16.71 Soupcon Of Soot

Scotch Malt Whisky Society cask 16.71, Soupçon Of Soot, is a peated single cask Highland single malt from The Glenturret (SMWS code 16). Distilled on 2 July 2013 and aged 8 years in a refill re-charred hogshead, it was bottled at a cask strength of 64.4% ABV, with an outturn of 207 bottles. The Tasting Panel described a rustic, smoky nose of hay-smoked cider, smoked cheese, apple skins and burning barns, followed by a chalky, herbal palate with floral notes, apple chutney and pineapple crumble, and a hint of soot drying the finish. Water draws out blackcurrant, toffee and menthol, then sweet, earthy charred lemon and ash. As with every SMWS bottling, it is presented at natural cask strength without chill filtration.

Nose: Hay-smoked cloudy cider, beech-smoked cheese, apple skins, nutmeg and burning barns; water brings blackcurrant leaf and jam, toffee, green malt, menthol and mint

Palate: Chalky and herbal with lavender, violets, apple chutney and pineapple crumble; water turns it sweet and earthy with charred lemon, bark, ash and pork cooked in cider

Finish: Drying, with a soupcon of soot

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