Shieldaig Islay Single Malt

For it’s price, it’s perfect. You can have a coke and smoke without feeling like you spoiled anything. I have a deep suspicion that this is a batch that failed at being Ardbeg.

A rich, Single Malt from Islay, Scotland matured in charred American oak casks. It has a delicate birth with notes of peat & smoke; while a sweet life adds notes of vanilla & caramel; that led to a balanced death with notes of pepper & a hint of sea brine. August 2018 / February / July 2019 / October 2020 / September 2022

A floral and oily dram, rich and nice. Not very smokey or peaty for an Islay malt.

Nose: initial huge hit of buttered popcorn, mellows out to a bit more meaty peat notes Palate: surprisingly fruity. Bacon. Liquid smoke. Key Lime???? Something here is weird... Finish: thin. A little peat

Vey smooth but not much peat.