The Isle of Tiree, as soon as generally known as the “Land of Barley,” has rekindled its centuries-old whisky heritage with the discharge of its first authorized single malt in over 200 years.
The historic launch comes from Isle of Tiree Distillery, certainly one of Scotland’s smallest whisky producers, crafting simply 2,000 liters of pure alcohol yearly by way of conventional manufacturing strategies.
Isle of Tiree Distillery
Based by folks musicians Alain Campbell and Ian Smith, the distillery represents a revival of the island’s wealthy distilling custom, which as soon as boasted 50 illicit distilleries earlier than the 1800s.
Nonetheless, because the closure of those illicit distilleries, whisky-making has not been undertaken on the island. That was till 2019, when the stills had been lit on the Isle of Tiree Distillery.
Campbell and Smith are proud to relight the fireplace. In keeping with a model press launch, “Every a part of the method is hand made utilizing strategies of the previous however with an enthusiastic imaginative and prescient for the way forward for the island.”
A Return To Custom
Talking concerning the conventional strategies employed on the distillery, Alain Campbell mentioned: “We created our distillery to deliver whisky manufacturing again to the island and this would be the first single malt whisky from Tiree in over 200 years. The distilling heritage of our island has impressed us since we had been children and we’re immensely proud to deliver whisky again to Tiree.
“We now have strived to maintain our manufacturing strategies true to our ancestors – we use most conventional strategies together with grain, water, hearth and gravity – that’s all we’d like.”
“We hand mash laureate malted barley in mesh mash luggage – hoisted excessive on wood blocks to lauter clear the wort into our oak mash tun. That is adopted by an extra-long fermentation in our oak washbacks. First distillations happen in our huge copper washstills, adopted by rigorously distilling the spirit in our 300L spirit nonetheless. After which age our whisky in small casks and our maturation occurs proper on the rocky Tiree shoreline.”
“This is a vital second within the island’s historical past as we reconnect with an trade that was as soon as such an vital a part of island life,” added Ian Smith, co-founder of Tiree Whisky Firm.
Restricted Launch and Group Influence
The inaugural launch of Isle of Tiree Single Malt Scotch Whisky is proscribed to 800 bottles, priced at £199.99. Following a profitable pre-sale the place 400 bottles offered out in underneath two hours, the remaining allocation is anticipated to generate vital curiosity amongst collectors and fans. You should purchase your bottle right here.
The distillery will public sale the primary 10 bottles beginning January 31, with 10% of proceeds benefiting native island charities, demonstrating their dedication to neighborhood help.
Isle of Tiree Single Malt Scotch Whisky Tasting Notes
Offered by Caroline Dewar.
Look: Pale, glowing amber with tawny highlights. Sherry cask and virgin oak influences displaying in color. Tears swift and shut at first displaying youth, then slightly stickier and slower.
Nostril: Sweet sweetness from the bottle. Within the glass, contemporary with mild vine fruit, a contact of wax and a few honey; earthy with some candy spices together with ginger and cinnamon. A bit toffee, candy oak and gentle darkish sugar. With water, rather less fruit and extra wax at first. Extra ginger; wax ground polish; spicy florals. A faint waft of Fisherman’s Pal and polish. Savoury spices too. From the dregs within the glass, extra waxiness and fragrant spices and florals.
Palate: Medium mouth really feel, slight viscosity. Spicy, waxy, peppery and slightly vinous with a little bit of struck match and varnish-like fumes catching within the throat. Drier, natural notes and a few ginger.
End: Medium size with tingly spices and herbs. Barely mouth-drying but in addition candy wooden notes and wooden tannins.
