Introduction
I had been curious about Woven for a while, a blending house based in Leith that takes a creative and often unconventional approach to whisky. When I came across Experience No. 20, named "Friends in the North," I was intrigued by what that implied—possibly a nod to distilleries in northern Scotland or coastal influences. It’s a blend, not a single malt, which tends to spark more debate among whisky drinkers, but I’ve found that well-executed blends often deliver something distinctive. This one promised to be a smoky, structured whisky—not something soft or showy, but more determined in style.
Nose
As soon as I poured it, the aroma jumped out of the glass. There's an assertive earthy smoke—reminiscent of damp peat, not the clean medicinal kind, but the heavier, organic sort. Alongside that there's a leathery, coastal character—salted air, a bit of iodine, and cured meats creeping in. After a few minutes, there’s a subtler sweetness, like roasted nuts and dried herbs. It's not fruity or bright. Instead, the nose leans firmly into savoury and smoky territory, and I found it both direct and cohesive.
Palate
The first sip confirmed the nose: full-bodied smoke leads the way, but it’s balanced with a dry, spicy structure rather than sweetness. There's cracked black pepper, charcoal, and a burnt edge—familiar if you've tried heavily peated whiskies. Mid-palate, I noticed hints of dark chocolate and espresso, with what feels like toasted oak or even earthiness from older casks. There's not much fruit here, and that’s clearly by design. The flavour progression is steady and intentional—distinctly masculine in profile, if I had to give it a personality.
Finish
The finish lingers for quite a while—dry, ashy, and warming. The smoke doesn't fade quickly; it sticks around with a mineral quality that reminds me of coal dust or even the smell of a cold fire pit. Eventually I caught faint herbal notes—maybe juniper or charred rosemary. It’s a well-tuned ending, not abrupt or clean, but it doesn’t overstay its welcome either. The finish felt like the natural conclusion of everything that came before.
Price and Value
At around £55–£60, depending on the retailer, Experience N.20 is well within the range of many entry-level single malts or blends from reputable producers. For what it delivers—especially the level of smoke, structure, and complexity—it feels like a fair asking price. This isn’t meant to be a crowd-pleaser, and that's part of its value: it's got character, and if you appreciate a more assertive blend, this one holds its own.
Background
Woven is a relatively new player based in Leith, Edinburgh—a part of town with a lot of historical whisky ties. Rather than bottling single casks or branded releases, they focus on blending small batches from carefully selected distilleries. According to Woven, Experience No. 20 draws inspiration—and possibly spirit—from distilleries tucked away in the north or northwest of Scotland. Though the exact composition isn’t disclosed, it feels like some Island or north Highland malt was involved, possibly even something lightly coastal from Orkney or Islay.
They're not aiming for mass distribution with these releases. Each batch is designed around a certain concept or mood, and No. 20 seems very much rooted in the peated side of the spectrum—perhaps crafted as a nod to northern friendships or collaborations with distillers in those regions.
Final Notes
Would I buy this again? Yes—though not as a daily sipper. It fills a very specific spot in my cabinet: when I’m in the mood for bold smoke and structure without the usual sweetness. Is it beginner-friendly? Not really. I think the assertive, dry profile might put off someone new to whisky, especially if they're expecting smoother or sweeter blends. But for someone already deep into peated styles, this is a compelling alternative to more well-known smoky malts.
It’s best suited for colder evenings or when you want something with a bit of rugged backbone—this isn’t one for casual sipping in summer sun. And how does it compare to others from the region? It holds up well against smoky island malts, but with a bit more restraint and maturity. It’s not chasing intensity for intensity’s sake—it’s more thoughtful than that, which is exactly what I’d hoped for from Woven.