Tastes

Fresh fruits and grass on the nose. Sweet in the background. More sweet on the palate, honey and heather with lots of maltiness. Nonspecific fruity finish. Water surprisingly adds to this 40 ABV highland. Leather and acetone smells now emerge. Taste is creamier and more mouthcoating. Finish is stewed fruits. This is definitely improved by a teaspoon of water. This is a light whisky that will be good for single malt beginners, hot summer days, and will pair well with cured pork. 80/100. Worth the 45 USD I spent on 750 mL bottle.

This is not an introduction to the peaty Islay profile because there is no peat. Nose: salt, spice, and citrus dominate with sherry and banana in the background. Palate: very spicy and salty with warm, rich mouthfeel. On the finish, I get cereal and banana. Water sweetens and balances the palate and makes it less salty/citrusy, at the cost of a shorter finish. Letting the dram breathe for 30+ minutes brings out some chocolate notes with a fishy/briny aftertaste. An unusual light Islay whisky that actually pairs well with seafood. 83/100. Worth the 55 USD spent on 750 mL bottle.