Islay 30 Year Old SMOS Marriage

This 30-year-old single malt from an undisclosed distillery was bottle Elixir Distillers as part of their Single Malt of Scotland, Marriage of Casks series. This bottling married together two casks from 1990 and 1991 which were matured in a combination of two American oak refill barrels and refill sherry butts.

Nose: beach bonfire smoke with medicinal notes. Tropical fruits and ripe plums balance out the old-fashioned Islay peat.

Palate: Earthy smoke gives way to dried mango and menthol. There's a classic TCP element in there but balance with rich sweet papaya.

Finish: Christmas spices, toasted oak, more medicinal smoke and caramel sweetness.