53.517 Kraken Calamari

Scotch Malt Whisky Society cask 53.517, Kraken Calamari, is a 13 year old Islay single malt from the Caol Ila distillery (SMWS distillery code 53). Distilled on 5 March 2012, it spent nine years in a bourbon hogshead before being moved to a first-fill American oak oloroso hogshead, and was bottled at a cask strength of 58% ABV with an outturn of 254 bottles. In the Society's Bold & peaty profile, the Tasting Panel described a classic fusion of Islay peat and sherry cask: concentrated peat, tar and iodine on the nose, then a thick, savoury palate of olive tapenade, preserved lemon and smoked sardine that turns deeply umami with water and ends on smoked sea salt. As with all SMWS bottlings it is unchill-filtered at cask strength.

Nose: Sweet, concentrated peat with tar, tarred ropes, creel nets, roof pitch and iodine; water brings rauchbier, bacon jam and deeper, creamier smoke

Palate: Thick, tarry and peaty with black olive tapenade, preserved lemon, sardines in smoked olive oil and salted liquorice; reduced, black miso, anchovy, soy and smoky ramen broth

Finish: Smoked sea salt

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