Raasay 45 months Peated Cask Sample, Virgin Chinkapin Oak Cask

Raasay 45 months Peated Cask Sample, Virgin Chinkapin Oak Cask

Caskshare
Single malt - Islands
Amber
Around 55% ABV
Dram

Nose: Leather, mint, fresh cut grass, raisins, sage, orange peel, white pepper, smoke. With water, pears, pencil erasers, white pepper, hints of dark chocolate. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, loosens, tingly, hot. 
Tasting:  Sweet salty. Mint, fresh cut grass, orange peel, sage, smoke, dark chocolate, white pepper, sea salt, hints of roast chicken. With water, dark chocolate, pears, pencil erasers, smoke. 
Finish: Medium. White pepper, smoke, leather, dark chocolate, hints of roast chicken. 

Comments: 

This is actually whisky, unlike the previous 2 cask samples I had from Raasay. It’s fruity and spicy, lots of interesting flavours imparted by the virgin oak cask. Some slightly sulphurous notes too, but ‘good’ sulphur rather than unpleasant sulphur. Water opens it right up, creating a smoky, chocolatey dram.

Verdict:

I like this.