Ailsa Bay Sweet Smoke Release 1.2

Review #027 Type: single malt scotch Proof: 48.9% Comments: NAS, ex-Hudson Baby Bourbon Barrels (25-100 liters) maturation, finished in virgin, first-fill, and refill American oak Tasted after: first up Appearance (no score): Amber color. Unable to look for legs due to water-repellent coating on the glass I was tasting with. Nose: 15/20 True to name, the nose is both sweet and peaty, reminiscent of campfires on cool fall nights, some vanilla and floral notes too, pleasant but not overly complex. Palate: 34/40 Nice oily mouth feel. Honey dominants, but there’s also caramel, green apples, semi-sweet pastries, and just a hint of vanilla. Finish: 32/40 Medium-long finish. This is where the campfire smoke makes an appearance, and it smolders down to ashes as a mild peppery ethanol burn carries through to an ending which reminds me of the flavor left behind in your mouth after eating a heavily buttered piece of bread. Th finish seems to mostly be a continuation of the palate, not a roller coaster for your taste buds but builds well on the palate. With Water: No major changes adding a drop of water, maybe just tones down some of smokiness Total: 81/100 Final thoughts: Grabbed this at the Edinburgh Airport duty free store in 2022, it’s not overly remarkable in flavor profile or complexity but well balanced and easy to drink, and a good value for the price I paid then. If someone who is a beginner with peated whiskies asked me to recommend a bottle, I’d point them towards this one. Price: £50 Would recommend: maybe Would buy: yes Scoring Legend: 96-100: The perfect dram, absolutely exceptional, nectar of the gods, I will savor this bottle and make it last, 5 stars. 90-95: Near perfect, there is something truly special about this whisky, 4.75 stars. 85-89: Very good to amazing, almost the complete product, 4.5 stars. 80-84: Quite good, very enjoyable to drink, but doesn’t wow me, 4.25 stars. 75-79: Good, enjoyable but ultimately flawed, unlikely to purchase again, 4 stars. 70-74: A solid dram, but wouldn't go out of my way to get it, 3.75 stars. 55-69: Drinkable, 3.5-2.75 stars. Below 55: Suitable for cooking or direct contribution to the kitchen sink drain, 2.5 stars or less.