Meandering the world, one whisky at a time

Tag: Islay Whisky Page 2 of 9

Whisky of the Week review and tasting notes for whisky from the Islay region in Scotland.

Despite the small size of the island and the limited amount of distilleries, the Hebridean island of Islay is considered as one of the most distinct whisky regions. Because of this, Islay has become a centre of “whisky tourism”. The whiskies of the distilleries from Islay are known for their powerful smoky, peaty character.

Currently there are only nine Islay distilleries still active: Ardbeg, Bowmore, Bruichladdich, Bunnahabhain, Caol Ila, Kilchoman, Laphroaig, Lagavulin and Port Charlotte. The famous Port Ellen distillery closed its doors in 1983. Bruichladdich is the only distillery on the island that merely produces unpeated single malt whisky.

Port Askaig 8 year old Whisky

Port Askaig 8 yo whisky reviewA year or 2 ago, I noticed a few interesting sounding tasting notes on Twitter.  They were for the Port Askaig Islay single malt Scotch whisky. Not too long afterwards, John had lunch at Bottega’s, and Savi brought him a glass of the Port Askaig 8 yo whisky. He loved it and immediately bought me a bottle.  I think it is time that I try this bottle.

Port Charlotte 10 year old Whisky

Port Charlotte 10 yo whisky headerLet’s have a peaty start to tasting notes for 2021 with the Port Charlotte 10 year old single malt Scotch whisky. After the dramatic year that was 2020, I want to start this year on a high note. Start as you mean to continue. Port Charlotte and the Bruichladdich distillery is no stranger on the blog.

The heavily peated Port Charlotte expressions, distilled at Bruichladdich, are a tribute to the old Lochindaal distillery. The Port Charlotte village and the nearby distillery were built at the same time around 1829 on the shores of Loch Indaal.

The distillery closed in 1929, precisely 100 years after it was built. Bruichladdich acquired most of the old distillery buildings and ground back in 2007.

The distillery, now owned by Remy Cointreau, also makes The Botanist Gin, Octomore and Bruichladdich.

Bruichladdich introduced The Port Charlotte 10 year old single malt whisky as the flagship Port Charlotte expression. It’s peated to 40ppm, and drawn from a combination of first-fill American whiskey casks, second-fill American whiskey casks and second-fill French wine casks.

Where Octomore is the Bruichladdich heavily peated expression, Port Charlotte is closer to the standard level of Islay peat. The Port Charlotte 10 year old whisky is non-chill-filtered and with natural colour.

Also Read: KWV 12 yo Brandy

Port Charlotte 10 year old Whisky Review

Port charlotte 10 yo whisky with glassREGION: Islay

ABV: 50%

COLOUR: Deep gold

NOSE: I was expecting a bolder nose, but it is delicate and elegant smoke and peat balanced with tropical fruit sweetness. Bits of oak and earth with fudge and sun-ripened oranges. Bits of seaweed and ash with vanilla and sea air.

PALATE: After the elegant nose, I was expecting a softer dram. But it is all bold Islay with peat and wood spices balanced with smoke and toasted nuts. Oak and honey with bits of salt and malt. Very drinkable.

Water softens the peat and brings more caramel sweetness to the front. It softens the wood spice but doesn’t diminish the peaty notes. The higher ABV is barely noticeable. I finished my first glass without adding water and had to pour a second glass.

FINISH: long and smoky with spicy pepper and fruity sweetness. Soft and delicious.

RATING: EXCELLENT

Just delicious. This Port Charlotte 10 year old Scotch might be peated and smoky, but it is drinkable and elegant. The balance between the peaty notes and the smoke, sweetness and malt is luxurious and inviting you to try more.

It is a complex dram with many layers; each building on the next layer. You barely need water, just a drop or 2. A fantastic dram to start my year with.

Also Read: Kilchoman Sanaig Whisky



Ardbeg Wee Beastie 5 year old Whisky

Ardbeg Wee Beastie 5 yo single malt WhiskyThere is a new Beastie in town! Ardbeg Wee Beastie 5 year old Islay single malt Scotchwhisky is the latest expression to join the Ardbeg distillery’s permanent range. Barely three years after the launch of the Ardbeg An Oa whisky, the Wee beastie is the youngest Ardbeg in the permanent range.

In Scotland, a ‘wee beastie’ is any small and irritating insect. It references the Robert Burns poem about a timid little field mouse.

The Ardbeg Wee Beastie whisky has been matured in a combination of ex-Bourbon and Oloroso sherry casks. Comparatively, the Ardbeg 10 yo was mainly aged in ex-Bourbon casks.

The Wee Beastie whisky, at 5 years old, is half the age of the standard Ardbeg 10 year old release. It retails for around R600. The Ardbeg 10 yo retails only R50 more. I wonder if the small price difference with the 10 yo whisky does not make the Wee Beastie a bit expensive. For an extra R50, you can get a delicious dram that is 10 years old. Is the Wee Beastie worth the premium price?

Ardbeg Wee Beastie 5 year old Whisky Review

Ardbeg Wee Beastie 5 yo single malt Whisky with glassREGION: Islay

ABV: 47.3%

COLOUR: Bright Gold

NOSE: Big and bold recognizable Ardbeg with seaweed, green herbal notes, bits of peat and medicinal notes mixed with coffee, smoky bacon and a soft fruity sweetness. Ripe baked apples, vanilla sugar with bits of burnt toast. Not the most complex nose, but intriguing enough to want to explore more.

PALATE: Peat and smoke with dark chocolate. Bits of fruity antiseptic lozenges with ash and salt. Green grass, bits of citrus and fruit sweetness with damp earth and oaky bits. Big and bold but with the sharp edges of a young whisky. There are none of the marine notes you find in the Corryvreckan or Uigeadail; the Beastie also has a softer iodine profile.

Water softens the sharp edges a bit. I finished my first glass without water. So I had to have a second glass to check. Carefully add water, despite the young profile and higher ABV, water dampens down the peat smoke if you add too much.

FINISH: Short compared to the Ardbeg 10 year old and not as complex. Hints of smoke and salt, bits of lemon pepper.

RATING: EXCELLENT

It might be a Wee Beastie; however, it is a small version of a big animal. It shows all the big, bold promise of Ardbeg, but in a rawer format. It would be an excellent introduction to Islay peat for a whisky lover.

I do think it is a bit expensive when compared to the 10 year old release. However, it is a fun expression to have that shows the impact of time and wood on the Ardbeg spirit.

It makes for a fun side by side with the older brother and even with the Ardbeg An Oa. Go and give it a try and let me know what you think.

Also Read: Kilchoman Machir Bay Whisky



Big Peat Blended Malt Whisky

Review and Tasting notes Big Peat whisky blended malt whisky Big Peat originalI love the Big Peat releases. They are fun, original and most importantly, delicious. This week I am looking at the Big Peat that started it all. The Big Peat blended malt Scotch whisky, the original Ileac fisherman. Last time I looked at the Big Peat 26 yo Platinum Edition and also at the Big Peat 10 yo whisky, but this release today was the start of it all.

This blended malt release from Douglas Laing was the first in their Remarkable Regional Malts series. Big Peat is a mix of whisky from Ardbeg (medicinal notes), Caol Ila (sweetness), Bowmore (balance) and Port Ellen (elegance).

Douglas Laing released Big Peat for the first time in 2009. The frowning fisherman in his signature yellow jersey has been featured on a variety of special releases in the past 10 years. His best known is the yearly Christmas Edition Limited bottling.

Also Read: Reisetbauer 12 yo Whisky

The Christmas Edition is usually bottled at cask strength to warm the coldest heart over the dark snowy Scottish winter with festive flair and zest. There is also a limited edition Big Peat 26 yo whisky that is just divine!

However, today I look at the start of the range; the bottle that started it all. Douglas Laing bottled Big Peat without added colour or chill-filtration. It is readily available and retails for around R650.

I chatted to Hector Mcbeth about this release over on Instagram, and he said that every bottle of Big Peat has a bit of older Port Ellen in. It is a NAS release with no added colour and non-chill-filtered.  It is peated to about 40ppm.

Big Peat Blended Malt Whisky Review

Big Peat whisky blended malt whisky with glass

REGION: Islay

ABV: 46%

COLOUR:  Very pale gold

NOSE: Sweetness balanced with peat, barley and vanilla.  Fruity sweetness with hints of chocolate and nuts.  Soft smoke and little bits of salty ocean air. The nose makes me think of eating grilled peaches on the beach.  Fruity with just hints of salt and peat.

PALATE: Ash, tar and peat. The sea breeze is blowing the BBQ smoke all around. Easy drinking and delicious. The sweetness from the nose is replaced with Islay notes. The sweetness comes through later with creamy chocolate, vanilla and bits of roasted nuts.

Even though it is a 46% ABV, you don’t need to add water.  It goes down very smoothly with no alcohol heat. Water brings more grilled fruit sweetness to the front. Big and bold.

FINISH: A medium finish with bonfire ashes, peat and hints of white pepper.

RATING: EXCELLENT

I am a big favourite of the frowning fisherman.  According to Hector, Big Peat is very popular in Belgium as well.  I can understand why. He is easy-drinking, exciting and fun.  The packaging is innovative, and the liquid is consistently delicious. I have yet to taste a Big Peat that I don’t like.

Looking at what food to pair this Big Peat whisky with, options include strong cheese such as blue cheese; I can see why that would work. The robust fisherman needs a strong taste to stand up next to. The creamy nature of the blue cheese will work deliciously with the peat and ash from the whisky. Smoked BBQ ribs would also work wonderfully, and Hector suggests a tomato-based stew to match the acidity.

Also Read: Great whisky gifts under R1000



Kilchoman Sanaig Islay Single Malt Whisky

review and tasting notes Kilchoman Sanaig whiskyToday I go back to Islay and a taste of something from the Kilchoman Distillery, the Kilchoman Sanaig Islay single malt Scotch whisky.

The Kilchoman Distillery (pronounced Kil-ho-man) is a Scottish distillery on the northwest of Islay. Anthony Wills founded the distillery around 2005, and it remains a ‘farm to bottle’, family-run distillery. It is one of the smallest distilleries on the island.

Kilchoman uses barley grown on-site and malted at the distillery, as well as malt from the Port Ellen maltings and releases separate bottlings depending on the source of the grain. The fermentation time is around 85 hours, which is longer than the average 60-75 hours in the industry.

Also Read: Ardbeg Uigeadail vs An Oa whisky

Kilchoman Sanaig single malt was launched worldwide in 2016 and is named after a rocky inlet northwest of the distillery. It has no age statement. The Sanaig is aged in a combination of ex-oloroso sherry and ex-bourbon barrels (70:30). It is peated to 50ppm and not chill-filtered and with not coloured.

It is part of the Kilchoman core range. Other releases in the range include Kilchoman Machir Bay and Loch Gorm.  In South Africa, it retails for around R880 and is (was before Covid) readily available.

 Kilchoman Sanaig Islay Single Malt Whisky Review 

review and tasting notes Kilchoman sanaig single malt whisky with glassREGION: Islay

ABV: 46%

COLOUR: Light golden wheat

NOSE: Oak, peat and earthy notes. Fresh grass with a fruity sweetness in the background. Bits of tar poled and ash mixed with orange peel and smoke. Soft sweetness  with caramel and vanilla and a hint of coffee.

PALATE: Ash and wood with honey sweetness and green, fruity notes. Bits of plums, cherries and toffee mix with peat, smoke and  dark chocolate. Rich and bold with water softening the earthy peat notes and bringing more fruit to the fore.

A good balance between peat and sweet notes. Interesting to note that the peat appears to be more Highland peat style with more green notes and no seaweed and iodine medicinal notes.

FINISH: Long and warming with notes of spices, brown sugar and smoke.

RATING: EXCELLENT

Different than the more traditional Islay single malt whiskies, but nevertheless delicious. I loved the interplay between the smoke and peat and the vanilla sweetness. I had tried one other Kilchoman release before this one and did not particularly like it.

So I was not very keen to open this bottle, but John convinced me to give it a go. And I am glad I did. It is a delicious dram that is perfect for winter. It warms you up nicely.

Also read: Port Askaig 8 yo Whisky


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