By James Atkinson
The Australian importer of the Elements of Islay single malt Scotch whisky range conducted an intimate masterclass for whisky fans last week.
Elements of Islay is an independently bottled range of cask strength whiskies, each of which showcases a different distillery from the isle of Islay.
All are 500ml bottlings with the packaging taking on the appearance of a medicine bottle and branded with a chemical symbol that hints at the whisky's origin.
At Sydney's Shirt Bar, importer Ben Baranow, of Baranow's Emporium in Melbourne, led a tasting of the Bn2 (Bunnahabhain), Br2 (Bruichladdich) and Pe5 (The Port Ellen) whiskies and explained the story behind Elements of Islay.
The Pe5 is a rare single cask release from the celebrated Port Ellen distillery, which closed down in 1983.
In attendance was World of Whisky ambassador Dan Woolley (pictured left hand side with Ben Baranow), who said the Pe5 is "superb and a definite must for all single malt fans out there as a 'bucket list' whisky".
"Its palate is like a smoky salted caramel, chewy and oily and the finish is very long," he said.
Elements of Islay is available through Barranows Emporium and World of Whisky.
See the August/September issue of bars&clubs magazine for full coverage of the event.