Isle of Skye — Malthound

Edencroft: Invergordon, Bruichladdich, Caol Ila, Lagavulin & Talisker New Classic Malts!

November 18, 2014 by Gary Leave a Comment

Bruichladdich / Octomore 063/ 258 Ppm Islay Barley 2009

Supplier	Brand	Bottle Size	Price
Edencroft	Invergordon Single Grain Whisky 25 Year Old / Hunter Laing Sovereign Country: Scotland Region: Lowland Age: 25 Year Old Strength: 58.1% Vintage: 1988 Bottler: Summary: The Hunter Laing Sovereign Single Grain bottlings are increasingly becoming firm favourites with Whisky enthusiasts around the globe. Hunter Laing select only the finest casks which have been lying untouched in cold, dark and damp Scottish warehouses for many decades. Typically their aged Single Grain whiskies have a deliciously sweet and distinctly fruity character as a result of many years in the finest oak casks during maturation. Nose: rich with spiced sultana and butterscotch concentrate; Taste: fabulous delivery: arrives silky and soft and immediately explodes into an unbelievable couldron on spices and fruit; Finish: more mooerish magnificence on a vague fruit and rape seed honey theme; Balance: ignore the fact this is grain and not malt, just grab yourself a bottle of something rather beautiful. © Tasting Notes from Jim Murray's 2015 Whisky Bible.	70cl	£ 85.00 BUY NOW
Edencroft	Strathclyde Single Grain Whisky 36 Year Old / Hunter Laing Sovereign Country: Scotland Region: Lowland Age: 36 Year Old Strength: 58.1% Vintage: 1977 Bottler: Summary: The Hunter Laing Sovereign Single Grain bottlings are increasingly becoming firm favourites with Whisky enthusiasts around the globe. Hunter Laing select only the finest casks which have been lying untouched in cold, dark and damp Scottish warehouses for many decades. Typically their aged Single Grain whiskies have a deliciously sweet and distinctly fruity character as a result of many years in the finest oak casks during maturation. Nose: just about enough thickening grain – and alcohol to make this into a whisky. Otherwise the nose is pure cream oloroso, of the fruitiest variety possible; Taste: the delivery is one mouth coating homage to the gods of sherry, slightly sticky, gently sweetened and dripping in sharp grape and emboldened by a vague but busy spiciness. And so it continues…; Finish: the finish is all about offering balance as the grape at last punches itself out. The oak come into its own now, a kind of spiced Cadbury’s fruit and nut candy bar; Balance: those who fell in love with Marcallan all those years back because of its faultlessly silky sherry influence are about to have their hears won again. It’ll be love at first flight… © Tasting Notes from Jim Murray's 2015 Whisky Bible.	70cl	£ 99.50 BUY NOW
Edencroft	Bruichladdich / Port-charlotte Islay Barley 2008 Country: Scotland Region: Islay Age: Strength: 50% Summary: PORT CHARLOTTE ISLAY BARLEY REPRESENTS A MILESTONE. FOR THE FIRST TIME, PERHAPS IN THE ISLAND’S HISTORY, A HEAVILY-PEATED SINGLE MALT HAS BEEN DISTILLED USING ISLAY-GROWN BARLEY. The wind-driven rain that lashes Islay's fields, and the Atlantic air breathed by the casks as they mature by the shores of Loch Indaal, gives the whisky its signature salty, citrus tang. Harvested in Sepetember 2008 from the farms at Coull, Kynagarry, Island, Rockside, Starchmill & Sunderland, peated to 40 PPM, then distilled in December of the same year, this is a whisky of flawless provenance. A true Ileach. Character: Absolutely flawless construction and balance. Young, confident, zesty and absolutely delightful, the texture is smooth, succulent and stimulating. Colour: Gilded lily. Nose: Totally disarming considering the age of the spirit. It opens with bracken and bluebells, then the warm crisp peat-dried barley with the smokiness drifting sensuously from the glass shadowed by a salt sea breeze. The brilliant aroma of toasted oak sugars combines with the succulent soft fruits from slow distillation. You will find guava, papaya and kiwi with a squeeze of lemon. It’s feisty, it’s fresh, it’s smoky, sweet, minty and marine. Palate: The warmth of the spirit is impressive, not aggressive. It’s incredible. You have the dryness of the peat smoke together with soft fruits splashed with sea spray, all held in a crunchy basket of caramelised wood sugars sprinkled with lemon and pepper. It is a rare and special experience to taste a spirit that is 100% Islay, but also shining through is the artisanal skill of our distillers who, using the original Victorian equipment, are creating the most exciting single malts in the world today. Finish: Parting from a special one is never easy, especially when you have enjoyed their company, lingering with every drop in the glass. Kick back and relax – the aromatics and flavours will stay with you for some time. Mood: Enjoy your spiritual visit to Islay, this magical rock in the Atlantic Ocean where our single malts sleep to the sound of the sea.		£ 55.00 BUY NOW
Edencroft	Bruichladdich / Octomore 063/ 258 Ppm Islay Barley 2009 Country: Scotland Region: Islay Age: Strength: 64% Summary: FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME WE ARE PROUD TO RELEASE OCTOMORE WHISKY DISTILLED FROM 100% ISLAY BARLEY AND HARVESTED IN 2008 BY FARMER JAMES BROWN AT LORGBA, A SINGLE FIELD ON HIS OCTOMORE FARM. Peated to a stratospheric 258ppm, the highest ever released in the industry, this extraordinary dram embodies its island origins and carries its phenol count with an effortless grace. High on the hill above Loch Indaal, Octomore faces the rage of Atlantic weather systems and once housed its own farm distillery, most likely producing a very heavily peated spirit from home-grown barley. In homage to its origins, this is Octomore of Octomore. Character: Mesmerising in its potency – with perfect balance. The texture is like warm honey, the taste rich with a depth of character that can only be found on Islay. Colour: Autumn sunshine – citrine. Nose: It opens with the call of the sea, the thundering west coast waves driving a gentle mist onto the moorland and tempting the wild plants to release their unique aromas. Notes of myrtle, meadowsweet, mint and heather flowers drift across the nose. Wild thyme and red clover dance in perfect harmony with the strong uplifting peatiness of the Islay grown barley. It’s exhilarating, and seriously dramatic. Palate: When the heat of the peat fires cool there is a spontaneous detonation of soft red grapes, cherries, Russian toffee, bitter chocolate, maple syrup and mellow oak. It is a taste like no other, a whisky cut loose, unhindered, unchanged. This is sorcery. Finish: Long and strong, it warms the soul and lifts the heart. It evokes memories of those early years when the sweat of men instilled the spirit with a unique character. Join us as we look to the past, celebrating our Islay DNA while journeying into the future in a never-ending quest for the rainbow’s end. Mood: The flavours just keep evolving to the point where it is driving you crazy with joy and you just want to tell the world what is happening. Relax and keep it to yourself – it’s not for sharing and when the glass is empty you will feel like the ultimate warrior.		£ 145.00 BUY NOW
Edencroft	Caol Ila / Distillers Edition Country: Scotland Region: Islay Age: Strength: 43% Summary: Each Distillers Edition expression undergoes a second (or ‘double’) maturation in casks that have previously held a fortified wine. This extraordinarily stylish and complex expression of Caol Ila has been double-matured in carefully selected Moscatel casks. The wood is not over-evident and instead balances perfectly with this richly flavoured single malt. Appearance: Clear gold. Nose: Wonderfully concentrated pure, clean Caol Ila – peaty and medicinal, with rich fruit, spicy and fragrant. With water, the fragrant smokiness comes singing through. Body: Medium. Palate: Sweetness and maltiness strike first, then are quickly overwhelmed by peat smoke and intense, clean, crisp flavours. Caol Ila’s signature smoky bonfires are here, and build to quite a size. Overall, drying, in a beautifully balanced, complex, elegant development, complemented with cinnamon spice. Finish: Long, rounded, robust and multi-layered.	70cl	£ 63.50 BUY NOW
Edencroft	Lagavulin / Distillers Edition / 1996 Country: Scotland Region: Islay Age: Strength: 43% Vintage: 1996 Bottler: Summary: A much sought-after single malt with the massive peat-smoke that's typical of southern Islay – but also offering a dryness that turns it into a truly interesting dram. Lagavulin is an intensely flavoured, smoky-sweet single malt with seaweed flavours and a huge finish, aged in oak casks for at least sixteen years. Appearance: Deep amber gold. Nose: Intensely flavoured, peat smoke with iodine and seaweed and a rich, deep sweetness. Body: Full Palate: A rich, dried fruit sweetness with clouds of smoke and strong, barley-malt flavours, warming with an intense flavour. At the back of the mouth is an explosion of peppery smoke. Finish: Huge, long, warming and peppery with a distinct appetising sweetness.	70cl	£ 80.00 BUY NOW
Edencroft	Talisker / Distillers Edition / 2012 Release Country: Scotland Region: Isle of Sky Age: Strength: 45.8% Vintage: 2001 Bottler: Summary: “Crisp peat at first then softens to enormous richness in the mouth. There’s sweet, roasty malt with a heathery dryness. The sherry notes keep back some of the usual Talisker pepperiness. In its place is luscious, slightly oily sweetness – with ripe, juicy fruit and vanilla” Donald John McEwen Process Operator The Distillers Edition is unique: after its usual aging process in American oak casks, the whisky undergoes a second maturation in casks previously holding sherry. The result is older, sweeter and richer than the regular bottlings. Appearance: Chestnut brown. Nose: Sharp and well focussed; no lingering, rambling smoke here. A sultana sweetness. One of the most tantalising sherry noses – certainly the cleanest Body: Full Palate: Crisp peat then softens to great richness in the mouth. Sweet, roasty malt with heathery dryness. Sherry notes keep back some pepper. In its place is luscious, slightly oily sweetness with juicy fruit and vanilla. Finish: Some very deep cocoa notes, vanilla and lingering quite earthy peat. An enormously chewable single malt, with sweetness having the edge on dryness.	70cl	£ 52.75 BUY NOW

Edencroft – New September Whiskies!

September 3, 2013 by Gary Leave a Comment

Edencroft has 5 New additions to it’s range this week with whiskies from regions and / or countries such as: Highlands, Isle of Skye, Mull and Speyside.

The brands include Old Pulteney, Talisker, Tamdhu, Tobermory & Tomintoul.

The ages of the new whiskies range from 14 to 30 Year Old malts.

Supplier	Brand	Bottle Size	Price
Edencroft	Old Pulteney – Navigator Country: Scotland Region: Highlands Age: Strength: 46% Summary: Old Pulteney launches Navigator as a limited edition exclusive. This is the launch bottle from Old Pulteney, the Maritime Malt, in conjunction with the sponsorship of the Clipper Round the World yacht race. The competing Old Pulteney yacht has been designed specifically to replicate the Navigator packaging. Matured in ex American bourbon and ex Spanish Sherry casks. Colour: Honeycomb. Nose: Sweet and crisp. Layers of tangy apples and dried fruit harmonise with hints of chocolate and fresh vanilla. Taste: Full-bodied and rich in flavour. A burst of honey, cocoa and oranges eases into a long-lasting, spicy finish with a maritime surprise at the end. This product will be available for delivery after the 16th September.	70cl	£ 38.75 BUY NOW
Edencroft	Talisker – 30 Year Old Single Malt – 2010 Release Country: Scotland Region: IsleofSkye Age: 30 Year Old. Strength: 57.30% Summary: A limited edition, natural cask strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky. From the only distillery on the Isle of Skye. Fifteenth and equal oldest limited release to be offered by the distillery. From American & European Oak refill casks. Interesting to compare with four previous bottlings of this age in the same series, all of them whiskies of great dignity, subtle nuance and easy balance. Fewer than 3,000 individually numbered bottles available world-wide. A consistently excellent, mild-mannered Talisker perfect for more subtle tastes. DESCRIPTION: A more mature, reserved Talisker which is also confident, consistent and clearly in its prime. An interesting and complex whisky, with aromas that change constantly and a lively taste; remains a Talisker through and through and is an excellent example. APPEARANCE: Full gold. Good beading. NOSE: Mildnose-feel. Very reserved ,and slow. At first, teasing fruit acidity (red apple skins) and dried fruits, with sweeter notes (rum toffee, chocolate brownies). Quickly then, sooty smoke (a burned out peat fire) with, after a while, alluring, aromatic spices (frankincense, clove, cedar) and polished oak, followed by more fruit, now boiled sweets. Water makes it more maritime, with iodine, menthol and beach scents, but there are also notes of milk chocolate and soft vanilla toffee in the smoky development. BODY: Medium. PALATE: Drinks well at full strength. Slow but consistent, with autumn berries and dried fruit. Cherry stones. Cooling at first, then becoming hot and lively. Water (add only a little) brings up a pleasant smooth texture. It’s now quite sweet and again cooling to start (tart au chocolat) then warming overall, with some salt, a trace of acidity and some very measured, slightly sooty, smoke. FINISH: Long, with roasted malt, the ghost of black pepper, and some nutmeg in the smoky and savoury aftertaste.	70cl	£ 210.00 BUY NOW
Edencroft	Tamdhu – 21 Year Old – Old & Rare Edition Country: Scotland Region: Speyside Age: 21 Year Old Strength: 53.6% Summary: Douglas Laing & Co. proudly offer this fine example of the Distillers’ Art as a special selection from their oldest stocks of whisky. No water is added to reduce its strength, as the Angel’s share has already taken care of that. No caramel, colouring is added, so that you can see it’s pure and natural colour. They have chosen to bottle this malt without chill-filtration in the old fashioned and traditional style. By so doing, they leave in the entire Distillers’ preferred qualities apparent on the nose, palate and finish – self evident when you remove the cork. As you can see on the label, this is one bottle of a very restricted offering, which once consumed, cannot ever be repeated. Sweetly sherried – full of thick dark juicy fruited quality with molasses and a late barley gristiness all apparent on the nose. Palatewise – anticipate some raisin, grape, date and citrus hues plus vanilla pods all running to a soft, subtle sugary/oaked finish.	70cl	£ 270.00 BUY NOW
Edencroft	Tobermory – Old Malt Cask 15 Year Old Edition Country: Scotland Region: Mull Age: 15 Year Old Strength: 50% Summary: Cask: Refill Hogshead DL No:Â 7933. Bottles from Cask: 289. Distilled:Â April 1996. Bottled:Â Dec 2012. Nose: dry hay, cut grass, wet muddy puddles & light peat. Taste: sweetly phenolic + liqourice, camphor and barley. Finish: the spices are sweet, the peat is softer, the grass drier.	70cl	£ 66.85 BUY NOW
Edencroft	Tomintoul – 14 Year Old Single Malt Country: Scotland Region: Speyside Age: 14 Year Old Strength: 46% Summary: Tomintoul distillery was founded by the whisky broking firms W&S Strong and Hay & MacLeod. In 1974, the number of stills were doubled from 2 to 4, when its first single malt was marketed. For a number of years Tomintoul Single Malt was renowned for its perfume shaped bottle.The distillery is 8 miles from Tomintoul village which is used by walkers and climbers as a base camp. Nose: curiously, there is a sea-weed saltiness attached to this one: not exactly what you expect to find from a malt made and (I think) matured in the centre of the Scottish Highlands. But it adds a compellingly attractive – if eyebrow raising – element to this delicately framed and gently structured, lightly honeyed malt fest. The oak splendidly keeps within the spirit of the style; Taste: just how many variations on a honeyed theme can you get? Here I count at least five, each wave coming in after the other with just the odd nip and tuck or expansion of its intensity; the very faintest smoke is detectable and just when the natural caramels appear to be getting too excited, the malt re-establishes itself; Finish: medium length, bur sheer quality all the way: Bird’s custard mixing dreamily with drier, playfully spiced, oaky vanillas. The lightest of oils spreads the grassy, sharper malts to ensure a wonderful lightness of touch; Balance: not a single weakness: no bitterness, no off notes, no caramels other than those naturally from the oak, no sulphur. Just magnificent whisky bottled exactly the way it is meant to be. An absolute corker from this little-known but outstanding distillery and one of the most delicately complex distillery bottlings of the year.	70cl	£ 37.75 BUY NOW

Edencroft – New Amrut & Talisker Whiskies!

August 12, 2013 by Gary Leave a Comment

Edencroft has 3 New additions to it’s range this week with an Amrut Indian malt and a couple of Taliskers from the Isle of Skye.

Supplier	Brand	Bottle Size	Price
Edencroft	Amrut – Indian Single Malt Whisky Country: Indian Region: Indian Age: Strength: 46% Summary: FROM THE LAND OF THE GREAT HIMALAYAS. Nose: Heavy, thicky oaked and complex: some curious barley sugar notes here shrouded in soft smoke. Big, but seductively gentle, too.. Taste: The delivery through controlled at first, is massive! Then more like confusion as that smoke on the nose turns into warming, full brown peat, but it far from gets its own way as a vague sherry trifle note(curious, seeing how there are no sherry butts involved) – the custard presumably is okay vanilla hammers home that barley – fruitness to make for a bit of a free for all; but for extra food measure the flavours develop into a really intense chocolate fudge middle which absolutely resonates through the palate; Finish: A slight struggle here as the mouthfeel gets a bit puffy here with the dry peat and oak; enough molassed sweetness to see the malt through to a satisfying end, though. Above all the spices, rather than lying down and accepting their fae, rise up and usher this extraordinary whisky to its exit;	70cl	£ 35.00 BUY NOW
Edencroft	Talisker – 1999 Distillers Edition Country: Scotland Region: IsleofSkye Age: 11 Years Strength: 45.80% Summary: On the shores of Loch Harport, the village of Carbost is home to Skye’s only distillery producing a wonderfully powerful and award-winning Island malt bottled at above average strength. The Distillers Edition is unique: after its usual aging process in American oak casks, the whisky undergoes a second maturation in casks previously holding sherry. The result is older, sweeter and richer than the regular bottlings. Distilled: 1999. Bottled: 2010. Appearance: Chestnut brown. Nose: Sharp and well focussed; no lingering, rambling smoke here. A sultana sweetness. One of the most tantalising sherry noses – certainly the cleanest. Body: Full. Palate: Crisp peat then softens to great richness in the mouth. Sweet, roasty malt with heathery dryness. Sherry notes keep back some pepper. In its place is luscious, slightly oily sweetness with juicy fruit and vanilla. Finish: Some very deep cocoa notes, vanilla and lingering quite earthy peat. An enormously chewable single malt, with sweetness having the edge on dryness.	70cl	£ 59.94 BUY NOW
Edencroft	Talisker – 30 Year Old Single Malt – 2009 Release Country: Scotland Region: IsleofSkye Age: 30 Year Old. Strength: 53.10% Summary: A limited edition, natural cask strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky. From the only distillery on the Isle of Skye. Fourteenth and equal oldest limited release to be offered by the distillery. From American Oak and European Oak refill casks. Interesting to compare with three previous bottlings of this age in the same series, all of them whiskies of great dignity, subtle nuance and easy balance. Fewer than 3,000 individually numbered bottles available world-wide. A consistently excellent, mild-mannered Talisker perfect for more subtle tastes. DESCRIPTION: A mild-mannered, more mature Talisker, still with plenty of personality and unmistakable character. Can Talisker be subtle? This one is. It’s an elegant, scented malt that is simple in structure with all its basic elements easily accessible. APPEARANCE: Gold, with little beading. NOSE: The softly muted character of age. Mild and unusually fruity (citrus), fading quickly into lush seaweed with charred sticks – as with a spent fire, in which the charcoal and peat embers barely glow. Soon becoming soft and very slightly waxy or creamy, like fudge. Just a drop of water freshens things, bringing up drying wooden fish boxes and a return of the tangy fruit (tart plums). Then it all drifts away into charred old wood. BODY: Medium. PALATE: Drinks well at full strength and has a pleasant, teeth-coating texture. The smoke is immediate and dry with creamy oak. Almond milk and light, sweet stone fruits emerge, joined by a trace of salt, as with peat moss in the rain or seaweed. Adding a little water brings up a pleasant smooth texture. It’s now quite sweet to start but less so overall, with some salt and a trace of cloves. FINISH: Long and gently warming, with salty seaweed in the lingering maritime aftertaste and just a white pepper tingle on the tongue in place of that chilli pepper ‘catch’.	70cl	£ 230.00 BUY NOW

Talisker Distillery Opens New Visitor Centre

April 10, 2013 by Gary Leave a Comment

Talisker Distillery Opens New Visitor Centre

Talisker Distillery on the Isle of Skye has opened its doors to a brand spanking new £1 Million visitors centre.

Distillery head honcho Mark Lochhead officially opened the new centre just in time for Easter and being the only distillery on Skye it is a leading tourist attraction on the island, welcoming almost 60,000 visitors last year.

The money has gone on a new welcome area for visitors and a spectacular enhanced viewing gallery in one of the distillery warehouses.

New tasting rooms have also been created in which visitors can savour Talisker single malt Scotch whisky in it’s ideal surroundings.

Mark Lochhead said: “We are absolutely delighted with the investment we have made here at Talisker and with the new facilities we have created. Talisker is going from strength to strength as a brand and the distillery is growing in popularity with people coming from all over the world to visit the home of our iconic single malt.

“The new visitor centre gives us a wonderful stage to tell the story of Talisker with its rich history and heritage and also to give our visitors a really high quality experience which matches the unique whisky we make here.

“We are also delighted for the local economy here on Skye. This investment has seen a significant number of contractors staying in the area benefiting local businesses and the increasing tourism will also have a great knock-on effect for local businesses.”

Isle of Skye Whisky Bowls Them Over!

June 1, 2012 by Gary Leave a Comment

Ship Inn Cricket

Isle of Skye Blended Scotch Whisky has started the summer cricket season in style by announcing its official sponsorship of The Ship Inn cricket team on Scotland’s most famous pitch – Elie beach in Fife.

Supported by Isle of Skye Whisky, The Ship Inn team’s latest win of the season against the Grange Club from Edinburgh, took place on Elie beach on Sunday 27 May, with players and supporters basking in glorious summer sunshine. Beautiful golden sands, bright blue skies and quaint fishermen’s cottages provided the perfect backdrop to this traditionally British summertime pursuit.

Filming a special feature for BBC Scotland’s Landward on Elie’s unusual cricket ground, presenter Dougie Vipond was the honorary member of the Ship Inn team and enjoyed his first ever game of cricket. Broadcast on Friday 1 June at 7pm on BBC Two Scotland, Landward is Scotland’s farming and countryside programme focusing on the issues affecting rural communities.

The cricket season will run through to 9 September with home games at Elie taking place every second Sunday. People are being encouraged to come along and support the Ship Inn cricket team for some guaranteed entertaining sport, delicious food at the Ship Inn and of course a wee dram of Isle of Skye 8 Years Old.

Neil Boyd, UK Commercial Director for Ian Macleod Distillers and Ship Inn team player, commented: “Isle of Skye Blended Scotch Whisky is proud to be sponsoring The Ship Inn cricket team this summer.

“We had great fun with Dougie Vipond on Sunday and are looking forward to supporting all the matches at Elie in the months ahead. Whether you are toasting your team’s success in this summer’s cricket or enjoying a reviving dram at the end of a hard day, we want Isle of Skye to be the Blended Scotch synonymous with that sense of achievement, satisfaction and reward.”

Owned by independent bottlers and distillers, Ian Macleod Distillers, Isle of Skye is based on a Macleod family recipe that blends distinctive peaty Island and mellow Speyside Malts. While the majority of Blended Scotch Whiskies are un-aged, Isle of Skye is unusual in its guarantee that all the Single Malts used in its blend recipe are matured in oak casks for at least 8 years.

Described by whisky expert Jim Murray as ‘Stunningly evocative’, Isle of Skye 8 Years Old is celebrated in his 2012 Whisky Bible, rated as a ‘superstar whisky that gives us a reason to live’.

Isle of Skye Whisky sponsors The Ship Inn Cricket Club for their match against Grange CC. Landward's Dougie Vipond was playing for the Ship Inn team.

For further information and match dates at The Ship Inn, Elie visit: www.ship-elie.com

Landward will broadcast on BBC 2 Scotland, 7pm Friday 1 June and will be available on BBC iPlayer: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01f9xnp

New Look for Isle of Skye Blended Scotch Whisky

May 29, 2012 by Gary Leave a Comment

The New Look Isle of Skye Blended Scotch Whisky

The Isle of Skye Blended Scotch Whisky range has been given a label makeover by it’s owners: Ian Macleod Distillers.

The new look of the award winning Isle of Skye 8 Years Old and 12 Years Old takes direct inspiration from the majestic scenery and romance of Scotland’s famous ‘Misty Isle’.

The New Look 8YO Isle of Skye

The New Look 12YO Isle of Skye

Evoking the Red and Black Hills of the Cuillin Mountains, the new label design introduces a striking watercolour sunset over the Isle of Skye and is coupled with a newly designed bottle.

Based on a family recipe that blends distinctive peaty Island and mellow Speyside Malts, Isle of Skye was created by the company’s founder Ian Macleod.

While the majority of Blended Scotch Whiskies are un-aged, Isle of Skye is unusual in its guarantee that all the Single Malts used in its blend recipe are matured in oak casks for at least 8 or 12 years.

Jim Murray in the 2012 Whisky Bible, rated Isle of Skye 8 Years Old as a ‘superstar whisky that gives us a reason to live’.

Iain Weir, Director of Marketing for Ian Macleod Distillers said: “Skye has an infinite romantic appeal that we wanted to capture in the Isle of Skye re-packaging. The imagery of the sunset over the Cuillin Mountains suggests a sense of relaxation and contentment. Whether you are toasting your success conquering a Munro or enjoying a reviving dram at the end of a hard day, we want Isle of Skye to be the Blended Scotch synonymous with that sense of achievement, satisfaction and reward.”

You can buy Isle of Skye Whisky from:-

Tasting notes

Isle of Skye 8 Years Old Blended Scotch Whisky
Nose: Stunningly evocative. Deep peaty tones waft from the glass, like the reek from a crofter’s lum. But there is a lot more beyond: the grains intermingle deliciously with oaky, vanilla notes and something malty and even slightly honeyed. The stuff of dreams.
Palate:Sweet at first, and remarkably viscous. This seems to be the peat hanging around and there is intense barley sugar and spice. Massively flavoured. This creaminess continues for what seems hours.
Finish:Remains sweet, spicy and chewy and at the end faintly nutty. The oak returns at the end.
Comments: The stuff of dreams.
Jim Murray, Classic Blended Scotch

Isle of Skye 12 Years Old Blended Scotch Whisky
Nose: Ripe, fruity and well balanced. Sherry, dried fruits and a hint of smoke. Water brings out a butter edge. A lot going on.
Palate: Overall, a little drier than the nose suggests but with excellent, soft, mid-palate weight. Light smoke all the way through.
Finish: Ripe and soft.
Comments:Very well balanced. A lovely blend.
Dave Broom in Whisky Magazine (Issue 22)

Isle of Skye Whisky is the Winner at the Scottish Grand National

April 25, 2012 by Gary Leave a Comment

Trainer alan King (right)receives the Isle of Skye sponsored Scottish Champion Hurdle award after RAYA STAR and Choc Thornton won at Ayr

Scotland’s number one National Hunt trainer, Lucinda Russell, owner of Arlary House Stables was presented with the Isle of Skye Blended Scotch Whisky Scottish Jump Trainers’ Championship Award 2011/12 by Scotland’s First Minister, Alex Salmond, at Saturday’s Scottish Grand National at Ayr.

The official whisky partner for Scottish Racing, Isle of Skye Whisky also sponsored the high profile Scottish Champion Hurdle at Ayr Racecourse.

The Isle of Skye Blended Scotch Whisky Scottish Champion Hurdle trophy was presented to winning jockey, Robert Thornton, Simon Munir (owner) and Alan King (trainer) of winning horse, Raya Star. The award was presented by Edith Russell, wife of Ian Macleod Distillers Chairman Peter Russell, owner of Isle of Skye Scotch Whisky.

Scotland’s leading National Hunt yard, Arlary House has earned a strong reputation, sending out winners the length and breadth of Britain, from Perth to Cheltenham. It has been a record-breaking season for Arlary House, having over 55 race wins, including Brindisi Breeze, who won the Albert Bartlett 3 mile Novice Hurdle at this year’s Cheltenham Festival race – the first Scottish Cheltenham winner for 10 years. Brindisi Breeze is owned by Sandy Seymour from St Andrews, was ridden by Campbell Gillies from Haddington and trained by Lucinda Russell, both of whom are sponsored by Isle of Skye Scotch Whisky.

Trainer Lucinda Russell receives the Isle of Skye sponsored Leading Scottish Trainer award from First Minister Alex Salmond at Ayr

Lucinda Russell owner of Arlary House Stables and winner of the Isle of Skye Blended Scotch Whisky Scottish Jump Trainers’ Championship Award 2011/12, said: “I’m really proud to have won this prestigious award. The hard work of the Arlary team and support from everyone, including the Scottish public and especially Isle of Skye Whisky has been incredible.”

Iain Weir, Marketing Director for Ian Macleod Distillers, commented: “We’re delighted that Lucinda Russell has won this year’s Isle of Skye Blended Scotch Whisky Scottish Jump Trainers’ Championship Award.”

“This is the second year that we’ve sponsored the Scottish Champion Hurdle at Ayr Racecourse. The event’s values of tradition and excellence sit neatly with the exceptional qualities Isle of Skye 8 Years Old Blended Scotch Whisky possesses. Both are in perfect synergy in terms of their Scottish roots, passionate commitment to achieving excellence and determination to be the best.”

The Scottish Champion Hurdle was first run in 1966 when the winner was Blue Venom. It was awarded Grade 2 status in 1991 and was run on the opening day of the two day Scottish Grand National meeting until 1994 when it moved to the Saturday.

Isle of Skye Whisky is also the official Whisky Partner of Scottish Racing which encompasses all five of Scotland’s racecourses – Ayr, Hamilton Park, Kelso, Musselburgh and Perth. The sponsorship is part of the brand development for Isle of Skye, raising the profile of the award-winning Blended Scotch throughout Scotland’s racecourses and beyond.