Islay Mist - a deconstruction
Islay Mist is a peated blended whisky that was born on the Isle of Islay back in 1927 (see more story details), so a big anniversary is coming up soon. The Islay Mist is today a range of products including the core products of The Original, the 8 YO, the 10 YO and the 17 YO. In addition there are special editions from time to time.
Today I get to present to you my deconstruction of the Islay Mist The Original. I’ve done deconstruction reviews twice before, and it is great fun. Check out my deconstruction articles on Ailsa Bay and the Black Tot Rum.
First off, let me start with a review of the end product itself:
Islay Mist, NAS, 40 %
The Islay Mist is available to buy in Norway at NOK 380 (13352601).
Nose: Nice balance between ripe orchards fruits, mild sugary sweetness and a familiar wood smoke with a maritime touch.
Taste: Light to medium body. Rather dry at first. Dark chocolate, coffee beans and cacao nibs. Then ripe orchard fruits and even fresh strawberries.
Finish: Medium to short finish. It remains rather dry and chocolate-y. Malt and cold-brewed coffee. Creamy vanilla and hints of cut grass in the end.
Comment: Surprisingly complex and rich for being a blended NAS at 40 % ABV.
Score 85/100
Islay Mist deconstruct: Peated Malt (Islay), 58 %
An undisclosed Islay single malt, but if thy are true to their origins this should be a Laphroaig.
Nose: Sweet and fruity, with a hint of candy store on fire on the beach just outside Bowmore. With time the candy store on fire notes just gets reinforced. There’s some element here of spiciness, malt, and iodine.
Taste: Medium to full bodied. Malty and peaty to the max. This is proper Islay. Barley juice and more smoky notes. Soft oakiness, hints of iodine and maritime notes. White pepper and tropical fruits.
Finish: Medium long finish. More of the malty sweetness, the ripe orchard fruits and the tempered wood smoke and oakiness.
Comment: Classic Islay.
Score 85/100
Islay Mist deconstruct: Highland Malt, 64 %
From a mix of 4-5 different undisclosed Highland malts.
Nose: Light and fruity with a distinct and fresh note of vanilla stick and marshmallows. With time hints of tinned pears and toasted oak.
Taste: Medium body and medium plus sweetness. Lots of ripe orchard fruits, mixed with a tempered spiciness - white pepper, nutmeg and aniseed. Hints of toasted oak.
Finish: Medium to short finish. Drier, harsher and more spicy now.
Comment: Sweet at first, then revealing a dark side.
Score 78/100
Islay Mist deconstruct: Grain, 62 %
From an undisclosed lowland distillery.
Nose: Mild and sugary with a robust base of kerosene sprinkled orchard fruits. Rather elegant in a simplistic way. Fruity all day long.
Taste: Medium body and raw in character. Rather dark and ominous really. Spicy but tempered. Fruity - of the ripe or even overripe persuasion. A little bland.
Finish: Short and of medium sweetness. Earthy notes of cinnamon and nutmeg. It turns distinctly dry-ish on the finish.
Comment: Young, dry and rough.
Score 72/100
In summary I would like to quote Aristotle:
“The whole is greater than the sum of its parts”.
The Islay Mist is a perfect example of this in my whisky book. Enjoy!
Sláinte!
-Thomas
