Bunnahabhain Toiteach A Dhà

My first stray away from the 12, if my memory serves, which is a whisky I was very fond of last time out. This was a most welcome Father's day gift but perhaps not something I would have bought for myself without trying. That said, I was intrigued by the Kwabinoch (sp? - ha!), a more heavily peated and bourbon matured version, and this I believe is of similar ilk but with some sherry casks in the mix.

Bottle's been open around three months now, is about four fifths full and notes are from a neat pour.

Nose - dirty, grimy and ashy peat but with some medicinal, slightly Tiger Balm, notes in there as well, so a little menthol and herbal too. Some very soft pineapple comes through the peat along with a pleasantly creamy and malty base. Zingy.

Taste - creosote, ash, soot a mere hint of barley sugars and more of that slightly creamy sherry/malt as it develops.

Finish - medium. Some soft tannins and a little tongue nipping note of dark liquorice and star anise linger.

This has really bloomed with some air, especially on the nose. You can now just about sense the bit of sherry cask influence and it works well - adding a little nuance to what is still quite a one-dimensional dram (and not as coastal as I would have expected) but that's not to say it isn't enjoyable for it! A nice change from the usual Islays and I would be tempted to try more of their peated offerings off the back of this.

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