Let's take a walk on the fragrant side
The smells of Islay reflect on some of its wonderful whiskies. Martine Nouet takes you on a sensory journey across the island and introduces its flora and fauna
Westering home and a song in the airâ, says the song about Islay. It could as well be: âWestering home and whisky in the airâ.
Not only because the âisland of whiskyâ shelters seven distilleries (and maybe eight in the near future). But also because all the fragrances carried by summer breeze or winter gales are the same descriptors used in tasting notes by so many whisky writers or aficionados.
The invitation could be: âbreathe in Islay and youâll nose itâs whiskiesâ. Or: âlet the single malt you are nosing take you for an Islay walkâ.
If you allow me to lead you by the nose, Iâll share with you my best nosing spots on the island. Then imagine we taste Islay malts on our way back, trying to pick up the aromas we nosed all the way through.
Thatâs the way I best enjoy sensory evaluation. Just follow me and let our noses serve as our compass...
Travelling to Islay by air may be quicker but reaching the coast by boat has a magical touch, especially if you land at Port Ellen by the evening ferry on a warm summer day.
Peat smoke is the first smell the visitor experiences as CalMac Ferriesâ captain manoeuvres to berth the ship.
You can see the grey outlines of Port Ellen Maltings puffing out white smoke. Peat is burning for hours in the huge kilns of the plant, when Ardbeg, Laphroaig or Lagavulinâs supply is being malted.
Quite an unusual olfactory shock for first timers as they experience a scent of pungent smoke with some earthy notes of wet .....
To read the rest of this article you can buy this issue
or subscribe to Whisky Magazine to have every issue delivered direct to your door.
You can unlock and read this entire article with 1 of your community tokens by clicking here.
By Martine Nouet
Section : Whisky Experience
Page number : 36
