16.98 Meaty Wallop

Scotch Malt Whisky Society cask 16.98, Meaty Wallop, is a single cask Highland single malt from The Glenturret (SMWS code 16), filed under the Society's Bold & peaty profile. Distilled on 19 March 2013, it spent seven years in a refill sherry puncheon before being moved to a refill toasted butt for the rest of its 12 years, and was bottled at a cask strength of 57% ABV. The large cask gave 670 bottles. The Tasting Panel found it meaty from the first sniff, with burnt ends, jerky, farmyard notes, cola syrup and peat-smoked cherries, then a dense, sweet and tarry palate with smoked fish and chorizo jam. Water adds soot, tarred rope and smoked cheese. Bottled at natural strength without chill filtration.

Nose: Brisket burnt ends, beef jerky, cheesesteak, farmyard tang, vapour rub, cola syrup, peat-smoked cherries and paprika crisps; water adds charred seafood, smoked butter, burning hay, butterscotch and yeast extract

Palate: A wallop of dense, sweet, tarry smoke with antiseptic, saveloy, peppered mackerel and chorizo jam; water brings soot, tarred rope, smoked cheese, nettles and smouldering rosemary

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