The Ledges Scotch Tasting — October 2026
Updated: 4 days ago
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Cigar smoking and drinking alcohol are for adults of legal smoking and drinking age.
About The Ledges
Website: https://www.theledges.com/
Address: 32 Castle Down Dr, Huntsville, AL 35802
Phone Number: 256.883.0860
PLEASE REMEMBER TO DRINK RESPONSIBLY
Cigar smoking and drinking alcohol are for adults of legal smoking and drinking age.
A Dram Well Spent: Our October SMWS Scotch Tasting at The Ledges
Written by Nancy Fae for His, Hers & the Good Life
Introduction
October at The Ledges carries its own kind of magic — crisp air outside, warm amber glow inside, and the unmistakable hum of anticipation that comes with their monthly Scotch tasting. This particular evening centered around four expressions from the Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS), each one a single‑cask, cask‑strength snapshot of character, texture, and story.
Before heading into the ballroom, Jeff and I made our traditional stop to see Joey — our favorite bartender and the reigning king of the Amaretto Sour. As always, he delivered a perfect pour, and we chatted about his upcoming Mixology class (which we’re already excited for).
Inside, the ballroom buzzed with familiar faces greeting one another, tables dressed beautifully, and Glencairn glasses already prefilled at the front of the room. The bottles stood ready like characters waiting for their cue — and oh, did they perform.
About the Scotch Malt Whisky Society
The Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS) is a membership‑only organization dedicated to bottling single‑cask, single‑malt Scotch whiskies — each one unique, unblended, and unrepeatable. Every bottle is drawn from a single cask, often yielding only around 250 bottles.
SMWS famously avoids naming distilleries on their labels. Instead, they use a coding system and whimsical names to encourage members to focus on what’s in the glass rather than where it came from. As they put it:
“We aim to provide an experience for our members to enjoy the whisky as it uniquely is in the glass – not for the origin of its distillate.”
It’s a philosophy that turns tasting into discovery — and discovery into delight.
How the Night Unfolded
The Expressions
1. SMWS Cask No. 41.188 “FRIENDLY TERRITORY” (55.1% ABV)
Distillery 41 — Dailuaine | 13 years | Flavor Profile: Dried Fruits & Spices
From SMWS: Two 9‑year casks married and finished in a 1st fill European oak PX butt for 4 more years. A figgy, meaty beauty with texture, pop, and sherry‑kissed richness.
2. SMWS Cask No. 78.91 “A RUGGED HIGHLANDER” (57.4% ABV)
Distillery 78 — Ben Nevis | 12 years | Flavor Profile: Spicy & Dry
From SMWS: A “Two to One” ultra‑small batch combining PX hogshead maturation with heavily toasted new American oak. Rugged, rich, raucous, and rewarding.
3. SMWS Cask No. 122.76 “GRUBBY, HAIRY‑CHESTED BONKERS” (59.4% ABV)
Distillery 122 — Loch Lomond | 9 years | Flavor Profile: Bold & Peaty
From SMWS: A peated cask for adventurous smoke seekers — smoked meats, medicinal edges, rich fruits, and dark malt. Wildly delightful and wildly named.
4. SMWS Cask No. 68.137 “RIGHT ON THE NOSE” (56.6% ABV)
Distillery 68 — Blair Athol | 15 years | Flavor Profile: Dried Fruits & Spices
From SMWS: Two casks combined at 11 years and finished in a 1st fill ex‑bodega Oloroso butt. Bright fruit meets classic sherry spice — almost Sauternes‑like.
The Tasting Pairings
Chef Phil and his team delivered another beautifully curated menu, each course designed to highlight — or challenge — the whisky it accompanied.
Course 1 — SMWS 41.188 “FRIENDLY TERRITORY”
Pan‑Seared U15 Sea Scallops | stone‑ground grits, brown butter, crispy country ham, chives
Thoughts: Jeff and I agreed this was our favorite pour of the night — a clear #1. Its Dried Fruits & Spices profile sang beautifully. Jeff wasn’t a fan of the pairing, noting the whisky amplified the scallop’s fishiness. I enjoyed the plate overall, though I wished for a sweeter ham; the country ham leaned a bit salty for my taste.
SMWS 41.188 “FRIENDLY TERRITORY” Pan‑Seared U15 Sea Scallops | stone‑ground grits, brown butter, crispy country ham, chives
Course 2 — SMWS 78.91 “A RUGGED HIGHLANDER”
Apple Cider‑Glazed Pork Belly | sweet potato purée, apple‑cabbage slaw, toasted pecans
Thoughts: The pour ranked #3 for us, but the pairing was outstanding. The pork belly and sweet potato purée were a perfect match — warm, autumnal, and deeply satisfying.
SMWS 78.91 “A RUGGED HIGHLANDER” Apple Cider‑Glazed Pork Belly | sweet potato purée, apple‑cabbage slaw, toasted pecans
Course 3 — SMWS 122.76 “GRUBBY, HAIRY‑CHESTED BONKERS”
Slow‑Braised Wagyu Brisket | smoked cheddar potato purée, braised collard greens, plum‑black pepper jus
Thoughts: Heavily peated whiskies aren’t our preference, so this pour landed at the bottom. But the plate? Delicious. The peat actually paired well with the brisket, and the collard greens added a fun Southern nod. And yes — this bottle wins “Funniest Name” by a mile.
SMWS 122.76 “GRUBBY, HAIRY‑CHESTED BONKERS” Slow‑Braised Wagyu Brisket | smoked cheddar potato purée, braised collard greens, plum‑black pepper
Course 4 — SMWS 68.137 “RIGHT ON THE NOSE”
Warm Sorghum Pecan Bread Pudding | vanilla bean ice cream, salted caramel
Thoughts: Our #2 pour of the night. The Dried Fruits & Spices profile was right in our wheelhouse. The dessert was generous and decadent (my favorite course, naturally). Jeff noted the bread pudding amplified the fruit notes in the whisky — a perfect final pairing.
SMWS 68.137 “RIGHT ON THE NOSE” Warm Sorghum Pecan Bread Pudding | vanilla bean ice cream, salted caramel
Flavor Profile Discoveries
SMWS uses a color‑coded flavor wheel to help members identify their preferences. Jeff and I realized we lean toward the right side of the wheel — the red Dried Fruits & Spices and purple Ripe Fruits & Honey profiles.
No surprise, then, that Cask 41.188 “FRIENDLY TERRITORY” and Cask 68.137 “RIGHT ON THE NOSE” were our favorites — with “FRIENDLY TERRITORY” taking the crown.
We loved it so much that I bid on the remaining bottle during the auction — and won. That beautiful bottle now sits proudly in our Sipping Room, ready for future Good Life moments.
PLEASE REMEMBER TO DRINK RESPONSIBLY
Cigar smoking and drinking alcohol are for adults of legal smoking and drinking age.
Closing in the His, Hers & the Good Life Style
His (Jeff)
A great night with great pours — even the peated troublemaker had its place. “FRIENDLY TERRITORY” was the standout for me, and I’m glad we brought it home. Looking forward to Joey’s Mixology class and whatever The Ledges pours next.
Her (Nancy Fae)
This tasting reminded me why I love these evenings — the storytelling, the flavors, the people, and the chance to discover something new. “RIGHT ON THE NOSE” charmed me, but “FRIENDLY TERRITORY” stole my heart. And yes, dessert still wins every time.
The Good Life
A night of shared discovery, favorite pours, delicious plates, and a bottle that followed us home — that’s exactly what the Good Life tastes like.
PS: We are now members of the Scotch Malt Whisky Society. :)
PLEASE REMEMBER TO DRINK RESPONSIBLY
Cigar smoking and drinking alcohol are for adults of legal smoking and drinking age.
Disclaimer: Cigar smoking and drinking alcohol are for adults of legal smoking and drinking age. Life’s Rants promotes the responsible and legal enjoyment of premium cigars and alcohol by individuals of legal age. We do not endorse or encourage smoking or drinking among minors.
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