The Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS) has revealed the fourth instalment to join it Creators Collection. The three new bottlings are a mini series named Tales of the Worm Tub: Celebrating the Bold, the Rich, and the Robust.

Each whisky in the Tales of the Worm Tub collection, all of which have been distilled in Speyside, offers a "distinct take" on the worm tub condenser, a traditional distillation tool to turn spirit vapours back into liquid post-distillation. 

Worm tubs are still required to be used in Cognac production, but in rare in the production of other modern-day spirits. In a worm tub, a large vessel holds the coolant, and the spirit vapours are piped into a coiled copper pipe, thereby condensing back into liquid. The process is less efficient than the more modern shell-and-tube condenser, and provides less copper contact, resulting in a "meatier" character.

Although rare, worm tub condensers are still used by some whisky distilleries looking to preserve a traditional character: the in-progress Kythe Distillery will use wooden worm tubs, and Rosebank, Killowen, and Talisker, among others, already have them in use.

The three single-cask Speyside whiskies released to explore the worm tub are:

• • • Cask No. 44.190: Unleash the Serpent (56% ABV, RRP £165) — A 21-year-old whisky, which spent its first 18 years in an ex-bourbon hogshead before transfer to a first-fill hogshead. The SMWS says the whisky has notes of apples, plum jam, treacle tarts, and Black Forest gateaux.
    • Cask No. 76.157: Behold the Beast (53.4% ABV, RRP £155) — This 18-year-old whisky is from a distillery "known for its unique approach to distillation", says the SMWS. Aged in a first-fill ex-oloroso butt, the SMWS says it has notes including apples, treacle, and "funky rum". 
    • Cask No. 36.228: The Snaking Coil (47% ABV, RRP £220) — The oldest whisky of the trio, with an age statement of 28 Years Old, this release has been aged in an American oak Pedro Ximénez hogshead. The SMWS says it has notes including marzipan, dark chocolate, plums, bananas, and "sticky dessert wine".

Euan Campbell, head of whisky creation at the SMWS, 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.”

The SMWS' Creators Collection is a series of bottlings exploring different flavours and techniques in whisky. It debuted in 2024 with the four-whisky collection Peat Plants, a set a peat single malt whiskies. 

The SMWS Tales of the Worm Tub is available now via smws.com.