Ian Macleod - The Six Isles

The Six Isles is a blended malt that should be a ‘true reflection of the Isles’. It contains 6 whiskies from Islay, Jura, Skye, Mull, Orkney and Arran. It is not that hard to identify them. Skye has only Talisker, Mull must be Tobermory (probably the peated Ledaig), Orkney is Highland Park (since the back label says ‘Orcadian Malt’, so it is not Scapa), Arran is – well – Arran. So the only unknown quantity here is the Ileach.

The nose starts very nicely peated, but also soft, and offers medicinal aromas, a touch of tar (I like the sound of that), cured bacon on the barbecue, but also a lot of sweetness from citrus, honey and juniper berries. Some vanilla and creamy butter in the background. Heather and even some violets. Soft is the keyword here.

Slighly oily in the mouth. Feisty with white pepper and sweet peat. I daresay the component of Highland Park dominates. Heather, gums, citrus, toffee, salt. Good stuff!

The finish can be called medium in length with some good will, but it is definitely drying on ashes and spices.

This is a very nice, altogether soft, after-dinner-dram for peat novices. Very friendly priced too.