Whisky Forum - SMWS - Too much Sulphur

albo · Master Of Malts Joined: 22 Mar 2011 Posts: 1888

Firstly, let me open by saying that I'm venting, so please feel free to ignore / ridicule me as you see fit. However, we are all like minded people and ranting like this to the wife wont get me anywhere.

I have recently, for my birthday in November last year, become a member of the SMWS, which I enjoy, a few of us from work try to go there on the first Friday of the month for the new outturn and a bleather, it's all pleasant enjoyable stuff.

However, and this is the crux of my post, I have noticed that there are a very high number of casks with Sulphur notes in them, I understand it's all down to individual taste and what not, but the number of them coming out at the moment is starting to take the edge off what should be an enjoyable society. They have released 5 'preview drams' from the June outturn and 3 of those have Sulphur notes, I'm starting to think that the society is picking these casks up cheap from the distillery's as they are heavily sulphured and unusable by the distillery's, then selling them on to society members at a premium. I've not drank a great deal of other independent bottlers drams, but I'd guess they wouldn't have that many containing strong notes of sulphur, am I right?

When you pick up a good bottle from the SMWS it's a joy, however, having to pick through the new releases and already disguard half of them is diluting my enjoyment.

Am I just being picky about sulphur? Do any of you fellows have a problem with it? Anyone here in the SMWS think the same, or vehemently disagree with me?

Thanks for listening

Angry from Edinburgh!! Mad

bifter · Posted: Fri May 25, 2012 9:44 am Post subject:

I am of the same mind. I love sherried whisky and one of the great advantages of SMWS is the ability to try before you buy. However there is seldom a sherry-casked whisky in the outturn these days that doesn't have some kind of sulphur taint. The worst part is that the Society is now trying to market 'struck matches' and 'soy sauce' notes as desirable, it's like a case of the emperor's new clothes!

The debate about where this taint comes from is complex and some people even claim to like it but it would be good to get some honest information about SMWS and its sherry casks. I believe at least some of them are bought/owned by the Society and sent to the distilleries to be filled? However there is also supposed to be a tasting panel that rejects more casks than it lets through - obviously they are letting through a preponderance of sulphured casks but why? It raises questions about their impartiality in my mind. Were they sold a few duds many years back and how does that bode for the future?

Come renewal I'll have to think hard, especially as my old man now has a membership.
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"Whisky is liquid sunshine."
[George Bernard Shaw]

James T · Master Of Malts Joined: 05 Feb 2011 Posts: 3006

I have a mate who used to get me some bottles through his membership but he didnt renew his membership last year because of the amount of sherry cask bottlings with sulphur notes.

It seems there selection process isnt what it should be or there selection panel has a taste for sulphured whisky, not for me though.

chrisg · Double Malt Member Joined: 12 Apr 2011 Posts: 197

There does seem to have been more than a few sulphur tainted whiskies released in recent years from the SMWS. You have got to wonder if the selection panel are letting through these casks for the sake of profit. Surely they must be able to pick these sulphur casks out or perhaps they already own the casks so just go ahead and sell them no matter what.

Braden · Posted: Sat May 26, 2012 5:37 pm Post subject:

I had a SMWS sherried Jura once which was awful because of the sulphur and it knd of put me of SMWS bottlings as a whisky which was this bad should not get past a selection panel. On the other hand some of the best whiskies i have tasted have been from the SMWS

Tom W · Posted: Mon May 28, 2012 6:38 pm Post subject:

There is one man who agrees with you completely, Mr. Jim Murray! he regularly pans SMWS and other sherried bottlings

I'm an SMWS man but haven't had many from sherry casks recently so can't fully articulate but yes I had a Highland Park earlier this year where it was heavily sulphured and I do always wonder to what extent SMWS and other independents get the best casks, especially in the Â£50 - Â£100 price range I think distilleries would just keep their best stock...

However, single cask whisky is meant to be different and unique for better or for worse, this is half the magic. you win some, you lose some!
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Quaich1 · Posted: Mon May 28, 2012 7:01 pm Post subject:

I find this thread quite interesting as I don't belong to the SMWS and rarely if ever run across single malts with heavy sulfur tones. I do have a collection of varied independent bottlers as well but I can't recall coming across the "sulfur problem" with them.
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bifter · Posted: Mon May 28, 2012 7:08 pm Post subject:

Quaich1 · Posted: Mon May 28, 2012 7:12 pm Post subject:

bifter · Posted: Mon May 28, 2012 7:26 pm Post subject:

bifter · Posted: Mon May 28, 2012 7:32 pm Post subject:

Tom W · Posted: Mon May 28, 2012 8:15 pm Post subject:

bifter · Posted: Mon May 28, 2012 10:19 pm Post subject:

bifter · Posted: Tue May 29, 2012 7:14 am Post subject:

I started a poll to see what attitudes are towards sulphur - I may well be in a minority who find it objectionable but I hope not:

http://www.scotchmaltwhisky.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2365

PS Mods, can we have a boke (puke) smiley?

Edit: A clear pattern is emerging. Perhaps a fifth or so of people have never detected sulphur, the rest so far have unanimously declared their distaste for it.
_________________
"Whisky is liquid sunshine."
[George Bernard Shaw]

bifter · Posted: Sat Jun 02, 2012 5:51 pm Post subject:

Sorry to dredge this issue up again but I wanted to add some info. The poll seems pretty conclusive that sulphur is an unwelcome infuence (83%), not one person indicated that they actually enjoy it - I thought at least some would, e.g. fans of Mortlach?

Anyway, while at SMWS, I discussed the issue with bar staff. They said the panel process was pretty neutral and the line up of tasters varied with many people from eclectic backgrounds (e.g. baristas). There is no pressure on them to pass any particular casks but it seems some of the panel particularly like sulphur notes. Apparently these casks have been selling well too! I'm still not that happy with the sheer volume of sulphury sherry casks and I have also written to the society about the issue. I was told the complaint would be passed on to those who chair the panels so we'll see if it's taken onboard! Fingers crossed...
_________________
"Whisky is liquid sunshine."
[George Bernard Shaw]