A couple of weeks ago, I attended a SMWSA event at Junoon Restaurant to preview their new partnership with Paul John Whisky (PJ) from Goa, India. Mr. Paul John was in attendance to promote the launch along with members and non-members. If you are not familiar with SMWS please click here for my previous review. I enjoy Paul John Whisky very much and I highly recommend it if you have not tried it. At the event light appetizers where served along with 4 drams of the new expressions.
The new SMWSA & PJ were the following:
Cask 134.1 “Exotic rainforest fruits” Age: 6yrs, Refilled Ex-Bourbon barrels, Distilled February 2010, ABV: 57.9%, 36 allocated for USA. Price = $245.00
Cask 134.2 “Lip-smacking and cockle-warming” Age: 6yrs, Refilled Ex-Bourbon barrels, Distilled March 2010, ABV: 58.0%, 42 allocated for USA. Price = $245.00
Cask 134.3 “Hello flavour” Age: 6yrs, Refilled Ex-Bourbon barrels, Distilled March 2010, ABV: 56.9%, 42 allocated for USA. Price = $245.00
Cask 134.4 “Struts its stuff” Age: 6yrs, Refilled Ex-Bourbon barrels, Distilled November 2010, ABV: 57.0%, 48 allocated for USA. Price = $245.00
As you can see, all are 6 years old and cask strength. I enjoyed them all but none of them were mind blowing good.
In my previous review of SMWS I had some critiques, this time around I have complaints.
Complaint #1:
Price of $245.00. My thoughts when I saw this was and still are, “HOLY SHIT ARE YOU SERIOUS? If I bought one bottle, plus shipping and added the event ticket ($107.62) I would spend approximately $390.00. Since you as the reader did not go to the event, let me do the basic math for you.
In NYC Store Total = (PJ Edited) + (PJ Brilliance) + (PJ Classic) + (PJ Peated)
NYC = $60 + $60 + $100 + $100
NYC = $320.00 (3000ml)
SMWS PJ Total = (Bottle) + (Shipping)
SMWS PJ = $245 + $35 (approx.)
SMWS PJ = $275 (750ml)
As you can see from the math, you must really love this whisky or have money to spend to purchase a 6-year-old cask strength whisky at that price.
Complaint #2:
There is still NO VENUE BAR IN NYC at the time I am writing this review. I heard the representative pouring the samples telling a guest, “we hope to open one soon”. It is time to open a venue or partner bar in NYC. There is a bar on every corner in NYC, you can find a way and please don’t tell me about the liquor laws again.
There are many societies, clubs and tastings out there you can experience. SMWSA does offers something different, but I don’t see it has something that special or rare. Having a membership to buy expensive bottles is not special. Opening a venue bar in NYC and being a member is special.
As you can tell I find the price too high. As I have stated before, when they open a bar in NYC I will renew my membership.
If you like it, drink it! – Christopher
If you like it, drink it!
