35.340 Merry With Sherry

Glen Moray 16 Year Old 2006, Scotch Malt Whisky Society cask 35.340 Merry With Sherry, is a single cask single malt Scotch from the Glen Moray distillery in the Speyside region (SMWS distillery code 35). Distilled on 30 January 2006, it was matured for 16 years for 13 years in a bourbon hogshead and then in a first-fill Spanish oak oloroso hogshead and bottled at a natural cask strength of 60.1% ABV, with an outturn of just 242 bottles. The Society places it in its Deep, rich & dried fruits flavour profile, and its Tasting Panel describes a sumptuous, earthy sherried dram of leather, espresso and dark chocolate. 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: Shoe leather, brown bread, toasted sunflower seeds, espresso, cocoa and pumpernickel spice; water brings cured game, walnut wine, ginger syrup and figs in honey

Palate: Leafy and earthy with bitter dark chocolate, treacle, umami and chopped walnuts; water adds earthy tobacco, toasted almonds, paprika, balsamic glaze, marzipan and rancio

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