Created from 100% Island whiskies, the Rock Oyster Whisky is another Remarkable Regional Malts creation by Douglas Lang that leverages only single malts in the blends, never grain. Though, to be fair, there are grain distilleries in every region so it wouldn’t run afoul the regional theme to use grain; they just chose not to and to keep all of these as blended regional malts.
There are only a handful of “Islands” distilleries around Scotland with Islay having the most on a single island. More details in the company quote below and then on to the review!
Rock Oyster Whisky Review: Details and Tasting Notes
In Douglas Lang’s Words: Rock Oyster Whisky
Prize open a Rock Oyster and you’d be lucky indeed to find a pearl. The real treasure though is the hidden, tasty delicacy inside, rich with the flavours of the sea. Bottled at 46.8% alcohol strength and traditionally without colouring or chill-filtration, this Small Batch bottling has a truly maritime and oceanic character of sea-salt, sweet peat, smoke, honey and pepper.
Containing the finest Malt Whiskies from Scotland’s Whisky islands, including those distilled on Islay, Arran, Orkney and Jura, it’s no wonder our Master Blender Fred Laing says “If I could select just one dram to transport the Whisky enthusiast to the Islands of Scotland, it would be this Rock Oyster.
Rock Oyster Whisky price, ABV, age and other details
Region: Islands, Scotland
Distiller: Various (incl Arran, Highland Park, Jura)
Blender: Douglas Laing
Mash Bill: 100% Malted Barley
Cask: Various
Age: NAS
ABV: 46.8%
Non-Chill Filtered | Natural Color
Price: $55
Rock Oyster Whisky Tasting Notes
EYE
Gold
NOSE
Banana oil, minerality, saline, peat, charcoal and tar.
PALATE
Banana oil, minerality, apricot, saline, peat, charcoal and tar.
FINISH
Medium -> Peat, spice, minerality and spirity vanilla.
BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Ok balance, medium body and a light feel.
Rock Oyster Whisky Review: OVERALL
Rock Oyster Whisky is the perfect name for this whisky. The name triggers thoughts of maritime qualities and that’s exactly what underpins this whisky. Soft and subtle it has a minerality to it that everything else revolves around with the light peat smoke tying everything up nicely. I’m liking this one, but not quite loving it.
SCORE: 81/100 (B-)
Rock Oyster Whisky Review
Rock Oyster Whisky Review Summary
Rock Oyster Whisky is a nice maritime whisky with a bit of sweetness.
Overall
- Nose - 81
- Palate - 81
- Finish - 81
- Balance, Body & Feel - 81
User Review
( votes)( reviews)
I love this release. Affordable, delicious and takes me back to a rocky island in the Atlantic by just smelling it :)
LOVE that, thank you for sharing. Cheers Jeannette!