Islay Mist 12 Year

Information: An international blend from MacDuff, with the youngest component being 12 years old. For those unaware, a blend or blended whisky is a spirit made by combining whiskies from one or more distilleries. The age stated must be the youngest age among the whiskies in the blend. According to the label, this whisky contains Laphroaig and other "grain whiskies" (a grain whisky is made partly from grains other than malted barley). The Islay Mist brand was created in 1922 to celebrate the 21st birthday of Lord Margadale, son of the owner of the Islay house. He worried the local Single Malt, Laphroaig, would be too strong for his guests. Thus, Islay Mist was born. Nose: Peat, citrus, and salt. Palate: It seems diluted to me. Too diluted. The flavor profile is well-balanced between peat and salt. Definitely Laphroaig peat (I recognize it from my 2017 Laphroaig Cairdeas). Light texture (okay, it's a small 40% ABV blend, can't expect too much). It's a sea salt, almost seaweed-like. Finish: Short. Smoky and sea salt. Overall: A good introductory whisky to peaty-salts. Here, $60 CAD, which seems fair. Simple, diluted, and smooth. Leaves me wanting more peat. But, it's perfect if you don't want to overthink it. 74%

Aroma: Dry campfire smoke, very subtle peat, a smell like iodine paint, a touch of vanilla and mango, or perhaps Taste: A balance of sweet and salty, creamy texture, less pronounced smoke, gentle spicy notes, an oak finish with that lingering creaminess.

Nose: honey, peat, salted taffy, iodine, smoke, caramel (only with a deep inhale) Taste: taffy, iodine, peat and smoke, woody notes in the mid-palate with vanilla and nettles, pleasant finish with a dry, peaty mouthfeel.

Imagine a lighter version of Laphroaig? This blend toned down the Laphroaig but amplified the others, resulting in a complex and intriguing spirit. It was my top choice out of 10 sampled at an event. It also seems like a good value.

Interesting. A relative gave me the remainder of their bottle while in Sweden. It was sweeter than I anticipated, genuinely pleasant, light, and easy to drink.

- Smoke from a campfire - Mango - A touch of vanilla - A whisper of coconut - Spicy - Sea salt