Aerstone Land Cask 10 Year

The nose is a perfumey, boozy aroma; I'm not sure what kind of barrels are used, but the aroma is some kind of combination between perfume and oak: really pleasant and packs a punch. A mild smoke in the long inhale. The first taste is more perfume, followed by a little smoke. Then toffee, butterscotch, vanilla, and sea salt. Mild burnt plastic, but only a whisper. The oak char rears its read surprisingly prominently. It finds a way to be ashy and yet smooth. The finish is salty and briny, with a finality of tobacco ash. The pungent barrel stuff comes back as bitter tannins, and lingers as the last guest at this party. The feel is slick and oily, which is a terrific counterpoint to the sometimes sharp flavors. This is one terrific Scotch for its price range: somewhere between a Speyside and and Islay in my estimation, and yet with enough barrel perfume to set it apart: great find.

nice velvety yet smokey quality. very enjoyable just a notch below Laphroaig