A weird, boutique-y blend that's suddenly showing up on local shelves, Adelphi's "Private Stock" blend actually has some qualities to recommend it--its sub-$30 price, for one. Actually this whisky reminds me a lot of that *other* boutique affordable blend with spotty distribution, Té Bheag. The nose here is heather honey, followed by light orchard fruits (apples), and a nice base of brine, iodine, seasalt, and earthy peat. Leather, maybe. Honeycomb, and some floral character as well, then a wisp of smoke. Some butterscotch and caramel. Taste is fruit initially (apples, pears)--though soft--and then you get that honey, that earth, brine, and the (light) smoke. Some pepper (signs pointing to some Talisker in this blend, somewhere). A light meaty fattiness, and some more smoked meat and ash on the finish along with apple skins. The body here is quite light, but it's not a super watery whisky--there's just enough creaminess to make things pleasant. Shockingly full and flavourful at this price point, with actual honest to god seaside/peat character, and all without a lot of that grain whisky "pretzel dough" character I get in many cheap blends. This seems like a well-kept secret of a blend: a real treat at a superb price.