Nordic whisky #218 - Smögen Single Cask Edition No. 5 Cask 51/2011

Smögen Single Cask Edition No. 5 Cask 51/2011, 6 YO, 64 %

Time for more Swedish quality whisky from Smögen. The Smögen Single Cask Edition No. 5 Cask 51/2011 has been matured in an American white oak sherry hogshead. The cask was filled on 2011-10-23, and bottled 2018-03-18. The total outturn was 422 bottles.

The cask used in this instance was a sherry seasoned cask, and the seasoning was done at the distillery. Here is a quick quote from The Ladies’ Share blog:

“A new cask was filled with Oloroso sherry and held the sherry for six months. Then the cask was emptied before filled with new make. The malt is based on barley grown on the farm, literally on the threshold of the distillery”

You can still get a hold of this whisky at Master of Malt at GBP 150.

"The cask was sherry seasoned at the distillery.  A new cask was filled with Oloroso sherry and held the sherry for six months. Then the cask was emptied before filled with new make. The malt is based on barley grown on the farm, literally on the threshold of the distillery!"

Nose: A peated sherry hug. A fluffy vanilla, peat, sherry cloud. Smoky white chocolate. Toasted oak chips. Smoked bacon. Pine forest in the distance. More chocolate with time - leaning towards milk chocolate now, or a rich chocolate milkshake. Soft notes or citrus and oak in the background.

Taste: Super potent stuff! Whew, is this jet fuel or whisky? Wow! Heavily peated. Greener on the palate than on the nose - cut grass, mint and pine wood. Relatively sweet - summer fruits and floral honey. Icing sugar and vanilla.

Finish: Medium long finish. Does not really develop a whole lot, but what's there is consistent, clearly defined and lovely. Perhaps a touch of salt now, and some of the citrus the nose hinted at.

Comment: To Pär, the Whisky Rocketman!

Score 90/100

Sláinte!
_ Thomas