Menu

The evening started out with some bread to pad the stomach of the many whiskies to come.  The bread, thematically sitting on barley grains, came with two types of butter – tomato and wild garlic and fennel herb.  When it came out, my friend said “I know which butter you’re going for.”  And it’s true.  Tell me something has garlic in it, and I’m all over it!  If a recipe calls for 1 clove, you gotta put in at least 4.  Anyway, I digress.  Don’t get too excited with the delicious bread and butter, because the first course is coming.

1st course: Torched Mackerel & a Highland

Torched Mackerel with purple potato, apple, compressed cucumber, horseradish buttermilk and dill

Contrapuntal Complementarities – 52.39 (Old Pulteney), a Highland whisky – aged 7 years, at 57.9% ABV

According to Logan, the mackerel had a “bitterness to it”, where the sweet and citrus of the whisky helped to balance out that flavor.

2nd course: Tomato & burrata, with a Speyside

Isle of Wight tomato with basil emulsion, burrata, baby courgettes and wild garlic

A bee swarm on holiday – 36.165 (Benrinnes), a Speyside whisky – aged 12 years, 57.7% ABV

Fruity, vanilla, warm with cloves – a perfect pairing with the light, freshness of a tomato basil salad. The tanginess of the tomato brought out the sweet notes of the whisky.

3rd course: Salmon & a 17 year Speyside

Roast fillet of Loch Duart Salmon, lobster and summer vegetable bisque with a lemon and caper relish

Fruits of the Florist – 7.232 (Longmorn), a Speyside whisky – aged 7 years, 59.1% ABV

By unanimous decision, everyone’s favorite whisky of the evening. A little spice, custard and creme brulee. According to logan, when paired with the salmon and capers, “brings out a weirdness in the whisky.” I dunno about “the weirdness”, but it was definitely everyone’s favorite.

4th course: Quail & a smoky Speyside

Roast quail with bargoule mousse, buckwheat emulsion, crispy potato gratin, chanterelle mushrooms and a redcurrant sauce

Pleasing Sweetness, Playful Heat 64.111 (Mannochmore), a Speyside whisky – aged 8 years, 55.5% ABV

To quote one of the dinner guests, “It doesn’t taste as bad as some of the peaty ones I’ve had!” Now, if that’s not a seal of approval, I don’t know what is.

5th course: Strawberries & autumn in the Highlands

Strawberry meringue with roasted strawberry sorbet, elderflower crème fraiche and strawberry salad

When autumn leaves start to fall – Society Cask (Dalmore), a Highland whisky, aged 13 years, 58% ABV

A second fill sherry cask, and then finished in a first fill bourbon cask for 1 year – what can I say? I love a sherry cask, and its sweetness always goes with a delectable dessert. The strawberry-centric dessert was light and refreshing, perfect for a summer evening!

6th course: Decadent chocolate cheesecake & a Highland whisky

Brillat Savarin & caramel chocolate cheesecake with a dark chocolate glaze, served with vanilla ice-cream.

Raisin cane – 55.4 (Loch Lomond -Inchmurrin), a Highland whisky, aged 19 years, 55.4% ABV

I think I was too many whiskies in to appreciate the last pairing. The whisky had wood characteristics (kind of like furniture polish), with a hint of sweetness and cloves. But that dessert!! I’m a chocolate fan, so everything about this spoke to me!

Parting Thoughts on SMWS Food and Whisky Tasting Menu

Coming into this evening, I wasn’t sure how it would pan out. A six course tasting menu – did that mean there were six whiskies too? (Why yes, it does!!) The Scotch Malt Whisky Society obviously delivers on the whisky front. There’s no question about that. But could it deliver on the food front? 100% YES. The quality of the food was phenomenal and absolutely delicious. The plating was stunning, too. As one of the dinner guests said with confidence, “I’ve never had a bad meal here.”

Now, about having one whisky per course… to be fair, you don’t have to do whisky pairings. One of the ladies in our group was not a whisky fan, so she chose to have wine pairings with it. But beware – if we have six whiskies, that means she had six wines!

What I’ve learned so far about food and whisky tastings. I’m not sure the whisky enhances the food. On the contrary though, the food definitely enhances the whisky. Sometimes on a first sip, the whisky can taste sharp – rough around the edges, if you will. By taking a bite of food in between sips of whisky, the whisky smooths out. Some of the more subtle flavors make an appearance and become bolder.

The cost of the dinner was 89£ per person, which doesn’t come cheap for a dinner. However, that was a 6 course meal with 6 whisky pairings. When you add it up like that, the food and whiskey pairings definitely become worth it! Not every night needs to have a decadent meal. But for that special night out, whisky fans, consider having a food and whisky pairing at Scotch Malt Whisky Society! The food I’ve tasted so far is exquisite, and the whisky – well, that goes without saying – phenomenal!

Jokingly, a dinner guest said, “The world could end tomorrow – this could be your last meal.” And while a little on the grim side, the better way to think of that is, carpe diem! Seize the day! Sometimes you just need to treat yourself to something exquisite, and that’s perfectly ok!

Thank you to the Scotch Malt Whisky Society for gifting me this incredible food and whisky pairing for 2! Remember, there’s at least 2 more events I’m writing about from different Member Room locations around the UK. So stay tuned for the rest of food and whisky pairing month from the Scotch Malt Whisky Society!

To learn more about Scotch Malt Whisky Society, check out my other posts:

• the exclusive benefits of SMWS membership
• a society cask tasting at the Glasgow Member Room
• an outdoor tasting adventure on the Three Distilleries Path.

Travelling from London or England? Come up to Edinburgh or Glasgow on an overnight sleeper train from London Euston. Arrive refreshed in the morning and all and ready for a whisky adventure!

Until then, take care, stay safe, and slainte mhath!

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Lannie

Lannie is a perpetual wanderer and loves to share her travel adventures and the food she eats along the way with everyone.  She works during the day while bouncing around the world and dreams about new places and faces at night!  She has a home on the magical Isle of Islay in Scotland, where the whisky flows freely and happily.

Click on the blue icons below to follow her on social media!

lanniesfoodandtravel.com/index.php/about-me/

To say that whisky brings people together is an understatement. Some of my happiest memories in recent years involve a dram, some friends, and usually, lots of laughs. While the Scotch Malt Whisky Society membership gives you access to an international and consistent network for whisky, it also opens the doors to many friendships and warm conversations. One sad fact about the pandemic and our constant lockdowns, is that genuine human contact has been so limited. But now that we are slowly being allowed to socialize indoors again, gathering around a common appreciation of whisky, breaks down any social anxieties quickly.

So, now that I’ve waxed poetic about the benefits of SMWS membership, let’s talk through everything.

I. Main Benefits of a SMWS Membership

First thing’s first. What do you get?

Well, the Scotch Malt Whisky Society is actually an indepedent bottler of scotch whisky. For those whisky newbies like myself, independent bottlers buy casks from distilleries and then age it in their own dunnage warehouse for… as long as they want! In whatever barrel type they want. Members therefore gain access to buy the Scotch Malt Whisky Society exclusive bottlings.

1. You get access to exclusive SMWS bottlings.
There’s a monthly outturn (release) of new whiskies
(and other single cask spirits)

If you’re looking for a little variety, don’t worry. Besides whisky, they bottle other single cask spirits – including cognac, rum, gin and armagnac. Bet ya didn’t know that, did ya!

Their monthly outturn is chosen from a secret panel of whisky experts, who smell and taste the whiskies to their hearts content, decide on the tasting profiles, and decide on the amusing bottle names and hilarious but accurate tasting notes.

Besides buying whiskies from their monthly outturn, you can have tastings and meals in their exquisitely decorated Members’ Rooms at any time! Think of it as a private restaurant and tasting room. Chances are, the staff there will know who you are and will easily use their expertise to guide you to the hundreds of whiskies they have on hand!

2. Access to their exclusive Members’ Rooms
for drinks and meals

I visited the Members’ Room in Glasgow last month for a tasting and dinner, and then again the following night for a wee drink, and they had live music playing on a chill Friday evening. It was perfect for a cocktail and a wind down!

Currently, the SMWS has Members’ Rooms located at:

• 38 Bath Street, Glasgow (the newest! opened… in 2020 right before the pandemic)
• The Vaults, Leith (the original! opened in 1983)
• 28 Queen Street, Edinburgh New Town
• 19 Greyville Street, London’s Farringdon district.

A wee peak at the current menu at the Glasgow Bath Street Member Room! I had the Scotch lamb Navarin, and the whisky chocolate pot (with caramel foam and shortbread). And let me say, it was INCREDIBLE! You know that feeling where you want to try all the things on the menu, but you only have so many meals to spare on your trip? Yep, that was how I felt!

Not only do the members rooms comes with food and drinks, if there’s room, you can even get a personal whisky cabinet to leave at the Members’ Rooms.

3. Attend experimental and fun in-person (or virtual)
tastings and events,
including (ever significant) food pairings!

Besides dinners and drinks, your whisky membership includes access to their events and tastings. Last month, when I visited the Bath Street Members’ Room, it was for an exclusive Society Cask tasting event. Society Casks mean that the local members room, takes an existing SMWS bottling, and then experiment on it for their own devious and creative bottling. The experimental Society Casks, which the barrels actually sit atop the bar at Bath Street, were matured in a previously-beer-filled barrel (super interesting and pretty exciting), as well as a first fill sherry cask (which had a robust, dark amber color).

Not only are they having in-person tastings and events, for those mild introverts or home bodies (like me!), there’s always the option to order tasting packs and do a virtual tasting with SMWS. Or, you could be like me, and do an outdoor tasting adventure with your tasting pack!

Besides strictly whisky tasting events, the Scotch Malt Whisky Society also does food and whisky pairing events, with elaborate dinners held at either the Members’ Rooms or even Scottish castles! I’m salivating as I look at the event calendar for more food and whisky pairings… which you know is my thing!

4. Never feel like a stranger in the world

Whenever you’re traveling, take some comfort in being able to find a Society Partner Bar in 20 countries worldwide. On a business trip to Bangkok? No problem, 8 partner bars there. Holidaying in Italy? Fantastic – stop by the 2 partner bars in Milan following your trip to the Duomo. Visiting the kangaroos and koalas down under? Great, there’s 11 partner bars spread across Australia for you to unwind from your day!

If the country has whisky fans, chances are there is a partner bar for you to visit!

The partner bars have been hand-picked to have the same high quality experience that you can expect at the Members’ Rooms. At the partner bars, you’ll get to enjoy a selection of the Society’s single cask whiskies, and maybe with a wee discount on the dram too!

In addition to the partner bars, as with all membership clubs, you’ll be a part of the 26,000+ strong, global, whisky-loving community. The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, though based in the UK, has international branches located in 20 different countries too! Be a member in your home country and join them locally for a dram and a tasting!

Also, if you’re a member at one of the international branches, and just happen to be holidaying in Scotland or England, feel free to waltz into the Members’ Room locations and enjoy all the perks of membership! You are a global member, after all.

5. Other benefits of a SMWS membership,
including a whisky concierge!

Of course, I was only listing the fun benefits earlier. Let’s not forget a super cool membership card and lapel pin. Not only that, you’ll get a monthly online version of Unfiltered Magazine, a members-only magazine all about whisky!

This last benefit, I think could be the most useful for those indecisive folks out there! (100% ME) Not know what whisky you’d like to try? With 12 different flavour profiles identified by the Scotch Malt Whisky Society, it’s easy to stick to what you know and like. With the SMWS’s whisky concierge, get expert advice to help you navigate the choices of thousands of bottles! And when I say thousands, that is no exaggeration. Just as an example, Glasgow’s Bath Street Members Room literally has over 1,000 bottles in the bar for your choosing.

II. A special thank you to the team at the Bath Street Glasgow Member Room!

All of the above photos were taken at the Bath Street Member Room in Glasgow. I was there last month for an exciting Society Cask tasting, and had the pleasure of chatting with Callum (Venue Manager) and Alan (Ambassador and resident tasting expert).

When you arrive to Bath Street, you go see a small exterior sign, with a staircase leading downstairs. I heard that they could have taken the space on the ground floor, with large corinthian columns and a more grandeur feel, but the Scotch Malt Whisky Society intentionally chose the below ground option. More speak-easy feel. More hidden. More exclusive.

The Bath Street location only opened in 2020 for literally a matter of seconds before the first covid-lockdown. Throughout lockdown, they remained open for people to come purchase bottles, as well as for the SMWS’ Dinner at Home experiences (UK mainland only). I wanted to try their Dinner at Homes so badly but us islanders will just have to make our way to the Bath Street location to eat their delicious food in person!

The Bath Street location has over 1,000 bottles of whisky and other single cask spirits at the bar to choose from. Give them the bottle number or the fun name, and they’ll dig it out for you! Or, even give them a whisky region and ask for their recommendations. The choices are endless! For me, I had to choose an Islay spirit (obviously) – Pirates of the Hebridean (cask number 3.322). And yes, I know which distillery it comes from. But, if I told you, wouldn’t it be less fun?

Non-members can swing through the Bath Street location on Tuesdays, when its open for everyone. Fridays have some lounge, speak-easy approved live music. It’s honestly the perfect place for a little break from city life, or a little wind down for your evening!

Thank you to the guys at Bath Street, who were absolutely incredible! They made me feel so at home, so comfortable, and picked all the right drams for me!

III. Details about joining the Scotch Malt Whisky Society

Now that you have all the fun stuff, let’s get down to the details of joining.

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society is an annual membership, which normally runs for 85£ a year. You can even gift a membership to the whisky lovers in your life!

Membership in the US is $99 USD per year. Each international branch will have its own membership price, but it’s roughly about the same price when converted.

Companies can join too! Man, would I love to be part of a company that has this membership! For business memberships, contact Agata.Zacharevskaja@smws.com.

IV. Parting Thoughts on Scotch Malt Whisky Society Membership

For whisky newbies and aficionados alike, the SMWS membership is the whisky club for you! As with all hobbies, it comes with a pricetag, but I think the exclusive bottlings and events (and the wealth of knowledge and information from whisky concierges!) you get is pretty incredible!

If you’re thinking about joining, the Members’ Rooms also have specific, non-member days of the week, for you to test it out and see if you like it! But having been to two Members’ Rooms in the past, let me just say, you’ll love it!

If you need a little mild persuasion, check out my previous tasting posts with the Scotch Malt Whisky Society:

• an outdoor tasting adventure on the Three Distilleries Path on Islay!
• a night at Bath Street in Glasgow, for the “It’s Alive” Society Cask Tasting!

And with that, I bid you adieu, and slainte mhath! Drink responsibly, stay safe, and have a fabulous dram for me!

Disclaimer: I am an affiliate of the Scotch Malt Whisky Society. Any links in green included in this post that lead you to a purchase of membership or bottles, would result in me earning a small commission. Though I’m an affiliate, opinions contained within this post are my own.

Lannie

Lannie is a perpetual wanderer and loves to share her travel adventures and the food she eats along the way with everyone.  She works during the day while bouncing around the world and dreams about new places and faces at night!  She has a home on the magical Isle of Islay in Scotland, where the whisky flows freely and happily.

Click on the blue icons below to follow her on social media!

lanniesfoodandtravel.com/index.php/about-me/

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society is a global membership organization, for whisky enthusiasts that gives members access to exclusive whiskies and tasting events.

When lockdown restrictions lifted, they began to host SMWS tasting events in person! While having done virtual tastings with them in the past, I was delighted to be invited to a SMWS tasting event at their Bath Street, Glasgow location.

That evening, their “It’s Alive!” society cask tasting meant we would taste five drams.  Or, specifically, three whiskies, with two of them having two different cask variations.  I was joined at the tasting with father and son duo, Bobby and Robert, who love their Johnnie Walker Black Label, and Alan, our host.  To say Alan is a whisky enthusiast slightly underestimates his enthusiasm for this nectar of life.  As with everything guided, when your host loves what they do, you enjoy yourself even more.

Don’t worry, you won’t be drinking multiple whiskies on an empty stomach.  We started with some Cullen skink croquettes to pad the stomach, and finished with a delicious supper.  If you don’t know what Cullen skink is, it’s a traditional Scottish soup, made from smoked haddock.  It has an incredible smoky, creamy flavour that’s perfect for those cold and rainy Scottish nights. 

Now, onto my whisky tasting in Glasgow!

Before we sampled the whiskies, there were a few things in front of us, that were not whisky.

1. an actual vanilla bean pod – to bring out the vanilla flavors of the whisky (particularly, #1);
2. a cup of roasted coffee beans – a nose palette cleanser to smell between whiskies;
3. a little glass of beer – we’ll get to that;
4. a pitcher of water, as well as a bottled source glass of water – scientifically, a little bit of water brings out the smells and tastes. Even though I drink mine neat with a tiny splash of water, you’re welcome to drink it however you want. The bottled source water is pure Scottish water, in case you want to use the best water there is for this endeavour.
5. a pipette – for said water.

Now, all ready for my first in-person SMWS tasting event!

1 – Scotch Malt Whisky Society: “society cask”

The first one we tried was a society cask.  When I say a “society cask”, that means that the Bath Street location has taken whiskies from a cask SMWS already owns, and then, put it in a different cask and matured it themselves.  (This is confusing, I know, but it’ll get easier). 

• The whisky started out for 24 years in a former Firkin-cask. 
• Then, the guys at Bath Street put a German, Dunkel (dark lager) beer into the barrel (from Glasgow’s WEST brewery), to let the flavors seep into the barrel.
• Then, the beer was taken out (see a wee glass of beer in the photo?)
• And the whisky went back in. 

For those who’ve been at the Bath Street location recently, that barrel is sitting on top of the bar, with an inserted-tap coming out of it.  Just turn the spigot, and drink it out of the barrel.  A lower ABV than your normal SMWS whiskies, at 46.1%.  Good, let’s take our time, shall we?

2 – 26.150 Zesty Lemon Macaroons

The second whisky was 26.150, Zesty Lemon Macaroons.  Lots of whiskies have a citrusy flavour, usually orangey, but for me, it was rare to have a lemony flavour.  Alan described this as being a waxy malt, and although I am definitely still in the amateur whisky phase, I don’t understand what waxiness is supposed to be.  A taste?  The texture of the liquid?  An overall feeling?  One does not know.  (Whisky experts, feel free to share your knowledge in the comments below!)

I thought this one was incredibly tasty, but not waxy.  I did like the slightly tart flavour, and maybe it was because I already had the smell and tastes of lemon in my mind.  I really don’t want to discount the way preconceived notions can influence your smells and tastes.  It definitely happens.  At 58.2% ABV, we are getting back to cask strength alcohol levels. 

3 – Society Cask (variation on) Zesty Lemon Macaroons

Whisky number three is the same as Zesty Lemon Macaroons, but the SMWS finished it in an ex-oloroso sherry cask.  And with this finishing, the ABV dropped a bit, down to 57.1%.  But the smell of alcohol kicked a bit harder than your 26.150.  The ex-oloroso cask changed the flavour a bit and was no longer lemony.  The suggestion of burnt orange peels was floated, and to me, it smelled and tasted like Christmas and spiced fruits.  Spiced drinks. 

I’ve talked before about how maturing the same whisky in different casks changes the flavors and tastes completely.  This one changed from lemon to burnt orange – a summery, refreshing feel to sitting around a fire during the holidays!

4 – 6.34 Boundless Intemperance

Whiskey number 4, is 6.34 Boundless Intemperance. A 12 year old Speyside, at 58.6% ABV. This one was by far, Bobby’s favorite. I think when he found out that distillery number 6 produces a lot of the whiskies in Johnnie Walker Black Label, he was hooked. Maybe it was the smoothness of a blended whisky that hooked him, or even perhaps, that fruity, oaky flavor. While there was a hint of toffee, I was getting more sweet, dark chocolate than anything. But, maybe that’s where I’m different from whisky aficionados.

Dinner break!

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, though known for their incredible whiskies, also has really delicious food options. You all know I rave about the high quality of Scottish food. The SMWS is no different! During lockdown, they ran a weekly meal delivery (and whisky pairing) service to those living on the mainland. Sad for us islanders, but still. Grateful to be able to try their food at the whisky tasting in Glasgow!

For dinner, we had an incredible Scotch lamb Navarin, with pearl barley and mash. Navarin is traditionally a French stew, made of rich and tendr lamb neck, ours served with carrots, barley and cabbage. Being 4 whiskies down at this point, you need a hearty, rich meal to fill you up!

I took this dinner break opportunity to drink the wee beer and to polish off the whiskies I had only sipped during the tasting.

5 – Society cask (variation on) Boundless Intemperance

You don’t know what your favorite is, until they give you another one that’s better! This whisky was the same boundless intemperance as above, but filled in a first-fill sherry cask. And, if I’m not mistaken, it’s only been inside that sherry cask for 6 weeks!

Look at the incredible color that comes from 6 weeks in a first-fill sherry cask! This one was delicious, and the sherry cask really brought out the sweetness of this one even more! Alan called it like a Christmas cake, but for me just more dark chocolate. At 57.4% ABV, it was a little lighter than its normal bottling. But really delicious! I do love a sherry cask fill!

And then, with that, we are five whiskies down (or three, depnding how you count it), and the tasting is completed!

Parting Thoughts on my first SMWS tasting event

All in all, I had an absolutely wonderful time at the Scotch Malt Whisky Society tasting. The whiskies were absolutely incredible! I am still amazed at how interesting and multifaceted whiskies are. Alan was such a phenomenal host, and so enthusiastic about the whiskies and his job, too!

People always ask me to rank my favorites from the whisky tastings I do, so … my favorites were – the Zesty Lemon Macaroon (the original) and the Society Cask of Boundless Intemperance! Ironically, the two I took photos of!

In case you are wondering, these tasting events (and the venue itself) are only available to members of the Scotch Malt Whisky Society. If you’re curious about membership, I explain all the benefits of membership in detail in my next post. If you’re already convinced, and my few tastings have inspired you to join, let me take you straight there to join! It will be the best 85£ you can spend!

And if you’re in Glasgow, and looking for great Things to Do, my travel blogging friend, Clazz, the Orcadian Abroad, has written a great post!

Until then, stay safe everyone, and slainte mhath!

And a big thank you to the Scotch Malt Whisky Society for gifting me this tasting! The opinions expressed in this post are my own and are not influenced by said gift. As an affiliate of the SMWS, should you choose to join as a member (from my links in green), I would earn a small commission from it.

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Lannie

Lannie is a perpetual wanderer and loves to share her travel adventures and the food she eats along the way with everyone.  She works during the day while bouncing around the world and dreams about new places and faces at night!  She has a home on the magical Isle of Islay in Scotland, where the whisky flows freely and happily.

Click on the blue icons below to follow her on social media!

lanniesfoodandtravel.com/index.php/about-me/

Disclaimer: I was gifted the SMWS April Tasting pack by the Scotch Malt Whisky Society. (Thank you!) However, I am under no obligation to enjoy the whiskies. All the opinions contained in this post are my own. Additionally, I am an affiliate of the SMWS. Affiliate links in this post are in green, for which I may earn a small commission, if you choose to purchase from it.

Also, the April Tasting Pack is now sold out, but there are other virtual (and now in-person tastings!)

Although I’ve visited and done tours and tastings at four whisky distilleries around Scotland, that’s nothing compared to the hundreds that exist!  I am in no way a whisky expert, but I’m enthusiastic and learning.  This post is written for people like me – who have interest in whisky, but not necessarily the nose and experience to be considered a connoisseur.

So if you’re a whisky expert, this post is probably a little basic for you.  But first, a brief intro.

1. Brief Introduction to the Scotch Malt Whisky Society

Ironically, in 2018, I did a whisky tasting and haggis pairing at the Scotch Malt Whisky Society member rooms in Edinburgh, so I’m not stranger to the organization. 

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS) is a membership organization or club for people who love… you guessed it! Single malt scotch whiskies.  (Me!)  They have member rooms in Glasgow, Edinburgh, and London, as well as partner whisky bars globally.

Something that I find really interesting about SMWS whiskies is that the distilleries are anonymized.  The spirits are bottled, labelled, and named into something different.  Each whisky is identified by two numbers (corresponding to the distillery and the cask number), a color code for the taste profile, and a fun, sometimes cheeky, description.  As an example, one of the whiskies we will taste is: 48.118 Trekking in the Jungle. 

Wait, does Scotland have a jungle?  Um, no.  So, don’t take the names too seriously. 

Not only that, all Scotch Malt Whisky Society whiskies are “bottled from a single cask, at cask strength with no water or colouring added and with no chill filtration.” (From the Scotch Malt Whisky Society website)

So, now that you’re all experts… onto the whiskies!

2. SMWS April Tasting Pack

The SMWS tasting pack came with 5 whiskies, with really fun names, as well as a little envelope containing cards with the tasting notes and details about the spirit itself.

And now, onto the 5 whiskies.

48.118 Trekking in the jungle
82.31 Give free rein to the imagination
26.160 Fruit market – candy store
G8.17 Candles, kumquats and polished oak
42.52 Wood smoke through a porthole

3. The Three Distilleries Path on Islay

I decided a fun way to to get to know my new home and these 5 whiskies would be to do the tastings while walking along the Three Distilleries Walk on Islay. Arguably, it’s one of the best walks on Islay, with views of the sea and plenty of sheep to keep you company! For those cyclists, don’t worry – it’s also a cycle path, so biking along the path is allowed!

The Three Distilleries Pathway runs on the southern part of Islay, between Port Ellen and Ardbeg. Since I knew I would be drinking, I decided to take the bus to Ardbeg Distillery and walk back.

Some quick facts about the path:

• The path is 6 miles, there and back (trail map);
• It is a paved path, along the right side of the main road;
• The 3 distilleries that you come across are (in the order I did it): Ardbeg, Lagavulin, and Laphroaig – hello peaty Islay whiskies, and world famous distilleries!
  • If you have the time, you’re always welcome to stop off and do some distillery tours along the walk!
  • Check the distilleries’ websites to confirm whether booking needs to be done in advance or whether they are running tours or tastings;
• It’s a nice distance between each stop:
  • Ardbeg to Lagavulin: 1 km / 0.6 mi
  • Lagavulin to Laphroaig: 1.6 km / 1 mi
  • Laphroaig to Port Ellen 1.6 km / 1 mi
• It’s a one way path, so the return trip would obviously be double. Or, do what I did and take the bus for one way!

Somewhere, there’s 2 km missing if you add it up, but by the time 5 whiskies are down, I don’t think you’ll care. It’s an easy going walk, with nice paved pathways. And there are plenty of benches along the way to sit back, and enjoy the view (or a whisky). There is one small hill between Laphroaig and Port Ellen, but besides that, it’s relatively flat.

Get your bearings straight with an Ordnance Survey map of South Islay!

Do note that the three distilleries (Ardbeg Distillery, Lagavulin Distillery, and Laphroaig Distillery) are not affiliated with my SMWS tasting. But I love being able to do the walk and to visit the outside of these magical places!

4. Scotch whisky tasting along the Three Distilleries Path on Islay

Besides the tasting pack itself, I brought a pipette (and some water) and a Glencairn glass, to help bring out the flavors and aromas.

For the full play by play on my three distilleries, SWMS tasting adventure, I’ve included it in my Instagram highlights. Only people with an Instagram account can view.

And then I was off!

4.1 Cask No. G8.17 Candles, Kumquats and Polished Oak.

The first of the SWMS April Tasting Pack I tried was Candles, Kumquats and Polished Oak. The tasting profile calls it “old and dignified.”

Region: Lowland
Cask: Refill ex-bourbon hogshead
Age: 31 years
ABV: 59.7%

Upon smelling it, that polished oak really comes through. It was almost a surprise how closely it smelled like polished oak. But on the taste, it was definitely sweet, some citrusy kumquats – maybe some honey. Tastes nice, but the smell wasn’t for me.

4.2 Cask No. 26.160 Fruit market – candy store

The second whisky I tasted was Fruit market – candy store. The tasting profile calls it “juicy, oak and vanilla.”

Region: Highland
Cask: 2nd fill ex-bourbon barrel
Age: 9 years
ABV: 56.7%

The tasting notes said the aroma was full of fruits (green apples, pineapple, gooseberries). The palate itself was definitely sweet. SMWS suggested tastes of honey, banoffee pie, nougat, orange pastilles – but with spice hints.

Definitely, the smell was extremely fruity and sweet. But what was wild was the taste – it tasted like banana candy! You know that banana candy flavor. For the nostalgic Americans out there, it was like the Runts banana candy flavor. A little too sweet for my whisky palate, but interesting. Enjoyable.

Onward! To Lagavulin!

At Lagavulin, there is a nice wooden path that leads to a gazebo overlooking Lagavulin Bay. From there, you can catch views of the ruins of Dunyvaig Castle, which previously served as the naval base of the Lord of the Isles!

4.3 Cask No. 42.52 Wood smoke through a porthole

When I first opened the SMWS April Tasting Pack, and I saw the description of “wood smoke through a porthole,” I knew I was going to do this tasting at Laphroaig.

Laphroaig’s whiskies have often been described as super smoky and peaty. To take a direct quote off of their Opinions Welcome, 200 Anniversary Wall, it’s:

Like licking a peat stove’s ashtray, but less frowned upon.

Neel Van Hossel

So, with that roundabout introduction, Wood Smoke through a Port Hole. Tasting profile “Peated.”

Region: Highland
Cask: Refill ex-bourbon hogshead
Age: 13 years
ABV: 58.3%

This is my “OOF! This is smoky” face. (Actual reaction)

If you can still count at this point, we’ve done all three distilleries and 3 out of 5 whiskies!

4.4 Cask No. 82.31 Give free rein to the imagination

A “spicy and sweet” whisky for the 4th whisky, and my face getting redder and redder.

Region: Highland
Cask: 2nd fill ex-bourbon barrel
Age: 9 years
ABV: 61.9% !!!!!!!

I can see why this is categorized in the spicy and sweet profile – it was both of those. Although, I’d probably say it was sweeter than spicy. The little hint of spice only came in at the finish. But, with this one being so high in alcohol (nearly 62%!!!!), and the fact that I was already tipsy from the others, the strong alcohol content was kind of a kick to the face! (More of a kick to the face than the Wood Fire through a Port Hole!) Intense!

I had to take a break following the 4th whisky. So let me just insert some random photos from along the way. Lots of gorgeous sea views, and of course, sheep.

4.5 Cask No. 48.118 Trekking in the jungle

The last dram in the SMWS April Tasting Pack is Trekking in the Jungle. By that time, I had already reached Port Ellen, the official end of the Three Distilleries Path, and also, my home village. I don’t think public consumption is allowed within the village itself (not 100% sure) so I decided to err on the side of caution and take the last whisky home!

So, Trekking in the Jungle had a taste profile of “young and spritely.” As someone who may or may not self-describe as “young(ish) and spritely” themselves, I was really excited to taste this one.

Region: Speyside
Cask: 1st fill ex-bourbon barrel
Age: 7 years
ABV: 60.6%

I’m going to actually include the notes on the card, because it’s so… unique.

“We made cilantro mint chutney using Greek style natural yoghurt, fresh cilantro, ginger, jalapeno, garlic, mint and lemon juice to accompany our vegetable samosas. On the palate neat we had Kendal mint cake, that sugar-based confection flavoured with peppermint, popular among British climbers as a source of energy. In our case however they were laced with chilli flakes for an extra oomph. After the addition of water we imagined walking through mountain grassland, a cooling herbal, green, fresh breeze as we gathered strength for our ascent to a snow-capped mountain peak. Having reached the top we cooked on a tiny gas stove a delicious tom yam soup.”

I know what you’re thinking. All this, in a whisky?? Your skepticism is not unfounded. Everything as described as above… cilantro mint chutney, veggie samosas, tom yum soup. I’m all for it. But not in a whisky. I’m not sure if the description clouded my taste, or that the taste itself was not to my liking. Either way, this turned out to be my least favorite.

But maybe you like eating a savory meal in your whisky. Everyone is different, and that’s ok!

5. Parting thoughts on SMWS April Tasting Pack

All in all, the tasting pack was really fun! I loved the unique expressions, which came in all different flavors and aromas. Not only that, the difference in the ages ranged from a 7-year whisky to one aged 31-years. I’m not sure what the oldest whisky I’ve tried was, but it was nowhere near 31 years, until now.

Out of the 5 whiskies, there were 3 Highland whiskies, 1 Speyside, and 1 Lowland whisky. I guess since there are 5 whisky regions, with Campbeltown and Islay being the other two, I hoped for one dram from each region. So in that respect, I was a little disappointed that their peated selection came from the Highlands, and not Islay itself – which is renowned for their peated whiskies.

The heavy ABV content was kind of a surprise. Then again, all of them are undiluted cask strength whiskies. I didn’t drink the full tasting bottles for each whisky. But even then, after 5 tastings, I was definitely drunk.

Of course, there is the option not to drink the whiskies, but to spit it out. But, why would I do that? No, these are phenomenal whiskies. Too good to spit out.

As you can see, I had a really fun time on the Three Distilleries Path with my SMWS April Tasting Pack. If anyone is looking for something fun to do, maybe you want to try your own whisky tasting from the Scotch Malt Whisky Society!

And hope you all enjoyed seeing a little bit of my new home through the Three Distilleries Path on Islay! Until next time, stay safe, and Slàinte Mhath! 

6. Info on ordering your own SMWS April Tasting Pack

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society regularly hosts virtual and in-person whisky tastings for its members. In case you’re curious about membership, I’ve detailed all the ins and outs of memberships, here.

For information on ordering your SMWS tasting or joining as a member:

Tasting Pack costs: 30 – 35£ – click to order a different tasting pack!
SMWS Annual Membership (UK): 85£ – click to join!

Disclaimer: I was gifted the SMWS April Tasting pack by the Scotch Malt Whisky Society. (Thank you!) However, I am under no obligation to enjoy the whiskies. All the opinions contained in this post are my own. Additionally, I am an affiliate of the SMWS. Affiliate links in this post are in green, for which I may earn a small commission, if you choose to purchase from it.

For more ideas on your travel to Islay:

• consider staying at Glenegedale House, recently voted Scotland’s most hospitable B&B;
• or the Port Charlotte Hotel, which has a famous whisky bar and delicious food in their restaurant;
• my post on the best things to do on Islay!
• Looking for another whisky walk? Try the Bruichladdich / Loch Indaal Way! You’ll pass by Bruichladdich Distillery along the way 🙂
• Or perhaps, take a guided small group tour to Islay, and relax the whole way!

Need directions to Islay? I’ve broken it down in these two posts:

• How to get to Islay from Glasgow – using the bus and the ferry!
• Or, if you’re coming from Northern Ireland, there are seasonal sailings from Ballycastle to Port Ellen. Doable as a day trip from Belfast!

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Lannie

Lannie is a perpetual wanderer and loves to share her travel adventures and the food she eats along the way with everyone.  She works during the day while bouncing around the world and dreams about new places and faces at night!  She has a home on the magical Isle of Islay in Scotland, where the whisky flows freely and happily.

Click on the blue icons below to follow her on social media!

lanniesfoodandtravel.com/index.php/about-me/