ABV 58.3%
A big playfight on Port Ellen beach after closing time.
Dave Broom
James MacArthur
Brand
James MacArthur
Bottler
14 Years Old, Islay Blended Malt
Expression
Blended
Type
14
Age (Years)
2005
Year of Bottling
58.3%
ABV
Islay
Region/Country
Standard (Distillery or blended)
Bottling Type
Taster
Nose: Immediately smoky. Fish boxes and brine. Higher alcohol increases the feeling of rigidity, but it needs water to soften things.
Palate: Oily phenols hit home. Quite tarry. Without water its rather dusty and dry, with it though there's caramelised scallops.
Finish: Long, a little metallic.
Comment: A big playfight on Port Ellen beach after closing time.
Score: 7.8
Taster
Nose: Grassy, peaty, citrussy. Thick smoke wraps up seashells and green seaweeds Coal tar.
Palate: Sweet to start even at full strength. Milk chocolate, lemon pulp released in a wave of freshness. Water enhances a bitter edge.
Finish: Dry, chewed rush.
Comment: Alcohol is so well tamed. A fully Islay vatted malt. Vatted, really? More a single than a vatted. Or an Ardbeg vatted with a Laphroaig?
Score: 8.3
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