Scarabus

Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky

HUNTER LAING & CO. LTD.

WHISKY

ABV: 46%

Style: Single Malt

Region: Islay

Price per bottle: £31.95

Bottling: Distillery

Availability: Travel Retail

Rob

Nose: Instant seaside BBQ. Turf fires, smoked venison haunches and smoking oak chips.

Then the saline, sea salt caramel ice cream. Hints of aged Tabasco sauce with black pudding. Bacon rashers and apple.

Palate: Sweet and gentle, more fruit comes through, toffee apples and foam bananas. The smoke is in the back. Cleaning the grate out in the morning.

Finish: There’s the smoke and Tabasco spices. Some tea tannins make it very mouth puckering.

Comments: A smoked salmon sandwich on the beech as the wind whips the sea up.

8.7

Christopher

Nose: Coal smoke and plasters. Someone has lit the BBQ and opened the first-aid kit. Delightfully coastal, with seaweed, a little engine oil, a touch of emulsion paint and chalk dust. Underneath, one finds pear liqueur, crispy bacon and lager beer – malt and hops for sure.

Palate: Mouth-watering and medicinal, the iodine notes are balanced by vanilla, blossom honey, and red grape drink.

Finish: Long, with a really wonderful cherrycola note.

Comments: Makes me feel like I’ve stopped for a soda while painting my harbourside cottage.

8.1