I saw the line up of Port Askaig at The Whisky Exchange in London a couple weeks ago and was tempted to pick one up but going to the UK is all about "too many bottles, not enough room in my luggage". In terms of a quality/price ratio I tend to use Ardbeg 10 as the standard as it is only $46-$50.
Thanks guys, just found you on TH-cam, after getting a bottle of the 8year old. Have to agree, not a terrible dram, but definitely not 4 from 4. I'll have to start watching you more often . Cheers from Australia
Elixir are part of The Whisky Exchange group of companies. The punchier whiskies go into their Elements of Islay range. The 19 year old and older Port Askaig (PA) bottlings are pretty good. PA is adjacent to Caol Ila and whenever Elixir have hinted the distillery it has always been Caol Ila so you can be pretty sure it is from there. It certainly is not Octomore!
Ya'...Octomore was somewhat off....but everyone has an odd day! It does seem Caol Ila is the culprit! We're excited about getting into the older PAs though. ~Mark
@Scotch 4 Dummies, would love to see you all privately score these on paper before you reveal. Should be interesting to see if you create more or less score diversity. Great job on this one, keep em coming...thanks!!
I think we could do that on a review. Might be fun to see if it would change. I think our problem is a limited amount of time. Some of these bottles you know right away what the score will be and others need more time to open. It is not a perfect science by any means, but we do try to be consistent and honest. -Shawn
Typically you arrive on Islay via ferry at Port Ellen (near the south western distilleries) and leave via ferry from Port Askaig (near the north eastern distilleries).
I have not had this 8 year. I've had the 110 proof and it's really good, especially for the money ( I paid $65 ). Think Kilchoman Machier Bay on steroids! Solid review guys (split decision!), Cheers!
The spliced in clips of REM and the Russian Slapping competitions... HAHAHA disagreements brewing! Never tried this, but always thought/heard it was Caol Ila - but can't confirm - Caol Ila is still one Islay I'm yet to try as well. Would like to try the 110 Proof bottle.
I had the Port Askaig 110 proof, agree with others it is young Carol Ila and it tastes like it. Saying that, the Caol Ila 12yo is better and in the same price range.
How would you compare this to say a Balvenie Peat Week 14 year old costing nearly a 100 dollars? I believe what Mark was saying is that it tastes something like this but is much cheaper which is why it received a 2.5 rating. Marketing is what we pay for sometimes fellas.
The port Askaig line gets more interesting at higher ages and abv. (Like most scotch). I agree with the dummies in the back on this one, found it a poor representation of Islay whisky. In regards to value, at $65 it shows very poorly. Look at the prices of lag8, Laphroaig and Ardbeg 10. All better scotch for less money. There should be a large discount for not having the distillery on the label. Not here. If you want a mystery Islay single malt for good value, check out your local Trader Joe’s and pick up an old finlaggin for 18.99!
Great points and appreciated (from a Dummie in the front). Can't argue your perceptions. I do want to dig into the older ones and now I've got to hit Trader Joe's!! :-) ~Mark
It was fun to disagree on this one. I like the difference of opinions and I am anxious to try it again with everyone on Thursday and see how they feel. -Shawn
Oh really....you expect us to believe you have a darker one..... ~smh! LOL. Of COURSE you have one 17 shades darker.... We'll find your address at some point and then you will be forced to activate your home defenses... muhahahahah! :-) ~Mark
True and it has been a while since we have sampled one. I didn't think it was similar, but there was a bit of opposition all the way around. This one was very open for interpretation. -Shawn
The colour is called HONEST WHISKY ... fantastic to see from Askaig! The House of origin is Caol Isla ...
It is an unknown Islay distillery translates into Caol Ila.
Exactly
Great review guys. The rumor is the 8-year-old is Caol Ila aged in refill American oak casks. I really enjoy the bottle I have.
Great review guys. We just reviewed the 10th Anniversary Port Askaig a couple weeks ago!
Epic episode! love it, keep going guys, watching you from uk! Going to treat myself to Lagavulin 16 this Christmas!
My guess is that it would be caol ila too.
Over whelming consensus. ~Mark
I saw the line up of Port Askaig at The Whisky Exchange in London a couple weeks ago and was tempted to pick one up but going to the UK is all about "too many bottles, not enough room in my luggage". In terms of a quality/price ratio I tend to use Ardbeg 10 as the standard as it is only $46-$50.
It makes a solid baseline! Oh ya....just pay for the 2nd or 3rd bag already Erik... :-P LOL ~Mark
I thought you were kidding for a while. Caol Ila is about 100 yards from Port Askaig. Bunnabhain Octomore? Tighten it up guys.
Ya', got a little off base there huh? No worries, a passing phase, LOL! ~Mark
Great review and I love the editing, gents!
Thanks guys, just found you on TH-cam, after getting a bottle of the 8year old. Have to agree, not a terrible dram, but definitely not 4 from 4. I'll have to start watching you more often . Cheers from Australia
It's important to let these young, peated whiskeys breathe. Empty the shoulder and let it sit for a few months, then taste again.
Elixir are part of The Whisky Exchange group of companies. The punchier whiskies go into their Elements of Islay range. The 19 year old and older Port Askaig (PA) bottlings are pretty good. PA is adjacent to Caol Ila and whenever Elixir have hinted the distillery it has always been Caol Ila so you can be pretty sure it is from there. It certainly is not Octomore!
Ya'...Octomore was somewhat off....but everyone has an odd day! It does seem Caol Ila is the culprit! We're excited about getting into the older PAs though. ~Mark
@Scotch 4 Dummies, would love to see you all privately score these on paper before you reveal. Should be interesting to see if you create more or less score diversity. Great job on this one, keep em coming...thanks!!
I think we could do that on a review. Might be fun to see if it would change. I think our problem is a limited amount of time. Some of these bottles you know right away what the score will be and others need more time to open. It is not a perfect science by any means, but we do try to be consistent and honest.
-Shawn
Port Askaig is a real place and its right next to Coal Ila 😁
We know it is a place, but it isn't a distillery. It is for sure a spot I would like to visit someday.
-Shawn
Typically you arrive on Islay via ferry at Port Ellen (near the south western distilleries) and leave via ferry from Port Askaig (near the north eastern distilleries).
I have not had this 8 year. I've had the 110 proof and it's really good, especially for the money ( I paid $65 ). Think Kilchoman Machier Bay on steroids! Solid review guys (split decision!), Cheers!
We'll be reviewing the 110 soon.....stay tuned!! ~Mark
The spliced in clips of REM and the Russian Slapping competitions... HAHAHA disagreements brewing! Never tried this, but always thought/heard it was Caol Ila - but can't confirm - Caol Ila is still one Islay I'm yet to try as well. Would like to try the 110 Proof bottle.
We give Drew too much ammo when it comes to those edits....hahah! You should break into the Caol Ila's thought.... ~Mark
Andrew, Reminds you of Octamore 😮 Wow! Guess what I'm picking up nxt?!!😅
I had the Port Askaig 110 proof, agree with others it is young Carol Ila and it tastes like it. Saying that, the Caol Ila 12yo is better and in the same price range.
That sure seems to be the consensus. ~Mark
In the right corner we have Drew vs Shawn.....in the left corner we have Andrew vs Mark............LETS GET READY TO RUMBLE!!!!
It sure felt like it this week. Big opinion differences.
-Shawn
great review
It was contentious at least and Drew had some fun with the edit.
-Shawn
After trying Bowmore 12 and Laphroaig 10 the Port Askaig 8 is the first Islay I really like.
tbh I think Laphroaig 10 and Bowmore 12 are one of the most boring Islays out there
@@groberti I'd second that. Don't give up on Laphroaig though. Try Quarter cask for example, it's got incredibly more depth to it than 10yo.
I get Lagavulin 8 year for 44.00 in Minnesota. Lagavulin all day long before this for me.
Can't argue with that. $44 is a good price for that and its a good dram!
-Shawn
a really good review
Tough one when we are at odds! ~Mark
@@Scotch4Dummies Controversial is the most interesting
Greetings from Germany
I thought Lagavulin all day. Most say something different. Opinions very. Well now I'm leaning towards Ardbeg.
A mixed review to say the least. Liked the video add ins. Sounds like a why not try it with medium expectations.
I would say that's the general consensus on our end. We will see after the slap fight showdown on Thursday who's opinion is correct.
-Shawn
@@Scotch4Dummies 😂😂👍
How would you compare this to say a Balvenie Peat Week 14 year old costing nearly a 100 dollars? I believe what Mark was saying is that it tastes something like this but is much cheaper which is why it received a 2.5 rating. Marketing is what we pay for sometimes fellas.
I'd need to put them side by side, which I do think would be quite interesting. I do agree with your marketing comment though! ~Mark
This is another brand I've seen on shelves but have never tried. Not sure what to think now, ha ha.
Stand down until we knock out the 110! ;-) ~Mark
I'm changing my mind again. I have a bottle of 8 yr. Lagavulin and this malt side by side. I can't tell the difference. Maybe I'm already drunk!
port askaig is always either caol ila or peated bunnahabhain
That seems to be the agreed thought! ~Mark
Much better then Caol Ila 12 yo
The port Askaig line gets more interesting at higher ages and abv. (Like most scotch). I agree with the dummies in the back on this one, found it a poor representation of Islay whisky. In regards to value, at $65 it shows very poorly. Look at the prices of lag8, Laphroaig and Ardbeg 10. All better scotch for less money. There should be a large discount for not having the distillery on the label. Not here. If you want a mystery Islay single malt for good value, check out your local Trader Joe’s and pick up an old finlaggin for 18.99!
Great points and appreciated (from a Dummie in the front). Can't argue your perceptions. I do want to dig into the older ones and now I've got to hit Trader Joe's!! :-) ~Mark
Sounds fair at best, guys-- here's the thing, tho-- imo, nothing and I mean NOTHING holds a candle 🕯 to Corryvreckan!
binny’s has 14yo as well
Damn Binny's....LOL! ~Mark
Poor Drew.
Sunday Evening Scotch the back row did seem a bit butthurt...
It was fun to disagree on this one. I like the difference of opinions and I am anxious to try it again with everyone on Thursday and see how they feel.
-Shawn
@@Scotch4Dummies Definitely, always fun to see those differences of opinions on whiskies! I'll look forward to the discussion on the thursday stream.
Octomore ~ Briuchladdich
For people who like peated Islay, don’t bother. This is entry level peat & smoke.
It is ok, just not for the price. It cost more than Ardbeg 10, almost as much as Port Charlotte 10, and is inferior to either.
Coal Ila.....!
That's what we hear.
Shawn
Sounds like a youthful and interesting/confusing scotch. My 8yr Caol Ila is about 17 shades darker than that one. 🤷♂️
Oh really....you expect us to believe you have a darker one..... ~smh! LOL. Of COURSE you have one 17 shades darker.... We'll find your address at some point and then you will be forced to activate your home defenses... muhahahahah! :-) ~Mark
@@Scotch4Dummies haha beware of french bulldog lol.
Most Octomores are only 5 years old. Just saying... ;)
True and it has been a while since we have sampled one. I didn't think it was similar, but there was a bit of opposition all the way around. This one was very open for interpretation.
-Shawn
First!
I think its a Talisker. They always bottle at 45.8 %
Word on the street....Caol Ila!!!!