55,7°
Distillery Officially Unknown - Islay
Refill Bourbon Small Batch Casks
Independent Bottling
By The Islay Boys Ltd.
Core Range
Single Malt
Launched in 2020
Unchillfiltered
Peated around 40 ppm
As a tribute to Magnus Bårelegs, King of Norway in the 11th century who ruled the Scottish Isles, The Islay Boys Ltd. have created their 2nd brand, which bears the same name, and in particular this Battle Axe, made from a Single Malt from the Isle of Islay and bottled at 55.7°, which corresponds to the latitude of the Islay Rhinns, where our two Islay Boys, Mackay Smith and Donakd McKenzie, come from.
Let's Taste It :
It's mineral, like you're nibbling at the cliffs, your nostrils full of iodine, the tide, the foam, the kelp, it's all there, we're on Islay. The wind is strong and the weather damp, but we can still smell varnished wood, tall grass and soft, spongy earth. The peat is very grey, ashy, thick and sticky with seawater. It smells like a charred log. On the palate, spices, ginger, pepper, cumin, a few more loads of iodine, mineral peat and a full ashtray. The finish is very good, explosive, as long as one could wish, never-ending, yet it ends in a symphony of iodine, peat and various minerals. Beautiful salinity. Stones. Gypsum. Clay.
In Short,
It's excellent, with everything an Islay peat lover could ask for, lots of iodine and sea spray. I thought it was Caol Ila, but one of the company's officials, who holds a very senior position, assured me that it was Lagavulin. I don't think he lied to me. If you're a fan, you'd better get your hands on it as soon as possible.
Score : 88
To Be Listened While Sipping :
Black Label Society - Sold My Soul
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