Port Askaig isn't a distillery, it's just a town - "the gateway to Islay" - and so this isn't a normal bottling but an independent cast strength anonymous ex-bourbon Islay offering, non-chill filtered and uncolored. One rumor (ScotchNoob) is that it's Caol Ila. Let's see how it does...
Nose: Malt, some vanilla, some smoke, and thick rubbery phenols. Young rubber above everything else - which occasionally resolves as unripe banana, and occasionally as something vegetal. Cooked meat. Brine. Heavy alcohol fumes. Lemon wedges.
Mouthfeel: Thick and oily.
Palate: Somewhat different than the nose - peat and smoke come roaring forth, with maritime elements of salted fish and seaweed following. That vegetal note. BBQ elements. Dry leather. Some salted caramel. Lemon again towards the back.
Finish: Bitter oak fades slowly out with warm lemon and lingering smoke.
Verdict: If this WAS cask strength Caol Ila, I wouldn't be overly surprised. This doesn't have a million dimensions, but what it does, it does nicely. I'm not in love with the rubbery nose, but I do rather like the smoky, briny taste that comes across.
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