Reviews of scotch and world whiskies by a history professor, his wife, bird, and three cats.

Peat Faerie 3rd ed.; SMWS Blended Scotch

Peat Faerie 3rd ed.; SMWS Blended Scotch

Whisky : Peat Faerie 3rd ed.; SMWS Blended Scotch

Country/Region : Scotland/Blend (Islay + Speyside)

ABV : 50%

Cask : Ex-Bourbon

Age : 10 Years

Tasting : Neat in a Glencairn @ Friend’s Patio

Nose : Bright and slightly creamy citrus; white nectarines, peaches, and lilikoi/passionfruit custard.  Faint hints of green apple or apple sauce along with subtle spice and smoke.

Palate : Peat appears on the palate with a slightly mineral phenolic bite that quickly fades behind gentle oaky spice.  Ginger and mace are generally subordinate to a rich floral vanilla bean which borders on being sweet creamy vanilla bean ice cream.  The body is light and breezy like the fluttering wings of a faerie.

Finish : Medium length floral honey notes which drop quickly to a low murmur. 


Score : 5

Mental Image : Tinker Bell dressed as Big Peat for Halloween.

Something Better : Compass Box No Name 1st Ed. (more prominent peat, stronger flavors)

Something Similar : Compass Box Peat Monster (similar lighter profile, citrus, less vanilla)

Something Worse : Johnnie Walker Double Black (more sherry & smoke, less finish)


Notes : Mild and tame; the Peat Faerie is the most restrained of all mythical peat creatures.  

In fact, it’s so delicate and flitting— perhaps just the the wings of a fairy brushing against your face— that it makes Compass Box’s Peat Monster actually seem quite monstrous.  I would be fascinated to know which distilleries comprised this blend (though I imagine it might vary between the three batches released so far).  This certainly is not the viscous oily peated malt that I was expecting, even at 50% it lacks a lot of oomph or punch.  It is not the sort of proper punch-you-in-the-face dram my wife prefers— its a tickle of the feet.  I doubt even at cask strength there would be much there.

The Peat Faerie actually reminds me a bit of Alexander Murray’s Kirkland Signature expressions; malty fruit on the nose and plenty of oaky spice and vanilla notes on the palate.  The Peat Faerie is probably in a class above but that might only be thanks to some additional complexity from the peat notes or just the higher bottling strength (50% vs 46%).  

Though one would hate to waste a $100+ bottle in this way, I thought this blend seemed the perfect whisky to enjoy during a hot summer evening on the rocks.  The chill from the ice might restrain the peat even more and give some of the fruity notes on the nose a chance to come out more on the palate.  It sound like a refreshing treat— stone fruits and vanilla ice cream— cooling and light while the air is still heavy from the summer sun. 

Bowmore 1997 Distillery Manger’s Selection 22 Year

Bowmore 1997 Distillery Manger’s Selection 22 Year

Suntory Ao

Suntory Ao