89.22 Melts In The Mouth

Scotch Malt Whisky Society cask 89.22, Melts In The Mouth, is a 15 year old single cask single malt Scotch whisky from the Tomintoul distillery in the Speyside region (SMWS distillery code 89). Distilled on 21 April 2009, it spent 13 years in an ex-bourbon hogshead before transfer to a first-fill American oak oloroso hogshead. It was bottled at cask strength, 61.4% ABV in a 700 ml bottle, with an outturn of 271 bottles, and the Society files it under its Deep, rich & dried fruits flavour profile. Dark fruit, butterscotch and custard pastries on the nose carry through to a palate accented with black pepper and sea salt that melts into Turkish delight; water adds dates, red wine and nuts. Like all Society bottlings, it is presented without chill filtration.

Nose: Plump dark fruits, pine needle tea, butterscotch, custard croissants and battenberg cake; water adds rich mahogany

Palate: Dark fruit and butterscotch with cracked black pepper and sea salt, melting into Turkish delight; water adds dates, red wine and mixed nuts

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