Peat's Beast Cask Strength

You may not (yet) have heard of the Fox Fitzgerald Whisky Trading Company as they are mostly active in bulk trade, but they do have a few brands of themselves, such as the new Rest & Be Thankful range, the Corriemhor (Richard Paterson had something to do with that), Glen Stuart (a bottom shelf blend) and Peat's Beast, a peated single malt that saw the light of day in 2010. We will try their cask strength edition from 2014.

The nose is very sweet on malt, pineapple, vanilla and honey, while the smokiness is rather limited to a smoldering hearth. I would not call this a beast. Well, maybe a little beast. That does not mean this nose is not nice. It is, very much so. Lovely sweet and inviting with a hint of butane gas and some cardamom.

The body is good and the taste is a fine continuation of the nose, with a surprising battle between sweet and salt on the palate. It is a draw. Nice hint of mocha towards the end.

The finish is long and spicy with an uppercut of smoke.

I cannot shake the feeling that this might not be an Islay whisky. I'm thinking more along the lines of Ardmore or even BenRiach. But it would not be the first time that I am gravely mistaken. Did you know, by the way, that the label was designed by the Brazilian artist Doug Alves? Good question for a quiz...