Since 2022, a truly unique spirit has been produced on the \u2018Queen of the Hebrides\u2019: Islay Rum. Inspired by traditional Caribbean distillation methods, the Islay Rum Company \u2013 the island\u2019s first and, to date, only rum distillery \u2013 produces rum varieties rich in esters using a pot still and twin retort still, adopting an experimental approach, working by hand and in small batches.<\/p>\n
Between Kilnaughton Bay in Port Ellen and Borraichill Hill stands a pot and twin retort still that is unique in the UK. Developed by Head Distiller Ben Inglis, it produces Islay Rum \u2013 a smooth, ester-rich spirit that is effectively triple-distilled in a single distillation run. The base for this is molasses and aromatic residues from the previous distillation \u2013 essentially \u2018Islay dunder\u2019.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
In the historic surroundings of Port Ellen, this rum is produced at the \u2018Old Lemonade Factory\u2019 under the supervision of Distillery Manager Ben Inglis. The production process adheres to an uncompromising artisanal ethos: a 168-hour fermentation using special Prometheus yeast lays the aromatic foundation, before distillation takes place over seven hours in a classic copper pot still with a double retort. The unique selling point of this batch, however, is the finishing process, during which the distillate is smoked over a genuine peat fire \u2013 a tribute to the island\u2019s identity.<\/p>\n
In the bottle, the spirit presents itself in a warm terracotta hue that already hints at the depth of its aromas. The bouquet is immediately dominated by a distinctive smoky note, which nevertheless leaves room for subtle nuances of cocoa and zesty orange. On the palate, a complex texture unfolds, where the spiciness of ginger and the tart sweetness of cocoa nibs meet the dry, peaty character of Islay peat. It is a captivating interplay between the dark fruitiness of a spiced rum and the powerful character of a smoky island spirit.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":181630,"template":"","meta":[],"product_brand":[],"product_cat":[10334,10344,2232,10240,10239],"product_tag":[],"class_list":["post-181604","product","type-product","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","product_cat-english-en","product_cat-europe-en","product_cat-rum-en","product_cat-rum-according-to-style","product_cat-rum-by-country","pa_bottling_date-keine-angabe-en-2","pa_cask_type-keine-angabe-en-2","pa_country-scotland-en-5","pa_destillation_age-keine-angabe-en-2","pa_destillation_date-keine-angabe-en-2","pa_region-islay-en","pa_whisky_bottler-destillen-original-abfuellung-en","pa_whisky_bottler_series-keine-angabe-en-2","first","instock","taxable","shipping-taxable","purchasable","product-type-simple"],"yoast_head":"\n