Award winning vatted whiskies

Peat Monster, (1st edition, available until 2009), 46% ABV

Typical cost of this bottle; €€€€€

Nose: Peat, (wood) smoke, slightly burnt rubber and a salty ocean. Could I say this has the nose of a peat and wood fire on a rubber dingy floating towards the horizon on the Atlantic Ocean?

Palate: Initially smooth with a burst of peat, followed quickly by that smokiness (like burning wood) which then recedes to leave a further blast of peat.

Overall Impression: If I had to find a criticism of this one I would say it is slightly one-dimensional, with lots of peat and smoke, but not much else by way of complexity. If you like peat and smoke, then look no further.

Oak Cross, 46% ABV

Typical cost of this bottle; €€€€€

Nose: Malt with almond and a slight hint of spearmint.

Palate: No hint of almond on the palate, but there is some malt and a fresh floral sensation which unlike the nose, is not minted.

Overall Impression: I feel this has more substance and body than the Eleuthera, with a quite powerful herb and almost floral sensation which makes it a most enjoyable dram.

Eleuthera, 46% ABV

Typical cost of this bottle; €€€€€

Nose: Light and delicate, but with an almost insignificant nose. It really is hard to describe.

Palate: This has a real maritime feel. Not so peaty or smoky, but in amongst that light floral character are hints of sea air and salt.

Overall impression: I do like the CB Eleuthera and it was a delight to find the maritime characteristics. This is a very good light whisky.

Asyla, 46% ABV

Typical cost of this bottle; €€€€€

Nose: Light perfume, slightly floral and almost citrus.

Palate: Initial cream, very smooth with some vanilla, lime and honey.

Overall Impression: Very pleasant, a good anytime whisky

Spice Tree, 46% ABV

The original, first edition

Typical cost of this bottle; €€€€€

Glass: Classic Malt

Colour: Warm dark gold.

Nose: Initial hints of slightly rubbery oak soon turn more aromatic as a touch of almost minty cardomom appears.

Palate: As the name suggests it's spicy, but it also exhibits hints of fresh wood and a mix of what appear to be Indian and Meditteranean exotic herbs and spices.

Finish: Long and slightly spicy, even growing a little with time.

Overall Impression: I guess you'd expect 'Spice Tree' to be spicy, but this is so in a delightfully light way. I like it!

Great King Street, 43% ABV

"Artist's Blend"

Typical cost of this bottle; €€€€€

Reviewed as part of MMA 2011

Glass: Classic Malt

Colour: Very pale yellow

Nose: This really appears to need time. I detect only hints of grasses and fresh countryside air. This does expand with time but with more of the same, although a light floral fragrance is suggested too.

Palate: There's certainly more happening on the palate than the nose with creamy but faint fruit and malt, then a mild hint of liquorice towards the finish. There's also a mild spiciness, very mild.

Finish: Medium to long.

Overall Impression: This may be light and slightly unassuming, but it really is a good whisky and well worth trying.

Flaming Heart, 46.9% ABV

Sept. 2010 edition

Typical cost of this bottle; €€€€€ (just, right on the border at €75)

Reviewed as part of MMA 2011

Glass: Classic Malt

Colour: 9ct yellow gold

Nose: Initial burst of (lemon) citrus leads on to a suggestion of fresh Atlantic sea-air. With time in the glass that lemon turns more herbal and even grassy. This is finally followed by a very light rubberiness.

Palate: Creamy smooth mouth-feel offers lots of lemon and vanilla, with a nice tingle too. I think I even detect a suggestion of melon now.

Finish: Medium to long with fruits and spices.

Overall Impression: A most enjoyable light but fresh and fruity whisky.