The Islay Rum Company - Islay Rum Mini Selection Pack

Volume: 0.15 litres | Alcohol content: 43.67% | Chill filtration: Yes | Colouring: No

Special Features:

This selection explores three different sides of rum made on Islay: the unaged Geal at 45%, the cask-aged Barrel Aged at 46% and the also unaged Peat Spiced at 40%. The gift packaging contains one 0.05-litre miniature of each expression, giving a total of 0.15 litres.

The smoky accents develop in different ways. Barrel Aged matures in oak casks that previously held heavily peated Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky. This maturation brings together gentle smoke, vanilla and a salty coastal note. For Peat Spiced, ingredients such as orange, ginger and cocoa nibs are smoked over a peat fire. The fruit-led Geal is thus accompanied by both a cask-aged rum and an intensely smoky spiced rum. In Gaelic, Geal means white, clear and pure, among other things.

Tasting Notes:

• Nose: Geal has aromas of butterscotch, green banana peel and citrus fruit. In Barrel Aged, light smoke and green banana meet caramel and leather. Peat Spiced combines orange peel with candied ginger, liquorice and anise.
• Palate: Geal offers tropical fruit and a subtle malt biscuit note. Barrel Aged combines salted caramel with esters, tropical fruit and coastal salinity. Peat Spiced tastes of chocolate and vanilla, accompanied by warming spices.
• Finish: Geal finishes fresh, light and fruity. Barrel Aged has a mouth-filling finish reminiscent of aged spirits. Peat Spiced lingers for a long time, recalling a smoky Christmas cake with dark chocolate.

Distillery/Bottler:

Islay Rum Distillery began production in Port Ellen in January 2022. It occupies a restored former lemonade factory between Kilnaughton Bay and Borraichill. Its opening gave the island, known for its malt whisky, its first rum distillery. Head Distiller Ben Inglis drew on his study of international rum-making methods when developing the facility.

At its heart is a copper pot still with two retorts, designed by Ben Inglis and built by Speyside Copper Works in Scotland. These two additional distillation vessels produce an effect similar to triple distillation within a single run; the still is designed to create a smooth, ester-rich rum. The distillery uses entirely renewable electricity and a closed-loop cooling system. A substantial proportion of the liquid remaining after distillation is reused in the next fermentation, helping to shape the flavour while saving water and heat energy.

Facts: