Islay Storm

(Vita Dulcis Advent Calendar 16/24) A refined light nose that is very much Islay with its typical peat notes. It is very shy though and you definitely notice the only 40% ABV. But it is likable for sure. I read that it is at least to some part Finlaggan which I already had in this advent calendar and actually liked. Next the peat there is pure white fruit / grape sugar as well as bright clear apple juice. The peat is really its only convincing feature. Palate is sweet and cold ash from a burned down fireplace. The finish though is really surprisingly bad. At first it is ok But then it quickly becomes very unpleasant. Not sure if that is from the batch they used for the samples or whatever but the finish is like burned plastic and glue. Actually chemical like snail pesticides. Can’t finish the glass. Nose: 3 Palate: 2.5 Finish: 1

Nose: strong peat. Not smooth smoke. More like peat smoke over freshly laid asphalt. Tobacco pouch. Leather. Old man local pub. Taste: alcohol bite. Honey. Finish is short leaving burn with a hint of peat. It gives you a glimpse of what a peated scotch is meant to taste like before quickly disappearing; leaving you wondering what you just sipped. It’s a value islay. Decent for an after work everyday drink. Think of it as the box wine of scotch. Good enough for everyday drinking but maybe not something to break out for company. Still - it excels as being dependably average and for that it’s worth buying.

Mellow but noticeable smoke. Like other reviews said, it tastes a little watered down in that the aftertaste is almost nonexistent. Still, it’s enjoyable enough to bring to all the BYOB house concerts I go to as I have no problem sharing this at around $21 a bottle! Especially because those folks are mostly drinking cheap beer. I’ll be a hero!

Smoky as expected. Obviously not in the same class as Laphroaig, Lagavulin, Ardbeg, etc… but at $20/bottle vs. $80ish+ for the others, it will continue to satisy my Islay scotch taste more often than the splurge it takes for the nicer bottles.

Good amount of smoke, a bit of medicine and ash. There are a few baking spices to find, but little else. It could scratch the Islay itch if you find it on sale, but it's not realy very good for me.

Slight peat aroma with sweetness. Taste is okay with a slightly underdesirable initial and long lasting sweetness. Spice remains on the palate with little peat presented.