SMWS 39.96 The Sultan's treasure chest

SMWS 39.96 The Sultan's Treasure Chest, 29 YO, 55,0 %

Today we have a whisky from a Speyside distillery owned by Diageo. This is a Linkwood, 29 years old. The SMWS 39.96 The Sultan's treasure chest was distilled back in 1984, on September 4. It has been matured in a refill bourbon hogshead, and the outturn was a mere 131 bottles. Rare stuff, in other words.

This is how SMWS themselves describe the whisky:

Be transported by magic carpet to an exoic land. Open the treasure chest to find manuka honeycomb, orange and macadamia. Chocolate orange, perfumed camphor and jasmine mingle with star anise and cardamom. Creme caramel and baked apples sooth. 'A joy!'

Nose (23/25): Vanilla, oranges, marshmallows, and nuts - almonds and unsalted peanuts. It is slightly perfumed, with mild honey and some waxiness. Warm and quite a bit of oak influence. With water: add green, waxy apples!

Taste (22/25): Sweet and refined. Sparkling, almost like a sweet Prosecco. Mild honey, runny syrup, white pepper and some citrus notes. With water: more spices, and now also featuring mint and peppermint.

Finish (22/25): A bit shy and closed, I think. Medium to long finish, with hints of honey. After a few sips it feels warmer and more oily. With water: peppermint!

Balance (22/25): A very nice dram. It was a good thing they bottled it now, another couple of years and I believe the cask would have taken over the show completely here. As it is now, it is very well balanced.

Score (89/100)

Sláinte! - Thomas