Port Askaig 34 Year Old Islay

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SOLD OUT - SORRY WE CANT GET ANY MORE!

Only 9 bottles of this mature Islay malt are coming to Canada, exclusively to KWM. Bottled at 49.7%, this whisky was distilled at the Caol Ila Distillery.

Producer's Description: "Distilled in 1983, this single cask of 34-year old whisky was produced by Islay’s largest distillery, situated just north of the village of Port Askaig. This particular cask was selected for its nuanced take on the distillery’s character."

Andrew's Tasting Note

Nose: Juicy Fruit gum, tallow wax candles and bright citrus: oranges and tangerines; oily and buttery with loads of tropical fruits; a touch of diesel, creosote and buttery peat; silky bright and expressive; I want to climb in to the glass and be enveloped by the aromas.

Palate: bigger and smokier than expected on the first sip, it settles down thereafter; creamy and waxy: loads of creamed honey, vanilla and creme caramel; the smoke settles down with a touch more diesel and creosote making way for buttery peat oils; savoury salted caramel with more bright citrus and tropical fruits: ripe mango, guava and cantaloupe; lot of layers, there is even a touch of Caol Ila's classic bacon wrapped scallop note, poached in butter of course.

Finish: long, silky, honeyed and very fruity; the gentle peat and salt are balanced by the creamy vanilla tones and fruits; quite simply heavenly!

Comment: time has nicely rounded the edges, but not entirely tamed the beast; this is one of the oldest Caol Ilas we've ever seen, and it has held its peaty maritime edge while at the same time making room for stunning creamy notes and fruits; phenomenol!

Producer Tasting Notes

Nose: Honey and brine – beehives on the beach. Floral notes develop, accompanied by sherbet lemons, delicate waxiness, sweet oatcakes and hints of candied fruit. Underneath lies a layer of dirty smoke: oily engines, coal stoves and beach bonfires.

Palate: Charcoal and leaves flood the palate, with coal smoke and menthol following in their wake. Sweeter flavours emerge, with chocolate and barley sugar balanced against stony minerality and touches of bitter barrel char. Leathery notes build and provide a backdrop for salted caramel, sweet liquorice, delicate honeysuckle and leafy mint.

Finish: Mint and menthol lead to smouldering peat and oak. As the smoke fades, sweet meadow grass and candied flowers linger.

Comment: A nuanced style displaying strong smoke hidden behind layers of juicy citrus and delicate floral notes.

About the Port Askaig Range: "Port Askaig is a range of Islay single malt whiskies that embodies the unique spirit of Islay and its people. Nestled into the north coast of the island, Port Askaig has been the gateway to Islay for hundreds of years. It seemed right to name our whisky after this magical place. While there is no distillery at Port Askaig, it gives us the opportunity to specially select casks from the distilleries around Islay and create a variety of expressions."

700 ml