Islay Mist 8 Year

Light honey-yellow color. Lots of teardrops slowly cascade down the insides of the glass. The aroma is like a Jr. Varsity version of an Islay Single Malt. Islay Mist has all the hallmarks of your classic Peater: the smoke of an extinguished match; medicinal peat; car exhaust; camphor oil and baby oil; ink from a pen that exploded on your shirt. There are some second-wave sniffs of toffee and browned butter. The taste at first is liquid smoke, almost like a smoked meat. Right at the first swallow, the smoke wafts right up into the nasal cavity. Lots of peat comes out in the front of the palate; it's earthy, boggy, muddy. Sea salt flakes on an oily and viscous mouthfeel. Malted grains and nutty toffee. The swallow has some spicy fruit cake. The taste is actually more complex than I originally gave it credit for. The finish is campfire ash and tobacco. The peat is very earthy. Coffee grounds and dark chocolate. Almonds and other cracked nuts. At a price point of about $20, this is a terrific entry-level peated Scotch. If you aren't sure about whether you like peat, a small investment will allow you to test the muddy waters and decide whether you want to join the Cult of Peat.

Islay Mist 8 YR Found a lone bottle hiding out at a local ABC. Priced at $13, I felt pretty safe picking it up even though I knew less than nothing about it. I've since learned that this is Peated whisky from Laphroaig and Unpeated whisky from Speyside. *NOSE: Not bad! Smoky (not medicinal) Peat. Malt, Fresh Cream, Buttered Hot Breakfast Cereal, Dry Wood, Light Floral and a Bit of Grain Alcohol. The nose on the empty glass is Barnyard Straw. From memory, this is very similar to Laphroaig Select. *NEAT: Ash Heavy up front, Sweet in the Middle. Decent Mouthfeel with Ashy Peat (or Peaty Ash) fading to reveal Light Fruit, Buttercream, Cinnamon Butter and Smoked Honeycomb. There is a Slight Bitterness on the backend followed by layering notes of Light Peat, Extra Dark Chocolate, and Scorched Coffee from the bottom of the pot. *SPLASH: Adds a Vanilla Sweetness to the Palate. *VERDICT: If Laphroaig Select is "Lap Light", then this is "Lap Select Light". I was very impressed with this as it drinks WAY above its price point. Islay and Bottom Shelf are a rare combo. An amazing value if it were $26, but a down right steal at $13. If I see it again, I'll definitely pick it up.

Nose: Fresh and green smoke rich peat , slightly bitter candied orange peel, sweet Smokey bonfire, a hint of black liquorice, hint of peppermint, hint of briny sea spray, and immediately behind it is a cohesive medley of fruits (blend of apples, some banana, smoked pear), candied and tangy lemon peel, fresh lumber, heather, a syrupy sweet medicine, oreo cookie, some dark chocolate, slightest hint of smoked bacon, cooked peas with onion spice and oil, some light and tangy sherry notes Palate: Subdued black and white pepper, lots of fresh apples, some candied lemon, a saltiness and brininess is clearly present, a hint of unripe pear, slight fresh light wood, hint of wood bitterness, some of the green peatiness, some tangy sherry notes, dark chocolate syrup, slightest hint of apricot nectar, a hint of lime Finish: Medley of apples, sweet Smokey peat, a meaty smokiness, candied lemon peel, slight wood bitterness, a medley of candied fruit (apple, orange, pear), some sea brine

In general this bottle has the characteristics of a younger blended Scotch. It is not overly complex and lacks the subtlety you would find in an older offering. That being said it is an easy drinker and factoring in the price for quality I would/will buy this again. Islay Mist 8 YR is a very affordable pour when you are looking for a simple peaty drink. Nose: sweet, briny, peaty with a weak leather undertone Palate: Oily sweet, vanilla, hint of yeast, you can taste the smoke/peat as well as a hint of iodine. After a few sips I even get what I would call a hint of moss laden water. Finish: Fairly consistent start to finish experience. After a second or two there is a small experience of sour/spice

This is not a sweet dram by any means, it is quintessentially a savory sip. It is light bodied as it is a 40%, but it has halfway decent legs and no overwheming heat. I appreciate this bottle neat, but that is my personal choice. The salt and earthiness and gentle heat reminds me of campfire in a damp forest on the Oregon Coast. As it breathes it opens up a strong malt/cereal scent with light honey notes. As the the dram is finished, the residual notes are of burnt orange peel and and dark caramel or toffee without a strong sweetness. I have a sweet tooth so other regions are more my speed but I do enjoy this as an affordable change of palate taste.

É um blended de personalidade com idade declarada de 8 anos. Complexo para o seu preço! Pouco denso e de cor dourada clara, predomina o aroma e sabor da turfa proveniente dos maltes de Islay. Em sua composição ainda temos maltes de grãos de diversas destilarias da Escócia. No paladar inicia-se doce, equilibrado, com notas de maçã e baunilha, surgindo em seguida a turfa e permanecendo até o retrogosto. A finalização, ao meu ver, é longa, esfumaçada e ligeiramente salgada. É um ótimo custo benefício para quem está iniciando no universo dos whiskies defumados.