Elements of Islay

The Elements of Islay series is back with the new CI 14 from Caol Ila distillery. This bottling is a marriage of one 2015 American Oak hogshead, two 2012 ex-oloroso sherry butts and one 2013 ex-oloroso sherry butt. The nose is full of coastal smoke, savoury notes mingling with sweet caramel, thick fruit chutney and smoked mackerel. The palate ramps up the sweetness and adds layers of rich dried fruits, raspberry coulis and cherries. Orange zest dances with smoke and spice. A balanced and lasting finish, comprised of dark chocolate, fresh pomegranate and bonfire embers.

Created from a special blend of single malts from the isle of Islay, this new expression from the Elements of Islay range offers the classic rich barbecue smoke from a south coast Islay distillery, combined with more subtle, zesty flavours from the north coast. Matured exclusively from ex-bourbon casks and bottled at a higher strength of 54.5% this is the classic Islay style - peat smoke balanced with sweeter tones of fruit and vanilla.

The new Elements of Islay 'Cask Edit' is a celebration of all things Islay, containing a small number of single malts that have been 'edited' (blended) to knit together the character of the island's famous distilleries. Rich, smoky single malt from Islay’s south coast marries together with a fresher, fruitier style from the north, leaving behind a warming peat smoke flavour - a bonfire in a glass.

Bringing together the best of Islay, this new Elements of Islay blended malt contains a handful of casks specially chosen from two great distilleries on the island. Dark chocolate, dried fruit and a thick, heavy peaty smoke leads the charge, with tobacco and Arbroath smokies (smoked fish). Dense smoke and sherry cask flavours lead the palate, with a rich chocolate-orange character, moving to brown sugar and treacle toffee. The finish lingers on smoky black tea, with a concentrated peaty and spicy aftertaste. Bottled at a higher strength of 54.5%, given weight and depth to the flavours.

From the ever sought after Lagavulin distillery, truly a treat to see this whisky independently bottled at cask strength. Distilled in 2007 and aged for more than 14 years, the Lg 12 is bottled from a marriage of two ex-bourbon barrels with an abv of 55.4%. Maple-smoked bacon wafts from the glass, followed closely by heady wood spice, caramel sweets and a bouquet of fresh lilies. The palate oozes with runny honey, dripped over barbecued beef jerky. Pastrami covered in seasoning brings warming spice, accompanied by more floral notes. Lingering smoke takes you through the finish, with a touch of clove spice.

New to the shelves from the Elements of Islay range, PEAT is a blended malt, consisting of a combination of 60 casks from a spattering of distilleries around the north and south of Islay. Invigorating punchy peat smoke to the fore is complimented with a salty seaweed character and plenty of fresh fruit (lemon, lime and grapefruit).On the palate, thick-cut smokey bacon is intertwined through layers of dark-chocolate limes, lemon oil and smokey spicy barbecue sauce. Sea spray and baked apple on the finish along with a heavier smoke, truffle salt and sweet spice. Bottled at it's natural batch strength of 59.3% in its signature laboratory-style bottle.

PEAT Pure Islay is the accomplice to the PEAT full proof, swapping its high batch strength for a more friendly 45%. It was created using single malt whisky from a handful of distilleries across northern and southern Islay. Aromas of thick cut bacon being cooked over smouldering coals on the beach. Hickory smoke to the fore on the palate with hints of Lapsang Souchong tea, lashings of salted caramel and dark chocolate developing. Soggy baked apple fade into the finish leaving a heavy smoke with hints of sweet spice and truffle salt.