Peat and sherry is a great combo, though sometimes it can be a bit like a shouting match between a foghorn and a washing machine full of pots and pans. Thankfully, this one shows off a welcome harmony between the two. It's a marvellous variation of Seaweed & Aeons & Digging & Fire, featuring the same smoky 10 year old Islay single malt, though instead of just 25% of it being finished in sherry casks, the entirety of the whisky was finished in them. The powerfully peaty notes at its core are mellowed by just enough sherry sweetness, making for a superbly well-balanced flavour profile.
Oatcakes, vegetal peat, hot Ribena, assorted BBQ meats, molasses, clove-studded orange, and just a hint of chocolate mousse.
Cinder toffee, cinnamon, peat still shining through, a slow build of red grape and jammy raisin, with some citrus lift. A subtle touch of singed hay later on.
Meaty malt returns, with warm oak in support. The red grape tannins continue and last on the finish.
A top expression that shows what can happen when peat and sherry meet without clashing against each other.
It's a rather basic bottle being 40%, hence my expectations weren't too high. That said, it's a nicely balanced dram, with hints of peat and sherry, so will be nice for someone looking for an entry bottle to those profiles. Should be 3 star, but other reviews need to be balanced a little.
I’m not sure what some of the other reviewers were drinking, but it certainly wasn’t the same as mine. It’s a 40% whisky from Islay with a sherry finish, it delivers as promised and is a very balanced and pleasant drink, perhaps too easy drinking, none of the flavours are too forward or aggressive, it’s neither tcp nor watery, I suspect reviewers suggesting that haven’t sampled much of the Islay delights or are treating it like something a little stronger. Great easy drinking balanced dram
Balanced enough, but there seems to be lack of punch in all areas too. Lovely wee dram but not world ending good value.
Very underwhelming. I bought 3 for 2 bottles when on offer having been delighted with the excellent cask strengths offering. This didn't feel anywhere near. It felt overly diluted, bland, and totally underwhelming. No length in the finish. Once swallowed, instantly forgotten. Wish I had alcohol measuring equipment, I doubt that was 40%.
really not pleasant harsh tcp taste. after much deliberation and review reading bought this for my son. extremely disappointed.
