Rock Oyster Blended Malt

Full rich smoky honey spicy wood

Rating: 14/23 It's interesting that this is almost technically an Islands scotch, but it isn't because it includes Islay. I wasn't a fan of The Epicurean (another Douglas Liang blend), but I acknowledged at the time that malt from the Lowlands is a tough sell since the region specializes in grain whisky. Using Islands + Islay malts though, there is no such excuse for being unable to produce a good whisky. N: Wow, there's some nice peat in this, as evidenced by its rubber/tar/tobacco smell. It also has some good sea spray lightness. Following Black Bottle, I do get a bit of sulfur, but not too much and it gives a bit of a mezcal (think Los Vecinos Espadin) savoriness and hint of earthiness that is nice. I also get some mineral and light citrus, as well as a bit of apple eventually. I get some cereal, suggesting this whisky's youth, but I have to say that when it comes to the nose, this beats Black Bottle handily and it's darned fine by its own merits. P: Wow, what a statement! I get peat with some sweet lemon mixed with minerals and sea spray with a beautiful freshness. It's light, but a very impressive blend. The peat is more herbal than savory, but there is a bit of umami going on here. There's a bit of a clean spring water sugary flavor to it that works very well. The smoke comes in nicely too, adding a richness the borders on chocolate at times. I'm struggling to identify and describe all of the flavors that are present here, but they swirl nicely, presenting interesting and tasty flavors that constantly change. It reminds me a bit of Ardbeg Corryvreckan. The Ardbeg is smoother, richer, more complex, and more balanced, with a lot more peat and smoke, so I think that it's a lot better, but the comparison flatters this dram. Hopping over to a side-by-side with Los Vecinos Espadin, the Los Vecinos is bolder and fuller with more flavors that really stand out. I might prefer the Los Vecinos slightly more, but this does have some nice toasted grain going on in comparison. What really stands out to me though is that this and the Los Vecinos are actually quite similar in profile. F: The tartness with the savory, smoky peat remains, along with some sweetness hinting at caramel, something a bit roasted, and some cereal. It's a tad disappointing, which leads me to consider going with a 14 instead of a 15, but the long tail of peat showcasing tobacco, coffee and chocolate puts me back at 15 for now This is less medicinal and more youthful than Ardbeg Corryvreckan, but it is quite enjoyable. It's a whole different character and it balances well. I think I'd take this over Black Bottle, so I'm looking at a 14 to 15. Nikka From the Barrel has a richer maltiness with more age that I do prefer, but this clearly has a place and I can see myself turning down a richer whiskey on a warm afternoon to have a zippy, refreshing pour of Rock Oyster instead. I might also use it in place of mezcal in a cocktail for a fun twist That sulfur is present, so I think pushing past 15 is difficult, but it's barely there. The real thing holding this back is its lightness, which is apparent in spite of its proof. Los Vecinos Espadin - which is unaged, a somewhat light mezcal, and has a lower proof - is somehow fuller than this is. I'm really torn between that 14 and 15 here. I think that considering the lightness and sulfur here, this more falls into the 14 bucket, but it is still quite satisfying.

Nose: Gently aromatic smoky brine, honeyed ash and chilled fruit juice. An onshore wind blows distant, skudding smoke from a steam boat across the strand. It's low tide on a shingle beach, with smells of drying kelp reaching you as you stand in a grove of pine trees eating slices of sweet grapefruit. The far-away smoke is not intense, but integral and essential to the landscape. With time the nose deepens. Palate: A stunning entry of fresh smoky brine, alive with honeyed notes and mild sweet cinnamon. As it develops more brine emerges, but always balanced by fruit and sweet smoke until it reaches a crescendo and overflows unchecked into the finish. The cask is almost undetectable - this is young and intensely spirit-driven whisky, and irrefutable proof that young does not necessarily mean inferior. There is maturity to this whisky beyond simple years. Finish: Medium. Brackish fruit, a little honey and pepper, with seawater trailing into the aftertaste. However this is not a dry whisky and a sweet brine note lingers, particularly if water is added. Take one part young Jura whisky, add equal quantities of Highland Park and Arran so that their combined fresh honeyed-fruit notes precisely balance the brine of the Jura. Then finally add a dessertspoon of Caol Ila. That pretty much sums this up, but to criticize it for simplicity would be to entirely miss the point. If this were music it would not be a symphony, but a lone piper. If it were a painting it would be a seascape by Dufy. It is delicious, bursting with life and impeccably balanced - a tour de force of the blender's art. It is also brawny and can take a good dash of water with no trouble. Dilution is not at all necessary, it is delightful neat, but water softens, sweetens and broadens it to create an experience that is different but just as enjoyable. There is something about this whisky that brings to mind Kilchoman Machir Bay, and it is equally as good. Have you ever eaten an oyster straight from the sea? Not bought from a store or a boat, but prised from the rock, shucked immediately and eaten on the spot? This whisky is somehow irresistibly evocative of the oyster liquor in which the flesh resides, together with a dash of deliciously warming and subtle smoke. Sadly, Douglas Laing have capitulated to market pressure and renamed this blended malt "Rock Island". I guess I can understand them not wanting to alienate potential buyers but it somehow seems a shame. At the asking price this is very good value, and recommended. The official Distiller rating seems a little miserly. (Interestingly, the rating for Rock Island here by another reviewer is more like I'd expect). "Very Good" : 87/100 (4.25 stars)

Color- Very light yellow, like a very light hard cider or a light white wine Ar- Light citrus. I can imagine some brine, but I'm not sure if that's really what I smell, or what I expect to smell. F- It really does taste savory and salty. It is vaguely similar to the ocean water in fresh oyster when you eat it right from the shell. The ABV is slightly on the high side, so it is rather hot. Finish- a bit of peat After- Lasts for a while, but there are notes that I'm not keen on. Something bitter, savory. Maybe I like sweeter notes, like sherry? Opinion- Nice enough, but not that exciting. It does achieve the intended maritime oyster motif. Bottle verdict: I'm on the fence, but not enjoying it enough to justify a whole botte. One mini is enough to get the idea