Maybe you thought Islay was all about peaty/smoky malts – I don’t blame you, you’ve probably been told so at a tasting, while touring a distillery or in a bar, and well… That’s mainly right. But did you know that Islay was also home to some exquisite unpeated whiskies (and that peated whiskies were produced elsewhere than on Islay ;)) ? Here are a few of them !
“Another year and another excellent unpeated Caol Ila for the Special Releases 2016. This is the first of these unusual Islay malts to have been distilled this millennium, being filled into refill American oak hogsheads and refill European oak butts back in the year 2000.”
Bruichladdich Black Art 5 1992
“The fifth release in Bruichladdich’s Black Art series, and their first with Adam Hannett at the helm following Jim McEwan’s retirement. As ever, don’t expect to find out the Black Art recipe from the Bruichladdich chaps – they’re keeping their lips sealed tight.”
Bruichladdich Bere Barley 2008
“A travel retail Bruichladdich single malt Scotch whisky, made with Bere barley, which has a much lower yield than other varieties. For the 2008 vintage Bere Barley Bruichladdich (a phrase which actually rolls off the tongue rather enjoyably), the barley was actually harvested on Orkney! From one island to another, all to make this light, sweet, refined expression”
“In what will be seen as a positive move to whisky connoisseurs, Bunnahabhain have decided to bottle the 25 year old without chill-filtration and without colouring. Presented in smoked oak glass bottle and aged label design. Bunnahabhain with twenty-five years aging opens up the spirit to a plethora of rich, dark flavours that stay with the drinker long after the glass is finished.” More of a sherry bomb than a peat monster for sure.
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