Festive Outturn: Alex Espinosa

I fondly recall my first SMWS experience…

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…it was way back in 2010 and I along with some work colleagues attended our first SMWS tasting (held at the Dinosaur Room of the Australian National Museum) and to quote the four seasons ‘oh what a night’! it was a cold winter’s night and I was about to embark on my first cask strength whisky, and what an experience. Hosted by the Cellarmaster, Mr Andrew Derbidge and with a crowd full of first time attendees, we experienced single malt whisky most of us for the first time. That one evening changed my life, in so many ways. I can still, all these years later recall some of the names of the single casks bottlings of the night, the 33.81 Vanilla Slice in a Medicine Chest, the 73.38 Adult Ice Cream Soda and my first ever society bottle purchase – 29.88 What a magnificent and handsome nose.

However that was then, what about now?

With so many events on the whisky calendar, the society is always on the top of my list. And thinking back on this year here are my highlights, so far.

The return of our Cellarmaster, Andrew hosting a classic old school whisky masterclass was one of the best for so many reasons. Other exceptional evenings included the Burns Night Dinner, the delicious single cask dessert pairing held at Lotus and the outstanding single cask rum gathering held at Brix Distillery.

I really enjoy the society and sharing and experiencing the plethora of events and tastings with other members, my invited guests, members of my family and of course my whisky friends.

With this in mind and for something different, a couple of friends, Andrew, Adrian (which I met through the society) and I got together and hatched a plan to purchase every SMWS Malt of the Month released for 2019. And I am happy to report that so far we have enjoyed several evenings with great company, great food, great single malt scotch whisky and had a great time.

I wish all members all the best for the festivities of the season, I hope to see you all in 2020 and beyond. And remember membership has its rewards.