Port Askaig is the well-known brand of Islay whiskies from Elixir Distillers. Launched in 2009, we’ve had a lot of expressions over the years from 8 year-olds up to 45 year-olds. Today we’re revisiting a few of them, and we include a 15 Year Old and 25 Year Old that we hadn’t seen before.
Remember all of these are single malt whiskies. Caol Ila is often part of the line-up, but also others.
Port Askaig 8 yo (45,8%, Elixir Distillers +/- 2025)
Nose: a slightly funky, vegetal nose. A lot of cabbage and sauerkraut, along with apple cider and hints of new rubber wellies. Then some seaweed butter, lemon rinds and a slightly mezcal-like smokiness. Hints of yeasty dough in the distance.
Mouth: rather thick, with a nice balance of apple sweetness, some sourness, peppery heat and lifting coastal notes. Plenty of vegetal oils and cold ashes. Heather and brine, a touch of ginger, along with lemon juice and hints of oysters.
Finish: good length, with some toffee sweetness shining through, underneath the brine and smoke.
We reviewed this one before. A great every-day youngster, full of life. Complexity is not the biggest asset here, but it’s easy to like and it offers a lot of value for money. Available from The Whisky Exchange or Master of Malt, among others.
Port Askaig 15 yo (50,5%, Elixir Distillers +/- 2025)
Nose: a lot more lean, with mineral notes standing out, as well as a slightly brass-like hint. Freshly mown lawn, brine-y peat and plenty of herbs. Thyme and eucalyptus, with citrusy salt. Then even a hint of juniper along with green apple.
Mouth: a deeply coastal profile, with sea spray, crushed seashells and salt-laden herbs. Then a little burnt wood and pickles. Mid-palate a nice orchard sweetness appears (peach and apple) with subtle melon and vanilla. Nice citrus and lemongrass notes too.
Finish: long and very coastal, with white pepper and a mild tarry note.
The extra ageing resulted in much brighter and more balanced profile. After this it becomes clear that the 8 Year Old is a little rough. Recommended. Available from The Whisky Exchange for instance. Score: 88/100
Port Askaig 17 yo (50,5%, Elixir Distillers +/- 2025)
Nose: rather narrow and chiselled again, in a nice way. Great oysters and crushed seashells, ultra-precise lemon juice and fresh almonds. Hints of fresh paint and ink, with a little green olive brine. Then grasses and hints of fresh newspaper.
Mouth: still a little austere, with brine and coastal notes, along with hints of slightly bitter herbs and walnut skins. This is balanced with hints of mocha, as well as a honeyed note. Kippers in the background. Later also soot and lots of sharp minerals. In the end there’s a very subtle fruity note that reminds me of Bowmore.
Finish: very long, with lingering herbal notes, deep salty ashes and salt.
This one is sharp as a blade, but it offers a lot of intensity, big complexity and a perfect balance. Just a lovely Islay whisky and very consistent with the batch I tried in 2023. Available from The Whisky Exchange among others. Score: 90/100
Port Askaig 25 yo (45,8%, Elixir Distillers +/- 2025)
Nose: evolved towards fruits. Pineapple comes out, with subtle vanilla cake, hay and just a little bit of charcoal smoke. Plenty of ctirus. Then some sea spray, tiny hints of marzipan and banana. Whiffs of leather too.
Mouth: the tropical notes are not as loud as I hoped, but they are certainly present, along with citrus. On the other hand the peat smoke is still quite expressive, with plenty of ashes, some pepper and roasted nuts. Then herbal elements, a little clove, chestnuts and seaweed.
Finish: rather long, herbal, with salt and thyme, with the citrusy freshness running throughout.
This is often rumoured to be Laphroaig. In that case it’s a good one but not stellar (compared to the plethora of old independent release from this distillery). Nonetheless it’s a really good Islay malt on its own, and the attractive price makes it really interesting again. Available from Master of Malt or The Whisky Exchange. Score: 89/100