SMWS Distillery 3 Rare Release The Finesse of a Fragrant Furnace 18 Year Old 2004

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society’s The Finesse of a Fragrant Furnace is an 18 Year Old Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky created for the 2023 Festival Rare Releases. Distilled on 16 February 2004, this small-batch release combines whisky matured in second-fill Bourbon and Oloroso hogsheads and was bottled at natural 56.9% ABV cask strength. Its peated maritime character combines fragrant floral notes, tropical fruit, wax, coastal salinity and tarry smoke, with charred pineapple, toasted coconut and eucalyptus adding further complexity.

Food Pairing: Smoked salmon, grilled shellfish, barbecued pork, charred pineapple, mature cheese or dark chocolate.

Tasting Notes: A complex combination of maritime peat smoke, tropical fruit and floral character, supported by waxy, tarry and herbal notes.

Nose: Fragrant flowers and scorched watermelon mingle with molten wax, tarry smoke, seaweed and coastal salinity.

Palate: Juicy charred pineapple and toasted coconut with buttery richness, eucalyptus and coal-tar smoke.

Finish: Long and smoky with maritime character, sweet phenols, herbs, peach skin and lingering antiseptic peat.

Serve: Enjoy neat and allow it time to open in the glass. At 56.9% ABV, a small amount of water can bring forward more floral, maritime and sweet-smoke character.