66.114 - The 1920 summer Olympics

16 years old, distilled 26th November 2001, 51.9% abv, First Fill Ex-Charred Red Wine Barrique, 177 bottles, dram price C

SMWS 66.114 - The 1920 summer OlympicsThe nose has walnuts, hickory smoke, red berries and warm sherry. The mouthfeel is thin with no cling. The body is a little quiet - but builds up nicely. Hickory smoke, red berries, warm sherry and a hint of coal smoke. The finish has hickory smoke, coal bunkers and hints of fruit.

Water brings thin, compact whorling that settles into brief mottling. The nose gains banana and oak notes, and more of the coal dust. The body gains banana and glace cherries, but loses nothing. The finish gains more coal smoke and a hint of cherry.

None of these flavours should work together, but they do. And what a dram!

One for summer evenings.

Technical score: 4.5/5

Personal preference: I'd like more than one bottle.