Ailsa Bay – Sweet Smoke (70cl, 48.9%)

Ailsa Bay Sweet Smoke is a Lowland single malt bottled at 48.9% in a 70cl bottle. The Ailsa Bay distillery was built in 2007 on the site of the former Girvan distillery. The new make is first filled into Hudson Baby Bourbon casks. It then spends several years in first-fill and second-fill American white oak. The stated 22 ppm refers to the peat level in the distillate, not in the malted barley. The nose brings charcoal smoke and heather, then oaky sweetness and caramelised apple. On the palate, smoke like a fresh campfire alternates with vanilla, caramel and light fruit. The finish balances smoky dryness with woody sweetness.