Islay Mist 8 Year

Light honey-yellow hue. Numerous streaks slowly trail down the inside of the glass. The scent is reminiscent of a less intense version of an Islay Single Malt. This spirit exhibits all the classic characteristics of a peated whisky: the aroma of an extinguished match; medicinal peat; car exhaust; camphor and baby oil; ink from an exploded pen on your shirt. Hints of toffee and browned butter emerge upon second inspection. The initial taste is like liquid smoke, similar to smoked meat. Immediately after swallowing, the smoke ascends into the nasal passages. A significant amount of peat is present on the front of the palate; it's earthy, bog-like, and muddy. Sea salt flakes on an oily, viscous texture. Malted grains and nutty toffee are present. The swallow contains notes of spicy fruitcake. The flavor is actually more intricate than I initially perceived. The finish consists of campfire ash and tobacco. The peat is very earthy. Coffee grounds and dark chocolate. Almonds and other crushed nuts. For around $20, this is an excellent beginner's peated Scotch. If you're uncertain about your preference for peat, a small outlay allows you to test the waters and decide if you want to embrace peat.

Islay Mist 8 YR Found a single bottle stored away at a local store. For $13, I felt reasonably confident purchasing it despite knowing very little about it. I've since discovered this is a blend of Peated whisky from Laphroaig and Unpeated whisky from Speyside. *AROMA: Not bad! Smoky (not medicinal) Peat. Malt, Fresh Cream, Buttered Hot Breakfast Cereal, Dry Wood, Light Floral notes, and a Hint of Grain Alcohol. The aroma from the empty glass is reminiscent of Barnyard Straw. Based on memory, this is quite similar to Laphroaig Select. *NEAT: Ash is prominent initially, followed by sweetness in the middle. A decent mouthfeel with ashy peat (or peaty ash) receding to reveal Light Fruit, Buttercream, Cinnamon Butter, and Smoked Honeycomb. There's a slight bitterness on the finish, then layered notes of Light Peat, Extra Dark Chocolate, and Scorched Coffee from the bottom of the pot. *ADD A SPLASH: Adds a Vanilla Sweetness to the Palate. *CONCLUSION: If Laphroaig Select is considered "Lap Light", then this is "Lap Select Light". I was very impressed, as it tastes significantly better than its price suggests. Islay and bottom-shelf selections are rarely a good combination. An excellent value at $26, and an absolute bargain at $13. If I find it again, I will certainly buy it.

Nose: Pungent green smoke, rich peat, with a slight bitterness from candied orange peel. Hints of a sweet smoky bonfire, black licorice, peppermint, and salty sea spray. Immediately following is a balanced mix of fruits like apples, banana, and smoked pear, along with candied and tart lemon peel, fresh wood, heather, sweet syrupy medicine, an Oreo cookie, dark chocolate, the faintest trace of smoked bacon, cooked peas with onion spice and oil, and a touch of light, tangy sherry notes. Palate: Muted black and white pepper, abundant fresh apples, some candied lemon, a noticeable saltiness and brininess, a hint of unripe pear, slight fresh light wood, hint of wood bitterness, some of the green peatiness, some tangy sherry notes, dark chocolate syrup, the faintest hint of apricot nectar, and a touch of lime. Finish: A mix of apples, sweet smoky peat, a meaty smokiness, candied lemon peel, slight wood bitterness, a medley of candied fruit (apple, orange, pear), and some sea brine.

This spirit is comparable to a young blended Scotch. It's not very complex and lacks the subtlety of an aged spirit. Despite this, it's easy to drink, and considering its quality for the price, I would buy it again. If you're after a straightforward smoky drink, this is a very reasonably priced option. Smell: sweet, salty, smoky with a faint leather note Taste: Smooth and sweet, with vanilla, a touch of yeast, and you can detect the smoke/peat along with a hint of iodine. After a few sips, it even reminds me of water infused with moss. Finish: The experience is quite consistent from start to finish. After a brief moment, there's a slight sensation of sourness/spice.

This is decidedly not a sweet drink; it's a savory experience through and through. It has a light body due to its 40% ABV, but it exhibits decent legs and no aggressive heat. I prefer to drink this neat, but that's just my preference. The salty, earthy character and mild warmth evoke images of a campfire in a damp forest along the Oregon Coast. As it airs out, a robust malt/cereal aroma emerges with subtle honey notes. Upon finishing the dram, the lingering notes are of charred orange peel and dark caramel or toffee, without significant sweetness. While I usually favor sweeter profiles, I do enjoy this as an affordable palate cleanser.

It's a blended whisky with character, aged 8 years. Complex for its price! Not very dense and with a light golden color, the aroma and flavor of peat, coming from the Islay malts, dominate. Its composition also includes grain whiskies from various Scottish distilleries. On the palate, it starts sweet and balanced, with notes of apple and vanilla, followed by peat that lingers until the finish. The finish, in my opinion, is long, smoky, and slightly salty. It's a great value for those new to the world of smoked whiskies.