A superb single malt from the Seaweed & Aeons & Digging & Fire range, but this time, there are a few more ampersands in the mix. Y’see, this edition features the same smoky 10 year old Islay whisky at its heart as the original expression, but instead of only 25% of it getting treated to a finish in sherry casks, the whole lot of it has been finished in them – hence “& Sherry Casks”. It has also been bottled up at cask strength, with batch 2 weighing in at a robust 55.3% ABV – hence “& Cask Strength”. Bonus ampersands, more sherried richness, a bolstered ABV. This whisky has it all and more!
Nose: Waves of vegetal peat arrive first, swiftly backed up by fruit cake and chocolate notes, plus a whisper of sea shell minerality.
Palate: Dried fruit moves to the fore on the palate, with dried cherry and chewy raisin. Still powerfully smoky. A flash of cinnamon and caraway appears later on.
Finish: Seville orange marmalade, smoky peanut shells, a smidge of charred oak, chocolatey mocha.
Overall: Brilliant bold and flavoursome, with a great juxtaposition between the sweet and peat.