Review #497 - Port Askaig 15 Year Single Cask (2006)
While Port Askaig is known for their reasonably-priced core range of Islay whiskies, they also produce single cask releases with varying age statements. Here's one example, selected by ImpEx Beverages, the importer for Port Askaig products in the US.
These Port Askaig bottlings are most often Coal Ila, though not always - sometimes, we've heard about peated Bunnahabhain or Laphroaig. We're not sure about this one, but the flavor profile does seem to fit relatively well with Caol Ila.
After distillation in 2006, this cask was aged for 15 years in an ex-bourbon hogshead; it should be a nice, pure peaty single malt, then. Cask strength in the end was 55.2% ABV, and since Elixir (owners of the Port Askaig brand) focus on quality bottlings, we don't need to worry about any chill filtration or added caramel coloring.
Port Askaig 15 Year Single Cask (2006)
Scotland/Islay - Single Malt
Current Locally Available Price: USD 145 (2025)
Age Statement: 15 Years
Strength: 55.2% ABV
Cask Makeup: Ex-bourbon hogshead
Details: Not chill filtered, no color added; distilled August 2006, bottled September 2021; cask no. 307384; 264 bottles
Tasting Methodology: Reviewed 1 time; bottle 70% fill level at time of review. Tasted in a Glencairn glass, rested 10-15 minutes
Nose: Fresh and vibrant - bright fruits like lemon and lime, lots of citrus. The peat smoke is relatively strong, and there's a bit of a musty side to it - dry wood and white pepper add to the sharp side. Later, a sweeter vanilla custard scent arrives.
Palate: Strong ashy peat and char; it's a medium-thick mouthfeel, with relatively rich flavor overall. Lemon and charred orange rind add fruits, and we get a bit of bell pepper; lots of wood smoke and barbecue notes, too.
Finish: Long, peaty, and quite bright - white ash, lemon, fresh green bell pepper. Spice comes from both white pepper and black pepper; in the aftertaste, there's a sweet oil, or simple syrup.
Final Note: A solid example of single cask Islay whisky - strong peat, with some decent flavor development, though this wasn't overly complex. That higher strength ensured that the texture was decent and the length of the finish was good; overall, the flavor complexion was quite light with lots of citrus fruit and peppery oak.
Value is just okay - these single casks from Port Askaig are a bit expensive, at least here in the US. Getting 15 year old single malt from Islay isn't really cheap from any distillery or brand, though, so this bottle is relatively comparable to its peers.
Our Average Rating: 7.0 / 10
In the current whisky landscape of increasing prices and variable quality, we've added a value rating to our reviews that relates to the score and the available pricing of each whisky. This roughly equates to a 0-10 scale; no reviews so far have exceeded a score of 10, although it is technically possible for the formula to produce a value rating higher than 10 with a high enough score and low enough price.
Value Rating: 5.33
About Us: We're a husband and wife review team living in the Midwest United States. Generally, our reviews and tasting notes will be a compilation of both of our experiences with a whisky over several tasting sessions.
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