Ardnamurchan – 2015 SMWS 149.7 (70cl, 61.7%)

This is a seven-year-old Highland single malt from Ardnamurchan, bottled by the Scotch Malt Whisky Society under the code 149.7. It comes from a single first-fill ex-Oloroso butt and was bottled at a cask strength of 61.7%, with an outturn of 650 bottles in 70cl size. The nose is described as thick, syrupy sherry with fragrant smoke, roasted peanuts, red berries and sugary toffee. On the palate come tinned fruit, blood orange and dried herbs, topped with cinnamon, ginger and ash. With water it turns to syrup, toffee and honey, then peat-smoked flatbread, dark berry jam and roasted peaches with thyme, ending on a light, mead-like sweetness.