Double Barrel 8yo (46%, Douglas Laing, Macallan & Laphroaig, 2009)

A “Blended Malt Scotch Whisky” or what was once known as a vatted malt, the product of two (in this case) distilleries mixed together. Something unusual from Douglas Laing and bottled with no chill filtration and at 46% ABV, Laphroaig and Macallan together! The nose is citrusy and honeyed with a backing of peat and malt as well as some oaky spiciness. There is also a vanilla buttery quality that over a short while gives way to the peat smoke, brine and some more of the malt. It’s a pleasant collection of aromas that work well together. The taste is sweet, malty and peated but in a nice way, the peat is stronger than one would anticipate from the nose and is a bit of a shock but it’s not out of balance or over whelming,; it works. After a short while the malt comes from behind the peat and it’s honeyed. Very nice. The finish is herbaceous, of malted barley and the peat reek and this really does bring back memories of Islay whiskies. In this respect the immediate finish is more Islay than Speyside however. The peated finish is quite nice, one has to presume that the Macallan brings the malt to the party. After a few minutes the peat gives way to the malt. They take turns, how polite. A few minutes later there is some really deep coal smoke and creosote.

A nice dram and interesting to try. A bit of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde but in a really nice way.

C$90

Score 81 Points