35.404 The Fruity Sawmill

Glen Moray 11 Year Old 2014, Scotch Malt Whisky Society cask 35.404 The Fruity Sawmill, is a single cask single malt Scotch from the Glen Moray distillery in the Speyside region (SMWS distillery code 35). Distilled on 31 March 2014, it was matured for 11 years in a second-fill ex-bourbon barrel and bottled at a natural cask strength of 61.5% ABV, with an outturn of just 188 bottles. The Society places it in its Ripe fruits & honey flavour profile, and its Tasting Panel describes a fresh, woody and fruity dram of pine, peach and lavender. 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: Freshly milled pine, lemon-soaked newspaper baked in the sun and straw hats with lavender; water brings oak chips, forest floor and apple-cinnamon rolls

Palate: Peach iced tea with lavender marshmallows and chocolate bitters; water adds vanilla milkshake, plum sauce and crystallised ginger

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