Port Askaig 12 Year Old

Nose: Very fresh and invigorating, with bracing sea air, seashells, a minerally character like wet slate, plus phenolic notes of ash and wet burnt wood.  Faint honeyed, leafy notes in the background.  Becomes earthier with time.

Palate: Mediumweight, but packs a punch. Very minerally initially, then salty and sweet at the same time.  Becomes ashy and drying, with the brininess increasing as the smoke, dry turf and chalky, flinty notes assume control mid-palate.

Finish:  Some lemony acidity breezes in to keep things fresh as the ashy smoke and turf linger.

Comment:  More savoury than some drams from this distillery, this 12yo has impressive depth of character for a relatively young malt, but remains light enough to encourage a refill.  Very more-ish.