Bruichladdich Rock'ndaal 01.2 (Fèis Ìle 2022)

Review #018 Type: single malt scotch Proof: 50% Comments: NAS, ex-sherry and ex-wine casks Tasted after: Bruichladdich Rock’ndaal 01.1 (Fèis Ìle 2022) Appearance (no score): Mahogany color. Swirling reveals a thin line sticking to the side of the glass, legs are slow to form. Nose: 16/20 Mixed berries, raisins, orange zest, brown sugar, and just the faintest hint of leather. Palate: 35/40 Big fruity profile up front, plumbs and raisins dominate. There’s dark chocolate and caramel too, as well as some grilled/charred fruit that I can’t quite identify. Finish: 33/40 Medium short finish. The sweet fruit quickly gives way to salt, and then dark tannins and black pepper, the final taste is akin to having just sipped a glass of Syrah. With Water: A drop of water brings forward a gentle smoke on the palate and increases the saltiness of the finish. Total: 84/100 Final thoughts: Given that this blend was supposed to contain Port Charlotte and Octomore I was surprised by the total lack of peat smoke when sipped near. It’s always fun to try the Fèis Ìle releases, and while this is a great dram, I wouldn’t buy the whole bottle again at this price point. Price: £105 Would recommend: maybe Would buy: no  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.

Nose - Sweet lactic funk, gentle sea spray, red berries, sour oranges Taste - Gentle peat, sea spray, red berries, orange zest, gentle lactic funk, sweet smoked cheese, lightly metallic Finish - Light white pepper heat/tingle, smoked red berries, light metallic, orange zest Score - 81/100 Final Thoughts - This one was a bit strange in that initially, I wasn't able to detect any peat at all on this until I let it sit for a while & then it finally opened up a bit. I think the wine/sherry cask influence on this one helped hide the gentle peat in this one as I feel as if this was lighter than Port Charlotte like the 01.1. The addition of red berries in this one makes this feel a bit more one dimensional than the 01.1, but not by much. This feels like it was a low effort "special release". It's not bad, it's just not that interesting. Would I drink it if offered? - Maybe Would I specifically order it? - No Would I buy a bottle? - No NOTE - All reviews are done without factoring in price.

Good dram. Needs more of a punch on the Sherry.