‘Twas a drizzling day in Edinburgh as I made my way into my regular bar, and sat down feeling the need for a dram that matched the day: wet, overcast, and with a touch of smoke floating through the air.

Rarely does an Edinburgh bar-man disappoint, and I was not disappointed with the Elements of Islay Peat Full Proof, a blend of various, hidden away Islay distilleries (although after tasting, I have my money on one east coast and one south east distillery).

I think they’re bang on the mark with this drop: plenty of charcoal, and a salt spray drenched bonfire of kelp, seaweed, driftwood and burning hay. After the initial nose, it opens to lavender, rosemary, lemon, and touches of dry fish scales. The palate touches over charred vanilla and fudge with sticky melted brown sugar, lovely wildfire ash, and a delectable finish of roast lamb, charred lightly on a dirty barbeque, mingling with a well salted pork hungi. The full strength brings out all of the flavour, and helps the dram ride smoothly over the tongue to warm your cockles.

An absolutely stunning dram that helped me forget the rain outside and focus on the storm in my glass.