This is one I was happy to see available when ordering. It’s not often you get to try a well aged Islay without too much of a premium on the price. Happy it came up it this year’s calendar.
Port Askaig 28, Islay Single Malt, 45.8% ABV
Minutia: Matured for 28 years in refill American oak hogsheads and bottled in 2019. Reviewed blind, neat in an opaque glencairn.
Color: Deep gold; 0.8.
Nose: Green, light smoke. Citric. Toasted, aniseed.
Taste: Custard, vanilla, wood, spices.
Finish: Large smoke and earth up front, quick fade into a metallic woody note. Medium.
Guess: IB Port Charlotte, maybe Kilchoman.
That surge in the finish really reminded me of Octomore, so I figured it might be a lower proof Port Charlotte. Somewhat surprising, and welcome, for it to be there after 28 years. The finish helped it get there, though, and I think this would have benefitted from being cask strength. At something this age, it just feels silly to dilute it.
Score: 84
Here are links to the other posts from this calendar:
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