Discovering Three Distinct Scottish Whiskies: A Peated Journey

Whisky enthusiasts often seek out expressions that balance tradition with unique character, and today we're diving into three intriguing peated offerings from Scotland. From the smoky shores of Islay to the historic Campbeltown region and the emerging Lowlands, these whiskies showcase diverse profiles. We'll explore Bunnahabhain Toiteach a Dhà, Campbeltown Loch, and the Thompson Brothers Mystery Malt Annandale (Peated) 5 Year Old, reviewing, tasting and highlighting their stories and flavours.

Bunnahabhain Toiteach a Dhà

Bunnahabhain Toiteach a Dhà is a no-age-statement peated single malt from the Bunnahabhain Distillery on Islay, known for its Gaelic name meaning "smoky two." This expression builds on the original Toiteach by incorporating more sherry cask influence, resulting in a richer, more complex smoke profile that's approachable yet layered, bottled at 46.3% ABV without chill-filtration for authenticity.

Nose: Prototypical oloroso sherry notes mingle with a fresh ocean coastline aroma and a light dry peat, featuring raisins, walnuts, brown sugar, and occasional hints of maple syrup-glazed smoked ham with cloves. Caramel from the sherry casks adds sweet and dry elements, with charged lemon zest and vanilla pods subtly emerging.

Palate: The dry peat shines through as wood smoke balanced by Demerara sugar, revealing dark chocolate, raisins, cranberries, walnuts, and a vanilla caramel drizzle, with faint earthy wet dirt notes. A surprising ginger and peppery spice hit leads into a buttery, sweet mid-palate that feels boozy despite the ABV.

Finish: Lingering smoke and spice fade into creamy vanilla and subtle tannins, leaving a balanced, warming impression.

Very enjoyable if you like your peat, I have a feeling this won't be for everyone, but its not too overpowering 87/100.

Campbeltown Loch

Campbeltown Loch is a blended malt Scotch whisky produced by J&A Mitchell, owners of Springbank Distillery, incorporating malts from all three active Campbeltown distilleries: Springbank, Glen Scotia, and Kilkerran. Bottled at 46% ABV, this non-age-statement blend captures the region's signature funky, maritime character with a touch of peat, making it an accessible entry into Campbeltown's storied whisky heritage.

Nose: Intense and complex, with mild floral peat, tropical fruits, nuts, red berries, raisins, dried figs, and baking spice, evolving into saline maritime notes, vanilla, mocha, and subtle workshop funk. Soft musty peat smoke joins industrial oils, coastal salt, herbs, and fruits like orange, guava, melon, mango, papaya, and peaches.

Palate: Oily and intense with a maritime, almost salty start, balanced by briny savouriness; sweet with umami and spice, featuring guava, toasted orange rind, and earthy smoke alongside damp oak, cured meats, tobacco, eucalyptus, juicy red fruits, salinity, and black pepper.

Finish: Medium-length with lingering smoke, mineral notes, and a whisper of toffee and salted butter, providing a satisfying, creamy close.

For the price, around £35 a bottle, its one of the best drinks out there in my opinion. 93/100

Thompson Brothers Mystery Malt Annandale (Peated) 5 Year Old

This isn't quite the 21 year old Highland Malt we got last month, but still a very enjoyable and enticing prospect. The Thompson Brothers Mystery Malt series offers blind-bottled single malts in opaque black glass for an element of surprise, with this particular edition revealed as a 5-year-old peated expression from Annandale Distillery in the Lowlands. Matured in a rye cask from Woodford Reserve and bottled at 46.3% ABV, it highlights Annandale's Man O' Sword peated style, known for its bold youthfulness and historical ties to Scottish legends like Robert the Bruce.

Nose: Distinct peaty smoke with medicinal hints, burnt orange peel, candied walnuts, ripe summer berries, and a subtle coastal salinity; sweet BBQ flavors underline the peat without overwhelming.

Palate: Syrupy and ashy with light pleasant peat smoke, caramel, brown sugar, tobacco, and fermented apples; the youth adds a peppery kick that benefits from a drop of water.

Finish: Long and warming with sticky dates, tobacco leaf, nutmeg, smouldering oak embers, rich smoke, and a touch of vanilla, delivering luxurious depth for its age.

This is a really pleasant dram, easily drinkable, great profile and a pleasant surprise for such a young whisky. 88/100