Single PX sherry hogshead #102010. The Spirit of Lewis is new make expression which has matured in fresh Euopean oak for a short period before being bottled.
This is how we Scot's used to make whisky, from a (former) illicit still without computers and matured near the coast in a chilly, damp warehouse.
See our Abhainn Dearg Distillery blog article for review.
Abhainn Dearg Distillery was established in 2008 by Mark Tayburn and is a Scottish Islands distillery situated at Carnish near Uig in the Isle of Lewis on the Outer Hebrides off the north west coast of Scotland. Abhainn Dearg Distillery plans to use some Lewis grown and malted barley and is bottling its own whisky at the distillery. Soft and pristine water from the Uig Hills, two small mash tuns, two pine washbacks, two small stills each with a round wooden worm tub, and maturation in dunnage warehouses close to the Atlantic shore. Draff from the mash tun is fed to Abhainn Dearg’s very own heard of Highland cattle. The Abhainn Dearg Distillery visitor centre welcomes visitors and offers distillery tours by appointment.
Nose: The result is a spirit with a grassy nose of tinned pears, with the emphasis on tin, sweet cereal, and a mildly herbal note.
Palate: Quite voluptuous in the mouth, smooth, with plump barley, and very drinkable.
Finish: Short to medium in length, gently spicy and slightly metallic, with a final fruit and nut chocolate taste.