144.4 And They Were Never Seen Again

Scotch Malt Whisky Society cask 144.4, A Flashing Blade, is a heavily peated single cask Swedish single malt from the High Coast distillery (SMWS code 144). Distilled on 15 May 2014 and aged 7 years in a first-fill ex-bourbon barrel, it was bottled at a cask strength of 60.8% ABV, with 215 bottles. The Tasting Panel called it a brilliant, peat-dominated spirit that gets straight to the point: brine, tar, barbecued ribs and peat embers on the nose, and a palate that starts with seawater and lemon before a surge of petrol, mineral salts and engine oil. Water reveals medicinal, maritime and savoury notes. As with every SMWS release, it is bottled at natural cask strength and is not chill filtered.

Nose: Pickled gherkins in brine, sticking plasters, tar, barbecue-glazed ribs, peat embers and olive tapenade; water brings carbolic, hot mash, smoky grist, malt-vinegar oysters and smoked lemon

Palate: Seawater and lemon juice, then petrol, mineral salts, engine oil, camphor and paraffin; water adds aniseed, TCP, horseradish and soy sauce

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