And so here we are, at the end of the 3rd year of operations for this blog. I would like to take this time to thank each and every one of you for your continued support and there are some really great whiskies which will be reviewed in the next year, so keep an eye out for them!

This special review to commemorate the last post of the year focuses on another expression from the SMWS which was distilled on 4th April 1995, matured for the first 20 years in an ex-bourbon cask before being finished in a first-fill American oak PX hogshead before and bottled at a cask strength abv of 51.6% by the Society for Feis Ile 2017.

So, let’s jump right into the review!

SMWS 29.211 “Jazzy Jousting Haslitude” (51.6% abv)

Colour: Rosewood

Nose: Initial entry presents a dark, rich and dense nose which is sherried and peaty in equal measure. The peat is of the dirty and dusky variety that one would traditionally associate with the distillery from which it comes. Liquorice, iodine and creosote emerge shortly after and are complemented by flint, sea salt, wet slate, allspice and oak. White pepper and limestone emerge later on. (23/25)

Palate: Initial entry presents more of the dark, rich and dense profile and the sherry is quite apparent as well. To get an idea as to what it would taste like, think of a peat smoke infused sherried Christmas cake. The elements from the nose filter through slowly and there is a wonderful buttery texture to the palate. Toasted almonds, tobacco pouch, worn leather and green chili emerge late on to accentuate the complexity. (24/25)

Finish: Long, lingering and complex on the finish. A veritable symphony of flavours culminating in a harmonious intermingling of sherry, spice, peat and oak. (23/25)

Balance: A supremely well-balanced expression which exhibits all the classics notes that one would expect from this particular distillery. The PX finish provides another dimension to the overall flavour profile and it even gives us a glimpse into what one of the distillery’s travel retail exclusives would nose and taste like at an older age (HINT HINT). The mouthfeel is oily for the most part. (23/25)

Rating: 93/100

This was my favourite dram out of all that I tried during my visit to the Kaleidoscope Bar in London back in June and it was fitting that it was the last for the evening. I’m not sure if the bar still has a bottle of it, but I would highly recommend it to anyone in the event that they do.

Until the next post, have a Happy and Wonderful New Year!

See you in 2018 for more reviews!

Slainte!

Brendan

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