SMWS Diptych 30-Year Single Casks Explore The Art of Wood

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS) recently launched a collection named Diptych. This set features two 30-year-old single malt single cask whiskies, designed to deeply explore the profound influence of different oak types on whisky maturation. This series, released as the final installment of the 2025 Creators Collection, became available on December 3rd.

Both whiskies originate from the same distillery and were finished in two distinct Pedro Ximénez (PX) oak casks.

Both single malts were distilled on the same day in 1994 and initially matured together for 28 years in oloroso sherry butts. Subsequently, they were transferred to virgin Pedro Ximénez oak casks for additional maturation. One cask was made from American oak, and the other was crafted from Spanish oak.

Euan Campbell, SMWS Head of Whisky Creation, stated that the Diptych series is a celebration of how different oak types transform whisky in fascinating ways. He further noted* *These two casks share the same DNA — the same distillery, the same vintage, the same initial maturation process — but the final stage spent in American versus Spanish PX oak has created two completely distinct personalities.* Campbell added that this provides a rare opportunity to explore the profound impact of wood on whisky, presented as *liquid art.*

Cask No. 96.41, named The ‘Iberian’, completed its maturation in Spanish oak. Official descriptions note aromas of sandalwood, cedar, and polished leather boots, followed by layers of dark fruits such as blackcurrant and blackberry, accented by flavors of clove, ginger, and star anise.

Its counterpart, Cask No. 96.42, or The ‘American’, was matured in American oak. Tasting notes for this whisky describe a flavor journey transitioning from sliced mango and cinnamon bun to luxurious chocolate cake, almond frangipane tart, concluding with calvados and tobacco.

The Diptych twin-cask set is the final chapter of the SMWS 2025 Creators Collection. This collection aims to curate rare whiskies, telling unique flavor stories through distinctive bottling packaging.

2025-12-03

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