Paul John Edited Single Malt

From the 2019, 02 batch. Highland peat, vibrant mint, grassy notes, morning dew, 70% dark chocolate, buttery texture, vanilla beans, pie crust, sultanas, baked apple, bosc pear, clove, a bit of toffee, nutty character, roasted plantains. Quite mellow, with barely any smokiness. I'm uncertain about what constitutes a hint of peat; perhaps they didn't use it for roasting the barley as is done with scotch? Overall, not bad considering the inexpensive packaging. I might sample one of their other offerings in the future, but this one wasn't compelling enough to repurchase. It's too mild and its presence fades too rapidly. After about three weeks, it fully develops. Intense apricot, vegetal peat, plum, French vanilla, banana foster, and butter flavors become more pronounced. Quite pleasant. I'd suggest this bottle. (Note: The reviewer mentions Cardhu, which is a Scotch distillery, not associated with this Mezcal bottle.)

This expression from a connection is a lightly peated Scotch. The listed tasting notes are spot on. I'll offer some general thoughts. Compared to another expression, the fruit is much less prominent, and the smoke is more akin to melted resin than a campfire. The palate has a significant amount of raw vanilla and some pleasant malt characteristics. The peat presents as medicinal, with earthy and grassy undertones. The bitter finish resembles crushed walnuts, and the Indian spices are subtle but detectable. I would still favor another distillery over this one, but it's a respectable single malt. Overall, it's a satisfying, flavorful malt with an exotic touch. It's not a $50 bottle in my opinion, but it's considerably better than the other expression.

This whisky is a real delight: it has notes of chocolate and mint, nuts, herbs, a luxurious creaminess, a wonderful oily texture that Amrut lacks, an elegant blend of peat and spice, and a subtle touch of dryness at the end. It also has some fruity notes throughout (though I can't quite place them... cherry, perhaps kiwi?). This whisky is comparable to Islay, but the peat style differs; it's more perfumed, similar to Japanese peat, and fruitier, like French peat. The oily texture reflects the rapid aging, reminiscent of Kavalan or P&M Corsican whisky. Otherwise, the review on this website is quite accurate.

Aroma: Initial whiff of mild campfire smoke gives way to a sweetness of dried fruit and raisins. Flavor: Full and spicy with dry tannins. Subtle peat emerges at the end, followed by a pleasant, lingering bitterness. Finish: Extended, with some peat and a residual bitterness that is quite enjoyable. Overall: A delightful, balanced single malt with an ideal amount of peat and smoke.

November 2019. Appears clear and medium gold. Served in a small tulip glass. Nose: Smells of aged furniture, leather, smoked cherrywood, wood-fired BBQ, toasted nuts, dark chocolate, and gram masala spices. Palate: Full-bodied with notes of oak, old leather, toasted pecan, gentle smoked campfire wood, dried herbs, and tiramisu. Finish: Well-balanced and medium-long. Evokes the image of a wise old gentleman fishing by a lake.

I was pleasantly surprised by this bottle. The aroma is delicate, featuring malt, cinnamon, mint, caramel, apple, and pear. There's also a faint hint of iodine or band-aids. The body is light yet creamy, leading to a finish that's longer and somewhat peppery than anticipated. I would certainly purchase another bottle and am keen to explore more from this distillery.