Battle Axe Islay Blend

50% abv, 8 years old.

SMWS Battle AxeThe nose has distant bonfire smoke, banana, and hints of peach and red apple. The mouthfeel is thin with no cling. The body has bonfire smoke, banana, dried coconut, salted caramels and grilled seafood. The finish has salted caramels, bonfire smoke and a little ginger - the latter builds in intensity (and heat) with repeated sips.

Water brings out thin, rapidly expanding whorling that doesn’t last long enough to mottle. The nose gains more smoke, banana and red apple, with the peach gone. The body gains red apple and more grilled seafood, and loses the dried coconut. The finish gains more bonfire smoke and salted caramels, and the ginger is diminished.

A very pleasant lightly peated dram, which I suspect has accomplished what it set out to do.

One for summer nights, under the stars.

Technical score: 4/5

Personal preference: I’d like a bottle.