KAVALAN Peated Malt European Exclusive 2021 R150409100A

Nose : Fine, ethereal. On the first nose, a herbaceous, slightly smoky and medicinal peat takes over. Allowed to breathe, the peat further marks its territory, as though we are literally sinking into a peat bog. It has also taken on chocolate, liquorice and gamey tones. Autumn fruits and beeswax punctuate the first stage in the tasting.

Palate : Clean, lively. Just as present on the attack, peat sits at the heart of the flavour palette, like a volcano down the slopes of which tumble orange zest, apricot and mango. This very expressive entrance lingers on flavours of white florals (lily, iris, gladiolus). Next, a handful of mustard seeds, rancio that brings cherries in brandy, and apricot give the end of the palate lots of class.

Overall : Long, serene. At the start of the finish, salted butter caramel and nuts provide a very nuanced riposte to a now more rooty and powdery peat. On the retro-nasal olfaction, grated ginger, celery and hot tar lastingly fill the air. The empty glass is peaty, smoky, medicinal and heady.