I remember talking to TWE’s Tim Forbes about a brand-new whisky series called Port Askaig like it was yesterday. That was 2009, which means we’re getting old. Later on in 2012 the range was expanded with a Port Askaig 12 Year Old among other expressions.
Now there’s a new version of the 12, a Spring Edition bottled 2020. It is a single malt made close to the village of Port Askaig, composed from 18 ex-bourbon hogsheads filled in 2006 and 2007.
Port Askaig 12 yo ‘Spring Edition’ (47,8%, Elixir Distillers 2020, ex-bourbon hogsheads, 5000 btl.)
Nose: seaweed and a very bright, almost acidic lemon note. Granny Smith. Smoky notes underneath. A little aniseed and a good dose of brine. Beach sand and concrete. After a while some dough and bandages, as well as a little wet chalk. All good, pretty bright and classic.
Mouth: fresh onset, with plenty of lemon again, in a sherbet kind of way. Dry ashy smoke, with a nice salt and acid balance. Brine, growing antiseptics and a touch of menthol. Traces of peaches and yellow plums now. Folds open nicely, getting darker, with some mocha, toffee and charred notes towards the end.
Finish: long, warming and smoky, with hints of pepper, lemons and aniseed.
Impeccable Islay whisky really, with some youthful elements but decent complexity as well. Another solid Port Askaig expression. Available from The Whisky Exchange for instance.