Finlaggan Eilean Mòr

The aroma has a faint note that slightly resembles urine. Not in a negative way, but more like a hint of ammonia over a leather scent. The leather is fresh, like a new car interior. There's a sharpness upon the initial sip that feels like a playful trick, immediately followed by good behavior, much like a student who submits their work just before the deadline.

Curiously, the aroma immediately brought to mind the time I spent as a child picking Colorado beetles off potato leaves. Nose: A pleasant, light, sweet, peaty smoke. Hints of light ash, bonfire, honey, a touch of grass, and rubber. Palate: Could be improved. It has a young, alcoholic quality, but features sweet peat with a peppery, tobacco finish. Appears to be unchillfiltered.

The aroma is peaty, coastal, oily, and medicinal, with some subtle fruit notes. The palate is peaty and salty, with hints of grass, elastoplast, and some smoke. The finish is dry and warm, with more grass and a slight sour tang.

Nose: A solid foundation of brine and light smoke; reminiscent of a bandaid. Palate: Quite intense with the bandaid smoke and brine notes. Light and dry texture. Finish: Subtle tart fruit notes emerge as the alcohol burn subsides.

NOSE: Sweet, vanilla with peat. TASTE: Peated, smoked wood, charcoal, leather. FINISH: Short, slightly alcoholic, also peated. Overall, the taste is rather bland, with smoke being the only notable characteristic.

Standard Islay peat. Not exceptionally complex, but for a budget peated scotch, it's a solid option.