Highland
Buxton Brewery

 

Pours a pitch black coloration with a medium, quickly receding, foamy head. Smell is quite smoky and peaty, with hints of tobacco, leather and a certain floral note. Taste is dominated by roasted malt, with medium smoky and peaty notes and lighter notes of chocolate, coffee, tobacco, leather and dark fruits, most notably fig and raisins, with a light hoppy, floral/grassy note as well. Finishes with a light bitterness and some peat lingering in the aftertaste. Smooth mouthfeel with a rich body and low carbonation.

This definitely has that peaty Islay note and a good complexity to it, but the balance seems a little off, which is a shame. Even though the hops are rather light, they still seem out of place here. Still a unique and enjoyable brew though.

This barrel aged RIS goes along the way of their previously released Arran whiskey barrel aged RIS.
It seems a little bit sweeter, les peated and no iodin can be distinguished at all in this one. Dark and red berries notes are present.
Enjoyable.
I like this series of Scotch barrel aged RIS. Keep it coming!