135.74 Tropical Mess

Scotch Malt Whisky Society cask 135.74, Tropical Mess, is a single cask single malt from Loch Lomond, released under the Society's code 135 (Inchmoan). Distilled on 2 December 2015 and matured for 9 years in a first-fill ex-bourbon barrel, it was bottled at a cask strength of 59.6% ABV, with 178 bottles. The Society files it under Toasted oak & vanilla, and the Tasting Panel describes a juicy, textured whisky: jellied green and yellow fruits and honeyed mango on the nose, then a waxy, oily palate of coconut water and syrupy fruit salad. Water brings fresher grassy, citrus notes along with cedar and vanilla cream. Like every SMWS bottling, it is presented at natural cask strength and is not chill filtered.

Nose: Juicy jellied green and yellow fruit, exotic fruit tea and honeyed mango; water brings cut grass, gorse, lime curd, papaya and a touch of green pepper

Palate: Juicy and waxy with olive oil, coconut water and syrupy fruit salad; water adds cedar, vanilla cream, rosewater and fruity granola

Serve: Neat, then with a few drops of water to open up the aromas; at full cask strength it rewards patience.