The very new Port Askaig 16 Year Old is a combination of bourbon- and sherry-cask-aged whisky. Replacing the popular 15 year old, this should be big, bold and peaty Caol Ila. Remember there are multiple distilleries in the current Port Askaig line-up, so you never know.
Port Askaig 16 yo (45,8%, Speciality Drinks 2015)
Port Askaig 16 yo (45,8%, Speciality Drinks 2015)Nose: rather excellent. The peat seems more mature and subtle than the age suggests. Herbal honey, hints of tobacco and leafy / mossy notes. Sweet, fruity notes (dried figs) and almonds from the sherry casks. Hints of barbecue embers and sweet olives. Excellent indeed.
Mouth: a sweetish profile again: Turkish coffee, marzipan, similar fruity notes. The peat is a little louder now, which matches the sweetness perfectly. Drier towards the finish, with lots of ashes and tobacco.
Finish: long, smoky, with toffee and a hint of smoked fish.
It may not be the cheapest undisclosed Islay whisky but boy this is impressive whisky! Reminds me of some Ardbeg 1998, and even the age would match, but not the price, I’m afraid, so let’s keep it at Caol Ila. Around € 110.
Score: 90/100