Whisky of the Week review and tasting notes for whisky from the Islay whisky 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 regions. Because of this, Islay has become a centre of “whisky tourism”. The whiskies from Islay are known for their powerful smoky, peaty character.
Currently there are nine Islay distilleries. They incude 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.
Another island-versus-island showdown; this time between two of the most characterful maritime single malts on the market. Today, I am deep-diving into Caol Ila 12 vs Talisker 10, two peated island whiskies that have earned cult followings for good reason.
Read More »Caol Ila 12 vs Talisker 10: Which Island Icon to Choose?
Over the holidays I cracked open a bottle of Laphroaig Select single malt Scotch whisky. Created around 2010, this expression takes classic Laphroaig DNA, peated spirit matured in ex-bourbon barrels, and blends it with whisky that has spent time in a variety of other casks.
A perk of travelling is picking up interesting releases in Duty Free. On my recent travels, I managed to pick up not only the Jack Daniel’s single malt Tennessee whiskey, but also the Ardbeg Smoketrails Napa Valley Edition single malt Scotch whisky.
Today I have a big battle, a courageous battle; the battle of the islands. A side by side comparison of the Ardbeg 10 vs Talisker 10 year oldsingle malt Scotch whisky. Nestled amidst the rugged landscapes and salty sea breeze on the Isle of Skye, is a dram that has stolen my heart; the Talisker 10 year old whisky.
Black Bottle is a blended Scotch whisky bottled by Burn Stewart Distillers. Gordon Graham and Co., based in Aberdeen, created Black Bottle in 1879. The three Aberdonian tea blender brothers decided to try their hand at blending whisky.
From the peat capital of the world, another peated side-by-side comparison; the Ardbeg 10 vs An Oa single malt Scotch whisky.