Ferg & Harris 12 Year Old Islay Single Malt is a cask-strength independent bottling of Caol Ila, finished in a Brunello di Montalcino red wine hogshead and bottled at 53.3% ABV. It was released by Ferg & Harris, the label founded in 2021 by John Ferguson and Alex Harrison of Edinburgh's Young Spirits, for The Whiskey Lab.
Caol Ila is one of Islay's great peated distilleries, known for its oily, maritime smoke. After its initial maturation, this whisky spent its final months in a hogshead that had held Brunello di Montalcino, one of Tuscany's most prestigious red wines, marrying Islay peat with fine wine tannins and red fruit.
On the nose come peat, salty seaweed and summer berries. The palate brings poached pears and barley sugar with smoke, leading to a medium finish. It is a blend of peat smoke and Tuscan red wine that makes for one of the more unusual drams of recent years.
The bottle features Ferg & Harris' illustrated label with blue botanical artwork and comes in a matching box. It is a great find for collectors of independent bottlings and lovers of wine-finished Islay whisky.
Bottled at full strength, it rewards a few drops of water.
Tasting Notes
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Nose: Peat, salty seaweed and summer berries.
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Palate: Poached pears, barley sugar and smoke.
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Finish: Medium, with gentle smoke.
Specifications
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Producer: Ferg & Harris (Young Spirits)
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Style: Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky, cask strength, independent bottling
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Expression / Batch: 12 Year Old Caol Ila, Brunello finish
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Age: 12 years
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Proof / ABV: 106.6 proof (53.3% ABV)
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Cask / Finish: Finished in a Brunello di Montalcino red wine hogshead
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Region: Islay, Scotland
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Size: 700ml
How to Enjoy It
Taste it neat, then add a few drops of water to open the fruit and soften the smoke. It pairs with aged pecorino, smoked meats or dark chocolate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which distillery made this whisky?
Caol Ila, on Islay.
How was it finished?
In a hogshead that held Brunello di Montalcino red wine.
What proof is it?
It is bottled at cask strength, 53.3% ABV.
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