Blended Islay 9 Year (2010), Single Cask Nation
Whisky: Blended Islay 9 Year (2010), Single Cask Nation
Country/Region: Scotland/Islay
ABV: 58.9%
Cask: First Fill Bourbon
Age: 9 Years (Distilled Oct. 2010, Bottled Nov. 2019)
Nose: Bold and spirited, maritime, medicinal, asphalt, acrid and peppery, occasionally ashy and feinty.
Palate: Medium-bodied and oily, peppery and spirited, asphalt and road construction, citrus, acrid and slightly metallic, more medicinal herbs and wood smoke toward the end, pepper; water brought out more fruit.
Finish: Medium to long and peppery with a touch of brine and metallic smoke.
Score: 5-6 (75)
Mental Image: Coastal Highway Project
Narrative & Notes: Intense, brash, and untamed with plenty of oceanic surf crashing on the shore, burning medicinal herbs, and roadwork. The acrid aroma of creosote and hot tar collided with burning herbs and calomel to clear the sinuses and balance the humors. Youthful and spirited, the aroma was peppery, hot, ashy, and a bit feinty at times. Medium-bodied with an oily viscosity, the profile was youthful with loads of peppery spirit throughout. Initially industrial and acrid, like a road repaving project, citrusy pineapple and passionfruit gradually appeared around the edges— and water brought them out in greater force, though always with an acrid, almost metallic edge. Brine and medicinal herbs arrived with wood smoke and tar for a peppery finale— perhaps a bit of pepper crusted red meat. The finish was medium to long and peppery with a touch of brine and metallic smoke.
In a world of anonymous Islay malts, this ranked as something like an upgraded Finlaggan, Johnnie Walker Black, or supercharged Islay Mist. Those whiskies all have their place, mostly in cocktails, though the first two can be fine on their own, especially on the rocks. The trio shines best in a cocktail where they play a supporting role. This was surely better suited to the limelight than those, but I felt it shone best with some water or in a cocktail— ideally something with some citrus or ginger. The whisky was youthful and spirited, aspects which are not always welcome straight up, but which can elevate a cocktail and keep the whisky from getting lost among other ingredients.
Overall, a heavy hitting peated whisky— raw and unrefined, but sometimes that is the vibe.
