First, I want to admit that I bought this for the label. I thought it was rather garish and outlandish, its early 2000s photoshop vibe gave it a very different feel than the cartoony style that once dominated SMWS bottles. I cannot recall another quite like this.

Beyond the label, I was confident that a young peated whisky with some sherry matured stock in it would not disappoint. It might not astound, but it would be good enough that I would not regret buying based on the label.

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Whisky: SMWS “Tar Pit” 9 Year (2011) Blended Malt

Country/Region: Scotland/Islay

ABV: 50%

Cask: Bourbon Hogshead, PX Butt

Age: 9 Years (Distilled 27 April 2011, Bottled 2020)

Notes: A beach park grill was alight with maritime delights as the breeze from a freshly paved parking lot brought the aroma of warm asphalt with grilled shellfish. Burnt grass, cigarette butts, and dusty earth lay in the background beyond grilled shrimps, oysters, and cuttlefish— a touch of mesquite wood and medicinal herbs appeared with time. The aroma was brash and youthful, there was no mistaking the peaty sherry profile. Medium-bodied on the palate, though on the lighter side, fruits and caramelized sugars hit first, followed by a briny surf mist, soot, and finally a touch of asphalt and burnt bitter medicinal herbs. Shellfish and mesquite wood appeared at times with charred grass, dirty grill tops, and cigarette butts which provided some connection between the briny shore and parking lot. The finish was medium to long with a touch of pepper, ash, and charred medicinal herbs.

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Score: 6 (79)

Mental Image: Carried away at the Beach Camp

Conclusion: Brash, young, and full of peat, this was a straightforward whisky suited for evenings when I wanted simple fare. I assume this was primarily a blend of Caol Ila and Laphroaig, the flavor profile certainly felt that way (even a bit Ardbeg-esque at times, but I doubt they would have spent a cask of that in the blend). Released in 2020, the component malts originated in 2011 or earlier, which predates most of the heavily peated Bunnahabhain that has been released by the society— though I know there are casks from earlier in the 2000s. Either way, it was fine whisky and about what you expect from young peated Islay blend.

In conclusion, we need more dinosaur labels.