Elements of Islay Peat

The Elements of Islay series from Specialty Drinks is best known for their special releases in those typical apothecary bottles with the abbreviations for distilleries, such as Pe for Port Ellen or Ar for Ardbeg. But end of last year this ‘Peat’ came to market, a blended malt from different Islay distilleries. The exact composition is a secret, but it a good bet there is some Caol Ila in there. The nose is rife with sweet peat and loads of medicinal and maritime elements. The fruit on duty is apples and lemons. A layer of vanilla and some barley sugars appear. After two minutes it starts to smell like cigar ashes like there is no tomorrow. Hint of plasticine. I quite like this. Brutal on the palate! Lemon, pepper, peat smoke, vanilla, soot, liquorice – it all comes straight at you without pause. Some burnt wood and smoked salmon, too. Sweeter and more prickling that the nose predicted. But wonderfully integrated, if you know what I mean. The finish is very long and very smoky. Not that it is important, but I think this is a mix of Coal Ila and Bunnahabhain. Be that as it may, this is a very nice, butal peat bomb.