Line Up #24 : Peat Bombs

29 March 2024. 

 

 

 

 

The Line Up Concept : 

The Peat Bombs are dirty. It's the uncompromising violence of peat slamming down on the palate. With Peat Bombs, there's no room for nuance or subtlety. This isn't a 25-year-old Macallan swallowed with a finger in the air and a suit and tie in a select club, no, this is the real whisky of the Scottish steppes, the whisky of the stirring wind, the rising tide, the choking smoke. The purity of the elements in a bottle. Before it became a speculative commodity that fetched high prices in auction houses, whisky was the comfort of the farmer, the sheep herder and the miner, and for these people, it didn't need to be delicate and fruity, it needed to be rough, powerful, straightforward and sincere, just like them. And of course you needed peat, because there wasn't a tree in sight, and even coal was too expensive. Aged for no more than a few years in a cask that has already been used several times, this is where you get all the purity of the distillate, and few distilleries dare to play the game. And most of those that do, do so on condition that their name does not appear on the bottle. These are secret distilleries that allow you to experience the full depth of their character, young and unpolished by the influence of the cask. A diamond in the rough, unadorned, without make-up, without the deceptive trappings of marketing and advertising. Of course, it's not for the faint-hearted, the half-glass aficionados, those who want to get home early because they have swimming pool tomorrow, those who like the perfect balance between delicate woodiness and cherry stem aromas. Peat Bombs are for the rough and tumble, for those who love whisky unconditionally, until the end of the night. It's not for everyone.

For me, the true Peat Bomb is ageless. Even Octomore isn't a real Peat Bomb, it's certainly a very peaty whisky, but it's also very refined, a subtle work of art. Just like the Uigeadail and the Corryvreckan, and even the Laphroaig 10 Year Old Cask Strength. These are fine products, too well made to be Peat Bombs. A real Peat Bomb is not triple matured, it's not the work of a goldsmith set to the millimetre, it's crafted with an axe, it's rough around the edges, but at the same time you have the full character of the whisky, its pure DNA, with nothing to get in the way. As a result, Peat Bombs are most often these NAS bottlings released by independent bottlers with a simple maturation, usually in Bourbon Refill casks. It can also be Sherry, but not great Sherry. Be that as it may, the real Peat Bomb is never about nuance. It is not necessarily Cask Strength, but at least 50°. 

 

 

 

For this tasting, I've selected the Peat Bombs I drink every day, these provocatively-named bottlings launched by independent bottlers who have acquired rather young, well-peated casks. The game is also to find the distillery behind the brand. The debates on this subject are endless, but I have my opinions on the matter. Firstly, Caol Ila being the most productive distillery, it is certain that most of these bottlings come from its stills. The others are almost always Islayers, but there are exceptions. I didn't select the Port Askaig, because I think I'll do a separate tasting for this brand, nor the Ileach, the Ileach Cask Strength isn't bad, but the nose isn't great, very good finish on the other hand, but for me that's not enough, nor the Peat Chimney Batch Strength, because I didn't find it very interesting, nor the Cask Islay, which I've never had the chance to taste. The Islay Storm wasn't selected either, as it doesn't exceed 40°, which is unacceptable for a Peat Bomb. I seem to have a copy of all the other ageless, 50+ proof peaty stuff out there.

 

 

 

 

The Tasting : 

Big Peat Christmas Edition 2021 : Douglas Laing is the bottler behind this Blended Malt, which brings together at least 4 Islay distilleries: Caol Ila, Bowmore, Ardbeg and Port Ellen. The Christmas Edition, in Cask Strength, has been around since 2011, and is released every year just before Christmas.
At first, it's fresh and fruity, but very quickly the peat rises, very maritime. Shellfish and white fruits. Ashy smoke, juicy plums. Particularly powerful on the palate, with cloves, aniseed and a dash of vanilla. Long, violent finish with oysters, kelp, razor clams and whelks. Score : 88 

 

 

 

 

Peat's Beast Batch Strength Pedro Ximénez Sherry Wood Finish 2020 :Fox Fitzgerald Whisky Trading Company launched this thing in 2019. The bottlings are Cask Strength, so they're back-to-back limited editions. Rumour has it that this is Benromach. Possibly BenRiach too.
Grainy, earthy smoke, with dried fruits, dates, apricots, but also raspberries and blackberries. Beautiful complexity. It's velvety. Oily on the palate, sultanas, cranberries, caramel, powerful but not overpowering finish, long and deep, earth, mushrooms, bark, cinnamon. Score : 88

Bårelegs Battle Axe : The Islay Boys is a small company founded by two Islay natives, and they launched this in 2020. It was whispered in my ear that it was Lagavulin, and today I'm sure it is, all the markers are there.
Elegant peat, limestone, oily mud. Vanilla and mirabelle plum. Oily on the palate, medicinal touch, Vaporub, cumin, very violent spices. Vanilla in the background. Long, full finish, with a hint of iodine, pear and lemon. Score : 88 

 

 

 

 

Compass Box The Peat Monster Origin Story : This Blended Malt, introduced in early 2023 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Peat Monster, is a blend of Laphroaig and Caol Ila, as well as three other non-Islay distilleries, in small quantities.
The nose is perfectly balanced, with fine medicinal peat, light iodine and evanescent white fruits. Meringue, Île flottante, lemony prairie fire, molasses-laden peat, cumin, cloves. Powerful, very long finish, full of iodine, genoise, burnt bacon. Score : 90

 

 

 

 

Scarabus Batch Strength : Hunter Laing has launched the Scarabus brand, then this Batch Strength in 2020, in order to finance their Islay-based distillery, Ardnahoe, whose first single malt should be arriving any day now. I'm ready to bet big money that it's Caol Ila.
The nose is full of limestone and iodine, you're right on the sea, whipped up by the sea spray. Beautiful amber peat, but also airy. Crushed pear. Mouth of seawater, foam, kelp and seaweed, then intense spices. It remains oily. Long, pleasant finish, burning coal, cumin and cloves, hot chestnuts. Score : 88

 

 

 

 

Classic of Islay 2018 : The Classic of Islay has been around for over twenty years, and is the work of Jack Wiebers Whisky World, a well-known German bottler. What's special about them is that they're single casks. There are rumours here and there that they are Lagavulin, and that fits the profile.
Slightly acidic nose, cooked apple, cinnamon, nutmeg. Quince marmalade, apricots and sultanas. The palate is pleasant but nothing more, with caramelised notes, lively spices and a long, velvety, liquoriced finish.. Score : 87

 

 

 

 

Finlaggan Cask Strength : This one has been around since 2009, and the Finlaggan brand is very old, it's the work of bottler Vintage Malt Whisky C°. Some say it's Lagavulin, but I'm sure it's Caol Ila, the two profiles are quite different.
Fairly sweet sherry, with ashy smoke and a few grapes. Notes of blood orange, whiffs of sea air. Quite oily on the palate, but not very expressive. Quince juice, iced tea, hint of iodine. Long but not very explosive finish, pleasant nonetheless, full of liquorice. Forest notes, bark, vegetable moss, mushrooms. Score : 87

Smokehead High Voltage : Ian MacLeod Distillers also wanted to launch its own ultra-peated brand, and that's Smokehead. This high proof edition dates from 2018. For this one, it's Ardbeg, but be warned, it seems that not all Smokeheads are Ardbeg.
Ardbegian nose, vegetal and full-bodied. Impressive peat. Intense and earthy, vegetal smoke. Light on the palate, but enlivened by spices, cumin and pepper, ginger and a nice oily touch. Rather violent, atomic finish, liquorice sweets. Woody hints, charcoal rain. Score : 87

Mac-Talla Mara Cask Strength : This one was launched in 2020, by Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers, who are the former owners of Bowmore. So there's not much doubt about the origin of the product.
Fresh fish, sardines and herrings. A little less strong peat, with a hint of lemon. Light on the palate, still lemon, accompanied by expressive spices, cumin, cloves. Fairly silky. Quite strong finish, with iodine, sea spray and charcoal. Score : 86

'As We Get It' Islay Single Malt 2021 Second Batch : In addition to Smokehead, Ian MacLeod Distillers has been offering this other brand for some twenty years, and I can swear it's Caol Ila. These are Cask Strength bottlings, with one limited edition after another.
Strong sea peat and iodine. Some charcoal hints in the background, even some fruits. Oily, fishy palate, covered in peat, with intense spices, cloves, cumin and pepper. Very respectable, well-crafted finish, with tobacco, sea spray, ash and chocolate. Score : 87

Elements of Islay Peat Full Proof : Finally, a specimen of the Elements of Islay brand, launched by Elixir Distillers, which was originally called Speciality Drinks. This Peat Full Proof dates from 2016, is sadly no longer produced, and is rumoured to be a blend of Laphroaig and Caol Ila. I wouldn't be surprised if there's a bit of Bunnahabhain in there too.
Pure peat. Fruitless, with just a dash of vanilla. Granitic, mineral, a pinch of iodine, ashy. Just peat. On the palate, it's covered in peat and a little more maritime, even fishy. The finish is long, relatively violent, ashy. Score : 87 

What I gain from it : 

• The Islay distilleries are by far the most involved, including Caol Ila, which produces the most, as well as Lagavulin. There's also Ardbeg, Laphroaig and Bowmore, but on a more limited scale. Bruichladdich, Bunnahabhain and Kilchoman probably don't have the stocks to create such products, or it wouldn't be profitable.
  
• These are, of course, bottlings that all look a bit the same, slaps in the face full of peat, smoke and coal, and few nuances. That's the product line, and that's why we buy it.
  
• Whatever the youth of the product, the peat gives it a lovely fullness and a certain complexity. There may be some flaws, often a little light on the palate, but in any case the pleasure is there, and the doses of peat, iodine and charcoal are very generous, giving it great depth. My notes may seem exaggerated, but I really think they are measured and in keeping with the quality of the product. It is still necessary to add a little water to calm the alcoholic effluvia and round out the overall taste.
  
• It's from these bottlings that you can see the quality of the distillate, it's a few years old and it's already full of character, and well made. Whatever people say, the Islay distilleries are doing an excellent job, and many distilleries would like to do as well with juices that are only 4 or 5 years old.
  

 

 

 

Conclusion : 

There are now too many Peat Bombs to choose from, it's time to clear the air a little so we know which ones to buy first. For me, the choice is already made. The Bårelegs Battle Axe is the best way to get Lagavulin at over 50° for less than 100 euros, the Scarabus Batch Strength is the best young Caol Ila possible, and the Big Peat Christmas Edition are perfect Blended Malts. If you prefer Sherry ageing, then Peat's Beast Pesro Ximénez is the perfect choice. I also love the Peat Monster in Cask Strength, but these are rare and expensive limited editions. The Elements of Islay range should be explored further, as it has just been renewed, and I haven't had a chance to taste any of the new bottlings. Apart from that, it's rare for Peat Bombs to be truly disappointing. You know what you're buying and you get what you asked for. 

I've got nothing against more nuanced, older whiskies, I've got plenty of those too and I love them, and I've got nothing against people who prefer something more polished either. But for me, Peat Bombs are the basis of whisky and you need to come back to them regularly. It's the core of the whisky and you get an extract from it with every sip.