Islay Rum Distillery launches first single cask release
The Scottish island’s first rum distillery has unveiled its inaugural single cask expression, which has been aged in Sherry wood.
The limited release rum was distilled on 18 July 2022, during The Islay Rum Distillery’s earliest production runs.
Established in 2017 by father-and-son duo Brian and Andrew Crook, owners of independent bottling company The Vintage Malt Whisky Company, the distillery – which officially opened in 2021 – is said to be Islay’s first dedicated rum distillery.
The distillery is housed in the restored 1959 Art Deco Old Lemonade Factory in Port Ellen, where Ben Inglis leads production. Islay-native Inglis is The Islay Rum’s head distiller, distillery manager, and a co-founder.
He utilises Caribbean distillation techniques, using a copper pot and twin-retort still to achieve a triple-distillation effect in a single run, while Scotland’s cool maritime climate slows maturation ‘considerably’ compared to tropical rum regions.
Inglis commented on the new release: “The Original Islay Rum Sherry Wood has been crafted from spirit distilled during some of our very first production runs and is our first single cask release, so it holds a particular significance for us.
“We knew the spirit had real potential from early on, and maturation in this oloroso Sherry cask has done exactly what we had hoped. It has brought richness and depth, while letting the rum’s own character come through.”
The rum offers aromas of dried fruits, raisins, figs, Sherried spice, toasted oak, and hints of coastal salinity. The palate displays notes of sweet caramel sweetness, butterscotch, green banana, sea salt, and tropical fruits.
The Sherry Wood is bottled at 50% ABV and limited to 390 bottles worldwide, retailing for £53 (US$71).
Caroline James, co-founder of The Islay Spirits Company, added: “Sherry Wood is everything a single cask release should be: a specific moment in time, from a specific place, that can never be repeated. Every rum we make is rooted in the island, but this expression feels particularly special.
“The spirit was laid down in our very first year of production, and the Oloroso cask has brought a richness that sits beautifully alongside everything that makes our rum distinctly Islay.”
The Original Islay Rum core range currently includes three expressions: Geal white rum; Barrel Aged, a lightly aged rum rested in ex-peated Islay whisky casks; and smoke-influenced Peat Spiced.
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