Cragabus Islay Blended Malt Scotch

Malts: Laphroaig, Bowmore, Caol Ila, Ardbeg and Port Ellen. Nose: Moderately peaty, with ash, campfire smoke, vanilla, malt, hints of the sea coast, grasses, wet wood, and citrus. A slight alcohol presence is noticeable. Palate: Sweetness, peppery notes, ash, peat smoke, a more pronounced coastal influence than on the nose, saltiness, a slight bitterness, creamy texture, and dryness. The alcohol remains perceptible. Finish: Medium to long, with pleasant bitter and spicy notes emerging. Overall Impressions: This is a young whisky, and the alcohol detected in the aroma and taste confirms its youth. Sold in small sample sizes, this whisky did not offer good value for money. The individual malts in this blended malt are excellent, but in my opinion, they were not well combined. Perhaps a 12-year age statement and more sweetness would benefit this whisky. However, it is very good to know that at least some portion of this blended malt is made from malts from Port Ellen, a distillery closed in 1983, but which still has whiskies in its warehouses.