63.60 - Archaeopteryx Paella

7 years old, distilled 20th September 2012, 66.5% abv, Second Fill Ex-Pedro Ximenez Butt, 559 bottles, dram price A

SMWS 63.60 - Archaeopteryx paellaThe nose has créme brulée, sherry, furniture polish, oranges, and hints of walnuts. The mouthfeel is thin with no cling. The body has oranges, tangerines, caramel, cinder toffee, walnuts and macadamia nuts with a hint of old polished oak furniture. The finish has old polished oak, oranges, cinder toffee and walnuts.

Water brings out thick, rapidly expanding whorling that dissipates without mottling. The nose gains cinder toffee and loses the furniture polish. The body gains more cinder toffee and oranges, and loses the tangerines somewhat. The finish gains more cinder toffee, more oranges and some cinnamon.

What does a young sherried whisky need? More sherry! In this case it worked, and has produced a sherry monster of rather epic proportions. With a very stupid name.

One for winter afternoons.

Technical score: 4/5

Personal preference: I’d have another dram.

This whisky was provided by the SMWS in a preview session - thanks to them for that. Full editorial control has been retained in the tasting process.