Batch 102

Rounded with a distinct hit of argan oil, bay leaf and mint, which moves steadily in the direction of samphire. The smoke is balanced, with a light hickory-like touch, backed with mossiness and angelica. In time behind the general fresh air you pick up whiffs of lanolin and smouldering peat fire. There’s more oiliness with water, but neat is possibly the best option.

The peatiness is balanced well by some sweetness at the start, then come the pine woods, some ripe, dark fruits and a light spread of tarriness. Water ups the sweetness ratio but also adds more layering and an increased peppery energy towards the finish.

Smoke and spice. 

Well balanced and characterful. Worth grabbing.

Waking at dawn under a dew sprinkled wool blanket. Last night’s peat fire glows gently still.

A dry, flinty start, with the Bunsen burner aroma typical of some young peaty whiskies hanging in the background. Mineral-accented rather than phenolic; the smoke held in a cloud before slowly seeping forward. There’s a little hint of marsh gas at it develops, which is more pleasant than it might appear on paper. Peat fire ashes with water. 

Sweeter than the nose suggests and also considerably peatier, with the smoke carried forward on a salty wave. That sweetness offers good balance, while a pear drop element contributes a certain lift and brightness to proceedings. Water however shows some edginess and petrol. 

Crisp and a little chalky.

A stiffener. To be taken with a drop of water before noon.

A Zippo lighter flares in the darkness beside the pier. ‘Fancy a clam big boy?’

Gentle and lifted. There’s a slight nutty edge, then cinnamon (balls, Oddfellows) and a tiny hint of smoke before more roasted maltiness develops towards molasses, then dark chocolate. The peat turns to cigar smoke when water is added along with an intriguing mix of nori seaweed, citrus and tablet which, somehow, works.

Fruitily sweet to kick-off: dried apricot and peach, with a background of rich raisins. Water slims everything down, giving more focus to the flavours and adding a jag of acidity. The cereals return, along with some lemon edge before it dries.

The mineral edges come through more strongly. Slightly briny and dry.

A vatting of island whiskies, which could have ended up with personalities cancelling each other out. Instead, it is balanced and delicious. Recommended.

All together now: ‘We were at the beach, everybody had matching towels, somebody went under a dock and there they saw a rock, it wasn't a rock it was a…’

Gentle with delicate nuttiness: macadamia, caramelised butter, a light grassiness, then apple pie and custard. As it develops, more scented oils come through along with brioche and a freesia note. Later a yeasty element comes through. While water adds lift, it thins as well. 

Clean and direct, with some verbena and a little lavender. This delicate floral element floats above the oils in the mid-palate, though it becomes dry a little too quickly. Again, water lightens things and with the loss of the textural quality it simplifies – so don’t add it. 

Sweet and oily when neat. Soapy with water. 

Pleasant on the nose when neat but once the anchoring softness is lost it drifts aimlessly, like a lost balloon in a breeze.

Walking past a high-end spa. 

Bold but balanced Sherry, with sweetness (digestive biscuits) mixed with blue fruits, date, and green fig jam. The distillery’s oiliness adds roundness and sufficient identifiable character to balance what is a pretty cask-driven dram. In time, there’s a heady mix of ripe fruits and deck oil which takes charge, rather pleasantly, when water is added.

Rich with more raisined elements and some mulberry jam, but there’s still a fresh acidity at the back. The oils cling to the sides of the mouth, rounding out the mid-palate. It might lack complexity, but this is a generous dram which holds its own with water. In time, the tannins begin to bite. 

Slightly earthy, then some cedar and fruit. Long. 

While it might not have the layering or flavour development to nudge it into excellence, this is a very rewarding glass from a little-seen distillery.

Bronzing yourself on the deck of an expensive yacht.

The biggest (initially, anyway) of the trio and a lot fatter, with jammier fruits and more overt oakiness that brings to mind old cabinets and scented wood – and an interesting Rioja-like touch that slowly moves into strawberry jam. In time, the heaviness recedes, while with water the corn-like fatness of the distillery character comes though more clearly.

Sweet and thick, with quite sultry fruitiness, and some tannins on the back-palate. It holds together well with water, giving a new plumpness to proceedings, with added cereal and some tayberry as well. It just lacks depth and becomes quite dry…

… and indeed spicy.

A juicy enough dram, albeit one which, like the Cadenhead, just lacks length and complexity. 

Crianza rather than Gran Reserva.