Holyrood – Embra Single Malt Whisky (70cl, 43.6%)

Embra is the second release from Holyrood Distillery, founded in 2019 in Edinburgh, and is a peated single malt bottled at 43.6% ABV in a 70cl bottle. The name is a colloquial word for Edinburgh, and the label design draws on images of St Leonard, patron saint of coopers. It was distilled with 56 per cent peated malt and matured in a combination of first fill bourbon barrels, Islay quarter casks and new American oak barrels. The nose is lemon peel and horse chestnut with hints of peppermint and light hickory smoke. The palate has wafer biscuits, dark chocolate mousse and earthy peat smoke. The finish is stewed pear and clean.