Review #5: SMWS Dark Side of the Melon
This bottling came along with our entry into the Scotch Malt Whisky Society. Unfortunately, we think we know why. The SMWS bottlings that we have tried have nearly all been good to exceptional – but this one is sadly a dud. Shame too as we both generally really like Dalmore.
SMWS - Dark Side of the Melon Review
- Score - 5/105/10
Overall
Tasting Notes
First impressions (no water)
Nose: Vanilla, candy sweetness like a Jolly Rancher apple and pear
Palate: Round banana and pear at the front, then ends in a fiery hotness like a white dog whisky that obliterates all taste buds. After about 5 rounds of tasting, there was a flicker of orange and melon on the mid-note before the heat takes over.
With water: Okay this round, we tasted chocolate at the front and a more creamy mouthfeel with melon. Then lingering heat. Still hot.
With more water: “It’s not bad. Okay but also not that great.” Chocolate covered caramels and honey on the front then a refreshing cucumber or melon-y spa day vibe. But there’s still the heat at the end. It’s not the alcohol percentage (we drink a lot of high proof and cask strength whiskies), it’s just… young-tasting. And hot. Did we mention hot.
Overview
Needs a lot of water. And then more water. Finally turns into chocolate and spa day (cucumber and melon) but it took a long time for us to agree with the “melon” in the title and we may have been primed… Okay, we were primed.
Quick overview of our scoring system
Additional Information
- Highland (13.56: 13 is Dalmore, and this is #56 from the distillery bottled so far by SMWS)
- ABV: 60.7
- Cask: Refill barrel
About Scotch Malt Whisky Society
- SMWS is now 25 years old in America and won the world’s best whisky at SF World Spirits Competition in April. We have tasted a lot of amazing SMWS whiskies at the Barrel Thief in Seattle (highly recommend their flight on Sunday for 50% off!)
- Costs a membership fee to be able to purchase their bottles