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Wemyss Malts Kiln Embers
Distiller Score 92
A definite treat for the peat freaks around here with - quite obviously - strong peat smoke on the nose, also some slight citrusy notes. The palate is on the malty, spicy and peaty side of the malt. Yummy sugary peat aromas stays for quite a while.
Reviewed by Anne-Sophie Bigot
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Johnnie Walker Double Black
Distiller Score 85
Johnnie Walker has clearly turned the smoke knob to 11. Coal. Tar. Campfire. This might sound a bit intimidating, but if you chose to continue this journey, you'll find a nougat and honey center as well. But that nougat and honey center is wrapped in a cloak of charred smoke.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Wemyss Peat Chimney 12 Year
Distiller Score 83
Deliciously sweet and smoky with ginger, herbal honey and fresh cut grass on the nose. While the peat smoke dominates on the mouth, there are some pleasant underlying notes of lemon, wood, roasted nuts and hot spices.
Reviewed by Anne-Sophie Bigot
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Johnnie Walker A Song of Fire
Distiller Score 87
This blend plays up to its name quite well with an enjoyable mix of peat smoke and spice from start to finish. The aromas are lead by a waft of (almost Mediterranean) baking spices and backed up by toasted nut and chili flake notes. The palate is immediately coating and brings a layered mix of caramelized sugar, dried apricot and lean peat smoke. The chili flake note returns for a nice accent at the end.
Reviewed by Colin Howard
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Rock Oyster Cask Strength Batch #1
Distiller Score 86
The peaty storm was expected, but the smoky aromas aren't overpowering the citrusy, fruity and spicy notes on the nose. There's also something deliciously salty in the background. The palate is rich with a full array of aromas delivering drift wood, grapefruit, lemon zest, vegetal notes, and yummy vanilla. The smoke fades gently and the whisky ends with a citrusy finish.
Reviewed by Anne-Sophie Bigot
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Port Askaig 8 Year
Distiller Score 83
Zesty lemon, smoke, and iodine notes come say "hello" at first sniff, followed by buttery vanilla and cut grass. The palate is surprisingly sweet with caramel paste, honey-glazed barbecued bacon slices, lemongrass and charcoal. The finish is a bit spicier. The perfect companion for a BBQ evening with some friends.
Reviewed by Anne-Sophie Bigot
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Ledaig 10 Year
Distiller Score 90
There is a pleasant sweet bacon smoke on the nose along with some peanut brittle. The whisky is full and soft on the palate with a nice bit of bite. The smoke is more akin to roasting coals rather than wood and finishes with some baking spices
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Tomintoul Peaty Tang
Distiller Score 80
There is pronounced aroma of camphor along with recently fallen leaves. Some iodine and peat smoke are present of course, but the notes of the malted cereal are fairly muted. There is an oily character to the whisky with the finish bringing more smoke.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Té Bheag Connoisseurs' Blended Whisky
Distiller Score 89
A spirit-forward nose breaks into coastal-heavy sea spray with iodine and a splash of rubber cement. A floating peatiness brings the whisky loads of cozy warmth. Mild vanilla and lavender help to distract from the day at the beach. Raisins, apple and candied nuts fire up the mouth for the smoke show that drives the palate into a long hot and spicy finish.
Reviewed by Blair Phillips
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Buchanan's De Luxe 12 Year
Distiller Score 81
The nose is round and complex with lots of bright tangerine, lemon and orange, with sweet notes of caramel and honey, followed by dark chocolate, salted nuts, toasted cereal grains and hints of peat smoke. The palate is far less sweet than you might expect however the complexity continues with some great flavors of bright green apple, more orange and tangerine, spicy black pepper, toffee, and cocoa with a smoky element of tobacco and peat. There is lingering spice on the finish with salty sweet chocolate-covered caramel and wisps of campfire.
Reviewed by Ryan Conklin
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Compass Box Great King St Glasgow Blend
Distiller Score 88
The most pronounced aroma is peat smoke, much like soot you'd find in a chimney. Hidden underneath all of that are sweet, malty notes. As you taste, there's a sweet middle that hits your tongue with a mixed fruit salad of mandarin, apples, and cherry. As you exhale, you feel as if you've just exhaled a puff of smoke. Overall, the peat and fruit seem to be arm-wrestling and the outcome keeps changing as to which one is going over the top.
Reviewed by Stephanie Moreno
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Buchanan's Master
Distiller Score 80
Bright aromas of lemon peel, almond cake, smoked green apple, and butter cream greet you upon first smell followed by toasted cereal grains, vanilla and subtle peat. The palate is not far off with flavors of pralines, lemon scented pound cake, dried cherries, dark chocolate and just a delicate breeze of a neighbors freshly started fire. The finish is moderate yet oily with lingering lemon zest and smoky caramel.
Reviewed by Ryan Conklin