Tasting Panel Notes

Cask No. 29.256   

Firemen in fishnets

Islay

The mineralic tones of a rocky beach touched on dried seaweed and iodine before bellowing tarry smoke brought wafts of kippers, ham hock and burning grass. Blazing driftwood on a bonfire turned to charcoal and soot as ash drifted down onto fish crates and fishing nets. Yet above the heavy fumes sat a layer of burnt toffee and smoked heather honey with delicate floral notes that touched on fresh lavender. The sweetness of a vanilla ice cream cone perfectly offset the char of burnt pork crackling infused with dried herbs and black tea. Smoke and chewy caramel swirled until the end, finishing powerfully with oyster sauce and mussels in brine.