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Carpathian Single Malt Peated Bourbon Cask Review

Can a Romanian single malt deliver peat without overwhelming smoke? This review explores Carpathian Peated Bourbon Cask’s 35PPM balance of sweetness and spice.

OVERALL RATING

7
$63
  • Mark Bostock, a whisky enthusiast specializing in independent bottlings.
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Tasting Notes

About:

Romanian single malt brand Carpathian has been crafting whisky at the Alexandrion Saber 1789 Distillery situated near the Carpathian Mountains since 2017. Carpathian’s Master Distiller Allan Anderson hold more than 30 years’ experience in Scotch whisky and Irish whiskey distillation.

The Carpathian Peated Bourbon Cask expression is crafted with malted barley sourced from partners in Belgium, who had smoked it using Scottish peat imparting a phenol content of 35PPM. The whisky was matured for 4 years in select ex-bourbon casks, and released as part of Carpathian’s Peated Collection. Bottled at natural colour and non-chill filtered at 46% ABV.
Appearance:
Light Gold
Nose:
Delicate light peat aromas, with vanilla and caramel. There are also notes of fresh cut grass, lemon citrus, and a touch of minerality.
Palate:
Medicinal peat accompanied by a flash of salt opens on the palate. This is balanced by vanilla and caramel, giving way to some limestone and flint minerality. The peat becomes sweeter, alongside some pepper and chilli.
Finish:
Medium-long, warming peppery peat lingers.
Comments:
Carpathian’s Peated Bourbon Cask expression has been crafted to appeal to both those beginning to explore peated whisky and existing fans of the style. At a peat level of 35PPM, the expression is consistent with Scotland’s Lagavulin or Ledaig peated whiskies, but this Carpathian whisky feels like a much gentler peated style.

On the nose the peat is delicate, and although there’s a flash of medicinal peat on the initial palate this becomes much sweeter complemented by pepper and chilli; however, I enjoyed how this was balanced by caramel sweetness and minerality. An easy drinking introduction to the peated whisky, but I’m not sure Carpathian’s expression would satisfy fans of the heavily peated style.

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.

Mark Bostock

Mark Bostock, an integral part of the Mark Littler LTD UK content writing team since 2019, brings a genuine passion for whisky, especially independent bottlings, to his work. His commitment to expanding his knowledge through attending tasting events and building his own collection enriches his contributions, blending expertise with enthusiasm.

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