The Scotch Malt Whisky Society has unveiled the latest release in its Heresy range. Skooshy Stroopwafel is an 11-year-old single malt matured first in bourbon hogsheads then in European oak sherry butts.
Launched in 2017 with Exotic Cargo, the Heresy range was conceived to push the boundaries of what whisky can be, with innovative blends and intriguing cask combinations.
Skooshy Stroopwafel, the 30th release in the line, represents a rare departure from such hallmark blending. This single malt whisky, crafted at a Speyside distillery, is a showcase for SMWS’s secondary maturation expertise.
The SMWS Heresy range was conceived to push the boundaries of what whisky can be, with innovative blends and cask combinations…
Distilled on April 8, 2013, the journey of Skooshy Stroopwafel began in bourbon hogsheads, where the whisky developed a delicate fruitiness with cereal notes and hints of stone fruit. After eight years, Head of Whisky Creation Euan Campbell sought to deepen the flavour profile with a move to European oak sherry butts seasoned with Pedro Ximénez sherry for 13 months, in Spain’s renowned Sherry Triangle.
Unlike the intense maturation often associated with smaller sherry hogsheads, the larger sherry butts allowed for a more subtle wood influence, creating a balanced interplay between spirit and cask. After 32 months of additional maturation, all four butts showed remarkably similar profiles, leading to their combination into this single bottling.
Bottled at 50% ABV, the marriage of bourbon and sherry cask influences has led to a robust yet approachable tasting experience. The SMWS Tasting Panel likens the flavour profile to a Belgian fairground, with notes of lotus biscuits, muscovado sugar, and squirty whipped cream (known as Skooshy cream in Scotland) on a warm stroopwafel, accented by hints of pumpkin spice frappuccino.
“This release perfectly demonstrates our commitment to exploring the interplay between spirit and wood,” said Julien Willems, Whisky Quality Manager at SMWS. “While our Heresy range is celebrated for its blends, Skooshy Stroopwafel is a single malt that embodies the experimental spirit of the series. By using sherry butts instead of hogsheads, we’ve enhanced the distillery’s fruity character rather than overwhelming it.”
Skooshy Stroopwafel is a limited release, priced at £55, with only 2,382 bottles available.
SMWS members can secure their bottle at smws.com. There are several more Heresy releases to come this year with the next bottling launching in March for St Patrick’s Day.
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The Luxe Review 
The Scotch Malt Whisky Society has unveiled the latest release in its Heresy range. Skooshy Stroopwafel is an 11-year-old single malt matured first in bourbon hogsheads then in European oak sherry butts.
Launched in 2017 with Exotic Cargo, the Heresy range was conceived to push the boundaries of what whisky can be, with innovative blends and intriguing cask combinations.
Skooshy Stroopwafel, the 30th release in the line, represents a rare departure from such hallmark blending. This single malt whisky, crafted at a Speyside distillery, is a showcase for SMWS’s secondary maturation expertise.
Distilled on April 8, 2013, the journey of Skooshy Stroopwafel began in bourbon hogsheads, where the whisky developed a delicate fruitiness with cereal notes and hints of stone fruit. After eight years, Head of Whisky Creation Euan Campbell sought to deepen the flavour profile with a move to European oak sherry butts seasoned with Pedro Ximénez sherry for 13 months, in Spain’s renowned Sherry Triangle.
Unlike the intense maturation often associated with smaller sherry hogsheads, the larger sherry butts allowed for a more subtle wood influence, creating a balanced interplay between spirit and cask. After 32 months of additional maturation, all four butts showed remarkably similar profiles, leading to their combination into this single bottling.
Bottled at 50% ABV, the marriage of bourbon and sherry cask influences has led to a robust yet approachable tasting experience. The SMWS Tasting Panel likens the flavour profile to a Belgian fairground, with notes of lotus biscuits, muscovado sugar, and squirty whipped cream (known as Skooshy cream in Scotland) on a warm stroopwafel, accented by hints of pumpkin spice frappuccino.
“This release perfectly demonstrates our commitment to exploring the interplay between spirit and wood,” said Julien Willems, Whisky Quality Manager at SMWS. “While our Heresy range is celebrated for its blends, Skooshy Stroopwafel is a single malt that embodies the experimental spirit of the series. By using sherry butts instead of hogsheads, we’ve enhanced the distillery’s fruity character rather than overwhelming it.”
Skooshy Stroopwafel is a limited release, priced at £55, with only 2,382 bottles available.
SMWS members can secure their bottle at smws.com. There are several more Heresy releases to come this year with the next bottling launching in March for St Patrick’s Day.
Mexican spirits culture celebrated as Tequila & Mezcal Show returns to London
Smoky Mezcals, regional Raicillas and crisp Tequilas return to London’s South Bank for the second annual Tequila & Mezcal Show. Last year, more than 600 agave enthusiasts brought the buzz, and this year promises to be even more exciting, with over 250 spirits from across Mexico gracing Glazier’s Hall. Running for two sessions on Friday…
Kingsbarns Distillery launches limited edition single malt inspired by St Andrews 19th hole
A long-standing St Andrews golfing ritual has found a new expression, as Kingsbarns Distillery launches a limited-edition single cask whisky inspired by the famed ‘19th hole’. Developed by Wemyss Family Spirits, the family-owned business behind the distillery, The Dunvegan forms the second instalment in a golf-inspired series, and follows last year’s Caddies’ Dream release. Limited…
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Drinks retailer Hackstons has acquired a collection of exceptionally rare American whiskies, bringing together some of the most elusive bourbons and rye whiskeys currently circulating within the global secondary spirits market. The Knightsbridge-based specialist described the acquisition as a “once in a lifetime” grouping of so-called unicorn bottles, with the line-up featuring highly allocated expressions…
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