Scarabus Islay Single Malt Whisky

This is the last of three mystery samples distributed by @Cricklewood for a zoom tasting that took place on April 5, 2019. We were asked to try them in advance of getting together, then we went through each of them together, and received the reveal.

This expression is reviewed in my usual manner, allowing it to settle after which I take my nosing and tasting notes, followed by the addition of a few drops of water, waiting, then nosing and tasting.

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April 2, 2020 - In a Highland Whisky glass

Nose: 21/25

Sweet nose, dirty peat, syrup, white grape juice, more peat. Interesting nose.

Taste: 21/25

Thin mouthfeel. Very dry, peat-forward arrival. Sour in the development with pepper. Water helps to balance it out adding more fruit. (21.5/25))

Finish: 21/25

The finish is short and long. Short, in that the flavours fade. Long in that I feel like I continue to breath smoke. Hint of smoked salmon (lox) on exhale. Maybe some toasted sesame seed bagels.

Balance: 20.5/25

This is a peat bomb, less so on the nose and more on the palate. But it’s a little thin and the peat is overwhelming. Water balances it out a little. (21/25)

Score: Neat - 83.5/100 With Water: 84.5/100

Interesting whisky. The only other time I tasted lox in a whisky it was Bowmore. I don’t think this is CS, I would guess 46%.

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In our Zoom tasting, some of the guesses included Caol Ila or Bunnahabhain.

I guess only the bottler knows for sure…

Thanks again @Cricklewood for setting this up!