The latest entry to The Glenlivet’s Nadurra line is this Peated Whisky Cask Finish Single Malt.  If you’re unfamiliar with their Nadurra (Gaelic for “natural”) whiskies, let’s catch you up.  These are small batch, non-chill filtered, cask strength expressions from the distillery.  The current bunch have no age statement, but that doesn’t really matter so long as the whisky inside the bottle is good. Joining this Peated Cask Finish expression are an Oloroso-Cask matured whisky (I’ll review this one soon) and a First Fill Selection using first fill ex-bourbon casks for maturation.

Glenlivet’s Peated Whisky Cask Finish is exactly what it sounds like.  After maturation, the whisky was finished in casks that previously held peated whisky.  My sample bottle is from batch PW0715 and is bottled at 61.5% abv.  The suggested retail for a 750mL is $84.99.

The peated cask is evident from the start, but not overpowering.  I get an aromatic blend of fresh, ripe fruit (a Glenlivet signature), sweet toffee, vanilla extract and a dab of peat.  That dab of peat goes a long way.  It’s a balanced nose.  On entry, a welcoming sweet smoke coats the tongue.  Unusual for The Glenlivet, but a throwback to how whiskies were release many, many years ago, including whiskies from this distillery.  The high proof provides a surprisingly easy-drinking experience.  Candied fruit, creamy toffee, orange marmalade and a touch of spice lead to a long, sweet, and slightly smoky finish.  A little water tames the smoke and allows the sweeter notes to shine.

A peated Glenlivet expression?  It’s about what I thought it would be.  A tasty, interesting offering from the classic whisky distillery.  The added touch of peat smoke makes this whisky that much more complex.  Yet it still carries the Glenlivet DNA.  Very well done and highly recommended.