SMWS Tasting Notes: Rich and toasty aromas of teacakes and toffee combined with cinnamon, nutmeg and star anise in a heavy fruitcake topped with molasses and dates. The palate was equally as sumptuous with oozing dark treacle, Manuka honey and brittle toffee over prunes, raisins and coffee beans in dark navy rum. With water came a wave of bitter orange marmalade, black forest gateau and slightly charred hot cross buns full of sweet spice. The palate continued with burnt orange peel, chocolate malt and cocoa powder but now with coconut flakes, tobacco and liquorice stick. After spending five years in an oloroso butt this was transferred to a second fill toasted oak butt for the remainder of its maturation.
Nose: A rich herbal aroma intertwined with bonfire smoke, evoking imagery of a seaside campfire. Notes of sea salt, struck matches, and subtle roasted orange peel linger behind the smoky veil.
Palate: Medium to full-bodied with a distinct oily texture. The high proof delivers a robust entry, blending sweet spices with peat, accented by a faint trace of sulfur.
Finish: Long and warming, with persistent ashy smoke and briny sea breeze. Hints of matchstick and a delicate iodine note round it out.
With Water: The aroma reveals pronounced wet sea salt and brine, with the smokiness softening into a rounder profile. Vanilla and oak emerge prominently. On the palate, the sweetness persists, with the peat becoming less intense, giving way to caramelized oak and fruit notes.
A gentle giant. This old grain whisky doesn’t try to shout, but it has plenty to say if you’re listening. A soft, elegant dram with aged sherry cask influence, balancing fruit, leather, oak, and just a whisper of tobacco. If you’re chasing subtle complexity over brute strength, this hits the mark.
A complex aged nose. Leather, dark chocolate mousse, dehydrated raspberries, canned peaches, and fermentation funk. Dark with tropical notes that bring it to life. To taste, mandarin syrup with spices; cloves and cinnamon. There’s an incense smokiness to the dram as well, bringing forward more rose and berry notes. A delightful example of an aged whisky, but potentially one that can be sourced for a slightly cheaper price. Claims of uniqueness can be a touch overrated, but still worth the experience.