NOSE:
Beautiful and rich, this syrupy pour is packed with dates, sweet oak and warm honey, apricots and a faint honey and pastry note. Super rich, packed with character and I’m amazed at the concentration on the honey and apricot note.
TASTE:
Medium to rich viscosity on the palate. Honey, fresh baked apple crisp, apricot once more. Rich honey, sweet butter cream, fresh baked bread, bold malt character. Light peppery backbone and a faint touch of a bit of ash.
FINISH:
Long finish, it’s complex and powerful and wraps together the sweet pastry notes, syrupy fruit and satisfying pepper and ash. While this expression is unpeated (as are all Black Art) just a touch of that Islay character rolls through and adds an extra, lovely, level of complexity.
OVERALL:
Overall, this year’s Black Art is an exercise in power and balance, with bold flavors and impressive strengths still playing greatly in balance with each other.