Douglas Laing Rock Island (70cl, 46.8%)

Rock Island is a blended malt from independent bottler Douglas Laing, in a 70cl bottle at 46.8%. It combines single malts from Islay, Jura, Arran and Orkney, with no grain whisky, and is non-chill-filtered and of natural colour. It belongs to the Remarkable Regional Malts range and is aimed at a maritime, lightly smoky style. The nose brings briny air, damp rope, sweet barley and distant bonfire smoke. On the palate are salted caramel, peppered citrus, honey-glazed malt and a little peat. The finish is long, with sea salt, fading smoke and lingering spice.