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KWM 2021 Whisky Calendar Day 17: Port Askaig 100 Proof

Posted on December 4, 2023

by Evan

It has been a few days since we have headed to Islay. Since the Kilchoman KWM Mezcal Cask which we tasted on Day Ten to be exact. So, why don't we head back there now? For Day 17 we are featuring the Port Askaig 100 Proof Islay Single Malt!

For many of us who have made the pilgrimage to Islay, Port Askaig is where we the ferry landing where we disembarked from the CalMac Ferry and went off to explore the rest of the island. Port Askaig is on the east coast, on the Sound of Islay. East of the Town and about 1 KM across the Sound is the Isle of Jura. Distillery-wise, Caol Ila is closest to the town and ferry landing and is about a five-minute drive to the North. The new Ardnahoe Distillery and Bunnahabhain Distillery to the north are also within seven and twelve minutes by car, respectively. While the Port has been used for hundreds of years as on of the main berths between Islay and Jura as well as the Scottish Mainland, the town at the port itself only consists of a handful of houses, a hotel, a gas station and a shop or two.

Named after the village of Port Askaig itself, the Port Askaig Islay Single Malt label is owned by Elixir Distillers. The company also owns a few other brands you may have heard of, including The Elements Of Islay, The Single Malts Of Scotland, The Whisky Trail, and The Black Tot Rum brand. Over the past three or so years, Elixir has become one of our most trusted partners and go-to indie bottlers for sourcing single casks to be bottled for our store. Thanks to their supply and trust in us, we have been incredibly lucky to select and sell our own casks under their Single Malts of Scotland label including a Caol Ila, a Clynelish, a Ben Nevis, and multiple casks from the closed and demolished Imperial Distillery during this time. The first label that was released in Canada belonging to Elixir was Port Askaig, so it is exciting for us to be able to showcase it in our 2021 KWM Whisky Calendar.

The main range of the Port Askaig lineup consists of the 8-Year-Old, the 100 Proof we are tasting today, and limited runs of older whisky including a 12-Year-Old, 15-Year-Old, 19-Year-Old 25-Year-Old, 28-Year-Old, 34-Year-Old and 45-Year-Old. Many of these small batches have long since sold out, but we will hopefully see more bottlings in the future. Though it is a line of mystery Islay single malts and the source of each batch of Port Askaig is not usually disclosed, much of the whiskies bottled under the label are reputed to come from the Caol Ila distillery, Not all of them are likely Caol Ila, though. Other distilleries that have possibly been bottled under the Port Askaig name include Bunnahabhain and Laphroaig.

If like me, you are a fan of peated whisky in general and Islay whisky itself, you are living in a period full of options to choose from. The amount of peated Single Malt Scotch available in Alberta has exploded over the past decade, with new options to try cropping up at a high frequency. How does the Port Askaig 100 Proof stack up to the likes of Finglaggan Cask Strength, The Ileach Cask Strength, and more? Let's dive in and decide for ourselves!.

Port Askaig 100 Proof - 57.1%

The 100 Proof is a no age statement whisky bottled at 57.1% (100 British Proof).

Evan’s Tasting Note

Nose: Oily. Ashy. Coastal. Slightly farmy. Like dowsing a peat fire with seawater. Lemons and limes, the salted rim on a partially drank margarita along with a healthy spoonful of custard with a dash of black pepper.

Palate: Oops, it seems that you may have anciently poured a teaspoon of salt into your oatmeal instead of sugar! Grapefruit halves, apple sauce, plus grilled prawns and calamari dipped into a chilli oil sauce.

Finish: Smooth, sweet, salty and oily all the way down.

Comment: 57.1% you say? This is a dangerous dram because very drinkable at 100 proof thanks to the sweetness and oily texture along with the salt that makes your mouth water. You might want to get a backup bottle for when this one runs out...

Going back to peat and Islay is like getting your security blanket out of the dryer. Hello, old friend! Maybe that is just me, or maybe it is the fact that is -20 degrees centigrade outside as I write this. Regardless, the Port Asakaig 100 Proof really hit the spot. I hope it worked for you as well! If not, there is always tomorrow's bottle... See you then!

Cheers,
Evan
evan@kensingtonwinemarket.com
Twitter and Instagram: @sagelikefool

This entry was posted in Whisky, Tastings, Whisky Calendars, Independent Bottler, KWM Whisky Calendar 2021

 

 

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