Collectivum XXVIII Blended Malt Scotch Whisky Diageo Special Releases 2017

Collectivum XXVIII Blended Malt Scotch Whisky Diageo Special Releases 2017 is a blended malt Scotch from Diageo. It marries single malts from more than one distillery, Caol Ila among them. Malt comes from the Port Ellen maltings on the south of the island.

Islay malts bring the smoke, the lighter Caol Ila style keeping it clean rather than heavy. An unusual cask gave the spirit a distinctive, fruity twist. The peat here is medium rather than heavy, so fruit and smoke share the glass. A gentle vanillin sweetness from the oak balances the coastal phenols. Diageo's Special Releases have featured both peated and unpeated Caol Ila. Sea air works into the maturing casks, lending a briny, coastal lift. Its spirit also feeds blends such as Bell's and Black Bottle. The medium peating leaves a smoke that is firm but never heavy.

Bottled at a cask strength 57.3%, it is intense. A coastal peat smoke runs through it, with lemon, brine and a soft oil over a sweet fruit. A sea salt and an olive oil note sit under the smoke. Lemon, soft ash and sea salt see it out. A characterful smoky blended malt Scotch.