Bought – Whisky Galore (Green Welly Stop), 11th March 2014
Ratings:
94/100 – Whisky Bible 2014
85/100 – Ralfy, of www.ralfy.com
Review: – Ralfy – Isle of Skye 8yo – YouTube (March 2009)
It’s been over 5 years since Ralfy did his review of this blend so take it with a pinch of salt. Jim Murray starts his review in his 2014 Whisky Bible by saying “Isle of Skye? Or Orkney?” and goes on to say that “where once peat ruled,….now honey and subtlety reign.” Although I’d never tried this whisky before 2014, it sounds to me like this blend has undergone a transformation similar to the Black Bottle where the peaty notes have been reduced or removed. I have to wonder if this is a marketing ploy because it’s easier to sell a honey-based whisky than one with the more challenging tones of peat. Whilst going from bar to bar in Aberdeen earlier this year, virtually every one had Black Bottle and Isle of Skye 8yo on the shelves so clearly there’s a big push to sell these blends to the masses. And it’s easier to sell honey than marmite!
As I write this I notice that the Isle of Skye 8yo has it’s own website (here) with an online shop offering free postage and bottles for £18.99. They’ve produced a special bottling (or at least their normal bottle with a unique label) for Scottish Mountain Rescue and 15p from each bottle purchased goes to this cause.
For anyone who loves Talisker (like me), the Isle of Skye 8yo is a must-buy, although tasting the Talisker in the blend might be a bit challenging to find. It’s there, although you might need to drink the whole bottle trying to locate it. Chances are it’s sunk to the bottom! 😉
Whisky Den 