Heavily Peated Islay, Experimental Series, 54,1%

Review #649

This is from Leith Stillroom. I don´t know much about them, except that it is a place for experiments. This is bottle number 5 of batch 1 of the “Heavily Peated Islay aged in toasted barrel for 6 months”. It is a Blended Malt from two Islay distilleries. Loads of Islay peat at first in the smell. Some earthy notes as you know from the likes of Ardbeg as well. Oak and hints of sugary sweetness in the background.

More oak, like heavy charred oak, is coming forward in the taste. Still very, and I mean very, peated! It mixes beautifully with the alcohol. The earthy notes is present as well and carries on to the finish alongside the oak.

It is a very fine Islay malt, but if I have to put my finger on something, it would have to be that it is missing some complexity. The oak from the maturation is very dominant, but haven’t contributed much else to the whisky. But if you like a simple cask strength Islay malt, this is you! I will give this 87/100 (22/22/22/21).