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Whisky Review: Rock Island Mezcal Edition

We review Douglas Laing's Rock Island Mezcal Edition. It's a blended malt featuring peated Islay whiskies finished in a mezcal cask.

OVERALL RATING

9
$60.00
  • Larissa Banitt, Pacific Northwest native, is a whiskey enthusiast and animal lover.
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Rock Island Mezcal Cask Finished Island Malt Scotch Whisky

Tasting Notes

About:

46.8 ABV, ~ $60, There is no age statement for the blended whiskies, but it was finished for 12 months in mezcal casks.
Appearance:
The liquid is a clear, pale yellow.
Nose:
Moderate smoke is immediately evident. Lightly bitter dark chocolate and brine follow. Apples and stone fruit add sweetness underneath the more robust notes.
Palate:
Smoke and spicy black peppercorns are two of the strongest notes here. Earthy, malty-sweet, agave and citrusy flavors reveal themselves shortly after. The whisky has a light oily feel on the tongue and finishes with a lingering smoky and spicy warmth.
Finish:
Comments:
Rock Island Mezcal Edition is a complex and interesting whisky. Mezcal is not a common finishing barrel, but I think the flavors of the two spirits are very compatible. They both contain smoke from their own respective distilling processes and come together to create a rich, smoky profile in the final product. rnrnHowever, it is hard to piece apart what smoky notes I get from the Islay whiskies versus the mezcal barrel. I’d love a chance to do an A-B comparison with the regular Rock Island. I can taste the agave in the sweeter notes of this whisky. I think it’s a shame this is only a limited edition, and I hope to see more mezcal finishes in the future.

Editor’s Note: This whiskey was either bought as a sample by The Whiskey Wash or provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. Per our editorial policies, this in no way influenced the outcome of this review.

Larissa Banitt

Larissa Banitt, a writer and nurse hailing from the Pacific Northwest, blends her passions for food, whiskey, and animals into a life rich in adventure. When she's not caring for patients, you'll likely find her exploring the outdoors with her dog, trail-riding with her horse, or enjoying a cozy crochet session with her feline companions.

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