Symbiosis 2018 Artist #15 Something in the Water

 

 

 

50,6°

Distilleries : Caol Ila, Bunnahabhain - Islay

Puncheon and Toasted New American Oak Finish

Independent Bottling 

By La Maison du Whisky

Limited Edition 

Blended Malt 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated from 35 to 40 ppm 

 

 

 

It is quite rare to find a blended malt in the Artist range. This one is therefore an exception, and the nice thing is that we have almost all the details. Three casks of Caol Ila distilled in 2014, 2015 and 2018, as well as two casks of Bunnahabhain distilled in 2013 and 2014, have been combined for a year in a Puncheon Cask, then six months in a Toasted New American Oak Barrel. This means that the liquid is aged between 6 and 12 years old and has been aged in a single cask for a total of one and a half years. 282 bottles have been counted, each adorned with a work by Radhika Surana entitled Symbiosis, how fitting. This blend, created by Elixir Distillers, is intended to illustrate the profile of their future distillery, Portintruan, which is due to open soon. Let's say in 2026, if all goes well (they were originally due to open in 2024).

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

It's a surprise, because the peat is rather light, or maybe it's just me. It's fresh, minty, a little woodsy, austere, with hints of sea spray, dark tobacco, delicate herbal and mineral notes, limestone, chalk, cold ashes, swirls of caramelised soot and almost solid tar. Some fruit in the background, creamy vanilla, white grapes. On the palate, it is oily, almost silky, with earthy peat and sea salt, before drifting towards citrus, grapefruit, lime, and perhaps apricot. Very controlled spices. Long and explosive finish, where the salt is accompanied by creamy notes, lemon coulis, Williams pears, roasted nuts, stalactites, gypsum.

 

In Short, 

It's really very well done, and will delight all Islay whisky lovers. I find that it's mainly the Bunnahabhain profile that dominates, even though there are only two casks, compared to three from Caol Ila. It's a little austere, but above all harmonious and subtle, with a peatiness that I found relatively discreet. The price is very reasonable, which is rare in the Artist range, and as a result it sold out completely in a matter of weeks. It's a shame, as I would certainly have bought one. 

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Violent Vickie - Circle Square