IB Zenith 20y Unblended 57% - Rosebank

[Malt-Teaser]

After having the extreme pleasure of tasting the 15y version last year, I was really looking forward to trying this 20y version from the same range.

Nose: A bouquet of flowers sitting on a bale of fresh hay in the middle of a peat bog. Yes, the flowers and hay are there, but the nose is also surprisingly peaty. Can this be a Lowlander, a Rosebank with this much peat?

Palate: Rather strong, but again surprisingly peaty!

With water: The peat has left the nose and just the floral elements remain.

Palate: But the peat hasn't left completely! With 3 drops of water this is now a very smooth and slightly more peaty dram.

3 More drops of water: Even smoother and even more peaty, but the typical Rosebank floral attributes are there in the background.

Overall Impression: I was really looking forward to this one and was not disappointed. These old Rosebanks are excellent whiskies and are also surprisingly peaty. Not 'in yer face' Islay-like, but gently smooth peat which grows and shows its presence in a slightly more subtle way. But, behind that gentle peat, this is still a Lowland whisky with light floral notes which make it a very pleasurable experience.