Here we have a mystery malt known as “Port Askaig” and bottled by Elixir Disitllers. Port Askaig was their house brand for unnamed Islay malts, the vast majority of which are certainly Caol Ila.  The label has typically been used for affordable mass market products, limited editions, and even single cask releases. The idea of Caol Ila being an unnamed Islay is a bit odd as the distillery has been fairly liberal with naming rights, especially compared to some of the South Shore distilleries on Islay, including those that are part of the same larger spirits conglomerate.

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Whisky: Port Askaig 15 Year (2006), Elixir Distillers Cask 307384 for ImpEx Beverages

Country/Region: Scotland/Islay

ABV: 55.2%

Cask: Bourbon Hogshead

Age: 15 Years (Distilled Aug. 2006, Bottled Sept. 2021)

Notes: Shredded tires baking in the sun at a seaside playground of up-cycled equipment— not rubbery, but tar-like with earth, dry vegetation, salty air, laminated wood, and wispy chimney smoke. Fragrant, inviting, and a touch creamy at times with peanut brittle and sweeter cooked sugars. Faintly medicinal herbs emerged from the dry vegetation, mugwort and menthol cast off in the direction of cough drops and incense. Medium-bodied and oily on the palate, the profile lingered on the sweeter elements with praline joining peanut brittle and dalgona, or honey comb and cooked sugars. Creamier, especially with a few drops of water, the old tar and tires remained in the background, offering a brief nod toward more acrid elements at the end. The finish was medium length with more medicinal herbs and cough drops beginning to reappear under a blanket of slightly acrid soot.

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Score: 6-7 (81)

Mental Image: Burnt Pots at the Sugar Spinning Class

Conclusion: This was tasty with a coherent set of flavors on the palate that cast off in the direction of phenolic candies, caramel, and sweets more so than the bolder maritime elements of Caol Ila. Perhaps there was a bit of salted caramel in there and a bit of ocean breeze, especially with some water, but it was comparatively mild. A few drops of water balanced the flavors better, but was not strictly necessary as the spirit was generally tame and well-integrated. Overall, tasty, though perhaps a bit simple.