Review #912 (2022)
Strata is a reference to the rocks Islay stands on. Complex and layered, as this whisky, which is matured in Bourbon and Sherry casks. Mellow peat on the nose. A bit of Sherry influence if you know it’s there, and really search for it…
Here we go! More peaty in the taste, with an instant boost of spices. A bit of dried fruits as well, which comes more forward in the finish. After a couple of minutes in the glass, the spices really picks up! Some citrusy and salty notes as well.
It is actually quite sweet, but it’s not sugary sweetness, but the sweetness you get from the dried fruits. The peat is also interesting – not a kick like young potent Islay whisky, and not subtle like old peated whisky, but just somewhere in the middle. I will give this 86/100 (21/22/21/22).