2012 Berry Bros. & Rudd Williamson, Cask No. 233, Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Islay (60.9%)
About this SPIRIT
Islay Whisky
The whisky region of Islay (pronounced eye-la) is arguably the most important 200 or so square miles in the whisky world. On the face of it Islay just another island of the Inner Hebrides. It lies in Argyll just to the west of Jura and around 25 miles north of the Irish coast, which can be seen on a clear day.
The island's fame as far as whisky goes is due to the 8 distilleries currently in production and the vast tracts of peat that cover most of the island's surface. The whisky distilleries are: Ardbeg, Bowmore, Bruichladdich, Bunnahabhain, Caol Ila, Kilchoman (this is the newest distillery on the island which started producing spirit in 2005), Lagavulinand Laphroaig.
The 8 distilleries with whisky for sale can be divided up, depending on the amount of peat used. The `big 3' are Ardbeg, Lagavulin and Laphroaig who all produce powerful smoke laden whiskies. The new malt produced by Kilchoman is also very powerful indeed.
Occupying the middle ground are Bowmore and Caol Ila. The whiskies produced at Bruichladdich and Bunnahabhain are in peat terms at least, the lightest.
There were more distilleries in the past: Port Ellen closed in 1983 while the Lochindaal at Port Charlotte closed in1929. The buildings at Port Ellen are however still in use, it is here that malted barley for the island's distilleries is produced.
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Description
The small Hebridean island of Islay is famous for heavily peat-smoke flavoured malt whiskies. Beyond the obvious peatiness, each Islay whisky offers its own signature. This classic expression uses the "trade name" Williamson and hails from the island's south coast.
This powerful Islay bounds out of the glass giving off a myriad of smoky aromas from iodine and sea salt to new leather and smoked haddock, the intense nose integrates wonderfully at cask strength. The palate is similarly punchy with waves of peat smokes and barley building into a more complex picture including citrus and engine oil, a touch of water shows a little oak but the distillate is dominant here. More peat smoke lingers on the long finish, evocative of the Islay coast. When Santa got stuck up the chimney, it appears to have been a pagoda roof on Islay ...
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