41.173 Flamenco Floorboard Fantasy

Scotch Malt Whisky Society cask 41.173, Flamenco Floorboard Fantasy, is a single cask single malt Scotch whisky from Dailuaine in Speyside (SMWS distillery code 41). Distilled on 7 May 2008, it spent 10 years in an oloroso butt before being transferred to a first-fill Spanish oak Pedro Ximénez butt, and was bottled at 15 years old. It was bottled at a cask strength of 56% ABV, with an outturn of 494 bottles. The Society files it under its Deep, rich & dried fruits flavour profile. Sherry leads the way, with balsamic-drizzled figs, lemon zest and leather on the nose, then treacle tart, red liquorice, dried fruit and mulled spice on the palate, finishing dry with halva, cinnamon and cigar notes. Like every Society bottling it is bottled at cask strength without chill filtration.

Nose: Balsamic on figs, lemon zest, leather shoes and wine-stained floorboards; water adds vanilla custard slice, black tea, pumpernickel and molasses

Palate: Treacle tart, red liquorice, dried fruit and pomegranate molasses with mulled spices; water brings dark chocolate, raisins and blackcurrant

Finish: Drying, with halva, cinnamon and cigar butts

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