ABV: 57.8 %
Origin: Islands
Type: Single Malt
Bottles in collection: 0
Emptied bottles: 0
Impression: 5/5

Tasting notes
Nose: This is sweet fruits and peat. At first there’s a sweet mix of honey, vanilla and peaches. There’s a minerality inside as well as a hint of dry soil. When it starts to settle the peatiness moves up along the edges and brings some coastal notes with it. It feels a bit fresher than its age but it does have a deeper side and complexity to it. The old oakiness slowly emerges with a good portion of time in the glass. This is a fantastic nose with a lot to offer to both the casual drinker and the explorer.

Mouth: It starts out with the peat around the edges. It has a lot more smokiness to it than on the nose and it’s still mineral rich. The center part is spicy, yet brings forward peaches and honey. It’s here the age shows itself as well with old oak and dusty leather bound books. The background notes are slightly bitter and nutty with coffee and walnuts. The high ABV never mellows and it’s an extremely powerful experience.

Finish: The transition is very logical and it doesn’t move too far in any direction. The peaches and honey, together with vanilla and old oak, create the first part of the finish, while the peat slowly moves back. The minerality disappears and gives way to some coastal notes, but it still maintains the same overall character. The oakiness is now spreading out on the palate and joins the walnuts and coffee for a very long and rewarding finish which seems to last forever. This is an absolutely marvellous dram overall.

Additional information
This whisky was aged for in refill ex-sherry casks. It’s a 2004 diageo special release limited to 21000 bottles.

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