Duncan Taylor The Big Smoke 60%

Sweet honey and floral notes greet you initially. It coats the mouth pleasantly. Smoke and brine follow, accompanied by a delayed warmth. An intriguing blend; I'm curious about its constituent scotches. It has a beautiful Chardonnay wine color and shows great legs. It's smooth and mild, with a slight young whiskey burn. I generally enjoy it, and given its lesser-known status, the price is fair. A solid choice when you desire a peaty scotch but wish to conserve your premium selections.

Aroma of sweet smoke, honey, and apple. The palate echoes the peat smoke, with grainy and earthy undertones. A long, sweet finish of caramel.

I'm fairly certain my advent calendar contained the 46 proof, not the 60. It smells like burning disinfectant. The flavor is reminiscent of burning wood and grass.

Heavy smoke on the nose and a warm smoky taste. Creamy texture with vanilla and marzipan. The finish is softly smoky.

The 83 rating is unbelievable. Don't be fooled by the quirky label; this is quite good.

Smoky, but not excessively so.