Articles
Outturn reviews, distillery profiles, tasting events, and stories from the collection.
Eight Casks, One Room: SMWS × Southern California Whiskey Club
Eight SMWS casks tasted blind at Blu Jam Melrose in Hollywood with the Southern California Whiskey Club — from a 19-year Glen Grant Bottle of the Month to a hefty peated Bunnahabhain St. Andrew's Day exclusive.
SMWS 82.54 "Everything Everywhere All At Once" — The Glencadam That Stopped the Room
A 13-year-old Glencadam tasted at the SMWS June 2026 Outturn Preview at Oakland Whiskey Library. At 59.5% ABV with married American oak Oloroso and Spanish oak PX casks, cask 82.54 was the undisputed standout of the evening — and only 19 bottles remain in the US.
Six Blind Drams: SMWS June 2026 Outturn Preview at Oakland Whiskey Library
Six upcoming SMWS casks tasted blind at Oakland Whiskey Library. From a 20-year Auchentoshan to an 8-year peated Highland firecracker — here's how the June 2026 Outturn Preview unfolded.
SMWS Codes Explained: The Complete Guide to Scotch Malt Whisky Society Distillery Codes
Everything you need to know about SMWS codes — how the Scotch Malt Whisky Society numbering system works, what each code means, and a guide to the most important distillery numbers.
SMWS Flavour Profile Colour Codes — The Complete Guide
The SMWS uses 12 colour-coded flavour profiles to describe every single cask bottling. Here is what each one means and how to use them to find your perfect dram.
What Distillery Is SMWS Code 29? Laphroaig — All Bottlings & Tasting Notes
SMWS code 29 is Laphroaig, the legendary Islay distillery. Here is everything about code 29 — how the numbering works, what makes Laphroaig distinctive, and reviews of SMWS 29 bottlings.
Nine Years Later: Lagavulin 11 Year Old Sweet Peat — First Look
Lagavulin's first new permanent core expression since 2017 just landed. Here's what the Sweet Peat is, why the cask choice matters, and where it sits in the lineup.
The Quiet Malt: 2025 Bunnahabhain Cask Strength Review
A deep dive into Bunnahabhain's 2025 Cask Strength release and why this unpeated Islay distillery matters. Tasting notes, distillery profile, and collecting insights.