Holyrood Embra (70cl, 43.6%)

Embra is a single malt from Holyrood Distillery, bottled in 2024 at 43.6%. The mash combines peated malt with distillers and chocolate malt, and fermentation draws on two distilling yeasts, three brewing yeasts and two wine yeasts. Maturation takes place in first-fill bourbon barrels, Islay quarter casks and a smaller share of new American oak barrels. It is non-chill-filtered and natural in colour. Lemon peel, horse chestnut, peppermint and light hickory smoke lead the nose. The palate brings wafer biscuits, dark chocolate mousse and earthy peat smoke, ending in stewed pear and a clean, rounded finish.