Douglas Laing's Double Barrel Highland Park & Bowmore

I had my second "Double Barrel", a special brand from Douglas Laing, where they made a limited blended malt from to prestigious distilleries; was this beautiful Bowmore & Highland Park. A 10yo expression, bottled at 46%abv, makes me feel like i am going to have a peaty time. On the nose, some peaty notes, but delivered in a mild way. A pair of rubber shoes, red chilli, mud. It also has a buttery/cake profile, like recently made brownies. Oily feeling on the nose. After a first sip, the aroma changed into a sandy beach. More sips released a lactic profile. On the palate, only three notes: ashtray, spices and sweet peat. Aftertaste was very smoky and appealing. Ashes, super salty. Nice spiciness. Overall, this one delivered the peaty profile, but everything was mild and even can be described as muted. I think this was a safe dram, enjoyable but not memorable. When you hear Bowmore & Highland Park, you think of a Rollercoaster, that just did not happen. My score for this one is 84 over 100.

Quite pleasantly surprised by this one. I have a bottle of Highland Park 10 which I very much like, but this is significantly better! Light peat, spicy, fruity, and sweet. Overall very mellow, refreshing and smooth with just the right amount of kick, spice and smoke coming through on the finish.

Caramel and peach nose. Sweet vanilla on the palate with a floral finish.