I really enjoy exploring expressions from a single distillery – it enables one to discern underlying commonalities whilst at the same time the variations that come from different elements – be it maturing in different casks, periods of time or use of peat.
Even better is when you have a trio packaged conveniently in 200ml bottles – perfect to share with a few folks without needing to host a party!
Celt was the last in our trio – the only one that used peat. What did we think?
Penderyn Celt 41%
- Nose – Is that dried apricot? Then shifted quickly into briney sea salt (reminiscent of Talisker?), then apples and vanilla, with the smokiness also joining, sweet caramel, smoked bacon, sponge cake… delightfully evolving and shifting between different elements
- Palate – Mmmmm…. buttery, smokey, well rounded whisky with that oily quality that properly coats the palate, nice warm fire
- Finish – From sweet to bitter, lingering to leave a subtle smokey tail
This one caught our attention – most enjoyable and held up very well even after some time. For some – it was the clear favourite! Though the ex-bourbon matured Myth without peat was also a winner.
As we sat back and considered all three in the Dragon Range – Legend, Myth and this Celt – we recognized some common threads…. each had apples and vanilla on the nose and a nice bitterness on the palate. Interesting!
And what do the folks at Penderyn have to say?
Celt is a single malt whisky finished in ex-peated quarter casks, bottled at 41% abv. (43% in the USA). This whisky has a Kosher certificate.
- Nose: Mild aromas of peat smoke, early morning at the rocky seaside and warm marmalade on toast all compete for our attention.
- Palate: It begins with great sweetness before the smoky, slightly medicinal flavours descend.
- Finish: Slight bitterness follows that leaves a long and lingering freshness in the mouth.
I bought this tasting set of 200 ml bottles for EUR 37. Then hand delivered samples to my tasting companions in Sweden and France.
Here is the convoluted tale of how we came to taste the Penderyn Dragon range:
- Myth (ex-bourbon) 41%
- Legend (Madeira finish) 41%
- Celt (peat) 41% (this post)
What about our earlier Penderyn explorations?
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