MacNair's Lum Reek Peated 12 Year

Let me preface this by saying I purchased this whisky not for its appearance (which isn't the most appealing), but because the 21-year-old version won best blended malt, prompting me to try all their offerings from Glenallachie. I've recently been reviewing several Glenallachies, finding them to be very good whiskies, and now I'm tasked with tasting and critiquing this MacNair's Lum Reek, which represents one of countless interpretations of peat smoke. This is a 12-year-old peated blended malt, bottled at 46% ABV, with a golden hue. On the nose, it's reminiscent of visiting a dry cleaner to wash clothes. No, I'm not joking; these are my aroma notes: Pears, Apples, Fabric softener. Some spices, lightly peated; clean laundry. A faint ashy aroma. Freshly cut pear. After the first sip, I detected chili on the nose, which is quite interesting. Detergent. You could say this has "clean" notes on the nose. On the palate, it's primarily spicy, then turns fruity. Spicy right from the start, with pepper and chili but not harsh; a little sulfur. Green apples and pears. Apple juice, cider. Saltiness appears after about 12 seconds. After the third sip, it gave me the impression of pineapple heart. The finish is where the peat resides – a mild, pleasant peat. Nice cigar smoke, very well integrated. Ginger. Grassy. Overall, I consider this comparable to a smoky Glenfiddich 12. I find it very drinkable, suitable as an everyday dram. I'm not entirely pleased with my score of 85 out of 100 because it doesn't fully convey my enjoyment, although my scoring system has served me well at other times; this time, it seems to have undersold it.

This bottling was a genuine surprise. I wasn't anticipating much, though I'm unsure why, as I'm a significant admirer of Billy Walker's work. I absolutely love it. The peat smoke is not overpowering but is definitely present. It's more of a campfire smoke than a medicinal peat, and it harmonizes perfectly with the sherry. Exceptionally well-crafted and highly enjoyable.

A mix of peated Islay, Speyside, and Glenallachie? Hell yeah, sounds great. On the nose: sea air, smoky fruit, cheese, dried plums. On the palate: rich, smooth, a bit of smoke, vibrant fruit, toffee. The finish is moderate, smoky, and sugary. A decent blend.

A pleasant smoke enveloping oranges, lemon, and ginger. It reminds me somewhat of a Talisker 10, but with a slightly thinner body and a warmer alcohol presence.

There's a band-aid note on the nose and palate. It became smokier after adding a couple of drops of water, but I still wouldn't seek it out.

The aroma begins with robust red fruit notes. Subsequently, it takes a downward turn, culminating in a finish reminiscent of an ashtray.