Black Grouse (Discontinued)

The Islay peated part works fine with the part that gives it Apple-like notes. I like it.

Nose - Lightly smoky charcoal, dark apple/pear cider/juice, ripe strawberry/cherry hard candies. Taste - Apple juice w/ a hint of bright cherry/strawberry juice sweetness, initial faint smoky ash that transitions into a white pepper heat. Finish - Lingering sweet smoky apple juice, faint white pepper heat, smoky ash that turns into an ashy bitter feeling on the tongue, similar to taking a deep breath at a campfire the morning after it has smothered out. Score - 71/100 Final Thoughts - This is not bad, but it's not great. It's relatively lightly peated and it's not horribly offensive like what I get from a Laphroaig 10 which is very rubber/iodine/bandaid. This is more like an old campfire ash peat which is tolerable. It has this lightly sherried apple/pear juice intense sweetness throughout that has a very thin mouthfeel. I could see this being used as a lightly peated variation of a blended scotch for use in a cocktail. I'd struggle to sip this neat on the regular. Would I drink it if offered? - No Would I specifically order it? - No Would I buy a bottle? - No