SMWS The Well Shod Gardener Whisky Review ABV 56.9%

Some whiskies are easy to enjoy. Others surprise you. And every now and then, one invites you into its world so completely that it feels less like a drink and more like a quiet conversation. That’s exactly what happened when I spent an evening with The Well Shod Gardener—a 16-year-old expression from the Scotch Malt Whisky Society.

From the first pour, I had the sense that this dram was going to be something special. The nose was delightfully evocative—blackcurrant pastilles, damson crumble, and bramble jelly came through first, sweet and nostalgic. But then, like turning over a patch of fresh earth, it shifted—cinnamon stick, a whiff of eucalyptus, and this oddly specific but perfectly apt sense of digging in the garden in new leather shoes. It was earthy, aromatic, and strangely comforting. I found myself breathing it in longer than usual—each time, a slightly different detail emerged.

On the palate, it took a playful turn. It was sweet and fizzy, reminding me of kir royale with a twist of elderberry and peach—light, almost sparkling in feel. Then a mellow layer of soft caramel rounded everything out. It was one of those sips that catches you smiling without realising it.

Curious to see how it would evolve, I added a little water—and the whole experience shifted. The nose mellowed into something even more personal: cherry lozenges, caramel sweets, and this lovely sense of being inside an old bookshop, dust motes in the air and a quiet hush around you. That sense of place—a kind of literary warmth—was really striking.

The reduced palate still held its own, with flavours like pomegranate molasses, baked squash, and an unexpectedly fun note—biting into an orange, peel and all. That bittersweet twist stayed with me, and I loved how it lingered alongside the fruit leathers and subtle spice.

What impressed me most was how well the whisky told its story. A lot of that, I think, comes down to its careful cask journey—12 years in ex-bourbon wood, followed by time in a first-fill American oak oloroso hogshead. You can taste the layering, the development. It’s not just sherry influence for the sake of richness—it’s integrated, supportive, and beautifully balanced.

Looking back on the experience, what struck me was just how complete it felt. There’s a grounded, seasonal quality to this dram—a sense of maturity, but also creativity. It’s structured, yet playful. Thoughtful, yet accessible.

If you enjoy whiskies that evolve with water, invite exploration, and give you little flashes of memory and emotion, The Well Shod Gardener might just charm you as much as it did me. It’s a dram I’ll remember for its character as much as its flavour.

Limited Bottles Here £96

Want to know more about the Scotch Malt Whisky Society

It’s experiences like this that remind me why I love the Scotch Malt Whisky Society. Their commitment to bottling whisky in its purest, most expressive form—always single cask, always cask strength—means every dram tells a unique story. There’s a sense of adventure with each release, and a level of personality that larger distillery bottlings often smooth over. The Well Shod Gardener is a perfect example of the Society at its best: bold, characterful, unexpected, and deeply rewarding. For those who enjoy the journey as much as the destination, the SMWS offers not just whisky, but a world to explore.