Bårelegs Battle Axe Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky 55,7%

A Norwegian king in a kilt is not the first thing you associate with Islay. But Magnus Barelegs fought alongside the Celts in the late 1000s, and he has lent his name to a whisky just as unafraid of standing out.

Expert description

Bårelegs Battle Axe is an Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky bottled at 55.7% without chill filtration, released as a small batch.

Behind the brand stand the Islay Boys, Donald MacKenzie from Port Charlotte and Mackay Smith from Portnahaven. Both are from the island and started blending and bottling whisky themselves with the aim of making something that tasted of Islay without costing a fortune in marketing.

Battle Axe is the most powerful of the expressions in the range and is bottled at high strength without filtration. The peat is present but held back in favour of fruit from the cask, which makes the profile different from the classic smoke monsters of the island's south coast.

Tasting notes

Nose

Pear and peach with nutty notes from old oak and a fine layer of peat smoke underneath.

Palate

Round and full with date, walnut and citrus blossom. The smoke arrives late and never takes over.

Finish

Medium and warm with nuts, citrus and a last trace of peat.

Specifications

Name: Bårelegs Battle Axe Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky 70 cl 55.7%
Bottler: Bårelegs
Bottler: Islay Boys
Region/Country: Islay, Scotland
Type: Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
ABV: 55,7%
Size: 70 CL
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Edition: Battle Axe Small Batch
EAN no.: 5060406110234

Flavour profile

Fruity · Nutty · Lightly smoked · Maritime · Powerful

Did you know?

Magnus Barelegs earned his nickname because he returned from Scotland wearing a kilt instead of trousers. The saga records that his men went about with bare legs, and the name stuck for the rest of his life.

See our full range of Bårelegs
See our full range of Islay Boys

Frequently asked questions about Bårelegs Battle Axe Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky 70 cl 55.7%

How heavy is the smoke?

Mild to medium. Bårelegs is clearly an Islay whisky, but fruit from the cask takes up more room than the peat. For heavier smoke, look under Peaty Whisky.

What does small batch mean?

That the whisky is bottled from a small number of casks at a time, often between two and ten. That gives more consistency than a single cask but far less volume than a standard release.

Who are the Islay Boys?

Two locals from Islay, Donald MacKenzie and Mackay Smith, who handle blending and bottling themselves. They own no distillery but buy casks from the island. See more independent bottlers under Independent Whisky Bottlers.

Is 55.7% too strong?

Not necessarily. The fruitiness makes the whisky more approachable than the number suggests, and you can always add water to taste.

Which distillery does the whisky come from?

It is not disclosed. Islay Boys buy casks from the island's distilleries and bottle under their own brand without naming the source.

What does it pair with?

Smoked fish, salted nuts and mature cheeses. The combination of fruit and light smoke makes it more versatile with food than the heaviest Islay malts.