Sunday, 26 November 2023

SMWS 2016 149.3 A Walk in the Woods The New Wave 6 yo

 
 
 
60,6°
Distillery : Ardnamurchan - Highlands 
1st Fill American Oak Pedro Ximénez Butt
Independent Bottling 
By Scotch Malt Whisky Society 
Limited Edition 
Single Cask 
Bottled in 2023
Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength
Totally Unpeated



To celebrate its 40th anniversary, the Scotch Malt Whisky Society, a trading company and connoisseurs' club founded in 1983 by Pip Hills, has decided to take an interest in promising young distilleries, and has even launched a small series for the occasion, The New Wave, which brings together 6 bottlings so far. And among them this one, from Ardnamurchan, a young distillery founded in 2014 and owned by Adelphi, another highly reputable trading company. The maturation is original, as it is a Pedro Ximénez Sherry cask, but of American oak, whereas Sherry casks are generally built with European oak. 650 bottles were supplied, and sold primarily in the USA.




Let's Taste It : 
On the nose, it is costal and at the same time pastry-like. I recognise the impetuous ardour of youth, with iodine, kelp, the power of the swell, but also Granny Smith apples, cream, mille-feuilles, icing sugar. Sabayon, pastry cream on the palate, slightly syrupy and leafy, autumn leaves, acorns and bark. Expressive spices, cloves, cumin. The finish is long and explosive, with some maritime fragrances, a trail of salt, but also humus, vegetal moss, damp black earth.

In Short, 
While there are indeed forestry elements in this bottle, it also has maritime notes and some lovely pastry flavours. You can smell the youth, but it's powerful and full-bodied, which can also be an advantage. All in all, not bad at all! A bit more than remarkable, it's really good. On the other hand, the price is too high in my opinion, especially as you also have to pay a membership fee to be allowed to buy it. However, if you're interested, they still have 17.
Score : 89
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :
 
                                           The Sonic Rootz - Wheels are Turning

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