Eifel Duo Malt Peated Whisky Edition 2021
Eifel’s Duo Malt Peated Whisky Edition 2021 takes the skills shown in the Eifel Single Malt Whisky and Eifel Rye Whisky, adding in peat at the mashing stage. In comparison, the peat for the peated rye comes exclusively from the ex-Laphroaig casks, no peated grain included.
The peated malt for this blend was brought in from Scotland and blended in a way reminiscent of how John Rempe blends for his and Lux Row’s Blood Oath’s series. In most of the latter’s blends, there are three components: two older bourbons for a classic profile and backbone, with a slightly younger component (usually around 7-8 years old) that’s been finished or altered in some other way. The most recent release, Blood Oath Pact No. 8, finished that third part in Calvados casks. By finishing just one part, the overall balance in theory is better controlled, and I greatly enjoyed that product.
For Eifel’s Duo Malt Peated Whisky Edition 2021, there are three components: 40% unpeated malted barley, 20% unpeated wheat, and 20% heavily peated malted barley, all aged to a minimum of 7 years old. This 4:1 ratio of unpeated-to-peated grain keeps the peat in check throughout - you know it’s there, but it’s not in-your-face. By “heavily peated,” I mean the malt is peated to a 35ppm pre-mash measurement, about equivalent to a Lagavulin 16.
Rather than blending all the whiskies together, Eifel ages the peated and unpeated distillate separately. Unlike in the Single Malt or Rye, there is no double maturation - each part is instead aged its full maturation period in a single, though separate, cask type. The unpeated malt and wheat distillate is aged in first-fill American oak red Bordeaux casks while the peated is aged in refurbished and re-charred red wine casks with new, heavily charred German oak heads (yes, I asked what flavor that German oak might impart, and no, I don’t quite know yet). The two are then blended together when Eifel feels they are ready.
For me, this fell a little short by nature of its restraint. The other Eifel whiskies I have tried were also restrained, but they were balanced and still flavorful. This one feels like it needs some more power behind the grains to come through. Some red wine does appear through the nose and palate, a reminder of the red Bordeaux and the unspecified red wine maturation used for the peated segment. The peat comes through, too - it’s noticeable at near-zero ppms - and it’s identifiably ashy. Beyond that, though, there’s not enough power behind the flavors to shine. Unfortunate, since what’s there is intriguing enough that I’ve tried going back multiple times.
Eifel Duo Malt Peated Whisky Edition 2021: Specs
Classification: German Blended Whisky
Origin: Eifel Distillery
Mashbill: 40% Unpeated Malted Barley, 40% Unpeated Wheat, 20% Heavily Peated Malted Barley
Proof: 92 (46% ABV)
Age: 7+ Years Old
Location: Germany
Eifel Duo Malt Peated Whisky Edition 2021 Price: $75
Eifel Duo Malt Peated Whisky Edition 2021: Tasting Notes
Eye: Orange amber to burnt sienna.
Nose: No peat at first, all red wine cask. Sweet, not oaky. A touch of smoke comes in on the second sniff, quite subtle. Even the whisky underneath is subtle and tight.
Palate: The peat flows through on the palate, drying and oaky. Grows rapidly - no red wine here at first. Coats the tongue in ashy peat, no vegetation or salinity. The whisky is also hard to find. Mouthfeel is creamy and silky, starting to reveal more red fruit and wine as the whisky grows behind it. Reminiscent of an M&H Peated Red Wine cask.
Finish: Charred red fruits and mild astringency, the ashiness letting up a bit to allow other flavors through. Medium-to-long length.
Overall: Nose and palate are far apart, though the finish brings them together. The ashy peat is still going minutes later. If the flavors were balanced throughout, this would score far higher, but for now it needs a bit more balancing for me.
Final Rating: 6.2
10 | Insurpassable | Nothing Else Comes Close
9 | Incredible | Extraordinary
8 | Excellent | Exceptional
7 | Great | Well above average
6 | Very Good | Better than average
5 | Good | Good, solid, ordinary
4 | Has promise but needs work
1-3 | Let’s have a conversation
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