Elixir Distillers simply introduced a brand new core vary trilogy for its fashionable Components of Islay collection. The collection captures the distinctive character of Islay whisky, in numerous compositions of blended malts. The brand new expressions exchange the previous Peat / Peat & Sherry / Peat Full Proof releases.
It begins with Cask Edit, a composition of refill, bourbon and sherry casks bottled at 46% ABV for drinkability and stability. Then there’s additionally a Bourbon Cask model and Sherry Cask model, a mixture of first fill and refill casks, bottled bottled at 54.5% ABV to completely showcase their persona.
Components of Islay Cask Edit (46%, Elixir Distillers +/- 2022)
Nostril: basic iodine, with uncooked barley and oak char. Seaweed and seashells on a seashore. There’s a imprecise fruitiness within the background, primarily on citrus and apple. Moist wool and hints of almonds as nicely.
Mouth: sweeter than anticipated now, with very nice caramelized nuts and hints of latte. Darkish baked pastry. Then heat hints of petrichor come out, in addition to a sharper mineral facet and salty ash.
End: fairly lengthy, on briney notes, wooden spice and a touch of acrid smoke.
This works very well as a cornerstone bottling. All the things you’d anticipate from Islay whisky is right here (salty iodine, smoke and minerals), at a rasonable power and providing good worth for cash. Take into account the previous 50 cl bottles have now been changed by 70 cl. Obtainable from The Whisky Alternate and different outlets like TyndrumWhisky as an illustration.
Components of Islay Bourbon Cask (54,5%, Elixir Distillers +/- 2022)
Nostril: as anticipated, slightly extra vanilla and white pepper. The smoke appears cleaner than the Cask Edit, with a better pitch and fewer sooty notes. Later seashore sand, uncooked wool and a really mild trace of peach and orange.
Mouth: begins on citrus and vanilla, with darkish roasted espresso beans resulting in a bitterness. Grapefruit zest. Then oak char and bonfire smoke. Seawater provides to the sharpness. Later some mocha seems.
End: the creamy vanilla returns, whereas holding the oak spice and smoke.
The smoke is extra intense right here (Caol Ila with a splash of Laphroaig, I’d say) whereas the complete profile is a bit more vertical and centered on wooden spice and a mild zesty bitterness. Fairly archetypal, though by way of stability and drinkability the Cask Edit is difficult to beat. Obtainable from The Whisky Alternate and others. Rating: 87/100
Components of Islay Sherry Cask (54,5%, Elixir Distillers +/- 2022)
Nostril: clearly extra sherried, with a somewhat dry profile on tobacco leaves, darkish chocolate and Lapsang tea. Cigar bins and hints of black peppercorns. Fairly fragrant.
Mouth: once more extra on the darkish and dry facet of the spectrum. Loads of leafy notes, liqourice, darkish chocolate and dried orange peels. Plenty of candy pepper, hints of seashells and a gingery edge. Somewhat sooty.
End: actually lengthy, with dry smoke, darkish chocolate, tobacco and a touch of muscovado sugar.
A leafy fashion with little fruits however a variety of tobacco and wooden spice. Is it winter but? In any case the bourbon and sherry variations sit properly on reverse sides of the spectrum – mission achieved. Obtainable from Grasp of Malt or The Whisky Alternate as an illustration. Rating: 86/100
