Tastes

Local liquor store was out of Lagavulin 16, but this was nearby and I decided to grab it. Just started to get into peat, so I wasn't sure what to expect from this. For a neck pour...dear Lord is this amazing! Nose: BBQ and fruit compote with lingering sweet, earthy (damp) peat and campfire smoke. Taste: Complex. Sweetness, red fruits, nuttiness, peat, smoke and pepper bite. Finish: Dry, lingering smoke and some ash. Medium to long. Caol Ila 12 was my first foray into peat, this was my second.

Was looking to try something other than my usual bourbon or Irish. I knew Glenfiddich was an entry scotch, so I pulled the trigger and bought a bottle. Friendly is an understatement for this one. Smooth, creamy, fruity with a carmel vanilla finish and some barrel char. Nice pepper bite as well.

Thanks to Flaviar, I got this for a good price. I've had the entire Redbreast line, the 15 and 12 CS being my faves. This one, however, is so complex that I have almost no words to describe how amazing it is. The time spent in bourbon and sherry casks come through with the vanilla, oak spice, nuttiness and tons of fruit character. Dark, tropical, fleshy...it's all there. Word to the wise, let it sit in the glass for at least 15 to 20 minutes before enjoying.