To commemorate the opening of their new Ardnahoe distillery on Islay, independent bottler Hunter Laing has released an exclusive collection of six limited-edition Islay single malts from Ardbeg, Bowmore, Bruichladdich, Bunnahabhain, Caol Ila and Laphroaig. Each bottling in The Kinship Single Malt Collection 2019 has been carefully selected by whisky icon Jim McEwan, who was born on Islay in 1948 and has worked at several distilleries on the island since he was 15 years old. Before his current position at Ardnahoe, he spent 38 years at Bowmore and then worked as Master Distiller at Bruichladdich for 15 years.
Bunnahabhain 30 Years Old Kinship Edition No. 1
This 30-year-old Bunnahabhain has been drawn from a refill sherry butt and a refill American oak hogshead. The whisky opens with a warm fresh marine breeze and subtle sherry aromas. Rich oak, succulent Oloroso sherry flavours and spicy vanilla linger long on the palate.
Caol Ila 40 Years Old Kinship Edition No. 2
Despite its age, this 40-year-old Caol Ila has an amazing fresh and vibrant character. A long maturation in a refill American oak hogshead has added character and personality, with layers of floral, marine and nutty flavours.
Bruichladdich 27 Years Old Kinship No. 3
A 27-year-old Bruichladdich, aged in a refill American oak hogshead and bottled at 50.2%. This gentle and sophisticated spirit shines with a moderate maritime saline character and notes of soft fruits, heather honey and toasted malted barley.
Bowmore 30 Years Old Kinship No. 4
This dram from the oldest distillery on Islay matured in a refill bourbon hogshead since 1988. It has a great personality with brilliant notes of dried peat, barley sweetness, pear and sea salt.
Laphroaig 18 Years Old Kinship Edition No. 5
A brilliant Laphroaig single malt, aged for 18 years in a refill Oloroso sherry butt and bottled at 56.4%. Notes of sherry, oak syrup, medicine, liquorice toffee and nuttiness combine to create a dram you won’t soon forget.
Ardbeg 26 Years Old Kinship Edition No. 6
This Ardbeg is in its absolute prime. After maturing for 26 years in a refill hogshead, the whisky boasts beautiful notes of sea breeze, freshly cut peat and sun-bleached seaweed. Elegant flavours of oak-smoked toffee, marzipan, heather moor fires, salt-encrusted sails, bracken and hints of pepper and lemon then introduce themselves onto the senses.
