Kinsip Headland's Hearth

It is so cool to see Ontario's whisky landscape evolve. Kinsip released their 2020 edition Headland's Hearth, a "grain-to-glass" 100% malted barley single malt. Headland's Hearth is aged in a Scottish barrel and finished in an Oloroso sherry cask.  It sold out within a day. Sadness ensued.  I was beside myself in delight when I was given the opportunity to taste this creation.  The nose provides light savoury peat with apple and moss; evocative of rolling hills leading to a stone castle. It has a depth and maturity that is unexpected. It opens up after a few minutes with some added oak, nuts and caramel.  As I sip, a momentary sweet apricot tanginess with white pepper turns into a pleasant crescendo of bitter smokiness. This peatiness is more dry and savory, like a cocoa rub BBQ skewer with a spritz of lime on top. The smoke is at no point overwhelming. I prefer a bit more viscosity but this is a pour that is very easy for whisky drinkers (particularly coffee inclined ones) to enjoy. This dram could even introduce peat to smoke-curious folks too. Hearth, much like its literal definition, makes me think of cozy and warming sensations (like a warm drink by a roaring fire) and this dram does just that for me. 7.75/10