Ailsa Bay Release 1.2 Single Malt Whisky Review
let’s begin
Ailsa Bay, or 'Whisky Hacked' as it has been dubbed by the innovative team of distiller-scientists behind production of this mysteriously scientific malt, has largely gone under the radar in the world of whisky.
This has been since spirit ran from its stills in 2007, although more and more people seem to be talking about it and indeed drinking it if the conversations I have with people at my GreatDrams whisky tastings are anything to go by.
The product is the first ever single malt to use data points to adapt and control the liquid. This creates the perfect balance between smoky and sweet, is described by the producers, William Grant & Sons as being:
Scientifically distilled at 022 parts “peat” and 019 parts “sweet”, then micro matured to a precise balance of oaky sweetness and smoky notes, this award winning new age single malt pushes the boundaries of flavour.
Despite sounding over-engineered, curiously it all makes sense and really does work. Especially given that Ailsa Bay is one of the world’s most technologically advanced distilleries.
In case you’re wondering, the ‘micro maturation’ has taken place in small Hudson whiskey casks. Cheeky.
One of the things I love about Ailsa Bay is how it delivers a perfect example of how regionality in Scotch whisky has eroded. It is rarely, if ever, relevant nowadays as this is a peated Lowland Scotch. That’s not the typical ‘Lowland style’, but it works and is a beautiful whisky too. More on that soon.
Ailsa Bay 1.2 Sweet Smoke is a deliciously balanced Single Malt Scotch made by scientists from one of the world’s most technologically advanced distilleries
Ailsa Bay Packaging
Even the packaging is impressive. Although has been toned down from the original Ailsa Bay release where the stopper had a piece of granite embedded in a metal casing with a wide cork.
Can you imagine the cost of that to put into production?! Certainly awesome. I have a few of those stoppers on my desk in my office as I like to flick them across the desk as I’m thinking. I could not, in truth, see them lasting long.
Regardless, the new packaging adds even more science and detail into the mix. It has lots of information portrayed elegantly on both the front and back of pack. All conjuring the thought of how much effort and science went into the creation of each release.
Tasting notes for Ailsa Bay Release 1.2 Single Malt Whisky Review
Bottle cost: £54.95
For more information and to buy Ailsa Bay Release 1.2 Single Malt Whisky click here
The whisky itself is superb; sweeter and peatier than the original Ailsa Bay release, but incredibly well balanced. This is not a peated single malt whisky that slaps you around the face like a Laphroaig or an Ardbeg, but it has a sweet, reassuring oomph to it.
Bottled at 48.9% ABV and without an age statement, the nose is meaty, smoky, earthy and has a feint but important note of fresh fleshy fruits including melons and a subtle lemon citrus.
The palate is powerful, don’t let me words about it not being as brutal as an Islay fool you, this is a gateway whisky into the peated single malt scotch whisky category, but it is one that delivers on everything a peated whisky should be; peaty, orange citrus notes, warm honey and soft vanilla notes present too with a long, spicy finish too. Wonderful.
And their long-term mission? Well, who can say it better than the production team behind it themselves…
We are a group of distiller scientists whose mission is to bring you the future of whisky using experimentation, technology, precision distilling, block-chain and methods we haven’t even imagined….yet.
Buy the Limited Edition Girvan 11 Year Old Single Cask Single Grain Scotch Whisky by clicking here
What are your thoughts? Leave a comment below and let’s have a chat!
Tasting notes for Ailsa Bay Release 1.2 Single Malt Whisky Review
Bottle cost: £54.95
For more information and to buy Ailsa Bay Release 1.2 Single Malt Whisky click here
The whisky itself is superb; sweeter and peatier than the original Ailsa Bay release, but incredibly well balanced. This is not a peated single malt whisky that slaps you around the face like a Laphroaig or an Ardbeg, but it has a sweet, reassuring oomph to it.
Bottled at 48.9% ABV and without an age statement, the nose is meaty, smoky, earthy and has a feint but important note of fresh fleshy fruits including melons and a subtle lemon citrus.
The palate is powerful, don’t let me words about it not being as brutal as an Islay fool you, this is a gateway whisky into the peated single malt scotch whisky category, but it is one that delivers on everything a peated whisky should be; peaty, orange citrus notes, warm honey and soft vanilla notes present too with a long, spicy finish too. Wonderful.
And their long-term mission? Well, who can say it better than the production team behind it themselves…
We are a group of distiller scientists whose mission is to bring you the future of whisky using experimentation, technology, precision distilling, block-chain and methods we haven’t even imagined….yet.
What are your thoughts? Leave a comment below and let’s have a chat!
Greg
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3 thoughts on “Ailsa Bay Release 1.2 Single Malt Whisky Review”
Really enjoyed the first Ailsa Bay. Including the impressive stopper, which I have kept. Looking forward to trying 1.2.
I bought the Ailsa Bay 1.2 as I am originally from South Ayrshire and wanted to try my ‘local’ peated malt. it really doesn’t disappoint, the perfect balance of peat and sweet is not just a marketing ploy it really has it. even though I doubt highly they can regulate the phenols to 20ppm each time and the ‘sweet’ (whatever large combination of flavour compounds causes this) to 19ppm each time through scientific methods – I have a PhD in chemistry, plus work in the F&F industry and it really isn’t possible to accurately measure those levels and control them to that accuracy scientificaly, maybe if you said peat to between 10-25 ppm i may believe them but even that is unlikely…. however controlling the same flavour profile accurately via the skills of a master distiller or flavourist then yes this is possible, it may shock non-scientists to hear that highly trained humans are still much much better than scientific instrumentation!! but anyways this whisky is lovely, marketing aside. warm, sweet citrus, with burnt sugar, vanilla and smoky guaiacol taste and a really strong rich cedar toffee nose. Will definitely buy another bottle when this is polished off, which won’t be long!! I have a bottle of laphroaig QC and port charlotte on the go at the same time, but this Ailsa is my treat whisky… those come after savouring the Ailsa Bay flavour