113.74 So This Is Solstice

So, This Is Solstice... is Scotch Malt Whisky Society cask 113.74, a single cask single malt Scotch whisky from Braeval. The Society labels its bottlings with a numbered code instead of the distillery name, and code 113 is Braeval. The Society lists its region as Speyside. Distilled on 25 September 2009, it spent 12 years in an ex-bourbon hogshead before being moved to a first-fill American oak oloroso hogshead. The Society's Tasting Panel placed it in the 'Deep, rich & dried fruits' flavour profile. Like all Society whiskies it was bottled at cask strength, here 60.7% ABV, without chill filtration. The cask yielded 280 bottles, and this listing is the 700ml bottle.

Nose: Dense fruit cake with amber ale, warm custard and a crumb of demerara; water adds perfume, raisins and burnt honeycomb.

Palate: Creamy and sweet, with cherry pie, white rum, mango and nutmeg.

Finish: An echo of the nose, with winter spice and nougat.

Serve: Taste it neat first, then add water a few drops at a time; the Panel's notes change noticeably once the whisky is reduced.