Limeburners Directors Cut Peated Port Cask (M337)

Nose (neat): Pine sap, cigar leaf, prunes, dried figs, allspice, and mace. A potent alcohol sting assaults the senses neat, overshadowing finer scents. This powerful spirit burn prevents appreciation of the subtle aromas, including the delicate peat smoke. As the vapors mellow and the alcohol recedes, the smoke becomes more apparent, and the woody notes diminish. Nose (diluted): Oak cask and smoke notes harmonize beautifully with a splash of water. The overall nose softens slightly, introducing notes of golden syrup, creating a profile reminiscent of Glenfarclas 105. Quite surprising. Palate (neat): The initial entry is fiery and intense, with the high proof spirit overwhelming the tongue. This heat subsides rapidly, giving way to flavors of semi-sweet dark fruits, spices, and elements of Christmas cake (cherries, figs, dates, currants, treacle, dark sugars, walnuts, almonds, nutmeg, cinnamon). The texture is rich and viscous, showing impressive legs when swirled, yet feels somewhat thin on the palate. Peculiar. Palate (diluted): Similar to the nose, a touch of water significantly improves the palate by integrating the flavors, tempering the alcohol's impact, and enhancing sweetness. Smoke was not discernible until water was added. Finish: Moderate to brief. Treacle, dark fruit, and a hint of smoke fade into a spicy aftertaste. Water extends the finish, leaving a lingering trace of smoke as the final sensation. This is the third sample of high-proof Limeburners spirits recently sampled. Once again, the resinous wood character is present, but it is less dominant in this particular bottling, blending more harmoniously with the peat smoke. Much like its Port Cask counterpart, this whisky truly revealed its potential only after dilution. I estimate I reduced it to around 45% ABV before it reached my preferred profile. At that point, it's quite exceptional and stands as the finest Limeburners expression I've encountered. Reviewing past notes confirms my previous favorite Limeburners was also a Peated Director's Cut, suggesting a consistent preference. My takeaway from these three recent experiences is that Limeburners spirits often reveal their youth, unless they are peated, bottled at high strength, and subsequently diluted. When these three factors align, the smoke complements the inherent youthful, woody character, and dilution unlocks sugars and complexity. However, it's worth noting that even this bottling is a relatively straightforward dram. Despite its enjoyable taste, complexity isn't a defining characteristic of Limeburners whisky. It's also pricey for what it offers, and I wouldn't consider purchasing a full bottle. Nevertheless, I'm glad to have sampled it, to understand the distillery's signature style, and to recall what appealed to me about the Director's Cut I tried years ago at an event. When tasted neat, I was inclined to score this whisky 84/100, but after adding a splash of water, that score increases to 85. "Very Good": 85/100 (4 stars)