Whisky : Glen Scotia 18 Year SMWS 93.116 “Dystopian cyberman lubricant”

Country/Region : Scotland/Campbeltown

ABV : 50.4%

Cask : Refill Ex-Bourbon Hogshead

Age : 18 Years (Distilled 16 Feb. 2001)

Nose : Industrial with hints of seafood and dessert.  Dirty fireplace, charcoal disposal pit, machine grease, watch oil, metal polish, and wrought iron on a hot day.  Sweeter notes slide in slowly: vanilla, licorice, old shoe polish rag, honey butter, and a clean barbershop.  Grilled prawns and butter garlic crab hide in the background, but come out more with a few drops of water along with used up fireworks.

Palate : Mild flavor profile with an oily almost velvety body.  Layers transition between creamy florals, metallic, and savory maritime.  Floral nutty olive oil, citrus zest, and vanilla yogurt.  Sink cabinet with a leaky pipe, dirty oiled rags, pool chemicals, leather seats, and automotive shop.  Undertones of mineral oil, wet slate, moss, dried nori, and smoldering straw.  

Finish :  Lingering honey, salt, and mineral water.

Score : 7

Mental Image : Secret seafood joint on the docks.

Something Better : Octomore 6Y Sauternes R&BT (similar olive/mineral oil, more smoke/brine)

Something Similar : Caol Ila 17Y “Unpeated Style” (similar mineral oil/maritime, more citrus)

Something Similar : Cragganmore 12 Y, 2019 Special Release (similar olive oil/body, more nutty)

Notes :  This was the first SMWS bottle I ever bought just for myself.  I thought the name was ludicrous and the SMWS Glen Scotia rarely disappoint.  Glen Scotia has consistently been a favorite distillery among our local tasting group.  This was a complex dram with loads of depth and different distinct layers to the palate.  If I could change one thing, I do wish the flavors were even bolder and the finish a bit longer.

The SMWS name does actually sense to me this time— I can see how you might sip on this and get to picturing the Terminator.  There are enough salt-machine-oil notes that I can picture the leather jacket clad robot assassin bearing down on me.  SMWS enjoys a special relationship with Glen Scotia and gets access to casks that show off a variety of, sometimes wildly, different flavor profiles.  This one was unique and quite good— definitely a treat to take off the shelf and share.