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.
◊◊◊◊◊
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.
◊◊◊◊◊
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.
◊◊◊◊◊
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.
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