Islay Flashcards
Islay
Islay (Listeni/ˈaɪlə/ eye-lə; Scottish Gaelic: Ìle, pronounced [ˈiːlə]) is the southernmost island of the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. Known as “The Queen of the Hebrides”, it lies in Argyll just south west of Jura and around 40 kilometres (25 mi) north of the Irish coast. The island’s capital is Bowmore where the distinctive round Kilarrow Parish Church and a distillery are located. Port Ellen is the main port.
Laphroaig 10
A half bottle of the iconic, medicinal 10 year Islay’s bestselling distillery, Laphroaig. This is a massive, punchy dram, it is said the medicinal character is from the high moss content in the peat.
Tasting Note by The Chaps at Master of Malt
Tasted by us with Laphroaig’s Distillery Manager, John Campbell Nose: This opens on big, smoky muscular peat notes. There are spices, and liquorice, as well as a big dose of salt. This whisky has become slightly sweeter in recent years, and it beautifully on the nose, amidst the classic iodine/sticking plasters and cool wood smoke we love. Palate: Seaweed-led, with a hint of vanilla ice cream and more than a whiff of notes from the First Aid box (TCP, plasters etc). The oak is big, and muscles its way into the fore as you hold this whisky over your tongue. An upsurge of spices develop – cardamom/black pepper/chilli. Finish: Big and drying, as the savoury, tarry notes build up with an iodine complexity. Overall: The only malt from Laphroaig’s range that John Campbell recommends with water; try it, it opens up the palate massively, providing a dazzling array of additional flavours…
Lagavulin 16
A much sought-after single malt with the massive peat-smoke that’s typical of southern Islay - but also offering richness and a dryness that turns it into a truly interesting dram. The 16 year old has become a benchmark Islay dram from the Lagavulin distillery.
Tasting Note by The Chaps at Master of Malt
Nose: More like Lapsang Souchong tea than Lapsang Souchong! One of the smokiest noses from Islay. It’s big, very, very concentrated, and redolent of iodine, sweet spices, good, mature sherry and creamy vanilla. Stunning.
Palate: Very thick and rich. A massive mouthful of malt and sherry with good fruity sweetness, but also a wonderful sweetness. Big, powerful peat and oak.
Finish: Long, spicy finish, figs, dates, peat smoke, vanilla.
