Port Askaig combines all the good Islay has to offer

Another indicator for my time in this hobby called whisky passion is that I actually remember the first time Port Askaig was launched. Islay single malt bottled under the name of the little harbour right across from the Isle of Jura, where you can indeed take ferries to the mainland or Jura. The location is therefore near the Caol Ila Distillery, which was (strongly) rumoured to be inside these lovely Port Askaig bottles. In the years since that launch in 2009, we have seen a quite steady flow of releases. One release that really turned some heads, is the one we have on the table today. A strong offering that is smelling up my room as I type these words. Let’s dive in!

Port Askaig 17 years old, bottled at 50,5 % abv by Elixir Distillers

Makeup: Matured in American oak and released in a batch of 9000 bottles.

General impressions: Fantastic, classic, superbly clean Islay nose. So lots of peat smoke, lemon and weathered by the sea ropes. Very rounded and accessible, but with enough complexity to make you nose this Port Askaig for a long time. Grassy notes emerge, and loads of liquorice. Makes me think of Lagavulin more than anything else, I have to say. Taking a sip, I am surprised by a delicious vanilla sweetness, almost hinting a something more exotic. Like smoked pineapple, which has become a trademark of aged Ardbeg, has it not? 

If Port Askaig is aiming to be a perfect Islay allrounder, than the mission is well under way. And while tasting, I keep going back to the glass to sniff up some more impressions. It keeps on developing and satisfying the senses. Some brine comes out, orchard notes, farm notes, it is all there. The finish leaves a nice, burning warmth lingering for a long time. It is hard to find any fault in this bottling.

Conclusion: Absolutely cracking whisky, the prime example of a 90-point scorer. It just ticks all the boxes, delivers on its promise of being a middle aged Islay malt, and then brings some surprise to the table too. The only question that remains … is this really a Caol Ila or did Elixir source this particular one elsewhere? This one, as a secret malt, holds the middle between Laphroaig and Ardbeg on the one side, and Lagavulin and Caol Ila on the other. That is good credential to go buy a bottle immediately.  

Score: 90 points

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