'As We Get It' Cask Strength Islay Single Malt (Ian MacLeod)

Note: I am participating in the Really Good Whisky Company Advent Calendar. I've also opted to sample these whiskies without prior identification (or as close as possible), providing aroma, palate, and finish descriptions before revealing the details. I will then guess at characteristics like proof and cask type, comparing my assumptions to the actual information. Wishing you good health! Nose: Peat? A musty, funky smell? My guess is a younger spirit, perhaps 3-7 years old. Single malt? The aroma is not off-putting. It's distinct, reminiscent of an Islay or Island style, with a slight brininess and lemon. Notes of toasted grain and vanilla are present. A bright, floral scent, almost like potpourri. Given the presumed youth, identifying the cask type is challenging, but I suspect ex-bourbon, possibly with a subtle sherry or red wine influence, but not first-fill due to its limited impact. Estimated alcohol content around 45%. It also has a grassy, slightly damp cardboard quality. Palate: This is dynamic, with earthy, ashy, and vanilla notes intermingling. Milk chocolate and orange oil are also detected. Is the alcohol content higher than I anticipated? Perhaps closer to 60%? Pine sap and brine are present; the experience is akin to standing on a coastal forest edge in autumn with a campfire nearby. It feels vibrant and unbalanced. Black pepper, grilled salmon with lemon and dill are noted. It impacts the mid-palate with considerable intensity. The texture is medium-bodied, but the youthfulness and alcohol give it an effervescent quality, making it feel lighter. Finish: A waft of ash, damp earth, and sea mist. A bracing, bitter lemon sensation grips the sides of the tongue. Bitter chocolate and canned black olives are also present. The finish concludes with a blend of bitterness, ash, and ethanol. It is long-lasting. Additional observations: My regional identification and alcohol percentage estimate (this bottling is 60.6%) were accurate. The mash bill is also correct. While I can't confirm the cask or age, my palate and other reviews suggest this is indeed a young spirit. Similar to a previous sample in this calendar, I question if this cask was developing in an unintended direction. While I appreciate young Islay whiskies (Wee Beastie being a prime example), this particular one doesn't align with my preferences. Nevertheless, it offers an intense, unconventional experience. An enjoyable dram for exploration, though perhaps not a full bottle purchase. Cheers!

I had the chance to taste it at the World of Whisky in Edinburgh. To my disappointment, they were out of stock when I wanted to buy a bottle. I searched everywhere for this spirit, visiting liquor stores in three different cities, but everyone was either sold out or had never heard of it. Finally, on my last day in Scotland, in an unremarkable store off the beaten path, I found a dusty bottle on a shelf. I literally ran to it, grabbed it, and took it to the cashier without checking the price. I still have no idea what I paid for it. All I know is it's one of my most treasured possessions. So uh... yeah, it's pretty good!

Nose: Strong alcohol, barley sugar sweets, herbal notes (sage, bay leaf), and peat. Palate: Very sweet, like boiled sweets (especially lemon drops), strong alcohol, orchard fruit (apple juice), and peat smoke. Finish: Charred wood, spice (white pepper), with a citrus/sour aftertaste. It's very sweet throughout, with a long finish and a spicy, lightly peated aftertaste. It has a somewhat old-fashioned taste. It's very spirit-forward with little cask influence. Definitely a sipper to contemplate. Nice.

Nose: Lemon peel, faint smoky aroma, parmesan cheese. Palate: A burst of sweetness, cinnamon, iodine, mint. Finish: Leather, smoky peat.

Nose: Smoky, Smoky, Smoky Palate: Peat, Peat, & Peat Aftertaste: unpleasant

Batch 25 03 21. It's undeniable: good quality, even at full proof.