53.485 Supernaturally Sweet Smoke

Scotch Malt Whisky Society cask 53.485, Supernaturally Sweet Smoke, is a 13 year old Islay single malt from the Caol Ila distillery (SMWS distillery code 53). Distilled on 27 April 2011, it spent ten years in ex-bourbon wood before being transferred to a first-fill American oak oloroso hogshead, and was bottled at a cask strength of 56.3% ABV with an outturn of 246 bottles. The Society classes it as Peated. Its Tasting Panel describes heather-burning smoke, ash and old wood alongside black tea, dark chocolate and honey-glazed pork on the nose, a palate where the smoke builds around roasting coffee, toasted seeds and golden syrup, and a tingling, spicy finish. As with all SMWS bottlings it is unchill-filtered and at natural cask strength.

Nose: Muirburn, burnt straw and pipe racks with black tea, dark chocolate and honey-glazed roast pork; water adds old ship's timbers and beach bonfires

Palate: Intensifying smoke with roasting coffee, toasted pistachio and pumpkin seed, golden syrup on burnt toast; reduced, roasted chestnut, burnt coconut and apple sauce on five-spice pork belly

Finish: Tingling chilli, cardamom and smoked paprika

Serve: Neat, then with a few drops of water; at full cask strength it opens up noticeably with a little dilution.