SPEY Fumare

I had no prior interest in purchasing or sampling a spirit from this distillery, and I must be honest about that. The only justification for acquiring a full bottle of this dram was my regular viewing of a YouTube show featuring four whisky enthusiasts whom I hold in high regard. In their final broadcast of 2019, they all concurred that this particular dram was among the finest whiskies they encountered that year. It captured my attention, and although it proved difficult to locate, I eventually succeeded. It was, in fact, a superb dram. While it might be slightly wanting in complexity, it undeniably struck the correct flavor profiles. Presented at 46% ABV, it possesses a pale straw hue. It is peaty and smoky; "Fumare" is Latin for "to smoke." Upon opening, an immediate aroma of perfumed peat emerges, mingled with pineapple. Pineapple truly serves as the most fitting descriptor for this dram, as this note is pervasive. Grapefruit, pineapple, and perfumed peat are prominent. It's highly floral, with a tropical sensation. Notes of white wine, coconut, fabric softener, cleaning agents, and soap are present – those peculiar nuances often discovered in peaty whiskies. You grasp the essence. On the palate, it's sweet, fruity, and spicy. The initial three seconds reveal a sugary syrup; it evokes the core of a pineapple, akin to consuming the pineapple's heart, which can be sharp due to its intense flavor. A subsequent sip brought forth notes of raw rice and damp biscuits. The aftertaste, however, is exceptional. A marvelous, flawless conclusion. As it travels down your throat, a magical puff of smoke returns, most pleasing and incredibly well-executed. It features refined smoke, agave, and pepper. In summation, this is a magnificent, sophisticated dram that broadened my perspective on this distillery, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I don't typically consume peaty Speyside whiskies, adhering to the principle that "if you desire peat, choose Islay, not Speyside." However, my preconceived notions on that matter have been repeatedly challenged. An outstanding whisky, wholeheartedly recommended. Scored 93 out of 100.

Smell: Moderate intensity. Granola, honey, pears, and honeydew are quite noticeable right away. There's some rubber, earth, pepper, and light smoke for the peated notes. Light cream and almonds. Taste: Follows the aroma quite well with the granola, honey, pears, and honeydew. However, the peated elements are much stronger with more pepper, earth, rubber, and smoke. It's also much creamier than anticipated, as are the almonds. It truly mirrors the smell, but the subtler flavors are much more prominent in the taste. In my opinion, DO NOT ADD WATER, as it strongly brings out a medicinal taste that isn't very pleasant. Finish: Medium length. Creamy, almond, pepper, and rubber are the primary notes in the finish. It's a rather good finish, but the rubber stands out noticeably. Mouthfeel: Medium to light body; the lack of chill filtration likely contributes to this. Overall: At 46% ABV with no added color or chill filtration, this young whiskey performs exceptionally well for its age. The youth isn't overly apparent, and the peat is at its maximum strength, even though this appears to be only around 15 ppm. This is genuinely very tasty.

Bottle opened on 10/1/2021. Tasting date was 4/5/2021. After 15 months open, it's nearly undrinkable, flat, and very harsh. Who would purchase this garbage?

Young and light. Peat is the dominant flavor with some background oak influence. Vanilla and coconut notes alongside light spice. Short finish.

A pleasant peaty aroma with meaty undertones, accompanied by nice floral/fruit notes and a long finish. Some distinct, unique flavors, very intriguing.

A moderate peaty flavor, delivering an intense warming sensation throughout the body. At 59.3% ABV, it benefits from a touch of water to enhance enjoyment.