SMWS 42.52 Wood smoke through a porthole

Posted 16 April 2021 by Matt / In Tobermory
The Dramble reviews SMWS 42.52 Wood smoke through a porthole

Bottle Name: 42.52 Wood smoke through a porthole

ABV: 58.3%
Distillery: Tobermory
Bottler: Scotch Malt Whisky Society
Flavour Profile: Peated
Region: Islands Age: 13

After a couple of years of limited releases from my favourite SMWS number, members have been treated to a swathe of new peated 42s (remember the number also covers unpeated Tobermory) over the past 12 months. This latest iteration is a 13 year old that’s been matured in a refill ex-bourbon hogshead.

Nose: Wild and far-reaching. A seafood medley particularly heavy with fresh oysters. A plasticine and rubber eraser factory billowing coal smoke out of its chimney. A lunchtime roast served with aromatic herbs and strips of bacon and a weird but wonderful combination of miso paste, smoked cheese and antiseptic cream. Always down for this. Dilution shines a light on a more farmy/barny character with wet hay, blue cheese and hung lamb played off against crab and glue sticks.

Taste: Sharpley mineral on the arrival with chiselled granite, powdered chalk and rock salt. Then a creamier, stranger centre with prawn bisque, soy and balsamic glazed belly pork and puffing steam ship smoke. Pine needles and floor cleaners follow alongside a squeeze of lemon and both wire wool and real wool - from a sheep. Water offers a much sweeter aspect with smoked fruit salad, lemon gel and peaches with cream – all served with BBQ briquettes – as you do.

Finish: Quite long and offering a fading combination of coasts, cliffs, smoke, sweet and sour fruits and meats.

An archetypal Ledaig that delivers a wonderfully wide-ranging adventure through land, sea, orchard and farm. Fans of this profile (and I make zero apologies) will find a lot to like here.

Score: 87/100


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