The SMWS 33.124 An Engineer’s Lunchbox has a very appropriate name. The combination of smoky meaty flavors mixing with the lighter, sweeter and fruitier notes easily conjure an appropriate mental image. Jerky or salami, some kind of smoked meat, a rustic bread with some fruit and a small piece of candy for after. Sounds good to me.
If you’re not familiar with them, the Single Malt Whisky Society (SMWS) is a group of folks in the UK who curate an every changing, almost always delicious, line-up of single casks that they’ve bottled. To be a part of the society costs $229 a year and gives you access to all kinds of things like tastings, their member’s rooms and of course the opportunity to buy their bottles of whisky. However, since you can’t really partake in most of the benefits without first buying a plane ticket I’ve never become a member myself.
SMWS 33.124 An Engineer’s Lunchbox Info
Region: Islay, Scotland
Distiller: Ardbeg
Age: 7 years
ABV: 59.7%
Price: $100+
Caks: Sherry
Non-Chill Filtered
Natural Color
Cask Strength
Cask: 4
Distilled: 8-16-2005
Bottled: 10-3-2012
SMWS 33.124 An Engineer’s Lunchbox Review
EYE
New copper roof
NOSE
Peat, hazelnuts, iodine, ash and smoked meat come first followed by banana, butterscotch, vanilla, spice, citrus peel and a light hint of Tootsie Rolls and sherry. Odd, but awesome combination that I’m enjoying quite a bit. A bit of water kicks up the overall savory character of the nose along with some caramel while simultaneously tempering some of the sweetness.
PALATE
Peat, orchard fruit, vanilla, cocoa, honey and smoked meat are the main attractions with graham crackers, spice, saline and a malty sherry sweetness playing on the side stages. A nice pleasant flavor overall. Water kicks up some caramel, peat and savory spice while pulling the sweet down a notch or two.
FINISH
Long and fueled by peat and fruit with some interesting smoky, ashy, oily and woody aspects to it as it fades out.
BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
A great balance to it all the way through. A rich full body and heavy oily texture complete this dram fantastically.
OVERALL
SMWS 33.124 An Engineer’s Lunchbox is a great whisky and if you ever have the chance to snag yourself a bottle do it. The nose is warm, peaty, sweet and spicy, the palate mimics the basic sentiment and there is an overall meatiness to it that helps balance it all out and acts as the common thread throughout. This is a very nice whisky and I wish I had a whole bottle!
SCORE: 89/100
