Thanks to Michael at Malt & Oak for the sample. The Elements of Islay series is an interesting set of independently bottled Islay malts, each coming in a half litre (grrr) medicinal style bottle with a name similar to an element on the periodic table (Lagavulin = Lg, Bowmore = Bw, and so on). These bottlings are very expensive, especially for a small bottle, but can be quite good. This one is a slightly more budget friendly blended malt that they recently released, simply titled “Peat”.

Aged 3 years*. 59.3%ABV. No colourant added, non-chill filtered and bottled at cask strength.

*Due to lack of age statement

Nose: A whopping great dollop of earthy peat. Dried fruit mix. Fruit leather. Camphor. Lemon drops. Some medicinal undertones coming and going.

Palate: Here the true Islay character really shows up. Burned sugar. Charred fruits. Ash. Bit of a young spirit malt note. Medicinal notes, iodine, mercurochrome, etc. Copper. A bitter citrus rind note on the swallow that carries through to the finish.

Finish: Long. Lots of ash. Brine. Bitter citrus. Stewed pears.

Would I buy this: Maybe (my inner stinginess resists the 500ml bottle)

Would I order this in a bar: Yes

Would I drink this if someone gave me a glass: Yes

VFM: 3/5

This was a nice dram. It was young, and brash, but it held the door. There were some young notes that showed its lack of maturation, but they were not overpowering at all and really let the peat do its job here, even adding to it a little, making it a bit sweet like young Islays can be. A very good representation of Islay character.