Our May meeting was titled, Peat & Sherry. Sherry is always sweet, but Peat can be a bit of a jerk..all bitter and such.After all, look at the photo of Peat here. It’s not pretty.
We had a great turn-out. Over 30 folks enjoyed the tasting. Well, over 30 enjoyed spending time with Sherry but only a handful enjoyed Peats company.
As is our M.O. (thats Modus Operandi) each taster ranked the five expressions 1 thru 5, with 1 being the favorite and 5 being the least favorite. And here, for your ready pleasure, are the results:
#5 – Laphroaig Quarter Cask, Single Malt Scotch, 48% ALC, $45
#4 – Bowmore, 12 Years Old, Sherry Finished, Single Malt Scotch, 40%alc, $39
#3 – Balvenie, 15 Years Old, Sherry Cask, Single Barrel, Single Malt Scotch, 47.8% ALC, $100
#2 – Laphroaig Triple Wood, Single Malt Scotch, 48% ALC, $55
#1 – Bowmore, 15 Years Old, Darkest, Sherry Finished, Single Malt Scotch, 43% ALC, $59
I would offer tasting notes but the notes were all over the board. When reviewing them it was hard to get much consistency. BUT, you will notice that the only one not having a sherry finish came in last, the Laphroaig Quarter Cask. This one is a great representative of the peated scotch industry. The peat is not too heavy and it is a smooth drinking expression. But if you dont like Peat you will never like this one.
My suggestion is this.dont give up on Peat. Too appreciate him you need to start slowly. Grab a bottle of Highland Park 12 year old. It has just enough peat to give you the flavor but it will not overwhelm you. When your appreciation starts to grow move to the Laphroaig Triple Wood. Much more Peat than the Highland Park but it is tamed by the sherry.
I wish you the best in your journey to expand your scotch palate.
Cheers,
Doug #1