Submitted by Philip Storry on
15 years old, distilled 7th December 2000, 57.0% abv, Refill Ex-Bourbon Hogshead, 234 bottles
The nose has a shoreline bonfire made from dried driftwood., sea breezes and hints of vanilla and roast pork. The mouthfeel is thin but smooth with a little cling. The body has vanilla, white pepper and then the smoke builds up in an astonishingly quick time, moving towards the finish - a crescendo of bonfire smoke and sweet vanilla.
Water brings out thick, expanding whorling that settles into brief mottling. The nose now gains more of the pork and a little pepper. The body brings seared pork and then the sweet combination of that smoke and vanilla. The finish is unchanged but a little more intense.
A great Islay for a hip flask and brisk shoreline walk.
4/5