Waterford Tasting, The Oak Barrel, Sydney, November 27th 2023, Whisky #5 Nose: Crisp, fresh barley grist, warm herb bread, goat’s cheese, feta, a light cloak of herbal, earthy peat (since writing this I’ve looked at other reviews and many mention rubber notes, but I did not get any hint at all of thiols or sulphides. In fact, I particularly noted their absence). Palate: Sweet and cereal in the arrival with excellent oiliness. Berries and orchard fruits in the background of the later palate and an overall mild, dry smoke presence. It’s an elegant, restrained and relaxed style of peating that I did not expect from a nominal 38ppm level. Finish: Medium/long. Fresh bread, a dusting of pepper. The peat smoke eases gradually into the aftertaste with a gentle return to sweetness. Totally unlike any Islay peated whisky, and not very similar to peated whisky from any other part of Scotland either, but neither is this like any peated Irish whiskey I’ve had. It’s very much its own thing and the more you explore it the more it reveals its Waterford distillate foundation with clean, perfectly produced malted barley distillate at the heart of proceedings. This was part of the Arcadian Series, distilled in 2018 and bottled in 2022 but technically just 3 years of age. Maturation was in virgin American and French oak, with a smaller component aged in vin doux naturel casks. In many ways, this whisky is a peated expression of Waterford’s Knockroe Edition 1.1. A very impressive whisky that exemplifies how delightful young peated whisky can be, and how dull and lifeless many products from the major distilleries have become regardless of (and maybe even because of) greater age. I loved it and bought a bottle on the night. “Very Good” : 86/100 (4 stars)