Westland Winter 2016

Nose - Subtle peat, pears poached in sweet wine, light fruity sherry, fresh apples, sweet creamy butter. Taste - Mild campfire-like peat, gentle stewed apple sweetness, an oily texture, peppery ginger snaps, and black pepper spice. Finish - Lingering peat, reminiscent of the morning after a campfire, with a light bitterness from apple peel sweetness. Score - 71/100 Final Thoughts - The aroma was quite pleasant, featuring very light campfire and fruity notes. That was likely its strongest point. Upon tasting, I found it a bit unbalanced. Rather than a smooth, integrated flavor, it presented as distinct stages of smoke and fruit. It's not as cohesive as Highland Park 12. I can imagine someone who is very fond of peat would appreciate this more. It's enjoyable on its own, but I definitely need to be in the right mood for it.

Securing a bottle of this was fortunate. I've found Westland rarely disappoints. The initial noticeable aromas are light, fragrant notes of dried plums, pecans, and fresh rain. The taste is full of spice, floral notes, juniper, and a slight hint of tobacco. Earthy flavors combine with light natural scents to produce a unique variation of Westland's offerings. Overall, quite good, but they have produced better with some of their other spirits.

A wonderful seasonal offering from Westland. This dram is abundant with baking spices, vanilla, and caramel. Smoke draws you in through the nose to this baked confection with a surprisingly smooth finish that evokes memories of a crackling fire and cold winter evenings.

An impressive achievement for Westland, offering remarkable complexity and a wide range of flavors, including a pleasant light peat and sherry character.

Vanilla, marshmallow, wood, and smoke; like a campfire perfectly contained. Outstanding.

A fantastic pour. Peat is prominent, yet the vanilla and oak flavors remain excellent. I love it.