55.87 The Stage Is Set

Scotch Malt Whisky Society 55.87, The Stage Is Set, is a 16 year old Highland single malt from the Royal Brackla distillery (SMWS distillery code 55). Distilled on 5 August 2006, it started in two ex-bourbon hogsheads that the Society combined at thirteen years old into a first-fill oloroso ex-bodega butt for further maturation and marrying. It was bottled at a cask strength of 56.3% ABV, with an outturn of 394 bottles. The Society classes it as Spicy & dry. Its Tasting Panel set the scene in a Jerez sherry bodega - earth, wood, mushrooms and maturing sherry - before finding a savoury, umami palate of garlicky greens and chilli, with marmalade and pastrami on rye after reduction. As with all SMWS bottlings it is unchill-filtered at natural cask strength.

Nose: A sherry bodega on a hot Jerez evening - earth, wood, mushrooms and maturing sherry; water leads into a candlelit wine cellar with grilled marmalade sandwiches and pastrami on rye

Palate: Umami-rich, like broccoli rabe sauteed with garlic, olive oil and chilli flakes

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