The Liberator Port 'n' Peat – Storehouse Special Batch 18
There are whiskies that can be read like open books - every page a new surprise, every twist a new chapter. The Liberator Port 'n' Peat - Storehouse Special Batch 18 is one such whisky. An Irish spirit released by Wayward Irish Spirits from the Great Northern distillery to tell us a story that oscillates between sweet dreams and earthy truths.
Tasting Notes
Nose
The first encounter with this whisky is like a walk through an orchard at dawn. Juicy peaches sway in the wind, apricots gleam golden in the first sunshine. The stone fruits tell of summer evenings and warm dreams, while gooseberries add a tart note of reality. Then it comes - the vanilla like a gentle kiss, accompanied by blackcurrants that reveal their dark secrets. Ripe peaches bathe in glucose, as if someone had poured liquid sweetness over the orchard. It is light and yet intense, like a summer song that you can't get out of your head.
Palate
The first sip is like a fall from heaven to earth. The sweet fruitiness of the nose transforms into something completely different: the whisky becomes spicy and dry, as if the earth itself has taken the floor. The flavour is earthy, almost bog-like - here you can sense the "peat" in the name, the peat that returns like an old friend from times gone by. Slightly perfumed and floral, it resonates as malt and oak spice sing a duet. A hint of honey tries to rescue the sweetness, but unripe bananas and a dry, crisp texture keep the upper hand. It's a battle between what was and what is.
Finish
The finish is very earthy, bitter like the truth you don't want to hear. The oak spice dominates with a medium-long presence, and a lone apple tries to sing a last song of fruitiness. It remains bitter, this farewell - like a poem that doesn't find the ending you wanted.
Thoughts
Marcel 74/100
The Liberator Port 'n' Peat – Storehouse Special Batch 18 is not a gentle companion but a spirited character with two conflicting souls. It’s precisely these rough edges that make it exciting and invite you to embark on an adventure full of fruit and peat – not perfect, but damn entertaining.
Sascha 75/100
A complex whisky that polarizes with its uneven balance between sweet-fruity and earthy-dry notes. Despite a successful aromatic profile, it lacks a harmonious fusion of elements, making the structure feel somewhat unbalanced and the finish dominated by bitterness.
Value for Money: Fair
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78/100Frequently Asked Questions
What does the term 'Port 'n' Peat' in the name of this whisky mean?
'Port 'n' Peat' indicates that this whisky combines influences from port cask maturation and peat smoke aromas. The port cask aging brings fruity, sweet notes, while the peat contributes earthy, smoky flavor nuances.
Why does this whisky have no age statement despite showing complex aromas?
The Liberator Port 'n' Peat – Storehouse Special Batch 18 is bottled without an age statement (No Age Statement). This means the whisky can come from various vintages, with the distillery and bottler focusing on quality and flavor rather than age.
How does the Great Northern Distillery influence the character of this Irish whisky?
The Great Northern Distillery combines traditional Irish distilling craftsmanship with modern techniques. This results in a whisky that showcases both fruity lightness and earthy peat notes. The distillery emphasizes a balanced harmony between sweet and smoky aromas.