Elements of Islay Peat & Sherry (for TWE)

I mentioned this in my weekly news overview the other day: this is a version of Elements of Islay Peat & Sherry exclusive to The Whisky Exchange. We’ve also seen them exclusive to Belgium, Sweden, Germany, La Maison du Whisky and others.

This peated Islay malt (aged for the first time in sherry casks) is a mix of two single malts (our wild guess would be Caol Ila and Bowmore perhaps?), married in a single sherry butt.

Elements of Islay ‘Peat & Sherry’ (56,8%, Elixir Distillers for The Whisky Exchange 2019, 400 btl.)

Nose: nicely leafy and leathery, with hints of barbecued meat, lots of cold ashes and kippers, and some light medicinal notes (iodine and bandages). Hints of walnut cake, chocolate and subtle tobacco. Also fresh citrus, especially blood oranges. At once deeply aromatic and elegant.

Mouth: sweet and earthy, bringing out raisins and cocoa as well as cured meat, pickle brine and orange peel. Candy apples. Crushed black peppercorns. Deeper tarry smoke in the end, mixed with some herbal notes and dark brew tea.

Finish: drier and leafy now, with slightly acrid smoke and some peppery heat.

Quite big without overdoing it. This offers serious complexity and great value for money. Only from The Whisky Exchange.

Score: 87/100