Turntable X Starward TuSp Collaboration Drop 01 (Turntable Spirits)

Turntable X Starward TuSp Collaboration Drop 01 (Turntable Spirits) is a blended Scotch from Turntable Spirits. It marries malt and grain whiskies, with Islay malt such as Caol Ila for smoke. Diageo's Special Releases have featured both peated and unpeated Caol Ila.

Islay malts bring the smoke, the lighter Caol Ila style keeping it clean rather than heavy. An ex-Bourbon barrel gave a gentle sweetness and a creamy edge. A clean smoke and a coastal salt define the distillery style. Much of the spirit leaves the island by sea to mature on the mainland. The tall stills and a high cut give a lighter, cleaner spirit than the southern Islays. From a small Victorian works it grew into one of Scotland's biggest malt distilleries. The peat here is medium rather than heavy, so fruit and smoke share the glass. The cool Islay air gives a slow, steady maturation by the shore.

At 46% it is supple and oily. A coastal peat smoke runs through it, with lemon, brine and a soft oil over a sweet fruit. Beneath the smoke run lemon, brine and a peppery oil. The finish is long, smoky and citrussy. A characterful smoky blended Scotch.