53.485 Supernaturally sweet smoke (Malt of the Month)

Description

The final of our Winter Series bottlings (actually, this time) is taking place as Malt of the Month this March — a 13-year-old sherried peat bomb from Distillery 53, a distillery which is often referred to as “Mr Consistent”. This one was bottled to celebrate Halloween; we got no word that we were receiving this bottle, yet in a mysterious and haunting turn of events, it suddenly appeared in our warehouse…just begging to be enjoyed by our members! 10/3 year split between ex-bourbon and a 1st fill American oak oloroso hogshead imparts some confectionery breakfast notes that carry onto the late afternoon summer barbecue with honey-soy chicken drumsticks from Woolies and a perfect (yet liberal) peppering of ash on the palate. Available for $239, down from $279 on Outturn day — grab yours and complete the S.M.W.S Winter Series set.

Tasting Notes: After 10 years in ex-bourbon wood, this was transferred into a first fill American oak oloroso hogshead. The nose combined muirburn, burnt straw and pipe racks (smoke, ash, old wood) with black tea, dark chocolate and sticky honey glaze on roast pork. The smoke intensified on the palate, swirling around with roasting coffee, toasted pistachios and pumpkin seeds, golden syrup on burnt toast and a tingling finish of chilli, cardamom and smoked paprika. The reduced nose found old ship’s timbers and hints of plastic on beach bonfires. The palate now had roasted chestnuts, burnt coconut and apple sauce on five-spice belly pork.