Price: $335 AUD
Purchased From: SMWS Australia
ABV: 56.8%
‘Pirates From The Hebridean’ is a 17-year-old from distillery 3 with a total of 189 bottles. Initially matured in an ex-Bourbon barrel for 14 years before being finished in a refill ex-Guyanese rum barrel for the final 3 years. I’m always hesitant about ex-rum cask whiskies – I’ve had a few shockers over the years – but given this was just the finishing cask I was optimistic.
Nose
Sweet, salty and smoky – an amazing nose. Lightly medicinal, salted caramel, old ships’ ropes, peaches.
Taste
Smoked bacon, more salted caramel, grilled pineapple, tropical fruits; the rum influence is there but not overpowering. Rich and thick mouthfeel with a long finish.
Conclusion
Fantastic release! The perfect combination of sweet and peat. I found it also benefited from a drop of water.