Westland Peat Week 2017

The aroma is of sharp peat. Upon tasting, it's remarkably gentle. It's comparable to Amrut Fusion, though less fruity and less harmonious. The components here don't meld as effectively, yet they are individually strong. The peat and smoke elements are pleasing, and the spice and slight rye tartness that emerge are appropriate. There's a touch of caramel and cotton candy sweetness, the latter hinting at fruit and floral notes, alongside significant classic vanilla. It possesses a definite spice, but some maple sweetness also emerges. It feels somewhat potent, mostly in a positive manner. The integration is adequate but could be refined. It's very easy to drink but could be slightly improved. Overall, it's above average, with certain elements that are exceptional, making it a commendable achievement. I would gladly enjoy this on most days. The blend of sweet and peat is surprisingly effective. The standard version is gentler but also less fruity. I find the standard to be more commonplace and immature. While I appreciate the enhanced smoke in the standard Westland Peated, it lacks depth and impact. This offering delivers more intensity from its peat and cherry compared to the standard Westland Peated. The harmony here requires attention, but it is sweet and delicious. It's quite respectable, but the absence of unity is a significant drawback. Unfortunately, despite its increased complexity, I believe it doesn't outperform the standard Westland Peated. The spice, sweetness, cherry, and peat are pleasant, but they share the Laphroaig 10 characteristic of being forceful without quite meshing. It remains a very good beverage, but not an outstanding triumph.

The prior two Westland bottles I tried were fantastic, and I was amazed at their quality given such short aging periods. This expression is from the west coast distillery's yearly limited batch of peated spirits, aiming to replicate the smoky character of Islay Scotches. It costs $100 for a spirit aged 3-5 years, which is typical for today's market. This dram is polarizing; you'll either love it or hate it. Its character is novel to me, and I find it quite appealing. However, the aroma alone might be off-putting to many, presenting an odor that's somewhat... spoiled. Not quite spoiled, but reminiscent of a banana left too long near a barbecue. The flavor mirrors this, with unusual notes weaving through each taste: lychee or apricot, mixed nuts, banana, and a rubbery smokiness. It possesses a tannic quality and leaves the mouth feeling dry. The finish echoes these elements, featuring notes of burnt rubber, tart fruit, and overripe banana. It also has an incredibly lengthy finish.

Received this sample from a distillery visit. It seems that once a year, the Seattle distillery hosts a large celebration, and this bottle commemorates it. Their regular peated offering typically blends peated and unpeated malt. However, this expression is crafted entirely from peated malt. Compared directly to the standard peated bottling, this fully peated version is noticeably more intricate and smoky. While I still consider their Garryana to be the superior choice, this one ranks second. Intense smoke leads into characteristic medicinal notes reminiscent of Islay whiskies. They reportedly use Scottish Islay peat for this, and a Washington state peat version is planned for release in three years.

Tonight, I received a large taste of this at a gathering for American single malts in New York. The aroma has a hint of smoke, and the palate offers notes of cured meat. The finish is sweet and lingers longer with a bit of water. It's quite good, but it still doesn't address the deep question of why one would spend over $90 on American malt. Let's hope we figure that out before the sector collapses, as the distillers' passion is undeniable.

Very good, lots of vanilla, chocolate, coconut, smoke. Smell: Vanilla, Coconut, Smoke, Iodine, Caramel, Figs, Tootsie Rolls, Mocha, Cherry Cola, Green Apple, Peanut Butter Cups Palate: Smoke, Cherries, Vanilla, Dark Chocolate, Tar, Iodine, Cherry Cola, Toasted Marshmallows Finish: Dark Chocolate, Brandied Cherries, Mocha, Cherry Cola, Strawberries

Superb peat. It's undoubtedly the highlight, presented on a foundation of great whiskey.