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The Scotch
Malt Whisky Society takes a step back in
time with its new Worm Tub Collection.
This trio of whiskies marks the latest
release in the Society’s groundbreaking
international Creators Collection.
The Scotch Malt Whisky Society has
unveiled the fourth release in its
acclaimed Creators Collection: Tales of
the Worm Tub – This latest instalment
celebrates the Bold, the Rich and the
Robust. Honouring traditional
whisky-making methods, this trio of
Speyside whiskies which were distilled
in the Craigellachie, Mortlach and
Benrinnes distillery's respectably offers three distinct
interpretations of the iconic worm tub.
The Creators Collection is a standout
series from the international whisky
club, designed to bring whisky stories
to life through rare, aged bottling's
crafted for memorable whisky flights.
Each release explores a different
flavour journey, production method, or
cask maturation style, with more
instalments planned for later this year.
Worm tubs are an old-fashioned method of
condensing spirit vapour back into
liquid, dating back to a time before
modern distilling technology. These
coiled copper condensers are now a
rarity, having been largely replaced by
more efficient shell and tube systems
since the 1960s. However, worm tubs are
known for producing a denser, more
robust spirit due to reduced copper
contact—resulting in whiskies that are
typically bold, rich, and full of
character.
Euan Campbell, Head of Whisky Creation
at The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, said:
"This trio provides a fascinating
glimpse into the world of worm tub
condensers. Here we have three whiskies
from the same region, in the same
flavour profile, yet each with their
unique take on this old style of
condenser.
"Worm tubs are rare in modern whisky
production, but add a deep and robust
bass line, upon which the complex
elements of each dram can be built.
We’re giving whisky fans a chance to get
off the beaten track to explore a lesser
known element of whisky tasting – and
this kind of exploration and creativity
is exactly what The Scotch Malt Whisky
Society is all about."
Each bottle has a name inspired by the
coiled shape of the worm tub. The
collection features:
- The SMWS
Cask No. 44.190 (Craigellachie): Unleash the Serpent
(£165) – Bramley apples, plum jam,
and assam tea meet treacle tarts and
chestnuts before a rich finish of
black forest gateaux, armagnac-soaked
fruits, and cooling mint chocolate
in this 21-year-old whisky. After
spending 18 years in an ex-bourbon
hogshead this was transferred to a
first fill hogshead for the
remainder of its maturation.
- The SMWS
Cask No. 76.157 (Mortlach): Behold the Beast
(£155) – An 18-year-old whisky from
a distillery known for its unique
approach to distillation, expect
bruised apples meeting treacle and
funky rum, with a lingering finish
of nutmeg, dried fruits, and
chocolate orange biscuits from this
1st fill ex-oloroso butt.
- The SMWS
Cask No. 36.228 Benrinnes: The Snaking Coil
(£220) – a 28-year-old fill American
oak PX hogshead with divine aromas
of marzipan, dark chocolate, and
apple shisha tobacco, followed by
rich notes of plums, bananas, and
sticky dessert wine, before a
lingering finish of quince, coconut,
and cherry sweets wrapped in
fragrant hibiscus.
Launching today, Friday 15 August, the
collection will be available as a full
set or as individual bottles. Following
the release, a three-dram flight
featuring the whiskies will be offered
in all SMWS Members’ Rooms for £53.
This latest release continues The
Creators Collection, which began in
November 2024 with Peat Plants: The
Essence of Scotland’s Untamed
Landscapes—a set of four bottling's
capturing the diverse character of
Scotland's peatlands, from Islay to
Aberdeenshire and the Orkney Islands.
In January, the series continued with
Homecoming: The Essence of Heritage with
Shona Hardie, a tribute to the Society’s
spiritual home at The Vaults in Leith.
This was followed by Whispers of Spring:
A Journey of Reawakening, featuring four
beautifully aged whiskies crafted to
reflect the lighter, floral, citrus, and
vanilla notes of the spring season.
For more information about Tales of the
Worm Tub: Celebrating the Bold, the Rich
and the Robust and other SMWS releases and for SMWS
membership visit
www.smws.com
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