Ailsa Bay Release 1.2 Sweet Smoke Whisky 70cl

If you like peat malts but want to try something a little different, then I would highly recommend this. Its nice neat a lovely balance of smokey and sweet, its very subtle and delicate. I prefer it with ice as that intensifies the flavours, you get a bit more smoke punching through with lingering sweet notes. However if you leave the ice in too long the smoke will eventually dissipate, and the sweet notes erode away. It still leaves a decent whisky behind. But you should drink it before then.

As someone who loves peaty whisky, especially Laphroaig, Ardbeg, Lagavulin, I was pleasantly surprised with Ailsa Bay. While it says "sweat smoke", I find it less sweet than Lagavulin, which I prefer. Considering it does not have an age statement, it has a good balance of complexity and peat, rounding off nicely. It also is cheaper than Lagavulin, without compromising much.

Amazing on the nose but lacking on the palate—quite thin and not robust or with much character. I’d give the distillery another try though if/when they release an older version as there is clearly some potential.

This is an amazing whisky, I love the scientific background story as well. I am a malt loving Scot who lives in Berkeley, Gloucestershire where Dr Edward Jenner discovered vaccination which in our time will save the world from CoVid. and you can now rightly claim that Ailsa Bay is proudly drunk by the inhabitants of Berkeley Gloucestershire the home of vaccination.
For me, if you can find a way of adding a whiff of seaweed and we bit of perceived age you will have perfection, but right now its already great !

If you love the peaty big hitters from Islay, then this is for you.
A sweet Laphroaig is my non technical description of this very tasty whisky.

The best whisky I ever tasted. The original that is.

This is the 2nd Ailsa Bay, I've tried, after the inaugural single malt, and I've liked both.

I think they've both been just slightly over-priced, but that's a product of exclusivity, rather than cynicism, I think

Looking forward to age statement releases.

Ian

Profound smokiness on the palette with a hint of almonds. A great discovery.

I would’ve mistaken this for an Islay malt if I had not been shown the bottle. Fantastic palate for being a younger malt and curious to see what other variants come after this.

I was blown away the scent and taste. You would think unless you read the label that this was from Islay. My recommendation from someone who has commenced there single malt journey is to try a few from all the Scottish regions that way you will know which Brands you will try again.
Value wise this particular one is quite good value for BAV.