Battlehill Distilled at Bunnahabhainn 8

First offering I’ve had from Battlehill and it makes me really appreciate the independent bottling side of scotch. This peated Bunnahabhain smells youthful and barley forward. The nose is also tangy and offers an enticing sourdough yeast note along with peat, fresh thyme, and the scent of kilning earthenware. The palate reveals more thyme, lemon custard, hayfield in the rain, salted nuts (including a peanut note that is unique to my scotch experience). I also get sweeter notes of raspberry crème brûlée and pear ginger tart. The mouthfeel is just slightly oily against the backdrop of a remarkable peat moss clarity. The finish is impeccable, with a beautiful burn that leaves peat smoke on the palate as if begging not to be forgotten. Storied, considered, existentially interesting, and all that despite the relative age. A unique and interesting malt.

heavy peat, ocean rocks, seaweed, vanilla, wood ear mushrooms, lime