3.355 Barbecue Iberico Presa

Bowmore 20 Year Old 2004, Scotch Malt Whisky Society cask 3.355 Barbecue Iberico Presa, is a single cask single malt Scotch from the Bowmore distillery in the Islay region (SMWS distillery code 3). Distilled on 16 February 2004, it was matured for 20 years for 17 years in an ex-bourbon hogshead and then in a second-fill Spanish oak oloroso hogshead and bottled at a natural cask strength of 56.2% ABV, with an outturn of just 240 bottles. The Society places it in its Lightly peated flavour profile, and its Tasting Panel describes a nutty, gently smoky dram of barbecued Iberian pork and honey that turns aromatic and spiced with water. Like every SMWS bottling it is presented at cask strength without chill filtration, and the label carries the Society's cask code rather than the distillery name.

Nose: Barbecued Iberico presa pork, rich and nutty

Palate: Succulent nuttiness with lavender-smoked heather honey, blow-torched mackerel on blini and warm pickled beetroot; water brings Berber tea with cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg flower, spearmint and star anise

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