SMWS Scrumptious! Batch 33 2008 17 Year Old Speyside Single Malt Scotch

SMWS Scrumptious! Batch 33 is a 17-year-old Speyside single malt distilled on 11 March 2008 and released as part of the Society’s experimental Heresy range. The whisky spent its first 15 years in ex-bourbon wood before a portion was transferred into first-fill STR barriques seasoned with Calvados. The final marriage combines second-fill bourbon barrels with the Calvados-seasoned barriques, creating a distinctive profile of baked apples, dried fruit, custard, citrus, tobacco and warming spice. It was bottled at 50% ABV. 

Food Pairing: Apple tarte tatin, crème brûlée, baked apples, mature cheddar, roasted pork or almond pastries.

Tasting Notes: Rich orchard fruit and dessert-like sweetness meet earthy, mature notes, with the unusual Calvados-seasoned wood contributing baked and stewed apple character alongside citrus, spice and tannin. 

Nose: Dried apricot, toffee apple and tarte tatin with custard, accompanied by hay and mature earthy notes. 

Palate: Stewed apples, honey sponge cake and mature wine notes develop into tobacco, gentle herbs and warming spice over a velvety texture.

Finish: Dark fruit, citrus, tobacco, chipotle-like spice and cassia bark, supported by a drying tannic backbone. 

Serve: Enjoy neat initially. A small amount of water can reveal additional lemon zest, stewed plum, cherry, Cognac-like notes and white chocolate.