June 2007
The Eleventh Edition of "A Whiff of Peat Smoke...." , Why ? because i can !
Another Feis Ile over and done with and back to the normalities of Life !
Islay on Springwatch on the BBC
Well for 3 weeks (28th May - 15th June) we were treat to gloriou views of Islay and it's wildlife on Primetime TV . Simon King was the main linkman for the stay , the first half of which was spent up in the North of the Isle not far from Loch Gorm and the second half of which he was at everyones favourite Distillery , Ardbeg !
We had all kinds of birds featured , Golden Eagles , Hen Harriers , Corncrakes , Shell Ducks , Choughs , a multitude of Gulls and Mute Swans . Simon was very lucky as he only really had a couple of bad days of weather during his stay (the last week-end of the Festival) and he showed the isle at it's very best , Damn you man ! Do you know how many visitors will flock to our little Isle of Paradise !!!! ( Only kidding.....)
The Personal highlight of the series for me was the Otter Swimming in the Bay next to Ardbeg , you could see every movement of it in the Crystal clear water . Another was the Shell Duck dive bombing the Mute Swan , great stuff . Many thanks to Simon King and his Camera men for giving us the best 3 weeks of telly for a very long time !
Islay Visits.....
One night in the Cottage during our stay at the festival we were discussing our visits to Islay , i was convinced we'd been over 18 times but Mel was sure it was 17 ...... she was right.....(Damn !)
To break it down from 1999 till 2001 we went over once a year , 2002 twice , 2003 and 2004 3 times , 2005 once , 2006 4 times and so far this year once !
We stopped in......
- The Lochside 7 times , 6 of them under Al's ownership.....
- Once in The Machrie
- Twice in The Inns over
- Once in The Old School at Ardbeg
- Three times in The Port Charlotte Hotel (gotta have a bit of luxury from time to time !)
- Once in The Charlotte Street Apartments in Port Ellen
- And twice in Tigh Cargaman (once in the Garden cottage , once in the Old Cottage )
We made 17 return trips on the Ferries , had one cancellation .
Given that we used to stop in other places in the early days and that it's at least 250 miles from here to Kennacraig , we drove at least 8500 miles to get to Islay , i know not much compared to getting their from further afield but we're "Local" .
I couldn't begin to calculate......
- How many meals we've had in the Old kiln....
- How many drams we've had at the distilleries.....
- How many drams we've had full stop on the Isle.....
- How many friends we've made while on the Isle.....
But i do know one thing , we love Islay as much if not more than when we set foot on it in that balmy summer of 1999 !
Festival Bottlings
Well another Feis Ile has come and gone and a few more bottles added to the list ! I didn't bother with them all but of the one's i did get , here are some notes.....
Ardbeg Mor - 10yo Caskstrength , 57.3% , Bottle No.25 0f 1000 (Initial Tasting in the Old Kiln ).
Colour - Honey Gold .
Nose - Faint Peat , Touch of chocolate , left for a while it opens up to a very complex dram , peat smoke slight fruit.
Palate - Creamy Fudge , Chocolate , Very faint iodine , peat but not over powering .
Finish - Peatastic !!!! After a while a touch of iodine comes through .
Comment - At long last a Caskstrength 10yo bottling in the UK ! Just what we've been shouting for , Fantastic !
Bunnahabhain 1991 - 16yo from an Oloroso Cask , 54% , 1 0f 190 ( Tasted in the "An Tigh Seinnse").
Colour - Lovely deep amber / light mahogany .
Nose -Initially Sherry but bursts with dark fruits , spices and eventually the "Edinburgh Rock" smell i associate with Bunny wafts through .
Palate - Well Balanced between the sherry and the spirit . The traditional Christmas cake and the "Rock" tastes intermingle superbly . Very dry on the tongue .
Finish - Long , dry and warming . the sherrydominates the distillery characteristics onthe finish but who cares !
Comment - From the only Oloroso cask filled in 1991 , well balanced on the whole , Another superb Bunnahabhain festival Bottling !
Bruichladdich - 1990 "Ghost Ship" Valinch , 54.5% , Bourbon Squat Cask No.525 , Bottle No.230 0f 350 .
Colour - Bright Gold .
Nose - Green Fruits , Lemon drizzle cake , vanilla .
Palate - Creamy Fudge , sea air , vanilla .
Finish - Long , citric , very warming .
Comment - A classic Laddie , just as it should be , straight from a Bourbon Cask in it's teens !
Port charlotte - 5.5yo "First Cut" Valinch , 61.5% , Distilled 28/5/2001 , Bottled 27/5/2007 No.102 0f 950 .
Colour - Bronze .
Nose - Malty , peat and smoke , slight cola cubes !.
Palate - Still slightly spirity , Malty , peaty , fruity.
Finish - Long , warming , very peaty but not harsh .
Comment - Technically a day off 6yo , progressing very well , a nice touch to do with the cutting ceremony at The soon to be Port Charlotte Distillery .
Whisky Fringe 2007
This years Whisky Fringe will take place over the week-end of the 18th/19th August , so i'll be there !
Get Rid of UK Duty Petition
One of the major gripes about being a Whisky Drinker in the UK is the amount of duty we have to cough up . There has been an online petition started up to Abolish the duty , it may not happen but at least it will let the Government know we're not happy about it ! So if you reside in the UK click the link below and sign it ! (closing date 9th August 2007)
http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/Whisky/
