Elements of Islay lands in US
Elixir Distillers-owned Elements of Islay has introduced its re-imagined core range of blended malt whiskies to the US.
The brand has presented three permanent whiskies, each of which each has been created to capture the essence of Islay. Oliver Chilton, Elixir Distillers' master blender, commented: “We’re very excited to present a new, re-imagined core range of whiskies for Elements of Islay. The rich, smoky flavours make this unquestionably elemental and a great start to the Elements of Islay whisky journey. “The blend combines fresher, fruitier style of peaty Islay single malt from the north coast with a typical rich and smoky style from Islay’s south coast and has been matured in four different styles of casks to offer a complex but balanced whisky for enthusiasts and people looking to discover the incredible island of Islay. “We already had an excellent reception in other markets and hope we’ll introduce more US-based drinkers to the joy of Islay whiskies." All expressions are small-batch independently bottled whiskies that have been ‘expertly’ sourced. All are natural in colour and non-chill filtered, and have been inspired by a different element of maturation. The first of the three bottlings is the Elements of Islay Cask Edit – a union of two single malts aged in Bourbon and Sherry casks, which creates a peaty Islay whisky resting at 46% ABV, and is priced at RRP £44.95 (US$54.10). On the ‘bolder’ side, the Elements of Islay Bourbon expression is matured in first-fill and refill Bourbon barrels, and is bottled at 54.5% ABV, which is said to fully demonstrate the whisky’s Islay-based personality. It retails for RRP £59.95 (US$72.20). The Elements of Islay Sherry Cask offers 'a synthesis of flavour' with notes of dried fruits, dark chocolate, lemon oil, and smoke. Bottled at 54.5% ABV and priced at RRP £64.95 (US$78.20), it aims to 'challenge the status of quo' of what it means to be an Islay whisky. The expressions are aimed at ‘curious whisky drinkers who have a desire to experience, taste and explore the unique flavours of Islay’. The new Elements of Islay range will be available in the US from 1 March 2023 via distributor Impex. Last year, Elixir Distillers revealed the name of its new distillery of Islay, which it anticipates will start distilling from early 2024.
