It’s been some time since i posted notes for a SMWS bottling. I have quite a few i should be tasting (arranged samples from latest outruns with the help of #whiskyfabric). This one however was a sample swap I did with Johanne (@whiskylassie) who’s now touring Scotland and is having some fun (so it seems). I normally associate single grain with sweet, bourbon-y whiskies, but as we’re about to see, that is not always the situation. This is what I love about whisky, each cask is so different, that the spectrum of aromas and flavours is just so vast.
SMWS G1.8 [North British] – ‘A bag of assorted boiled sweets’, 62.9% 21 yo 
Nose: A rather funny nose at first. Certainly not something I was expecting from a single grain. Herbal even leafy. Freshly cut stems. A hint of aniseed. With water it opens up a bit to reveal sweeter tones and hunt of vanilla under a vegetative veil.
Palate: Splash! It’s strong and the initial avalanche of flavours is huge. Sweeter than the nose. Pastries. Vanilla flan. Star anise. Liquorice. Pepper. Very intense and oily.
Finish: spicy. Peppery. Anise and spices. Quite long.
Very enjoyable and surprising. with a nice balance, and good mouthfeel. A good cask. Now sold out… Or should i say : more than average?