Review #916 (2022)
Caisteal Chamuis means Castle Camus and is a heavily peated blended Island malt whisky. There are three stages to the maturation. The first being maturation in refill and first-fill American oak Hogsheads – the second maturation in Virgin American Oak with fresh Oloroso Sherry Oak Heads – the last stage is a finish in smaller 200 litre fresh Bourbon Barrels. Fresh white fruits and hay in the smell. The peat is quite mellow.
Much more peat in the taste. And the 46% really adds to the initial experience. Still hay and vegetation, but now the white fruits are a bit mellow, while the peat is much more dominant. Some vanilla and spices come forward in the finish.
So glad they bottled it at 46% – it really adds to the experience, compared to many of the young peated whiskies bottled at 40%. A straightforward simple whisky, that delivers what it is supposed to. I will give this 83/100 (20/21/21/21).