Andalusia Revenant Oak Peated Single Malt

Distillery tour today. Andalusia Whiskey Company is located in the beautiful Texas Hill Country about an hour from Austin or San Antonio. They do all their own smoking of their barley, as well as age and bottle on site. Among Texas distilleries, they get a lot of press, and have been featured in Texas Monthly and Whisky Advocate. Maybe it was because I was drinking Ardbeg last night, but I was hoping for more with this peated whiskey. Maybe it's the fact that American single malt should stick to its wheelhouse, and smoke their barley with what's nearby their distillery. Andalusia's Stryker does this, and stands far above this one, which is smoked with imported Irish peat. It's good, but a bit thin. Reminds me of Connemara, which I believe I rated similarly. This one took a PX finish well, which was another distillery exclusive, and helped round out some of the thinness in the peat.

Nose is actually very delicate for a peated whisky but the peat is the strongest along with the barley vanella and Carmel some sort of fruit if you dog hard for it like a red apple Palate: Carmel and vanilla up front that moves to a spikey Texas wood flavor followed by the salty peat finish. The finish isn’t incredibly long but takes its time. ( keep in mind I did not add water) Although it’s not as round with that intense middle a solid peated malt. I also appreciate the brand being a true Texas whiskey and not miss leading about using sourced whiskey(which they don’t) looking forward to trying more of their products

Such a unique, layered dram. The nose is herbal, like a fruity tea along with sage. Think dew-laden grass in the summer. Slightest hint of smoke as well, but it's washed over by other notes. The palate presents a smorgasbord or unique flavors and I like them all. Apple, polished hardwood, cherry, floral and herbal notes. It's oily and rich and has a nice long finish. I would say that this single malt, while the peat does not come through hardly at all, is one of the most fun adventures I've had in a little while. It's like drinking cherry hibiscus tea on a freshly polished basketball court.

I am drinking a group pick thats coming in at 112.89 proof. There is a robust salted caramel, intense leather and very strong oak coming right of the bat. White pepper, hints of prune, earth and mild peat smoke come into play before the proof starts to show its power. The leather and tannin comes back, with a earth robust finish. This is a great bottle, with Andalusia cementing itself in the top 3 american single malts ive had so far.

Andalusia Revenant Oak Nose: apple and white grape juice, vanilla sugar, caramel cream, buttered shortbread, damp grain field, Palate: sweet malt grain, smokey honey, ripe orchard fruit medley, white chocolate, ginger and all spice, smokey Texas oak funk intertwined with and earthy woody peat. Finish: long and luxurious. Barrel spice, creamy leather, white grape juice, tobacco leaf

The peat is very light. Vanilla, grape and apple. Some slight spice. Not as malt funky as would be expected. So i would prefer this over other lightly peated scotches like highland park 12, or Johnny Walker (all).