by 
SMWS 44.52 The Artist, the Brewer and the Baker. 22 year old single cask from Craigellachie Distillery, Speyside, Scotland. ABV: 52.1%. Tasted at home, 100mL tasting bottle as part of SMWS new members’ welcome pack.
Colour: Brilliant light yellow gold; like a fresh glass of clear apple juice.
Nose: Like walking into a wood workshop where craftsmen have been working on timber furniture; rich sawdust, oils and a hint of varnish.
Palate: Smooth entry onto the tongue, flattens out to a salty taste overall. And then the esters really open up and some amazingly complex flavours fill the mouth. Lots of woody notes again, also a slight suggestion of some dried fruits, like grabbing a handful of some mixed dried fruits like apricots, cranberries and sultanas.
Finish: Oily, warming mouthfeel that lingers predominantly at the front of the mouth. Slow fade of flavours and the tingling sensation.
Comments: I’m a big fan of this one. It’s certainly more interesting than some of the SMWS bottlings I tried at their recent tasting event. Maybe because I got to pour myself a larger serve than they could at the tasting event, giving me the chance to get to know the whisky a little better. More of a long lunch kind of affair rather than speed dating. I’d definitely give this one another chance at a later date.