Single Malt
Scotland
Allt-a-Bhainne
The first official whisky from Allt-á-Bhainne distillery, which has previously produced liquid to be used in Chivas Regal blends or the occasional independent bottling. The inspiration behind this single malt Scotch whisky was to blend peat and smoky notes with classic Speyside elements.
The bottle design attempts to honour the '70s style of the distillery with its distinctive geometric shape.
This bottle was part of a private collection - if you'd like more detailed photos just get in touch!
Smoky malt and a prickle of white pepper spice blend with toffee apples, buttery pastry, a hint of heather and toasted oak.
Butterscotch, roasted apricot and honey provide sweetness among gingerbread and cinnamon spice and earthy peat.
A long finish has plenty of drying smoke and fizzing spice.
I don't know where you get all this fruit and peat, maybe my taste buds have aged. I much prefer the nose, the aroma took me back to Scotland and I will recommend it to the olfactory experts.
A very decent sweet (but not overly) peaty scotch, nicely balanced but I wouldn't pay over £25, there's sweetness and smoke but not a lot of depth.
As per the 'sceptical' review below: quite nice but a bit leathery, which disguises the taste for a while. Again, £20 from Morrison's was fine, but would be upset if I'd paid 37.
I was very sceptical about mixing peat and Speyside. However, at £20 I decided to give it a go and was not disappointed. At this price, a traffic bargain. I would hesitate though, to fork out the £37 from which it was reduced in Morrison’s. I concur with your assessment of the Chaps above- although I had to have three goes before I detected peat.
I don't think this marriage of malts works. Perhaps Chivas should stick to what it is good at instead of blundering into the malt market with a bland and instantly forgettable blend.
