Mossburn Distillers (owners of Torabhaig distillery) has launched a new mystifying whisky brand from the Isle of Skye, Scotland: Caisteal Chamuis. The brand is inspired by the history of the Castle Caisteal Chamuis near the Hebrides islands on the west coast of Scotland. The brand has recently launched two inspired expressions: Caisteal Chamuis 12 Year Old Sherry Barrelled Blended Malt Scotch Whisky and Caisteal Chamuis Bourbon Barrelled Blended Malt Scotch Whisky.
The whiskies are inspired by the tale of the mysterious Caisteal Chamuis (“Castle Camus”, for non-Gaelic speakers), also known as Knock Castle is cloaked in Mist from the Hebrides isles.
“While ghosts of bloody battles are said to float through the MIST — Fear not! Step inside the safety of the castle. And if you have trepidations about smoky, peated whiskies — Your fears will be put to rest by the enigmatic smoothness of Caisteal Chamuis— A whisky, HEAVILY PEATED, yet HEAVILY SMOOTH — The biggest mystery of all.”
According to Caisteal Chamuis
Caisteal Chamuis 12 Year Old Sherry Barrelled Blended Malt Scotch Whisky and Caisteal Chamuis Bourbon Barrelled Blended Malt Scotch Whisky are heavily pleated that offers complex layers of smokiness. The whiskies are matured by a process called double-barrelled aging to give the whiskies an inexplicably smooth finish.
“The peated malt whisky category can often be perceived as intimidating, so while the lore surrounding Caisteal Chamuis may be mysterious, we recognize that enjoying a peated blend doesn’t need to be. Our duo of blended malts seeks to transport drinkers to the misty Hebridean isles.”
By Rick Bennett‐Baggs, marketing director at Marussia Beverages, owner of Mossburn Distillers.
Caisteal Chamuis Bourbon Barrelled Blended Malt Scotch Whisky
The way the distillation process for the whisky is achieved:
- Double Barrelled – First-Fill Bourbon Finish
- First aged in refill and first-fill American oak Hogsheads.
- Two stages re-aging with part of the blend in Virgin American Oak. Have Char 250 liter barrels, with Fresh Oloroso Sherry European Oak Heads, and the rest into refill Hogsheads.
- Final aging finish in smaller 200 liter fresh Bourbon Barrels.
Tasting Notes by Abbey Whisky
- Nose: A fragrant, layered, complex nose; floral particularly with aromas of white flowers. Beguilingly deep, with a honeyed peaty character and undertones of white pepper.
- Palate: The layers reveal themselves slowly; it’s soft, smooth peat to start; without becoming medicinal; then honeyed peppery notes, complex sweet spice, and finishing with creamy vanilla.
- Finish: Complex and soft yet characterful with good creamy notes of pepper and vanilla emerging on the finish.
Caisteal Chamuis 12 Year Old Sherry Barrelled Blended Malt Scotch Whisky
The way the distillation process for the whisky is achieved:
- Double Barrelled Sherry Finish.
- Aged for a full 12 years in refill American oak Hogsheads.
- First re-aged in American Oak 230 liter barrels that held Oloroso for five full years and were shipped directly to us from a Bodega in Jerez de la Frontera.
- Secondly re-aged in specially coopered European Oak 500 liter Butts which form the aging solera. These butts were also seasoned with Oloroso Sherry in Spain.
Tasting Notes by The Chaps at Master of Malt
- Nose: Roast chestnuts, chocolate digestives, dried cherry, savory smoke.
- Palate: Still has a coastal edge to it, though mellowed by vanilla and plump sultana notes.
- Finish: Lasting earthy, peaty notes on the finish.
The heavily peated and smooth double-barrelled, both whiskies are bottled at 46% ABV. Caisteal Chamuis 12-Year-Old and the no‐age‐statement Caisteal Chamuis whisky are available to buy in in 70cl format in more than 15 markets, including the UK, France, and Germany, and in the US this month. The retail prices for the Caisteal Chamuis 12-Year-Old and Caisteal Chamuis Bourbon Barrelled Blended Malt Scotch Whisky are RRP £49(US$67) and RRP £39(US$53), respectively.
For more information, visit their official website.
The mysteriously aged whiskies of Caisteal Chamuis tell tales of the great battles of the Castle Chamuis and the Hebrides islands with a heavily peated and smooth texture. Fear not the mystery of the liquid will keep you entwined till the end!!! Cheers!