Whisky: Port Askaig 110 Proof

Country/Region: Scotland/Islay

ABV: 55%

Cask: American Oak

Nose: Maritime, spicy, and herbal-medicinal. Funky and meaty white pepper pork bone broth, bak kut teh, came to mind with medicinal herbs and dried mushrooms. Faint hints of citrus appeared between notions of oak and an overstuffed and haphazardly stocked apothecary shop.

Palate: Medium-bodied with salt, wood, and spice. White pepper and pork reprised themselves with a grand entrance on the palate followed by an herbal spice box of black peppercorns, star anise, and thyme. Notes of charred parchment and ink brought to mind secretive rendezvous and destroyed evidence. Toward the end were grape leaves, weathered docks, and driftwood. The wife described the funk as burping an old cheese.

Finish: Mellow notes of ash and spice.

Score: 6

Mental Image: Clandestine Dockside Rendezvous

Notes: I have been informed, many times, that Port Askaig is always Caol Ila (except for the odd mature age-stated or unpeated editions, which may be Bunnahabhain). After finally getting to try this US exclusive Port Askaig from Elixir Distillers, the bottler owned by The Whisky Exchange, I can give my two cents. It is Caol Ila.

Make no bones about it, this was a fantastic dram for the price, and it reminded me a lot of the mystery Islay single malt that Alexander Murray bottled for Kirkland/Costco in 2021. That was bottled at similar strength, and my notes were quite similar, though that was slightly more citrus and maritime, while this leaned more into a savory meatiness and spice.  

Overall, this was a solid and sippable Islay single malt. I would rank this a hair above most of the official entry-level price point releases from Islay distilleries, certainly a few pegs above the Caol Ila 12. While this has a similar profile, the intensity was turned up in just about every aspect. The only disappointing element was a finish that faded just a bit too quickly. If the finish were longer, this would have been an easy 7. As is, I fell between a 6 or 7 but ultimately rounded down a bit.

Image Credit: Whisky Shop USA