Big Peat Fèis Ìle 2018, Refill Hogshead Cask, Douglas Laing, 48%

The seaweed, barbecued meat and golden syrup set up a clear contrast, while smoke, leather and soot keep the palate firmly on the darker side. The salty, bacon-like finish sounds persistent and direct, though the char and smoke may be a lot for a softer-leaning mood.

busstop_pebble23 May

This is a smoky whisky with enough contrast to keep it interesting. Dried seaweed and barbecued meats sit alongside golden syrup on the nose. The palate moves to smoked barley, damp leather and chimney soot, with a hint of lemon rind. I like that the long finish brings charred oak into the mix with sea-salt tang and streaky bacon. Oak is a note I tend to look for, and here it arrives at the end rather than taking over. The refill hogshead is a useful cask detail, though I would not pin the smoky notes on it. This sits outside my usual Bourbon and Rye leanings. The charred oak and sweeter nose still give me something to like.

cedar_atlas22 Mar

The smoked barley gives this a clear malt center, with seaweed and barbecued meat adding a savory edge. Golden syrup offers a softer counterpoint. The finish stays salty and charred.