SMWS 10.85 Live life on the edge

SMWS 10.85 Live life on the edge, 17 YO, 55,8 %

Here is the second dram I had when visiting the Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS) venue in London last week. The SMWS 10.85 Live life on the edge is a whisky distilled at Bunnahabhain Distillery on Islay. This whisky was distilled 1998-04-30 and bottled in 2015. It was matured in a 2nd fill ex-sherry butt, with a total outturn of 600 bottles.

Here are the tasting notes from SMWS:

Aromas neat; new leather riding boots and Bovril with Maggi seasoning sauce. The flavour was sweet and thick like sponge pudding. Water released the image of horse riding on a beach during a shower, finishing with a glass of Amontillado.

You can apparently only buy the SMWS 10.85 Live life on the edge as part of the YOLO case of six bottles in the latest outturn from SMWS. The YOLO case is sold at GBP 339.

Nose (20/25): Notes of soft rubber and cooked eggs. Leather, fresh fruits, oak, soft spices and hints of curry. A bit strange, and I am not a huge fan of rubber-y notes.

Taste (20/25): Spicy! ...and soft. Still notes of rubber - the taste of a birthday balloon of the old type (the ones you had to actually fill with air yourself). Hints of sulphur. Peppery and slightly raw.

Finish (20/25): Medium long finish. Sweet and fruity. Nuts (mainly almonds) and cooked eggs. Homemade caramel pudding. Hints of herbs.

Balance (20/25): This was a bit of a let down. It is not a bad dram, but I was perhaps hoping for more. Strange that this is actually a 2nd fill sherry butt, as the cask influence feels quite strong.

Score (80/100)

Sláinte! - Thomas