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.
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