149.4 A Tasty Morsel

Scotch Malt Whisky Society cask 149.4, A Tasty Morsel, is a single cask Highland single malt from the Ardnamurchan distillery (SMWS code 149), part of the Society's The New Wave releases celebrating newer distilleries. Distilled on 9 July 2016 and matured for 6 years in a first-fill Pedro Ximenez butt, it was bottled at a cask strength of 61.6% ABV; at 584 bottles the outturn is large for a single cask. The Society files it under Juicy, oak & vanilla. The Tasting Panel found soft vanilla, cut pine and a touch of sea salt on the nose, then a creamy, salty-sweet palate with a floral fragrance. Like every SMWS release, it is bottled at natural cask strength without chill filtration.

Nose: Soft vanilla, freshly cut pine, gentle spice and a hint of sea salt; water brings baked new potatoes with seaweed mayonnaise

Palate: Creamy, salty and sweet with a floral lift: spicy tuna nori wrap and strawberry toffee tart

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