My son just sent me a bottle of Island of Geese Single Malt Islay Whisky. Very nice. Not quite as peaty or smoky as Ardbeg, Laga, Laphroig, and Caol Ila, but does not seem like a Bowmore either. Certainly not as subtle as a Bunnahabhain or Bruichladdich. It's a really nice 10yo Islay whisky. But where's it from? Who distills it?
BTW - cannot get it here in NC. My son is in SC.
nick
Nick,
Here is some information. It may not lead to the actual distiller but it does cover the distributor and how your son may have come across the brand.
Daniel
In Hamburg my local malt shop stocks a lot of off-brand Islays. 98% of the time they wind up being Caol Ila or young Lagavulins, with Caol Ila appearing most often. I also find that Caol Ila can vary in character fairly substantially from expression to expression, from mild to massive (I have not liked the standard bottlings now coming from the distillery--my recent favorite is a high-proof bottling of young Caol Ila for under $30 they have had in Hamburg--a whoppingly pungent steal!).
There are many informed clues about the source of Isle of Geese here:
Also known as Dutch. No one there has found a firm connection to a particular distillery, but they are unanimous that it's either Caol Ila or Lagavulin. From their descriptions, I'd say Caol Ila, which can be a bit subdued depending on the bottling, while the several young Lagavulins I have tasted were very much in-your-face, grab-you-by-the-collar malts.
No, I haven't seen Island of Geese in Canada. But it looks like I'll be in Calgary in September where the selection is better than here in Vancouver, and I'll look.
bill
bill van wrote: > Also known as Dutch. No one there has found a firm connection to a
Certainly the Island of Geese is less brash than the Caol Ila 12 I've had. Since it's 2 years younger, I'm not so sure. I'd have expected a 10yo Laga or Caol Ila, especially a cheaper version, to be more in-your-face like some MacClelland Islay's can be.
Is it 40%? The difference between 40% and 43% can really tame a savage goose.
Island of Geese is imported and sold by Total Wine. I have never seen it anywhere else, but it may exist. I think Total Wine has stores in other South Eastern states, besided SC.
I have found it a poor man's version of Talisker. I guess I should have read the thread before responding, as this may already be out there.
anywhere else, but it may exist. I think Total Wine has stores in other South Eastern states, besided SC.
the thread before responding, as this may already be out there.
Hmmm, I wonder if Total Wine is running the ABC stores in SC???
The Talisker thing makes more sense than the other ideas. In any case, I like it.
nick
anywhere else, but it may exist. I think Total Wine has stores in other South Eastern states, besided SC.
the thread before responding, as this may already be out there.
Ah, but then the bottle sez Islay which, if true, would rule out Talisker.
DrinksForum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.