Sliabh Liag Distillery The Legendary Dark Silkie Blended Irish Whiskey (700ml)

"complex. The peat is vivid up top, but not overwhelming..." - drinkhacker.com

Peat makes for a curious departure from your typical Irish. Like its sister bottling, the Legendary Silkie, the Dark Silkie is also triple distilled, but from thereon diverges. It starts with a single malt peated to 55ppm (once distilled the phenols are reduced to around 22ppm). This component is matured in Sherry casks and later blended with a double-distilled single malt drawn from Bourbon barrels, together with high quality grain whiskey matured in virgin oak. Its style has pleasantly surprised many tasters who otherwise stray away from peated expressions. Bonus points for the higher than normal Irish proof and NCF which allows the oily texture of the whisky to shine. 46% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.

Other reviews... ...complex. The peat is vivid up top, but not overwhelming, lightly smoky but sweet, with elements of citrus and cherry wood evident. The “darkness” is mild on the palate, driven by a through-line of peat, though it doesn’t feel overwhelmingly well-integrated here, adding a layer of dusty ash atop a core that evokes almonds, a light touch of stone fruit, and brown sugar. Gently honeyed on the finish, the smoke soon all but disappears, leaving behind some notes of toasted bread, baked apples, and — eventually — some lingering chimney soot elements late in the game. - drinkhacker.com

Notes from the producers... NOSE: Fresh apple and pear with spiced dry smoke and welcoming virgin oak. TASTE: The Dark Silkie's signature softness develops to a rich salted caramel sweetness. Waves of sweet pipe tobacco, liquorice and dark chocolate give way to warm toffee and pear. FINISH: Warming elegant finish of malty smoke and peanut butter.

Double Gold - Blended Irish Whiskey - 2021, San Francisco World Spirits Competition