ELEMENTS OF ISLAY Peat & Sherry The Chronicles

Nose : powerful, rich. Intense notes of bacon, black liquorice and candied ginger bring out the extremely peaty, animal and slightly savage character of the initial nose. Aromas of dark chocolate, blood orange and toasted walnut arrive one after another to increase the sensation of power emanating from the aromatic palette. This is accompanied by an oily, medicinal (iodine tincture) peat that bursts with salt.

Palate : lively, sharp. The attack replaces the animal character of the nose with dried apricot and citrus zest (clementine) which bring out the sherry cask ageing. Immediately after, the mid-palate shows lots of serenity and confidence. Heady florals (freesia, rose), quince jelly, turpentine and varies salted meats now occupy the centre-stage.

Overall : long, well-rounded. At the start of the finish, cocoa and coffee beans create a very pleasant bitter-sweet sensation. Exotic fruits (mango, passion fruit) then make a long-awaited appearance, refreshing the palate with their tangy juices. The oily, earthy and salty retronasal olfaction is reminiscent of the Bowmore style. The empty glass is saturated with smoke, ash, aromatic herbs and seaweed.