Tag: Islay Whisky Page 2 of 10

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.

Ardbeg Wee Beastie 5 year old Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 11/27/2023

In Single Malt whisky

There 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.

Also Read: Bell’s Blended Scotch Whisky

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. Beasite retails for around £34 on Amazon . The Ardbeg 10 yo retails for £46 on Amazon. I wonder if the small price difference with the 10 yo whisky does not make the Wee Beastie a bit expensive. For an extra £12, you can get a delicious dram that is 10 years old. Is the Wee Beastie worth the price?

Ardbeg Wee Beastie 5 year old Whisky Review

REGION: 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. The whisky 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

Kilchoman Machir Bay Single Malt Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 10/23/2023

In Single Malt whisky

My 4th peated dram for this year; the Kilchoman Machir Bay Islay single malt Scotch whisky. The pretty blue of the label matches the blue Indian ocean here on the island of Mauritius.

Kilchoman is Scotland’s most westerly distillery and gets its water from a spring on Cnoc Dubh, just above the farm. Kilchoman was the first new distillery built on Islay in over 124 years. Anthony Wills, a former wine industry professional, founded the Kilchoman Distillery in 2005 at the Rochside farm.

Anthony’s idea was to establish a small-scale, traditional distillery with a farm-to-bottle focus. The barley is grown and malted at the distillery, and maturations and bottling occur onsite.

Most of the spirit is matured in ex-bourbon casks from Buffalo Trace in Kentucky, and the remaining spirit is matured in Oloroso sherry butts.

Kilchoman launched the Machir Bay single malt release in 2012 as the Kilchoman signature plated single malt, and it is named after the spectacular 2 km long beach on the west coast of Islay. Other releases in the core range include the Sanaig, Loch Gorm and the 100% Islay Edition.

Machir Bay is peated to 50 ppm which is similar to Ardbeg or even Ballechin whisky. It is not chill-filtrated and has no added colour. It has no age statement.

Also Read: Michel Couvreur Peaty Whisky

Kilchoman Machir Bay Whisky Review

ABV: 46%

REGION: Islay

COLOUR: Golden hay

NOSE: Soft peat with hints of ash, citrus notes and freshly baked vanilla sugar cookies. Something fruity and floral in the background with a lovely sugar sweetness. The sweetness reminds me of a madeleine dusted with icing sugar, warm from the oven.

PALATE: Ash and Islay peat with a burst of fruit and creamy vanilla. Bits of peach and pear with malt and cloves. Salted caramel and chocolate biscuits with a floral note. A few drops of water are perfect for toning down the slight alcohol burn and bring a chocolatey sweetness to the front. Hints of heather and honey. Elegant and well-balanced.

FINISH: Medium length with drying ash, peat, lemon pepper and fruit.

RATING: EXCELLENT

The Machir Bay is a lovely dram, subtle and well-balanced. The perfect peated whisky for here on the island. I prefer peated whisky in winter, but this release with the malt and vanilla notes worked wonderfully for our afternoon on the patio.

Peated enough to ensure the peat heads were happy but light enough to enjoy in our warm and humid climate. I need to pick up more from this distillery when we travel. In South Africa, Kilchoman Machir Bay whisky retails for around R940, and WhiskyShop has a few left.

Also Read: Scottish Cousin Whisky

Caol Ila 12 year old Single Malt Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 08/14/2023

In Single Malt whisky

Johannesburg has been graced for over a decade by an annual Oyster, Wine, and Food Festival. This June tradition draws in crowds of hungry, enthusiastic foodies. This weekend extravaganza sees over 60,000 Knysna oysters vanish into eager palates alongside an array of delectable dishes and wines. It’s no wonder that this festival remains a perennial favourite.

And when you find yourself basking in the winter sun, surrounded by friends, good music, and mouthwatering food, you might wonder what could make this perfect weekend even better. Well, here’s a secret we’ve been cherishing: a small flask of Caol Ila 12 year old single malt Scotch whisky.

It’s the key to elevating the flavour of fresh oysters, infusing them with the rich, peaty, and smoky essence of Islay. It’s nothing short of perfection.

While Caol Ila may not be as renowned as Ardbeg or Laphroaig, it holds a special place in my heart. The distillery’s name, Caol Ila, is derived from the Gaelic term for the Sound of Islay, which separates the island from Jura.

Situated near Port Askaig on the Sound’s shores, it was first chosen as a location by Hector Henderson in 1846. Over the years, it has changed hands multiple times and is currently under the ownership of Diageo.

Pronounced ‘cull-eela’, most of Caol Ila’s output is used in popular blends like Johnnie Walker. In recent years, the distillery has expanded its repertoire to include peated and unpeated expressions.

The Caol Ila 12 year old single malt is the gateway into the world of this distillery. Introduced in 2002, it offers a more subtle peat and smoke profile than its Islay counterparts.

Also Read: Laphroaig 10 yo whisky

Caol Ila 12 year old Whisky Review

REGION: Islay

ABV: 43%

COLOUR: Light golden wheat

NOSE: When you raise a glass to your nose, you’ll encounter classic Islay notes of peat, sea salt, smoke, and the scent of dry seaweed along the shore, all interwoven with hints of spicy toasted oak. It’s not a big, bold presence; instead, it’s soft and gentle.

PALATE: The palate unfolds with soft peat, oaky smoke, citrus fruit, malt, and a reminiscent aroma of sun-dried oily fish hanging on racks by the shore. As you savour it, notes of vanilla and cinnamon gracefully dance on your taste buds, creating a well-balanced, complex, and rich flavour profile. Adding a few drops of water to your glass reveals even more sweetness.

FINISH: The finish is where this whisky truly shines, as it lingers on your palate with notes of peat, cinnamon, and salt.

RATING: EXCELLENT

The Caol Ila 12 year old single malt whisky stands apart from the boisterous dramatics of Ardbeg or Lagavulin. It’s akin to a perfect winter’s afternoon by the coast, with a refreshing salty breeze carrying whispers of fish, fried seaweed, and untold adventures.

Picture golden sunshine gently drying the sand and only the sea’s rhythmic roar to break the soothing silence. This Scotch whisky is a sophisticated yet easy-drinking dram.

Pairing this Caol Ila with some White Rock cheese, I discovered that while it wasn’t an ideal match, it offered a delightful experience. This whisky truly shines when accompanied by a cheese with a bit more body, complementing its unique character perfectly.

So, whether you’re savouring it with oysters or exploring its pairings, Caol Ila 12 year old whisky promises a taste journey bound to leave an indelible mark on your palate.

Also Read: Ardbeg 10 yo whisky

Ardbeg 10 vs An Oa Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 07/03/2023

In Whisky Comparison

Ardbeg 10 year old whisky vs An Oa single malt Whisky comparison
From the peat capital of the world, another peated side-by-side comparison; the Ardbeg 10 vs An Oa single malt Scotch whisky.

Both are from the Islay-based distillery, part of the LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy) stable. Both these releases are part of the Ardbeg core range, together with the Uigeadail and the Corryvrecken single malt whisky.

The Ardbeg distillery is situated on the south coast of the isle of Islay, Argyll and Bute, Scotland, in the Inner Hebrides group of islands. The distillery uses malted barley sourced from the maltings in Port Ellen. The distillery has been producing whisky commercials since 1815.

Every year, the distillery celebrates Ardbeg Day; this year, it fell on the 3rd of June. The distillery releases an annual Ardbeg Day bottling, and I have tasted many of these releases.

For the 2023 Ardbeg Day, the release was distilled without a purifier. A purifier is responsible for Ardbeg’s balance between extreme peat and floral fruitiness. The Ardbeg Day release was called “Heavy Vapours”, and the release was available worldwide in limited quantities.

But today, I look at the two entry-level drams side by side.

Also Read: Ardbeg 10 vs Talisker 10 yo Whisky

Ardbeg 10 year old Whisky

Ardbeg 10 yo whisky with glass

The Ardbeg 10 year old is a heavily peated single malt Scotch, aged for ten years in American oak barrels with no chill filtration. It is peated to between 55 to 65 ppm. Enthusiasts see the Ardbeg 10 year old as one of the peatiest, smokiest drams.

Ardbeg An Oa Whisky

Ardbeg An Oa whisky with glass

The Ardbeg An Oa single malt whisky was the first addition to the core range since 2009, and Ardbeg named this release after the Mull of Oa in the southwest of Islay. The Mull forms the most southerly point of Islay.

The Ardbeg An Oa single malt was aged in a combination of PX casks, charred virgin oak and ex-bourbon casks. These casks were then married in a French oak marrying vat before being bottled. It has no age statement.

Ardbeg 10 vs An Oa Single Malt Whisky

Comparison ardbeg 10 yo vs An Oa whisky

	Ardbeg 10 yo whisky	Ardbeg An Oa whisky
ABV	46%	46.6%
Region	Islay Whisky	Islay Whisky
Peat Level	55 to 65 ppm	50 - 60 ppm
Colour	Pale Straw with green hints	Light gold
Nose	Peat and smoke with hints of vanilla, sea salt and citrus sweetness. It is not overwhelming but inviting and intriguing.	Peat, creamy honey, salted liquorice with hints of cough syrup. In the middle sweet vanilla floats about mingling with bits of toasted nuts and pine needles. It’s complex, subtle and different all at once. Faint smoke lurks around.
Palate	After the initial peat, some warming citrus and hints of vanilla. It continues to bring you hints of coffee and a bit of iodine. This Ardbeg 10 yo is a big whisky but not overwhelming at all.	Ash, peat, soft honey, sweet vanilla and cinnamon sugar, hints of chocolate and toasted oak. Faint hints of lemon pepper. It’s smooth and velvety. Water softens the few rough edges and adds more sweetness.
Finish	What an epic finish! You will remember the Ardbeg 10 yo long after you have emptied the glass.	Smoothly with a long and lingering finish that hug and comfort you like a favourite jersey. Filled with sweetness and bits of nut.
My Rating	Excellent	Divine
Comments	Complex and well balanced	Rich and comforting. Just perfection.
Price	$65	$65
Pairs well with	Garlic leg of Lamb or a charcuterie platter	Strong Cheese, salmon sashimi and pulled pork

This side-by-side tasting is so tricky. We did the tasting blind to see if we could guess which one was which. You can work it out if you sit down and think about it. The An Oa has more vanilla, chocolate and nutty notes than the 10 year old. Both are big, bold drams and just delicious.

The citrus notes in the Ardbeg 10 year old whisky are more pronounced and have a smoother mouth feel. The peat, coffee and iodine wrap around you like a warming blanket. It has a bold finish that stays with you long after the glass is empty.

The Ardbeg An Oa whisky has a creamier mouthfeel, reminding me of burnt butter. It is sweeter on the palate with more pronounced green pine notes. The peat is softer and more elegant when next to the 10 yo. The finish is also smoother and slightly richer.

My sweeter palate enjoyed the An Oa more, but hubby preferred the Ardbeg 10 year old whisky. Regardless, both are a worthy addition to my collection.

I have also done a side by side comparison between the Ardbeg Corryvreckan and Uigeadail whisky to see where they differ.

Also Read: Ardbeg 10 vs Lagavulin 16 yo whisky

Ardbeg Uigeadail Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 01/24/2023

In Single Malt whisky

In December 2013, I got some time to catch up on some of my blog posts. I initially tasted this Ardbeg Uigeadail Islay single malt Scotch whisky during July 2013.

My first introduction to Ardbeg was on Ardbeg Day 2013 when I wandered past Marc’s Whiskybrother Shop in Hydepark and tasted the Ardbeg 10 yo whisky.

Both me and John fell in love with it and walked out with our first bottle. Ardbeg has become one of my favourite distilleries, and my collection has since grown to a few more bottles, including expressions like Uigeadail and Corryvreckan.

I acquired the Ardbeg Uigeadail whisky on an online auction. The name Uigeadail derives from the Scotch Gaelic for ‘Dark and Mysterious Place’ and is named for the Loch from where Ardbeg draws its peat-laden waters.

Most of the standard Ardbeg releases is peated to about 50 ppm and the Ardbeg Uigeadai is a NAS release.

Also Read: Ardbeg Uigeadail vs An Oa whisky

This expression marries the traditional smoky notes of Ardbeg with the sweet raisiny notes of old ex-Sherry casks. This release was launched 10 years ago and has won awards ever since. The Ardbeg distillery is part of the Louis Vuitton stable together with Glenmorangie distillery.

In 2009, Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible named Ardbeg Uigeadail ‘World Whisky of the Year’ – in praise of its “utter silky brilliance” and “complexity on a level only a handful of distilleries in the world can even dream of reaching.”

The 80,000 strong Ardbeg Committee also voted Ardbeg Uigeadail as their favourite Ardbeg. I was thrilled to get it and excitedly looked forward to tasting it.

Ardbeg Uigeadail Islay Single Malt Whisky Review

REGION: Islay

ABV: 54.2%.

COLOUR: Light amber. It’s a beautifully oily whisky, leaving delightful fingers on the inside of the glass. On the addition of water, it goes slightly milky – just beautiful.

NOSE: Nosing is unforgettable. Peat hits you like a wet cloth in the face. Smoke, iodine and medicinal notes follow soon after. You know you are dealing with an Ardbeg! Raisins, hints of honey and spice follow in the background. It’s complex and sophisticated.

PALATE: On tasting the Uigeadail, you are struck by how big a mouthful this whisky is. Peat and smoke fill your mouth. Notes of sherry and Christmas cake come through.

FINISH: Something else! The finish is long and lingering. Starting with raisins and honey, it ends with notes of pepper and espresso. Along the way, it evolves in complexity and richness and continues long after you have swallowed.

Its warmth seems to expand throughout your body. It is unforgettable. The Ardbeg Uigeadail is one of Johns favourites and a whisky he goes back to time and time again.

RATING: EXCELLENT

There is a perfect balance between the smoke and peat and the sweetness that the sherry casks bring. Complex, big and bold that stays in your memory long after the glass is empty, I know people how don’t like peat can find an Uigeadail overwhelming.

It is not a whisky for firs time whisky drinkers. In South Africa, it retails for around R1 100. The Ardbeg Uigeadail is one of the finest whiskies that you can lay your hands on if you love the Islay style.

This is a great whisky to experiment with in terms of side by side comparisons. I have tried the Uigeadail compared to the Corryvreckan single malt, the Ardbeg An Oa as well as the Lagavulin 16 year old whisky. All fun experiments that highlight the strong point of this Islay dram.

Uigeadail and Food Pairings

Pairing this whisky with food will be interesting. I can imagine fresh oysters and a glass of Uigeadail. When I get my hands on some fresh oysters topped up with a drop of lemon juice and a dash of Tabasco, I am trying it.

The Ardbeg Uigeadail also pair well with salmon sashimi. The saltiness of the fish and the soya should complement the smoky, peaty finish of the whisky. On the cheese front, a strongly flavoured cheese will do well with this peaty whisky.

I paired this peaty release with some Lindt Lindor dark 60% chocolate, and it makes for a delicious combination.

Also Read: Ardbeg 10 vs Talisker 10 yo Whisky