Cask Islay

Cask Islay, NAS, 46 %

It is time for the baseline product in the Casks of Scotland series from independent bottler A. D. Rattray. The Cask Islay has been matured in bourbon casks. It is produced in batches of 5-10 casks at a time, and it is peated to around 35 ppm (in the malt).

See the official product page for more info.

You can buy the Cask Islay in Norway at NOK 699 (355301).

Nose: Smoky, creamy, vanilla ice cream. Citrus, ginger and cinnamon flavored sprinkles on top. Add a couple of thin oak shavings as well. Love the tempered peatiness here. The nose just gets better and better.

Taste: Medium to full bodied. Young and feisty with lots of sooty, peppery, wood smoke. Salty caramel. Nuts. Peppery dark chocolate.

Finish: Medium long finish. Dry now. Ashes, white pepper, baked apples and a squeeze of lemon.

Comment: I do love my peated whiskies young and a bit rough around the edges. This is indeed fine! My guess is that this is a Caol Ila, both based on the profile and the ppm level.

Score 87/100

Sláinte!
- Thomas