Jack Wiebers Whisky World Classic of Islay 2007

This Classic of Islay was distilled in 1972 and bottled by former German record-producer-turned-independent-bottler Jack Wieber in 2007. It is a sherry cask at a cask strength of 58,1%.

On the nose, the smoky peat immediately takes the lead, skirting sherry notes of dried apricots and honey and then dropping you in the heavier aromas of greasy coal, sour cream and smoked fish on the BBQ. Very peppery.

It is creamy on the palate but, despite the high ABV, very quaffable. The first thing I taste is sweet vanilla, but that doesn’t survive long. Immediately tobacco and smoke push all other aromas aside. The fruit does not stand a chance. Seaweeds and leather with quite some oak wood. The spirit is stronger than the wood, in this case, because there is hardly any sherry influence to discern.

De finish is long, warm and drying, with some espresso and salt at the death. It remains smoky until the very (somewhat bitter) end.

The Classic of Islay is on the market since 2001 and more than 40 releases strong, all single casks at cask strength. They are about 60 EUR a piece and according to a lot of people always Lagavulin.