Port Askaig Islay 110 Proof Whisky Miniature (12 Pack)

Contains twelve (12) 50 ml bottles.

Port Askaig is a single malt brand which selects whisky from Islay to use in its releases. A small batch selection of whiskies from as few as two to up to forty casks are used for each bottling. This 110 proof is a cask-strength bottling and it was matured in American oak. As with all Port Askaig releases, it is non chill-filtered with no color added. This marks the first release for the US with more releases to follow.

Tasting Notes: 

• Nose: Ashy, meaty smoke reminds me of charred meat roasting over an open wood fire. Singed dry grasses (hay), like the scent of a distant wildfire. Dry malt, with a lot of nose tickle if you venture deeper into the glass. Some very faint vanilla.
• Palate: Thin body. Robust tongue burn, in fact pretty fiery for a 55% which suggest the age might be on the shorter side (6 years is my wholly unsubstantiated guess). Dry on the tongue, with more charred meat and heavily toasted multigrain bread.
• Finish: Concentrated smoke, like bottled “liquid smoke” – almost verging on hickory. Fades without bitterness, and also without much dimension.

With Water: Several drops of water adds little, instead roughening up the nose tickle. The finish is a little better balanced, with some sweet malty notes to counter the dry smoke. I’d only bother with the water if you find the ABV too high to enjoy neat.