Elements of Islay Peat Blend Full Proof

Thanks to /u/xile_ for sharing this whisky with me.

So we’ve now had all of the different Laphroaigs. And we’ve enjoyed them, each in our own way. So how do we finish things?

Another Laphroaig? That’s silly. No, we need a blended malt made up of only Islays. That’s closer. Either that or release a bull and some rodeo clowns and perhaps play the bongos. Either one is how you finish a Laphroaig tasting.

Since we were fresh out of bongos, Elements of Islay Peat Blend Full Proof was what we ended up with. This blended malt has been around the block a bit, and is quite enjoyed by a few whisky nerds.

However in order to ensure I’m bias free, and also because I spend enough time learning accounting practices, curling methods, and pen and paper RPGs, I didn’t know anything about it.

So let’s see how I enjoyed this, shall we?

Price: N/A at the LCBO

Region: Blend

Abv: 59.3%

Colour: 10Y 9/4

Nose: Pears, cloves, peat, honeydew melon, pastry

Good fruity notes. Definitely has some younger peat in there. It’s brash, though not enough that you can’t pick out some buttery notes and fruit to it all.

I’ve heard this can be brash, though so far the nose is calmed down.

Taste: Ash, caramel, peat, sour wine, lemon custard

Hey, spoke too soon. This is what I’d call a mean dram. But in a good way. I did this for myself. I wanted something to yell at me like this.

No, that has nothing to do with what I do in the bedroom.

Given some time, there’s more and more acidic aspects to it. As if you hadn’t been kicked around enough.

Finish: Ash, caramel, lemon, mushroom, mesquite, grass, oak

Finish keeps with that strong beat up my mouth aspect that some of us look for to make up for missing aspects of our childhood.

It does go a little too earth dominant near the end.

Conclusion: Easily one of the best malts for the price out there. However as I’ve said before, price doesn’t factor into my reviews, so let’s ignore all of this and live on like it never happened, and ignore the tautology that happens from doing just that.

This is a strong peated dram. Yes, there’s some acidity, earth, umami, and grass aspects to it. But you’re not totally here for that. You’re here from peat, and that’s what you get. It’s strong, it’s fun to drink, and will remove any other flavours from the past 3 days.

If that’s for you, great. For me? I’m glad it exists, and think it’s a win. I may not gush over it as others have (and that may make me wrong, which I accept). It’s simplicity means I won’t be scoring it as high. And I think you should buy a bottle. That simple.

80/100

Scotch review #820, Blend review #84, Whisky Network review #1331