M&H Elements Peated

Still hovering around a 'good' score, with an undercurrent of disappointment as we reach the halfway point. This is the third in M&H's elements series, focusing on the impact of different barrel types. For this expression, M&H age their spirit in ex-Islay casks within a hot climate, then blend it with spirit aged in ex-bourbon barrels. N: Delicate and bright. Vanilla-scented honey, a field of freshly cut hay, and a mild lemony smoke that evokes the Scottish isle. A subtle tarry brine emerges, making me wonder if a Lagavulin cask left its mark. Hints of juicy melon also appear. Quite pleasant. P: Unusual; a strong smoke presence, yet delivered by a rather thin, juicy body. Sweet honey and fresh, abundant grass feel out of place against standalone creosote and preserved lemon smoke. Some fruitiness, like pear and apple, is present but doesn't add much. The oak is spicy, but again, I don't find it harmoniously integrated. F: Moderate length. Spicy, chili-like tannins give way to a slightly creamy texture. Vanilla panna cotta and a touch of honey sweetness emerge (the 'milk and honey' note). The smoke lingers the longest, bringing the same tarry-lemon from the nose and palate, with added salinity. This was an intriguing dram. Each flavor, aroma, and sensation was excellent on its own. However, combined, it's like a messy divorce where everyone's fighting over the vacation home. M&H possess a commendable spirit character that pairs well with straightforward cask maturation. Unfortunately, the subtle and nuanced character of this sweet, floral malt is thrown into a den with a powerful Islay cask, leaving it unable to find its footing. Points for the 'elements' concept, but significant deductions for execution and balanced integration. Two more to go, and these appear more promising on paper for an Israeli whisky than what has been sampled so far… A curious drop from M&H. [Pictured with the dram: Azurite suns on a white kaolinite matrix from Mablunka, 220 km north of Alice Springs in the Australian Northern Territories. This rock formation represents the Israeli flag, momentarily stepping away from the desert theme. Each blue sun is a radial cluster of copper carbonate minerals (azurite), formed when hot circulating fluids during the Alice Springs Orogeny penetrated 300-400 million-year-old clay sediments.] M&H Running scores Classic: 3.5/5 Sherry: 3/5 Red Wine: 3.25/5 Peated: 3.25/5

My fourth Milk & Honey, was the last in their core range, The Peated one. Was it truly peaty? Will this be as good as the Red Wine Cask Finish; or as bad as the Sherry cask one? I'll share my thoughts on it. Bottled at 46% ABV. The uncorking doesn't smell peaty. On the nose, cotton candy; yeast and pepper. The yeast is overpowering and nice, just not peated. After a first sip, a 'peaty spice' has emerged, which is nice, but still not enough peat for me. Prunes, a little swampy. The pepper tries to become ashes. Yeast again. On the palate, it's too light but much better than the sherried expression from this distillery. Salty water. Very subtle but pleasant. Vanilla water. Light. Some herbal notes and salt. Sadly, the aftertaste is once again the lowest-scored part. Slightly peaty, actually earthy peat, not smoky. Overall, this is a tentative step into a peated malt from this distillery. It feels like they played it too safe with this expression. It has a 'peaty feeling,' but not peat 'per se.' Nothing bad or undrinkable, just not memorable. They need to improve this one and the sherried one to match the amazingness of the Red Wine Cask one. My score for it is 70 out of 100.

The aroma is typical of a single malt, with hay, honey, and barley, but starts with a wonderful amount of cocoa powder. Oak, vanilla, campfire smoke, and pepper follow in perfect balance. The palate is a burst of jalapeño followed by cocoa powder, hay, honey, oak, smoke, and pepper, with slight underlying notes of vanilla and astringency. The finish is medium with a lingering smoky spice and a cocoa bitterness that is present but not overpowering, then it fades quickly.

Sweet aroma, with notes of grain, sugar, and a faint hint of peat. Interesting flavors on the palate, featuring that same grain and peat which is great, but with an odd underlying note that tastes vegetal. Similar to oak, but young oak. It's not unpleasant, just a bit unusual for me.

Flaviar Advent Calendar: Sample indicates Element peated, but there's clearly a strong, pleasant sherry character on the nose. Fruit and wood notes. The taste is mildly sweet, with light peat and more fruit. I'm not certain I have the correct sample, but I truly like this one.

Features a pleasant earthiness. Nose: Honey, Lemon, Smoke, Honey, Salted Caramel, Salted Cod, Grass, Mint, Ginger. Palate: Honey, Vanilla, Ginger, Salted Caramel, Tar, Lemon Peels. Finish: Grass, Ginger, Heather, Vanilla, Sunflowers.