Port Askaig 1983 34 yo

 

 

 

49,7°

Distillery Officially Unknown - Islay

Ex-Bourbon Hogshead

Independent Bottling 

By Elixir Distillers 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2018

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

 

 

 

The oldest Port Askaig is 45 years old, but there are also a 30 year old, a 33 year old and this 34 year old, which caused a stir when it was released, being judged particularly good by the connoisseurs. Issued in 180 bottles, it went on sale in February 2019.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The tide rises on an exotic beach. Caramelised sand, liquorous fruits, perfectly integrated iodine. Wonderful balance. Salt crystals. Fermented cherries. Fresh fig pulp. Quite smoky for its age, laden with sooty granules. Continues on the palate, fig and dried banana, hint of cherry, peat in the background, light but not insignificant spices, cumin, pepper. Chestnut purée. Traces of bitterness. The finish is thunderous. Very long, spicy, woody, with hints of tinder, dark chocolate, coffee beans and cloves.

In Short, 

I can confirm that this is Caol Ila. From the nose to the finish, there's a little syrupy note that I really liked. It's a whisky that has a certain thickness, and of course a great complexity. The nose and finish are superb. On the palate, it's just very well done. A masterpiece nonetheless. The price is chilling.

Score : 91

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

  

                                           Donny Hathaway - The Ghetto

Caol Ila 1982 The Cooper's Choice 30 yo

 

 

 

52°

Distillery : Caol Ila - Islay 

Hogshead

Independent Bottling

By The Vintage Malt Whisky Co. Ltd

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2013

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 35 ppm

 

 

 

The Vintage Malt Whisky Co. was founded in 1992 and is best known for the Finlaggan brand. And when you know that Finlaggan is Caol Ila (although you're not supposed to), you can deduce that they have very strong links with this distillery. Which explains why this cask from 1982 is in their hands. In fact, they have a good fifteen 1982 Caol Ila casks. But this one is special. Bottled in 2013 especially for The Whisky Fair in Limburg, Germany, only 275 bottles were made, which are now being snapped up at auction.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

At the very beginning of the nose, camphor and ether, which sometimes happens with older bottlings. Behind, pulpy, ripe yellow fruits, plum, banana. With the addition of water, the iodine begins to expand, and a fine balance is achieved, though it remains delicate overall. Then comes the smoke, ashy and grainy. Mineral notes of slate and silica. Chocolatey earth. Black coffee in the percolator. Moist humidity, undergrowth. Liquoriced soot. Ginger, angelica. Delicious harmony. On the palate, the fruits come back, quince and fermented cherries, fairly strong spices, cumin, cloves, pepper, turmeric. Hints of marshy liquorice. Very long finish, liquorice and fuel oil, pepper sweets, paprika, malt, rye, some cereals. Dry earth. Aubergine juice. Slight woody bitterness.

 

In Short, 

It took a good 40 minutes for the nose to take hold, and water had to be added, but it is truly outstanding. The rest is on the same level, it's a fantastic bottling, quite fruity, which manages to effectively blend iodine and peat with the patina of age, a sweetness and a complexity second to none. I'd recommend buying it for those who can afford it, but reserve it for die-hard fans, as the value for money is nowhere near there.

Score : 90

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Dire Straits - Telegraph Road

Caol Ila 1982 The Ultimate Rare Reserve 30 yo

 

 

 

51,6°

Distillery : Caol Ila - Islay

Hogshead

Independent Bottling 

By Van Wees

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2013

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 35 ppm

 

 

 

In 2013, after 19 years in business, The Ultimate range reached its 500th bottling. What an achievement! That's more than 25 per year. To celebrate in style, they found a Caol Ila from 1982, the hallowed year of Caol Ila, reputed to be one of their best vintages. A release of 200 copies, quickly sold out, became a legend.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Yellow plum, ethereal iodine, banana. Salt lace and calcareous peat. Deep earth. Almond paste, crushed chestnuts. Sea breeze. Fig pulp. Evanescent mineral notes, slate and quartz. The palate, on the other hand, is very fruity, with a good amount of peat in the background, followed by tasty spices, paprika, cumin and turmeric. Really pleasant. Very long finish, quite vigorous but not really violent, vanilla juice, dates, hints of cranberries. Walnut crumbs. Fruit paste with raisins.

 

In Short, 

Some say it's not the best 1982 Caol Ila. But it's so good anyway! Chiselled with salt and very fine peat on the nose, lots of fruit on the palate, and a never-ending finish. Do you want to know where you can still find it? The answer is no.

Score : 90

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Black Caedinal - I'm Ready

Kilchoman Loch Gruinart

 

 

 

46°

Distillery : Kilchoman - Islay

American Bourbon, European Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez Sherry Casks

Original Bottling 

Core Range 

Single Malt 

Launched in 2020

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 50 ppm 

In November 2020, a rumour started circulating. Some Kilchoman could be found in French supermarkets at a very attractive price. It was this new product, this Loch Gruinart, and enthusiasts flocked to these places of mass consumption. I did the same, but the ones near home weren't so well stocked. Finally, I got the chance to taste it today, as I was given a sample. Non aged, with few details about the maturation process, this Loch Gruinart doesn't look much different from Machir Bay or Sanaig, except that it's slightly younger, apparently. Loch Gruinart is a long delta in the north of Islay, and its entrance is closer to Bunnahabhain than Kilchoman, as the delta begins between Ardnave Point and Gortantaoid Point. It seems that it is still exclusively reserved for French supermarkets, but it's been almost three years now, so you can't really call it a limited edition.

Let's Taste It : 

Airy, mineral, calcareous iodine. Wet dog. animal, herbaceous peat. Buffalo grass. Some yellow fruits, plums and bananas. Earthy hints. Pebbles in the river. The peat becomes more balanced, revealing creamy vanilla. Really light on the palate, a bit lemony, some spices, cumin and pepper, rocky undertones. Quite long and very effective finish, sandy, the peat comes through, whiffs of iodine, cola, very slight bitterness. Mint and coconut ice cream with chocolate chips.

 

In Short, 

Indeed, it's quite young, and that's its main flaw, as it's very light on the palate. On the other hand, the nose and finish are quite good, and for that I find it slightly superior to Machir Bay. I'm not really sure that I'll ever buy one, but perhaps I will on occasion.

Score : 85

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Senza Benza - The Lady from the Shop