-
Intro:
This is an independent bottling by SMWS of spirit distilled at Balmenach. Aged for 15 years in a first fill Sauternes Barrique, this release was bottled at cask strength without any coloring or filtering. Let's get to it.
-
Nose:
Sweet and buttery, loaded with lime, honey, slivered almond and wine sweetness. Fresh baked cake, some vanilla bean, white wine. Leaning towards dessert and wine forward, though not in a pungent sherry way. Nice balance with lots of enticing flavor.
-
Taste:
Medium mouth feel and excellent control of the ethanol. Sweet cream, lemon, buttered bread, pepper and some wine sweetness. Not as bready as something like a Ben Nevis but its there, along with some lovely cracked pepper. Light caramel, a hint of Sauv Blanc grape sweetness with acidity. Really unique, quite enjoyable.
-
Finish:
Short to medium finish, but its earthy, loaded once more with fresh bread, peppery and steadfast. The flavors hang as long as they are able, before wisping away cleanly with a hint of pepper and smoke. Waxy fruits - primarily apple and pear linger with the pepper.
-
Overall:
This is really something, and its quite unique. It reminded me of a blend, if you told me you had taken some Ben Nevis, some Springbank, some Teaninich and Clynelish and blended it. Very good release, and a nice uptick in quality from SMWS while my doubts were starting to get the best of me.
-
Score:
6
- Our in house critic rates spirits on a scale of 0-10 (10 best) and is aggregated the same as external sources
