Blackadder Smoking Islay Raw Cask

Besides a hilarious television series with Rowan Atkinson, Blackadder is also the name of the independent bottler led by the eccentric Robin Tucek. With his Raw Cask releases he means to provide us with Old School whiskies. Every bottle also has a bit of cask sediment… a USP, many marketeers agree. I am not that impressed as it is an artificial process, obviously, otherwise we would also have splinters and such, which is of course out of the question. Anyway, this bottle (154 of 320) was released in June 2009 and contains, according to the label ‘The VERY smoky VERY peat ISLAY Malt Whisky’.

The nose is very sharp, almost antiseptic, heavily peated with loads of citrus and smoked bacon. Reminds me very much of the 14 Year Old Laphroaig 1981 from Signatory that I recently tasted. Adding some water makes it slightly sour and very citric.

The attack is very hot and creamy. It scorches the taste buds. Ouch! Adding water quickly. That is better. Citrus, caramel, peat smoke, cloves, white pepper. Some brine towards the end. Nice, but very young and sharp.

The finish is extremely long, sweet and warming. Very spicy. I will probably still taste this one in the morning.

I have a gut feeling that this is (primarily) Laphroaig. Young, sharp and very smoky. But the little fish (cask sediment) in my glass are somewhat over the top for me.