Taster

Nose: Young, phenolic and heavily peated with dusty and sweet peat. Hints of seaweed, iodine, manure and sugar coated barley follow. Water emphasises the oils.

Palate: Peat! Dusty, sooty and smoky. Hints of iodine and salt on the middle. Water brings out some waxy fruit.

Finish: Long, dusty and sooty again, with an alcohol intensified saltiness. Water doesn’t really open it up.

Comment: It appears to be a blend of peated malts. Could benefit from a little light and shade.

Score: 8.1

Taster

Nose: Young and spirity, masked somewhat by smoke, but let it settle and it works for you, giving rich smoked cream, chamois leather and mint.

Palate: Here the spirit shows a little more with some bitter oak, smoke, citric acid and grapefruit pith all wrapped up in classic Islay smoke.

Finish: Reminds me of my first trip to Islay, cask strength goodness!

Comment: If you don’t like smoke, stay away. Like flying to Islay, you strap yourself in and hope for the best. A clear crisp view of the island from the aeroplane.

Score: 8.8