So, I'm back from Islay. The people at Ardbeg were kind enough to part with half a pound of their peated optic malt, it's at 40 ppm phenol content and smells great.
The kind folks at Bruichladdich were happy to hook me up with two pounds of their Octomore malt.. it weighs in at a staggering 167 ppm phenol content! Just smelling that stuff makes me cough black tar balls for hours ;-)
Both malts are quite pale, I'd say no more than 5-10 L, and I'm currently at a loss on how much to use. I'm thinking no more than a couple of percent of the grist bill..
I'm also trying to figure out what to brew with them (no lagering capabilities.. only room temp..) I know that there are some Islay-whisky barrel aged imperial stouts out there, if I make an impy, toss in some oak cubes and use some peat malt, I should end up pretty close.. no? Or how about a smoky barley wine?
Further, I can't really see the smoke combining well with abundant hop aroma or belgian yeast, so I'm pretty much ruling those out..
Any ideas?