After reviewing two blended malts from Compass Box let’s have a third blended malt review and one that has some high pedigree after being included in a high profile series. Yes, we’re talking about Cladach which is the blended malt that was included in Diageo Special Releases 2018 (2nd year in a row with a blended malt for Special Releases).

Cladach means shoreline/coastline and the whisky uses only single malts made at Diageo coastal distilleries: Inchgower, Clynelish, Talisker, Oban, Caol Ila and Lagavulin.

It was bottled at cask strength of 100 proof (57.1%) and was matured in an assortment of casks (first fill bourbon, refill, refill sherry butts).

Cladach Blended Malt (57.1%, £152/€134,99)

Nose: The nose here starts with gentle peat smoke and then slowly it develops into a pure coastal whisky with brine, sea breeze, salt, some wax, lemon, brioche, white pepper. Also show up: smoked fish and seafood, pears.

Palate: Soft peat smoke, salt, sweet waxy honey, brine and salt (yes, again), white pepper, fresh seafood.

Finish: Medium length, gentle peat, honey, honey, pears, lingering saltiness.

Thoughts: I was ready to dismiss Cladach as a generic/bland blended malt but in fact it’s quite good one with a saying and a real showing of coastal whisky characteristics. It’s very tasty with good balance of saltiness, sweetness and peat. I only wish it would carry a sub €100 price tag.