Independent bottler The Character of Islay Whisky Company has released its new Wave & Wind collection of single cask expressions.
The Character of Islay Whisky Company is a subsidiary of UK-based Atom Brands, producer of That Boutique-y Whisky Company.
The company’s first bottling, Aerolite Lyndsay, was released in September last year. The expression is a 10-year-old Islay peated single malt sourced from an unnamed distillery on the island.
Unlike previous releases that did not disclose the distilleries, the Wave & Wind Collection features bottlings from Islay sites such as Ardberg, Bowmore and Laphroaig.
The first wave of releases are all limited edition single cask bottlings. They comprise of a 15-year-old Ardbeg (RRP £314.95/US$403), a 15-year-old Laphroaig (RRP £264.95/US$339), a seven-year-old Port Charlotte (RRP £152.95/US$196) and a 35-year-old Port Ellen (RRP £3,999.95/US$5,115)
In addition, the collection includes three Bowmore bottlings, a 16-year-old (RRP £264.95), an 18-year-old (RRP £294.95/US$377), and a 22-year-old (RRP £479.95/US$614). There are also two Octomore bottlings, a seven-year-old (RRP £186.95/US$239) and a 10-year-old (RRP £289.95/US$371).
Each whisky released by the bottler is inspired by Islay’s stories and legends.
Dr Sam Simmons, head of whisky at Atom Brands, said: “As an independent bottler, we don’t have a distillery story to tell that informs the contents of each bottling. Instead, we have created whiskies and selected casks that let the contents of the glass inspire your stories, the stories that we can each own and truly share.
“In a way these are the stories we all tell when we return from our pilgrimages to Islay. These are the stories you want to tell, they’re yours. How we see it is you don’t have to be on Islay to be a part of our story, it begins the moment you throw the cork away.
“Wind & Wave, like the breeze or the tide, will be released periodically when we uncover casks of exceptional, notable or unrepeatable quality.”
The collection is available to buy from online retailer Master of Malt or through Maverick Drinks in the UK.