46°
Distillery Officialy Unknown - Islay
Hogshead
Independent Bottling
By Royal Mile Whiskies
Limited Edition
Single Cask
Bottled in 2023
Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured
Heavily Peated
On the Royal Mile in Edinburgh, there's a world-famous shop where you can find all the whiskies you need. And occasionally, they bottle their own. This is the case here, with this 14-year-old Islay nectar, aged in a simple Hogshead. The identity of the distillery is kept secret, but the shop's website indicates that the flavours are close to Caol Ila and Lagavulin. 384 bottles have been put on sale.
Let's Taste It :
The climate is harsh, with sprays of foam crashing against the slate and gypsum cliffs, dried seaweed and a good pinch of salt. Fortunately, we have a good vanilla custard and a few crushed almonds. Smoky, not too strong, fairly mild, with a slight medicinal touch. On the palate, green apples, Conference pears and white grapes, but the peat is close by, thick and soft. Lime, grapefruit and charcoal balls. Perennial spices. Long, rustic finish, burnt kindling, tar and sea spray. Almond paste with a pinch of salt.
In Short,
The profile is indeed reminiscent of Caol Ila and Lagavulin, very coastal, maritime, even mineral. But I'm leaning towards the latter, because at the same time it's elegant and has a certain finesse that can only be found in Lagavulin. It's a very good whisky, I just regret that it's reduced to 46°, if it were cask strength, it would be magnificent. The price is a bit high in my opinion, but I have to believe that it's deserved, because these days it's all sold out, it's totally impossible to find, except perhaps at auction, but that takes luck and persistence.
Score : 88
To Be Listened While Sipping :
Atlas - Scottish Islands
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