Cask Islay (A.D. Rattray) Cask Strength Bourbon Edition

(Good Spirits Co. Glasgow – Virtual Whisky Tasting, 05 February 2021). Matured in 1st-fill Kentucky bourbon barrels 1 of 4,900 bottles Bottled: 10-06-2020 Nose: Ash, peat, tropical fruit Palate: Smoke / burning embers, sweet BBQ, charred meat, salt/brine, green pepper Finish: Tobacco, leather, ash, salt & brine. To me this tastes like a sweet Caol Ila. It is very ashy on the aftertaste, but the sweetness livens it up. Came joint second out of the six whiskies, with 17% of the final vote for favourite of the night (4 votes), however this is possibly because there was an absolute standout dram at the tasting which was the runaway winner of the night. 87% of those present said they enjoyed the whisky (20 votes).

Ash, rubber and bandaid notes are overpowering. Usually I’m a big fan of Islay juice, but this one is not for me. I prefer the campfire, bbq smoke more than the ashy smoke. After you leave the whisky in the glass for 5-10 minutes it opens up. honey and briny notes come through the heavy ash