Smokehead

Nose: Massive Peat, Tons of smoke, Tar, Lemon sherbet, Soot, Sea spray, smoked bacon.. ISLAY spelled out in big bold 72 point letters. It kicks you ,it makes you smile. I like those young Islays, and this teenager is no different, you can sense it's young. the peat is pristine, strong, untamed. lovely.

Palate: Peat attack on the first wave , then smoke comes in, some pepper,chilly, cured bacon then some sweet peppery smoke and ash.

Finish : Ashy, smoky , sweet pepper lingers for looooooooooooong.

Bottom line : This is a very good example of a young, kicking, smokin’, peaty little monster. It encapsulates the essence of “Islay young malts”, and offers a great, yet not ultra-complex experience for peat-heads, or just if you feel like digging deep into Islay Turf. It’s not very cheap (costs a bit more than let’s say Laphraoig 10), but offers a different experience, less tarry, and more rounded in my view (Hey, the Laph 10 is a classic, and I love it). All in all, i think Ian McLeod, who bottled this ‘Mystery’ dram did a very good job.

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