Teeling Blackpitts Single Cask, Marsala Cask, Cask #68760, 60.8%

Peat smoke and sweet dried fruit make a clear pairing on the nose. The palate carries that contrast into rich, smoky malt, with Marsala-driven warmth and fruit complexity adding another side to it. The finish is long, and the dried-fruit character lingers alongside the smoke and sweetness. There’s plenty here to hold my interest, but approachability is a fair question. For someone who generally prefers softer malt, the sustained smoke and 60.8% ABV make this less of an easygoing choice. The fruit and sweetness give the smoky character some balance without taking it out of the picture. I’d favour it when that richer, smokier style is the point, rather than as an uncomplicated everyday whisky.