James MacArthur 14 Years Old Islay Blended Malt

Tasted in Whisky Magazine Issue 60 by Martine Nouet and Dave Broom.

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Tasting Notes

Martine Nouet Nose Grassy, peaty, citrussy. Thick smoke wraps up seashells and green seaweeds Coal tar. Palate Sweet to start even at full strength. Milk chocolate, lemon pulp released in a wave of freshness. Water enhances a bitter edge. Finish Dry, chewed rush. Comment Alcohol is so well tamed. A fully Islay vatted malt. Vatted, really? More a single than a vatted. Or an Ardbeg vatted with a Laphroaig?

Dave Broom Nose Immediately smoky. Fish boxes and brine. Higher alcohol increases the feeling of rigidity, but it needs water to soften things. Palate Oily phenols hit home. Quite tarry. Without water its reather dusty and dry, with it though there’s caramelised scallops. Finish Long, a little metallic. Comment A big playfight on Port Ellen beach after closing time.