89 / 100
The smoke is clearly central here, running from a phenolic, medicinal nose into a peat-heavy palate. I like the contrast with the sweeter fruit, vanilla and white chocolate notes; they give the smoky character some welcome lift without pushing it into the background. The long finish keeps that coastal, smoky thread alongside sweet seaweed and tropical fruit. A confidently peated Islay profile with plenty of detail to explore.
Reviewed by pocket_socks
- Nose
- Phenolic, meaty and medicinal notes, Sweet, rich fruitiness with orchard fruits and apricots, Coastal seaweed, salt and peat smoke
- Palate
- Smoky, peat- and oak-led character, Pineapple and vanilla alongside white chocolate and citrus, Black pepper, licorice root, apple, charred oak and barley
- Finish
- Long, delicate and complex, Sweet seaweed, smoke and salty sea breeze, Copper, earth and tropical fruits