SMWS 66.35 Savoury smoke and spicy sweetness (Sample Box No 1, whisky #2)

SMWS 66.35 Savoury smoke and spicy sweetness, age, 58,2 %

Here is whisky number two from the SMWS Sample Box No. 1, my whisky Christmas calendar. Again the whisky was tasted blind.

The description given by the Scotch Malt Whisky Society:

The nose combines savoury smoke and spiced sweetness – bacon frazzles, aniseed, clove, fruit and nuts – and lots of barbecued stuff (spiced pork, prawns, bananas). The massive palate has intense smoke, tar, treacle and cough medicine, honey-glazed ham and liquorice allsorts.

The SMWS 66.35 Savoury smoke and spicy sweetness was distilled on 2002-07-17, matured for 9 years in a refill sherry butt, then bottled in April 2012, with a total outturn of 696 bottles. The price for a full bottle was GBP 39, but it is now sold out.

Nose (21/25): Rich and cool sweetness. Red berries, hints of smoke, barbecue spices - but well tempered. Chocolate and rich fruit arrive at the party a little later, but still in time to join in the fun. With time the smoke gets more pronounced, and it becomes a bit medicinal. I do not believe we are on any of the islands though, I have a distinct feeling this is a highland peated whisky.

Taste (22/25): The mouthfeel is smooth as silk, but the taste is a a fair bit more rough! Spicy and smoky! It is hot - but it warms rather than burns. This is good stuff. Pepper, smokin' ashes straight from the barbecue pit, rich barbecue sauce that has been licked by the flames and has become slightly caramelized. The red berries have been put on the grill as well.

Finish (21/25): The spices die off, and we get the smokiness mixed with a deep sweetness. The finish is long and ... well, very tasty.

Balance (22/25): I am in the mood for a barbecue now!

Score (86/100)

Sláinte! - Thomas