Overview: In the world of spirits, few regions are as iconic as Scotland’s Islay, renowned for its smoky Scotch whiskies. However, there exists another distillery on the island dedicated solely to producing rum – The Islay Rum Distillery.
The Full Story
In 2022, a team behind the Vintage Malt Whisky Company decided to convert an Old Lemonade Factory in Port Ellen into a rum distillery. This marks it as Scotland’s only and currently the world’s first dedicated distillery focused exclusively on producing rum.
The head distiller at The Islay Rum Distillery is Ben Inglis, who designed his copper pot still with the aim of creating smooth high-ester effects through triple distilled spirit from a single distillation run. There are several rums available in their lineup including un-aged and barrel aged versions as well as spiced rum smoked over peat fires to give it classic Islay character.
The most recent release is a single cask expression that was fermented for an extended period, distilled on July 18th, 2022, entirely in Oloroso sherry casks before being bottled at 100 proof. This spirit offers several unique notes including layers of dried fruit and sweetness coupled with spice.
Production & Profile
The distillery uses a copper pot still to create their signature high ester effect through triple distillation, resulting in smooth rum from single run batches only.
The Islay Rum Distillery produces several different rums including un-aged and barrel aged varieties. A spiced rum that has been smoked over peat is another product of the distillery. In addition to this main lineup, there are other expressions available as well but details on these remain limited for now.
Brand & Industry History
The Islay Rum Distillery marks a new chapter in Scotland’s whisky heritage since no rum production has occurred prior to its creation at the Vintage Malt Whisky Company. The island of Islay, however, is more commonly associated with whiskies such as Laphroaig and Ardbeg.
Other distilleries on the islands include Ninefold in Lockerbie and J Gow Rum located further north within Orkney Archipelago where Highland Park resides. Despite the presence of these other establishments, The Islay Rum Distillery stands out for its singular focus solely dedicated to rum production from a previously unused facility.
What This Means
The emergence of this new distillery on Scotland’s iconic island may indicate growing interest in exploring different types of spirits beyond traditional whisky. By expanding the range offered by Islay Rum, producers can cater to an increasingly diverse clientele seeking unique experiences and preferences when it comes to their drinking options.
Consumer Takeaway
The limited release of 390 bottles globally at SRP £53 ($71) signifies a rare opportunity for connoisseurs eager to sample this pioneering spirit. Secondary suppliers like the Whisky Exchange provide shipments but with delivery taking up three weeks, customers will need be patient.
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