SMWSA Cask No. 30.68
Highlands, Speyside (Rothes)
60.6% ABV
Distilled March 2001
$95
US Allocation: 120 Bottles
Early August 2012 Outturn Release
What the SMWSA Says:
Salty, dry and earthy – this really didn’t hide it’s cask influence; we were getting treacle toffee, chestnuts, polished leather, mushrooms, smoked almonds, raisins, sandalwood bark, ink, dark Indonesian soy sauce, and matchboxes. The taste revealed savory meaty notes of Szechuan peppered steak, wild mushrooms and tuna steaks but also the sweet delight of peaches in Sauternes. Water released Pedro Ximenez soaked prunes, more matchboxes, hot sandpaper, root veg (beetroot), electric storms (!), sticky dates and raspberry syrup. Long, hot, tannic to taste with dark chocolate, pine trees and raisins. From the distillery that is vintage bottled by it’s London owners.
Drinking tip: Too big to take lightly
What Richard Says:
Nose: At first it’s all seaweed, brine and salt water swimming pools. Water opens up nutty treacle notes. As the nose continues to develop vanilla, orange blossom honey and salt caramels move forward.
Palate:Creamy and rich but very hot out of the bottle. Water pulls out a savory, salty, and sweet profile with a nice leathery undertone.
Finish: The finish is long and hot. Water mellows it out nicely and leaves you with nutty dark chocolate notes.
Comments: This is a really tasty dram. Glenrothes (I’m guessing) all the way. The only thing better than the whisky are the tasting notes from the SMWSA. It reads like the J. Peterman catalogue of whisky notes. I don’t know that I can taste an “electric storm” but I kind of wish I could.
Rating: Stands Out
Review sample provided courtesy of the SMWSA and is available to society members through their website or 800.990.1991.