I've been eyeing this bottle for a while - a peated Blackadder from a single "top quality first fill ex-bourbon cask." Picked up on a lark this week, mostly because I was already buying a 3 year old Kilchoman, and figured I'd throw this into the bargain. I think this is somehow part of the Raw Cask series in the same way the Sherry Snake, Black Snake, and Puff Adder are as well. At any rate, there are a million charry cask particulates floating in this.
As always with Blackadder, information is scant indeed. There's no age statement, no distillery information, only the strength (60.7% ABV) and the fact that it's peated to 50 ppm.
Since there isn't a lot to say by way of introduction, let's just get down to business:
Nose: Surprisingly sweet and fragrant! Peat and smoke are right in the middle of things, but the main scent here is honey and flowers (heather?). There are also notes of teriyaki, soy sauce, and something "farmy" - like earth or hay. Predominantly honey and smoke, though.
Mouthfeel: Typically for Blackadder, a rich and silky mouthfeel. Not as chewy as other, but still very full.
Palate: Follows the nose pretty closely - a little hot (alcohol bursts on the tongue), followed by succulent honey, somewhat dirty smoke, peat, soil, soy, grilled meat, and a striking floral note - lilacs, almost.
Finish: Like cigarette smoke after eating toast with marmalade on it: wispy, sweetish, a bit dry. Not as long as you'd think - perhaps a sign of young age.
Verdict: This is a fabulous cask and I'd really love to know what distillery this is. If I was guessing, I might say a young Bowmore (the floral note) or even a young Bruichladdich (the sweet farm note). But who knows. I don't think Highland Park peats to 50 ppm. Ardmore as a dark horse? Only Blackadder knows, and they ain't saying.
[SIX MONTHS LATER: The bottle is 2/3 done, and now I feel much more confident this has to be Ardmore. Both because of the price, and the notes I'm getting.]
What is for certain is that this is a real winner. Despite the high ABV, it's deliciously moreish, and the combination of smoke and honey and flowers is lovely. Complex, but not overly so. Really hits the spot if you're in the mood for sweeter peat. Highly recommended.
No comments:
Post a Comment