Millstone Peated PX Pedro Ximenez

(A virtual sherry cask tasting event hosted by Good Spirits Co. Glasgow on March 19, 2022). This was a varied tasting featuring sherries, gin, brandy, rum, and whiskies, all centered around the sherry theme. Nose: Faint peat, saltiness, caramel, barley sugar, powdered sugar. Traces of heather honey and Frazzles crisps. Palate: Salty and floral, malt loaf, chocolate biscuits, orange, candied fruits, dates, honey, and sherry (as expected). Finish: A medium-long finish with notes of salted caramel, chocolate, sherry (a curious blend of PX and Oloroso characteristics), Demerara sugar, dried fruit, and an oily texture. A savory, barbecue-like note is present at the end. I tasted this blind and initially thought it might be a Kilchoman due to its young, damp peat, and grainy notes, though perhaps not as well integrated. Overall, it's a potent sherry-forward peat bomb. It's youthful and easy to drink, but offers little beyond the peat and sherry. While there's no direct taste comparison, a final poll showed the following results (Liked % / Favourite % / Price). After the tasting, I acquired a bottle of Edradour and two small bottles of Mira La Mar PX. - Lustau Don Nuno Dry Oloroso Solera Familiar (80%/20%/£20.50) - Mira La Mar PX (half bottle) (87%/20%/£11.20) - Boatyard Old Tom Gin (60%/0%/£37.00) - Cardenal Mendoza Solera Gran Reserva Brandy de Jerez (93%/47%/£59.00) - Valdespino Ron Viejo Rum (67%/27%/£70.00) - Signatory Un-Chillfiltered Collection Edradour 2011 10y/o Whisky (87%/40%/£63.00) - Millstone Single Malt Whisky Peated - PX Cask Dutch Single Malt Whisky (80%/20%/£61.50)

Nose - Pure sweet peat, quite one-note, sweet malty simple syrup Palate - Pure sweet peat, subtle dark raisins, chocolate, dark prunes on the back of the palate Finish - Lasting pure sweet smoke, more dark raisins appear, prunes, dark chocolate Score - 67/100 Final Thoughts - I suppose peat really helps mask young spirit as the raw ethanol sensation is finally gone here. Unfortunately, the pure peat conceals much of the PX sherry influence on the nose, and it only shows up at the end of the palate, but fortunately lingers through to the finish. Would I drink it if offered? - Possibly Would I specifically order it? - No Would I buy a bottle? - No

Nose: Intense peat/smoke. First taste: strong ethanol/peat. Finish: peaty dark cherry. My favorite part was the finish and the nose.

The peat flavor is too "chemical." It lingers too long in the mouth after a sip. It feels artificial.

A pronounced peat flavor, accompanied by an aroma of honey, vanilla, and caramel.

Dried fruit and vanilla cigar smoke. A slight alcoholic bite.