Hidden Gems: February 2022

At The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, we are on a passionate pursuit of the world’s most unique casks of whisky. This month I took on the oh-so-difficult task of tasting through the selection of whiskies available to Society members in America. The objective? To identify the hidden gems that may have been overlooked since their release. 

You see what fascinates me most about Society whisky is that oftentimes the casks that turn out to be the most memorable are also the most unexpected. They frequently come from lesser-known distilleries or appear relatively unassuming on paper. Yet when finally uncorked, the spirit will thrill and delight unlike anything before it.

Here are three (3) Hidden Gems to consider for your home collection:

Cask 46.111 Powershake
It’s hard to go wrong with the  Juicy, oak & vanilla flavour profile. These whiskies tend to be full of bright, zesty flavours and typically offer an impressive amount of depth and complexity for their age. Cask 46.111 Full frontal fruitbowl is one of the best representations today. Matured for 11 years in a first-fill bourbon barrel, it’s had just enough time to develop a complex profile of fresh leather, lemon peel and jasmine tea. It’s bright yet evocative and at 56.0% ABV, the delivery is bold and mouthwatering.

Cask 2.126 Smith’s quadrilogy: but which one?
Born from a famous Speyside distillery, Cask 2.126 may just be one of the most exciting there is. The spirit delivers a full throttle rush of fresh moss, heather honey and white chocolate mousse perfect for pairing with a spring dessert. Camois leather and buttered croissants adds an extra layer of harmony to this classic spirit. If you’re looking for a versatile whisky to be enjoyed all year long, this one is an easy win.

Cask 66.196 Portent of deception
What a knockout! This rich and smoky Highland spirit partially matured in a second-fill Port wine hogshead is the definitive hidden gem. Smoked honey, game meats and damp moss intertwined with herbal bitters, terragon and fermented grapes is just the tip of this magnificent iceberg. After 23 years, it’s retained a full 53.5%, an impressive strength and delivery for such a complex spirit. Worth every penny.

Slàinte mhath!
Ben Diedrich