Port Askaig 12 Year Spring Edition (Bottled 2020)

Opened up one of my samples last night …was in the mood for an Islay. This is a from “unknown” Islay distillery, bottled by The Whisky Exchange, Bourbon cask, I believe. I’m a firm believer that most of the picks by TWE generally fall in the “good” to “great” territory. They’re the only ones that somehow managed to pick a good New Zealander ( Thompson Saison cask ), and they have picked one of my top 3 ever (21;yr old single sherry cask Laphroaig). Nose is salty air and phenols. Some honey. Taste is salt ashes and peat. Sweetness well integrated, almost honey backbone. This is good. Most likely a Caol Ila. One of the better youngish Caol Ila I’ve had.

Loved the upfront peat and smoke on the nose, and the lingering brine on the palate. Spicy in all the right ways with a bright, citrusy lightness.

Burnt bacon, salty and medicinal. Spicy with a touch of raisin. Reminds me of fresh air, a peaty fire in NI and heather bogs.

Bonfires Bacon Islay whisky - fresh air

Smooth, mild bite, good flavor