AnCnoc Peatheart

The name already reveals that this malt is peated. 40ppm is actually heavily peated. I wonder if this malt will live up to its name. But will you look at that color: pale beyond belief.

The nose indeed immediately offers lots of peat. Smoke, earth, dried grasses and a bit of salinity. But once you get past this, the malt is surprisingly sweet, fruity and floral. I get vanilla, pear, apple, lime, some liquorice candy and Haribo bears. This is undoubtedly a very young malt.

I cannot hide it’s young age on the palate either. White fruit, pear drops, freshly cut grass, green earth with the spices that come with it – cardamom, ginger, pepper and salt, heather – followed by something that reminds me of a bouquet of flowers with violets and lilies. But it has to be said: it works.

The finish is medium long, floral and sweet with some fresh citrus at the death.

Not a bad AnCnoc, this Peatheart, but I did prefer the Peatlands release.

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