Praban Na Linne Te Bheag

I've been sitting on this bottle for about a year so was very excited to open this recently. Always seems to get good reviews and I can see why.

As soon as I popped the cork and had a Leadbelly style whiff (on me) it felt like being acquainted with an old friend. This is definitely, to my mind at least, an 'old-style' blend.

On the nose there's a sherry influence with some dry raisins and a touch of musty fruit like dried red apple. Also a coastal saltiness with a touch of peat. This reminds me of a coastal highlander - Old Pulteney with some sherry maturation? There is a hint of grain about it but it's custardy and pleasant and sits in the background.

It has a rich malty toffee taste with some creamy coffee. The grain is barely noticeable here, it's well balanced, or should that be integrated?, with the malts. The salty tang persists.

Finish is fairly short to medium but the coffee note does linger along with the salt. The grain also leaves a little sting in the tail but in a way that just lets you know it is a blend after all.

I've had the Poit Dhubh 12 from the same company and you get the sense there's some of the same malts in this. They produce some very decent and affordable stuff. This isn't helped at all by water as it just becomes more grainy and you lose the maltyness that is at the core.

I'd put this up with JW Black label in terms of a drinkable and affordable, but good quality blend. I nursed a glass for almost two hours last night and the air time really helped it. Recommended if not tried.