Mini SBT from Oshima-san Sample C

The Mini SBT, regularly conducted with Oshima-san from the Malt community, concludes here with Sample C. (Contents below are based on blind tasting): ・Mini SBT from Oshima-san Sample C Aroma features grapefruit zest, dried malt, nuts, a soft yet pronounced peat, vanilla, and a slight vegetal note. The peat is well-defined but the overall impression remains clear. On the palate, it has a soft mouthfeel, concentrated grapefruit, a powdery texture with chewy bite, umami from seafood dashi and barley sweetness, minimal smoky peat, slightly briny, with a long finish. 【Very Good】 The grapefruit zest, concentrated powdery texture, and peat impression initially reminded me of watered-down 1980s Lagavulin. I also considered similar nuances from Longrow, and occasionally from Caol Ila or Port Ellen. Around 50%, if Lagavulin, likely a 1980s distillation, refill hogshead, around 20 years maturation. ・Prediction 1. Lagavulin 2. Longrow 3. Caol Ila Others considered: Port Ellen or peaty Springbank. With this tasting and prediction, I sent my response email. The correct answer was... Longrow 1994 10yo OB 46% A Longrow Official 10 Year Old from the 1994 vintage. As for elements I find appealing in refill cask Lagavulin, there's a concentrated citrusy quality that also appears with peat in Longrow, peaty Springbank, and occasionally Caol Ila or Port Ellen. This bottle was my second prediction, Longrow. After hearing the correct answer, I think it might have been distinguishable from Lagavulin by its less seaweed-like and milder peat character. Oshima-san purchased it for around ¥4000, which I think is an excellent value for those who enjoy this style of whisky. At that price point, it would be worth buying in bulk. #Longrow (LONGROW) #SBT