Shieldaig 14 Year Islay Single Malt

I can see why this 14-year-old didn't make the final selection. The aroma is lively for a 14-year-old spirit. The peat is present but very one-dimensional, like a campfire. There's no harshness, no smoked fish, or oceanic hints. A small touch of vanilla and cinnamon is there. The taste mirrors the aroma with rather subdued notes of peat and vanilla, but the cinnamon didn't carry through. The finish is abrupt, like a firecracker. A hint of pepper and then it vanishes as quickly as it began. The cost for this bottle is about $25 too high.

Sweet, smoky scent with a hint of pear. Tastes less intense than anticipated. The peat sits atop a gentle barley sweetness. It's quite delicate and not very full-bodied, resembling a milder Laphroaig. The finish is almost nonexistent, fading fast. Nevertheless, it's wonderfully well-balanced.

A decent malt, but definitely has room for improvement. There's some peat and salt present, but also a couple of noticeable sour notes that don't quite work for me.

It was smoother than I thought it would be. It doesn't have the peat level I prefer, but I've only tried two scotches before this, so consider my opinion carefully.:-P

Nose: Palate: light Islay, continues the shieldaig theme, though the burn at the end prevents further tasting of notes

Peat smoke is dominant on the nose and palate, with a pleasant saltiness in the background. Excellent value for a 14 year Islay.