Islay Blended Malt 12 Year Old, Sherry Cask, 2009, Thompson Bros, 55.7%

honeycomb_notebook11 Oct

There’s a compelling push and pull between the jammy dark fruit and the heavily peated, sooty character. Strong espresso, ash and burnt wood make this a firmly smoky direction, while the blackberries, quince jam and warm spices give the palate more to work with than peat alone. The finish sounds persistent, with dark chocolate and cherry alongside raw oak. It seems richly detailed, though the smoke is clearly the leading voice.

fern compass4 Oct

At 55.7% ABV, this is a bold Islay blended malt, with dark fruit and espresso set against a strongly peated, sooty character. That contrast gives it a lot of character.

DriftwoodCloud21 Sept

A 12-year-old Islay blended malt, peat and sherry in force.

cedar_atlas10 Sept

The malt character is wrapped in a forceful peated style, with Oloroso influence bringing blackberries and spice. Soot and espresso make it dark and assertive. That contrast is interesting, though it may be more intense than an easy-going dram.

woolly_atlas22 Aug

Dark fruit and peat are anything but restrained.