Peat's Beast Batch Strength Pedro Ximénez Sherry Wood Finish 2020

 

 

 

54,1°

Distillery Officially Unknown - Speyside

Bourbon Casks and Pedro Ximénez Sherry Finish

Independent Bottling 

By Fox Fitzgerald Whisky Trading Company

Core Range 

Single Malt 

Launched in 2019

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Heavily Peated

Fox Fitzgerald Whisky Trading Company was founded in England by Eamon Jones and Aidan Smith. In 14 years, their main achievement has been to create the Peat's Beast brand, apart from which they have only produced around thirty bottlings. Peat's Beast is a heavily peated version from a Speyside distillery, rumoured to be Benromach, but it could also be BenRiach or even Ardmore. Peat's Beast Batch Strength is a high alcohol edition, always the same, 54.1°. This proves that it is not Cask Strength, contrary to what many sales websites claim. And this one has been further finished in Pedro Ximénez Sherry casks for nine months. Batches come out regularly, two or three a year, this one was bottled on 13 August 2020, according to the date laser-engraved on the bottle. But I doubt there's much difference between the different Batches.

Let's Taste It : 

Grainy smoke, set with charcoal. But the Sherry brings velvety fruits, raspberries and blackberries. It's deep and earthy. Dried fruit, dates and apricots. Burnt hay. Liquorice and fuel oil. On the palate, the fruits stand out, cranberries, gooseberries, quince, sultanas, it's quite oily, toffee burning on the pan, not-so-strong spices, cloves, ginger, nutmeg, cumin. Long and charcoal finish, woody, cinnamon, bark, dark chocolate, braised mushrooms, fermented cherries.

In Short, 

It really is a success. I know I tend to exaggerate my rates on very peaty whiskies because I love it, but this is not the case here, it's just a very good bottle, the Sherry penetrates the distillate very well, without completely erasing it. The peat is there, powerful, and the earthy hints seem to confirm that this is Benromach or BenRiach. I'd recommend buying it for enthusiasts, but be careful to find it at the right price, as it can vary by as much as double depending on where it's sold.

Score : 88

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Divine Martyr - Absolution