Whisky : Inchmurrin 15 Year SMWS 112.53 “Sophisticated and seductive”

Country/Region : Scotland/Highland

ABV : 57.4%

Cask : Ex-Bourbon Hogshead 13Y, First Fill Limousin Oak 2Y

Age : 15 Years (Distilled 19 Oct. 2004)

Nose :  Subtle, slowly opens up with curry leaves, melon rinds, lifesavers candy, and waxy citrus skins.  Sweet notes of salted taffy, salted caramel, and fruit punch concentrate begin to develop.  Dried cracked leather, empty cigar boxes, and black tea offer a slightly savory contrast.

Palate : Medium to thick body with pleasant dryness and bright acidity.  Strong floral black tea along with lemon iced cookies and mango jam stuffed pastries.  Fruity notes continue with strawberry icees, fresh coconut water, and fruit punch.  Toward the end came candied notes of grape nerds and juicy fruit gum develop.

Finish :  Medium length strawberry pop rocks with a mild wood astringency and waxy mouthfeel.

Score : 5

Mental Image : Arnold Palmer by the Pool

Something Better : Glen Moray 11Y SMWS 35.254 (similar pastry/tea, more chocolate/coffee)

Something Similar :  Glenlivet 16Y Nàdurra (similar fruits and tea, less waxy/mouthfeel)

Something Worse : Bladnoch 21Y; Gordon & MacPhail (similar melon/tea, more pastries)

Notes : This Inchmurrin had a wonderful contrast between savory-salty and sweet tropical fruit punch.  The nose on this varied between beautiful fruity candies and all sorts of complex dark caramel and leather notes.  In the background the impression of dry tea leaves shifted occasionally toward a richer tobacco leaf before circling back around to smoked dried tea.  While there was so much going on here the dram always returned back to a pleasant fruity profile.  The only thing really lacking was the finish which was a bit overly dry and a bit too short— if that finish carried on and some of the fruits lingered, this would easily be a solid B or potentially a bit higher.  Overall, I love a good tropical fruit forward dram and this delivered a solid experience.