18.51 A Dark And Decadent Potion

Scotch Malt Whisky Society cask 18.51, A Dark And Decadent Potion, is a single cask single malt from Inchgower (SMWS distillery code 18) in Speyside. Distilled on 18 September 2007, it spent 12 years in a bourbon hogshead before transfer to a first-fill Spanish oak oloroso hogshead, and was bottled at 15 years old at a cask strength of 60.4% ABV; 254 bottles were filled. The Society lists it under Deep, rich & dried fruits, and the Tasting Panel found honeyed dark fruit, armagnac and fig jam alongside earthy, savoury depth, black tea and salted dark chocolate. As with every SMWS release it is bottled at natural cask strength without chill filtration, with the cask code on the label rather than the distillery name.

Nose: Dark fruit baked in honey, young armagnac, prunes, fig jam, petrichor, charcoal embers and polished hardwood; water adds stem ginger, coffee porter, chocolate milkshake and liquorice

Palate: Earthy and rich with game broth, tarragon, strong black tea and sea-salted dark chocolate; reduced, walnut wine, dates, gingerbread and fruit stewed in calvados

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