Port Askaig and Caol Ila: Islay's Hidden Treasures

Port Askaig is about as remote as it gets. If it wasn’t for the ferry terminal and hotel there probably wouldn’t be much going on. Fortunately, because of this port there is now a buzz of activity. This is also one of two landing points onto the island as well as the crossing point to get to the even more remote Jura, so if you fancy discovering where Dystopian classic 1984 was written by George Orwell or where the very clever KLF burned one million pounds you would pass through this metropolis. A short journey down the road past the signs for three distilleries and you will arrive at Finlaggan one of the oldest places of parliament in the world and the power seat of the Lord of the Isles. 

A distillery that is named after the sound of Islay is Caol Ila. Perched by the sea on this remote part of the island and only known to true Islay devotees, Caol Ila produces whiskies with dry, sea air aromas and a bright smoke. A wonderfully elegant expression is this 25-year-old. Introduced in 2010, this is the first ever distillery bottled 25-year-old at 43% ABV. It gives us an oily citrus kick, yet a restrained coal-like smoke, gifted by over two decades in oak.