Review #: 570
Description: Scarabus Islay Single Malt
Spirit: Scotch
Background: It’s been a while since I last reviewed a scotch. Thankfully, I have plenty of samples stashed away so I just grabbed some random ones. Scarabus is the new (in 2019) line from Hunter Laing. This single malt was bottled for the 2019 Feis Ile and the opening of the Ardenhoe Distillery on the island. Not sure of the source, but the easiest guess would be Caol Ila.
Distillery – Undisclosed
Bottler – Hunter Laing
Brand – Scarabus
Selection – N/A
ABV – 46%
Age – NAS
Nose – Milk chocolate, candied lemon, orange zest, ginger bread, cream cheese frosting
Taste – Chocolate syrup, Frosted Flakes, sweet cream, almost like a cream soda taste
Finish – Sea salt, crusty sourdough, coffee, ginger, smoke is light but salty and tart
Score: 5
Would I buy a bottle? Yes
Thoughts: Pleasantly surprised with this. Good flavor, peat smoke is complimentary without being aggressive, proof is low but not watery, and this comes in under $50. Not a bad single malt to keep around the house.