Flatnöse Blended Scotch Whisky 43%

The islands along the west coast of Scotland were governed from the sea, not from land. That is the world the Flatnöse name points back to, and the whisky has been given the same direct character to carry.

The expert description

Flatnöse Blended Scotch Whisky is a lightly peated blend bottled at 43% in small batch.

Where the Islay Boys blended malt sticks to pure malt whisky, this release is a proper blend with both malt and grain. The grain gives softness and a cereal sweetness that malt alone does not deliver, and the smoke therefore has a rounder base to stand on.

The name is taken from Ketill Flatnöse, the Norse chieftain who in the late 800s was king over the islands along the west coast. Bottling happens in small batch and without chill filtration, so the contents can vary a little from run to run.

Tasting notes

Nose

Malt and sweetness first, with an appealing note of smoke settling in underneath.

Palate

Pleasingly smoky, where pepper steps clearly forward alongside the smoke. The cereal sweetness sits below and holds it together.

Finish

Medium and dry with smoke, pepper and a final malty sweetness.

Specifications

Name: Flatnöse Blended Scotch Whisky
Bottler: Islay Boys
Region/Country: Scotland
Type: Blended Scotch Whisky
ABV: 43%
Size: 70 CL
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Edition: Small Batch
EAN no.: 5060406110029

Flavour profile

Smoky · Malty · Spiced · Soft · Sweet

Did you know?

Very few blends are bottled without chill filtration. The process removes the compounds that can turn whisky hazy at low temperature, and it is used on almost every bottle at this level because haze gets mistaken for a fault. Islay Boys chose to skip it and explain why instead.

See our full range of Whisky

Frequently asked questions about Flatnöse Blended Scotch Whisky

What does Flatnöse Blended taste like?

Malt and sweetness on the nose with a clear note of smoke, pleasingly smoky on the palate with pepper, and a medium dry finish. The cereal sweetness from the grain whisky keeps it round throughout.

How does it differ from Flatnöse Blended Malt?

The grain whisky. The blended malt is malt only and sits at 46%, while this blend contains both malt and grain and is bottled at 43%. The blend is softer, the malt version fruitier.

Why does it turn hazy if I chill it?

Because it is not chill filtered. The fatty acids that filtration would otherwise remove drop out as a light haze at low temperatures. It is a sign the whisky is untouched.

Who was Ketill Flatnöse?

A Norse chieftain who in the late 800s ruled the islands along the west coast of Scotland. He is known as a hard and courageous warrior, and Islay Boys named their blend after him.

Can it be used in cocktails?

Yes, and it suits the job well. Smoke and pepper give enough character to register in a drink, and the blend is soft enough not to fight the other ingredients.

What is the difference between malt and grain in a blend?

Malt whisky is made from malted barley in pot stills and carries the flavour, while grain whisky uses other cereals in column stills and provides softness and volume. Here the smoke is malt and the base is grain.

How is it best drunk?

Neat, or with a single ice cube if it should be more refreshing. At 43% it takes either. See our range of whisky glasses.