As We Get It! Islay | Whisky Review

Physical Whisky Characteristics

Origin: Islay, Scotland.
Type: Independent bottling by Ian McLeod, likely containing whisky from either Caol Ila or Bunnahabhain distilleries.
Distillation and Maturation Process: The whisky is cask strength, unchill filtered, and uncolored. It's speculated to be aged between 3 to 7 years in either refill or re-refill casks, which suggests a focus on preserving the distillery's character over the influence of the cask.
Age Statement: Not specified on the bottle, but estimated to be between 3 to 7 years based on the ABV reduction from the typical filling strength.
Color and Clarity: The whisky has a light color, indicating a possible refill or re-refill cask maturation.
Bottle Design: No specific details provided, but the lack of age statement or bottle number suggests a straightforward, no-frills presentation.

Balance of Flavors: The whisky presents an intense, smoky profile with a bonfire phenolic smell, softened by a bit of dilution to reveal underlying fruitiness and sweetness.
Unique Characteristics: Notably high ABV (61%), which contributes to its intensity and oiliness. The flavor profile suggests a dominant distillery character over cask influence.
Comparison: The flavor profile, particularly the oiliness and light sweetness, suggests it might be from Caol Ila, differing from Bunnahabhain's profile.

Interesting Anecdotes: The discussion includes speculation on the distillery of origin based on the rarity of casks available to independent bottlers and the financial circumstances that led to some distilleries selling casks around 2007-2008.
Trivia: The name "As We Get It" implies a direct-from-the-cask experience, emphasizing the whisky's unaltered state.

The whisky's Islay origin is significant, as the region is renowned for its peated whiskies. The narrative touches on the economic factors influencing cask availability, offering insight into the whisky industry's dynamics.

Horst Luening, the senior taster, suggests that the high ABV "will immediately paralyze your tasting buds," highlighting the intensity of cask strength whiskies.
Luening's educated guess leans towards Caol Ila as the source distillery, based on the flavor profile and the distillery's known characteristics.

Independent bottling from Ian McLeod, likely containing whisky from Caol Ila or Bunnahabhain.
Cask strength (61% ABV), unchill filtered, and uncolored, aged between 3 to 7 years.
Light color, indicating refill or re-refill cask maturation.
Intense, smoky flavor profile with underlying fruitiness and sweetness after dilution.
Speculation on distillery origin based on industry dynamics and flavor profile.
The name "As We Get It" emphasizes the unaltered, direct-from-the-cask experience.

Peat Lovers: Those who enjoy the intense, smoky flavors characteristic of Islay whiskies.
Cask Strength Enthusiasts: Individuals seeking the robust, unfiltered experience of cask strength whisky.
Adventurous Drinkers: Whisky aficionados interested in exploring independent bottlings and the nuances of different distilleries' profiles.
Economic History Buffs: Those intrigued by the impact of economic factors on the whisky industry, as hinted at in the storytelling section.