I think what Ollie has created is something balanced, but not boring. Turns out this man has synesthesia. We will give him a brief - usually something based on an occasion or a landscape - and he will paint the colours together using his palate. You will see this most clearly in our limited releases. Last year was Fireside, where he built the story of him and his wife getting caught in the rain and drying by the fire while playing board games. And I kid you not: that’s what it tasted like… warming by the fire, while the rain is raging outside, and relaxing with a dram. I don’t know how he does it.
Personally, there are two ways I drink Elements of Islay… neat, or as a highball. Love highballs, especially with Elements of Islay Cask Edit - they are refreshing, I can have one anywhere in the world (and quickly), and it has bubbles. Genius.
I think that Rapscallions ethos aligns so well with what we stand for in Elements of Islay. You extract the best flavour you can from the ingredients you have; the ingredients are local and quintessentially Scottish. And how beautiful is the packaging? Stop it.
I’m a big lover of that Burnt Lemon, mate. What you want in an everyday drinker, bright and refreshing and moreish as hell.
If it’s the limited? It would be between Strawberry and Cranachan. Be still my beating heart, those two are sooo friggin good! So good with whisky. So good on its own. They make me happy.
