Elements of Islay: Cask Edit, Bourbon Cask, Sherry Cask & Beach Bonfire Reviews

 

Elements of Islay is an independent bottler of Scotch whiskies from Islay distilleries. Elements of Islay has a core range of three permanent expressions: Cask Edit, Bourbon Cask, and Sherry Cask. Additional limited-edition releases from individual distilleries are identified with periodic symbols and batch numbers. We’ll explore one of those called Beach Bonfire, plus the core expressions.

 

All the whiskies from Elements of Islay are naturally colored and non-chill filtered. It doesn’t precisely disclose each distillery it works with but sometimes offers hints. Some you can figure out, others remain a mystery.

 

Before we begin our #DrinkCurious journey, I must thank ImpEx Beverages, Inc., the exclusive importer of Elements of Islay, for providing me with each of these samples in exchange for my no-strings-attached, honest review.

 

For the record, I sipped each of these from a fresh Glencairn glass.

 

Bottling: Cask Edit

Age: NAS

Cooperage: Blend of refill, Bourbon, and Sherry casks

Distillery Hint: A blend of North and South Coast distilleries. The North Coast distilleries are Caol Ila and Bunnahabhain, while the South Coast distilleries are Ardbeg, Port Ellen, Lagavulin, and Laphroaig.

Alcohol Content: 46% ABV (92°)

Price per 700ml: $64.99

 

Appearance: Cask Edit had a bright straw quality. It formed a medium rim and widely-spaced, thick tears.

 

Nose: Cask Edit’s aroma had a lightly-smoked peat. I also discerned lemon curd, pineapples, and pears. Ocean air was present. Drawing the air into my mouth brought rich vanilla and raisins.

 

Palate: The mouthfeel was delicate and had some creaminess. Flavors of lemon oil, lime zest, and raisins hit the front of my palate. The middle featured mocha with roasted nuts. The back included sweet smoke, oak spice, and brine.

 

Finish: I couldn’t get more than 43 seconds out of the finish, making it relatively short. Notes of sweet smoke, brine, raisins, and lemon zest were the last to hold on.

 

Bottle, Bar, or Bust: Cask Edit is an interesting blend of fruity and peaty whiskies. It was effortless to pull the sherry notes. I was pleased with the briny component, and the peat was mild and lent character instead of overwhelming. I found Cask Edit to be well-balanced and an easy sipper, making it a nice one to consider on a warm summer’s evening. I’m happy to give this my Bottle rating.

 

 

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Bottling: Bourbon Cask

Age: NAS

Cooperage: First-fill and refill Bourbon barrels

Distillery Hint: A blend of North and South Coast distilleries. The North Coast distilleries are Caol Ila and Bunnahabhain, while the South Coast distilleries are Ardbeg, Port Ellen, Lagavulin, and Laphroaig.

Alcohol Content: 54.5% ABV (109°)

Price per 700ml: $89.99

 

Appearance: The pale straw-colored whisky produced a thin rim with thick, wild tears.

 

Nose: There was a very mild hint of peat on the nose, almost as if you blew out a candle. I smelled vanilla bean, raw almond, starfruit, and pineapples. The air in my mouth reminded me of melon rind.

 

Palate: The thin, silky texture shot a blast of oak spice across my tongue. I also found vanilla and almonds before it moved to my mid-palate, where I tasted maple syrup and roasted coffee. The back featured bold, smoky peat, citrus, and pineapples.

 

Finish: I found flavors of what I could swear was a sweet vanilla milkshake, almonds, and smoky peat. The duration clocked in at 1:03, making it medium in length.

 

Bottle, Bar, or Bust: Bourbon Cask threw me for a loop. Based on the nose, I would have expected something mild, especially with the soft, gentle peat. What happened inside my mouth was completely different. Yet, Bourbon Cask was nicely balanced, beginning and ending with bold notes. At its stated proof, Bourbon Cask will please any fan of Islay whiskies and takes my Bottle rating.

 

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Bottling: Sherry Cask

Age: NAS

Cooperage: First fill and refill Sherry butts and hogsheads

Distillery Hint: A blend of North and South Coast distilleries. The North Coast distilleries are Caol Ila and Bunnahabhain, while the South Coast distilleries are Ardbeg, Port Ellen, Lagavulin, and Laphroaig.

Alcohol Content: 54.5% ABV (109°)

Price per 700ml: $109.99

 

Appearance: The whisky in my glass looked like liquid gold. A thinner rim jettisoned thick, straight tears.

 

Nose: Smells of plums and raisins were joined by tobacco and the lightest whisp of sweet peat. It was so slight that I had to hunt it down. Inhaling the vapor through my lips delivered lemon peel.

 

Palate: Sherry Cask’s mouthfeel was thin and oily. That’s when the peat burst through the door like Lenny and Squiggy from Laverne & Shirley. I tasted milk chocolate and candied ginger with it on the front. My mid-palate experienced candied orange slices, ripe plums, and dates. Flavors of spiced nuts, oak, and molasses were on the back.

 

Finish: Molasses, chocolate, plums, dates, spiced notes, and smoky peat carried through. I timed the duration at 1:26, falling a hair short of medium-long.

 

Bottle, Bar, or Bust: Sherry Cask was a mysterious pour. Like Bourbon Cask, the nose and palate were worlds apart. Sherry Cask provided a wealth of sweet flavors that folks who love sherry bombs will adore. There was enough smokiness to give peat-lovers something to enjoy. It includes nothing whatsoever to complain about and, as such, takes my Bottle rating.   

 

 

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Bottling: Beach Bonfire

Age: NAS

Cooperage: New oak, Bourbon, Refill, and Sherry casks

Distillery Hint: None given

Alcohol Content: 54.5% ABV (109°)

Price per 700ml: $109.99

 

Appearance: Beach Bonfire was the color of topaz. The fragile rim created thin, fast tears.

 

Nose: The aroma included smells of maraschino cherries, burning wood, chocolate, caramel, and brine. When I pulled the air through my lips, it tasted like burnt pinecones.

 

Palate: The thick, viscous texture brought the taste of campfire, toasted marshmallows, and ginger spice to the front of my palate. The middle included sweeter peat, cherries, and caramel. Flavors of oak spice, juniper, and old leather were on the back.

 

Finish: Ginger spice, old leather, sweet peat, and burnt marshmallow hold on for a medium-long duration. I timed it at 1:31.

 

Bottle, Bar, or Bust: Juniper is one of those flavors I don’t care for, and I’m a bit hypersensitive to it. If you are, too, the juniper component is exceptionally mild and shouldn’t detract from the rest of the experience. Beach Bonfire is unusual in a good way, with differing layers of peat and fruits. The spice notes were complimentary. It is worth exploring and snags my Bottle rating.

 

Final Notes: Overall, I was impressed with Elements of Islay’s core expression and the Beach Bonfire. If I had to rate them in order, it would be Sherry Cask, Beach Bonfire, Cask Edit, and Bourbon Cask.

 

Cheers!

 

My Simple, Easy-to-Understand Rating System

• Bottle = Buy It
• Bar = Try It
• Bust = Leave It

 

Whiskeyfellow encourages you to enjoy your whiskey as you see fit but begs you to do so responsibly.