86 / 100
The appeal here is the balance of gentle peat with sweeter notes: honey and toffee soften the smoke, while dry oak, citrus and spice give the palate definition. That combination suits a preference for a little structure alongside sweetness, rather than peat taking over. The finish is described in two ways—sometimes lasting, with honeyed barley and earthy spice, and sometimes short and peppery—so its length isn’t entirely consistent across the notes. Either way, the contrast between smoke and a pleasantly dry, warming close gives this Highland single malt a clear point of character.
Reviewed by maple lantern
- Nose
- Mild sweetness, heather honey, cinnamon and toffee bonbon, Subtle peat smoke, with vanilla, fudge, green apples and pears
- Palate
- Creamy vanilla spice, sweet honey and gentle peat, Charred caramel, dry oak, lemon, citrus zest and grassy touches, Some reviews mention stewed peaches, cinnamon, clove and nutmeg
- Finish
- Peat smoke, honeyed barley, warming cinnamon and mouth-watering dryness, Also described as short and peppery, with lingering earthy and spicy notes