South Star Islay 2013-2021 8 Year Old (70cl, 48%)

An 8-year-old Islay single malt, distilled in 2013 and bottled in 2021 by South Star Spirits at 48% in a 70cl bottle. The distillery is not named. South Star is an offshoot of North Star Spirits and launched at the same time as Iain Croucher's plans for the new Dal Riata distillery in Campbeltown. This was one of the first three releases from South Star, all bottled at 48% from batches of 10 hogshead casks. The nose is rich and intense with smoke, with some gentleness to it. The palate shows distinct peat, vanilla and salt, and the finish is long and ashy, with just enough oak.