SMWSA Cask No. 7.69
Highlands, Speyside (Lossie)
61.6% ABV
Distilled May 2003
$85
US Allocation: 150 Bottles
Early August 2012 Outturn Release
What the SMWSA Says:
The enticing nose – ‘attractive as apple pie’ – offered maple syrup, toffee, vanilla, Danish pastries (with cinnamon and almonds) and hints of tobacco and hay. Even with water, it remained beautifully warm and inviting – ice-cream, toffee apples, fudge and jasmine perfume. The palate was hot but smooth – flavors of honey, apple, and butterscotch, spiked up by a zing of Fentimans Victorian lemonade with ginger; some tobacco and leather tannic dryness lengthened the finish. Water seemed to allow the toffee and syrup sweetness to come through, while retaining the chilli, peppercorn heat. The distillery has links to one Saint and many sinners.
Drinking tip: Would suit early evening – but is very versatile.
What Richard Says:
Nose: Cherry ice cream, apple turnovers, cinnamon, and black peppercorn. Oak, vanilla, and oranges play a minor supporting role.
Palate: The dry chardonnay of single malts? The palate is very clean. Almost too clean. The flavors try to bob and weave away from you. It reminds me of a well aged cigar in a leather furnished men’s club lounge.
Finish: The finish is where the dryness really gets you. It’s been a while since a whisky made me thirsty just drinking it. Hints of Pernod linger before everything fades.
Comments: Another pleasing yet somewhat shy malt. This is a nice aperitif or palate cleanser at the end of a meal. The nose was my favorite part but the rest left me a little wanting. Maybe this one is still needs to grow up a little.
Rating: Average
Review sample provided courtesy of the SMWSA and is available to society members through their website or 800.990.1991.