76.157 Behold The Beast

Behold The Beast is Scotch Malt Whisky Society cask 76.157, a single malt Scotch whisky from the Mortlach distillery (Society distillery code 76) in Speyside. Distilled on 12 July 2006 and bottled at 18 years old, it matured in a first-fill ex-oloroso butt. SMWS released it in its Creators Collection under the theme "Tales of the worm tub", highlighting the worm tub condensers used at the distillery. Like every Society release it was bottled at natural cask strength, in this case 54.3% ABV, with no chill filtration. SMWS labels carry a number rather than the distillery's name, because a single cask often tastes quite unlike the distillery's usual house style.

Nose: Bruised apple in brandy, treacle and funky rum, dried figs and banana bread with brown sugar; water brings strawberry daiquiri, French martini, tinned peach and sticky pine.

Palate: A spicy warmth of ginger, chilli and white pepper over apple chutney, sultanas, coal tar and orange bitters.

Finish: Nutmeg, ginger beer, dried fruit and chocolate orange biscuits.

Serve: Taste it neat first, then add a few drops of water; at 54.3% ABV a little dilution opens up further aromas, as the Society's panel found.