I didn’t expect the ‘Old…’ series from Decadent Drinks to become this big. After all there’s only so many distilleries on Scottish islands. But no, they keep them coming.
In the latest batch there’s young Raasay and Torabhaig, and together with Talisker, it completes an ensemble of all three distilleries across Skye and neighbouring Raasay.
Old Skye – Torabhaig 8 yo 2018 (52%, Decadent Drinks 2026, 200 btl.)
Nose: rather vegetal peat. Hints of cooked cabbage, but this fades. Then warm bonfire smoke and sea spray and a subtle yeasty / bready note. Then sweet grapefruit, wet limestone and a hint of salted butter.
Mouth: thick and oily, with more leafy and coastal peat. A naturally sweet note of lemon and barley water and more bready notes. Then a dirty or muddy side, in the style of Ledaig. Hints of ale, pepper and lemon peels, along with a saline edge and smoked olive oil.
Finish: long and leafy, with charred herbs and lemons, plus a big umami layer.
I’ve had some really good Torabhaig but their casks go in different directions. This is rather spirit-driven, two first-fill barrels married for one year in a third-fill butt. Good but the youthful side and the slightly dirty character make it a little challenging for me. Available from Decadent Drinks or retailers like Royal Mile Whiskies.
Old Raasay – Isle of Raasay 8 yo 2018 (52%, Decadent Drinks 2026, first-fill bourbon cask, 200 btl.)
Nose: Clynelish-style wax, with a pleasant dustiness (hay) and varnish. A peppery whiff, along with wet stones and a subtle touch of sourdough. Soaked cereals with lemons and pears in the background, as well as greengages. Gets brighter over time.
Mouth: a slightly more industrial type of waxiness now, very mineral, with chalk and wet wool. Then green herbs, even a medicinal hint of samphor. Grapefruit skins and hints of green banana, along with pine resin, olive oil and white pepper.
Finish: long and mineral, with zesty citrus and a slightly sweeter waxy side.
A very clean and direct Raasay with a nice industrial touch and an impressive waxy texture, as well as a very focused freshness. Pretty impressive, in fact. Available from Master of Malt or directly from Decadent Drinks. Score: 89/100
Old Skye – Talisker 14yo 2011 (56,8%, Decadent Drinks 2026, 120 btl.)
Nose: much more mature than the others. Nice seaweed notes, distant tobacco and faded ashy smoke. Hints of smoked meat and unlit matchsticks. Then the expected black peppercorns, some muddy notes and a little sweet citrus. High complexity.
Mouth: yesterday’s fireplace, with more pepper, wee hints of charred orange peels and a little mercurochrome. Then hints of aniseed, metal tools, old leather and charred rosemary. A tiny hint of berry sourness in the background. Later plenty of brine and back to fir bids, rooty notes and ashes.
Finish: long and earthy, with hints of fishermen’s rope, tar, pepper and brine.
I had to blink twice when I saw the price. Then again the quality is high, with old-school peaty notes and a great array of subtleties. I’m sure casks like this would still shine in thirty years. Still available from The Whisky Exchange. Score: 90/100