Review #049 Type: single malt scotch Proof: 49% Comments: NAS, finished in Caribbean rum casks, from an undisclosed Islay distillery Tasted after: first up Appearance (no score): Tawny color. Swirling reveals a thin line sticking to the side of the glass, legs are slow to form. Nose: 16/20 Really enjoyable, savory and sweet, full to dripping and sizzling smoked meat, also brown sugar and vanilla, with hints of charcoal and some citrus in the background, like someone cutting up tropical fruits next to the smoker. Palate: 25/40 A little mellow on the palate, moderately sweet molasses mixing with sooty smoke and very salty bacon. Maybe some caramel too… make that salted caramel to help account for the salt-forward flavor. Mouthfeel is also noticeably thin. Finish: 28/40 Medium length. There’s a moment where it becomes a little lighter and sweeter with grilled pineapple and honeycomb, but it’s brief and gives way to bitter ashes and black pepper. It’s not an unpleasant ride, and ends with a peculiar and mildly sweet smoked coconut aftertaste, which I rather like and think may be one of the highlights. With Water: A couple drops of water opens up the nose to big vanilla notes, also getting past the smoke to find some nutty banana bread in there. That hint of coconut on the finish is also a little more evident. Total: 69/100 Final thoughts: I wanted to enjoy this bottle so much more than I actually did. It’s fine but I’d struggle to drink a second dram of it in one sitting and I won’t be buying another bottle once this one is gone. I’ve read a number of comments online from people who claim they have the “inside scoop” that this is Ardbeg, but I’m unsure that Ardbeg (owned by Louis Vuitton) would sell casks of their whisky to an IB in any volume. I also don’t see a strong correlation here between this dram and Ardbeg Drum based on my recollection of that spirit, but suppose a side-by-side comparison is in order now! Price: £45 Would recommend: no 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.