That’s enough for another year, as the vast majority of you of course spotted the Islay Gisky release was this year’s April Fools from this here blog. The German speakers among you probably spotted the names, Gibtihnnicht means as much as “doesn’t exist” and AllesErstunkenUndErlogen as much as “all made up and a lie”. Of course I wasn’t the only one trying it out, in particular on Facebook (meaning you will probably need to be logged in to see them) I noticed a few more Islay related April Fools:
Some fascinating news for Islay whisky and gin drinkers today: German scientist and inventor Bernd Gibtihnnicht after moving to Islay is launching a world first, a genuine fusion of whisky and gin. Not a blend, but a genuine fusion of the two drinks, creating completely new and previously unknown taste experiences.
Islay Gisky (1)
With his unique, patented and trademarked (as well as TOP SECRET!) AllesErstunkenUndErlogen® parallel dual still Doppelkondenser technology Bernd has been able to distil a unique drink on Islay that merges yet maintains the taste profiles and characteristics of Islay whisky and Islay gin. Of course it includes various Islay grains including rye, barley and wheat, but is also infused with various rugged Islay botanicals including gorse and dune grass.
Islay Gisky (2)
Bernd is convinced that both Islay whisky connoisseurs as well as Islay gin enthusiasts will love his innovative fusion of the two drinks. Further details about availability and where to buy the Gisky will be released through the course of the day.
Back to a more traditional schedule after last year’s late start and AI New Year 2024. Following a fairly noisy night (no, not fireworks, but quite strong and blustery winds in West Berkshire) I left for an early walk, just avoiding the rain which set in mid morning and has turned quite heavy while I’m writing this. Then it was time for the New Year’s Concert 2025 from Vienna, while eating my usual New Year’s Day brunch, scrambled eggs, smoked salmon and homemade rolls. For the encore (including the famous Blue Danube Waltz and Radetzky March) I moved on to dessert:
New Year 2025 Islay Whisky and Chocolate
The whisky is of course the Bruichladdich Port Charlotte valinch OLC: 01 2013 opened on Christmas. The chocolate is another offering from Islay Cocoa, the Salty Sea Dog. I normally avoid salty foods (high blood pressure), but for an occasional treat I make an exception. Very much enjoyed the chocolate, the salt and the chocolate go well together, also nicely complemented by the whisky (and the music from Vienna).
With the concert now over I’m looking forward to a relaxing afternoon, should the rain stop early enough I might venture out for another short walk.
Swiftly following on from yesterday’s Christmas 2024 Islay whisky nr.1 yesterday I’ve opened the second bottle I had picked for this year’s Christmas today on Boxing Day. Not only that, I also got out some nice chocolate to enjoy with it after enjoying some Salmon with lemon pepper earlier this evening.
Christmas 2024 Islay whisky nr.2 (and some Islay chocolate)
This is a Kilchoman 12 Year Old Single Cask bottling, cask 504/2012. Matured in a bourbon casks for over 9 years before being finished in a Calvados cask for over 3 years. My bottle is 114/240. I think it’s a distillery shop only release, so not available online. Quite different to the Port Charlotte I enjoyed yesterday, I’d say much sweeter with my untrained palate. But I also like it a lot.
Now on to the chocolate: I picked up some Islay Cocoa chocolate during my visit in November. I can’t seem to find it online, but the one I started tonight is called “Festive Dark”. It’s a 70% Colombian chocolate filled with salted hazelnut praline and toasted almond pieces. Or in other words, brings together what I like, 70%+ (ideally 80-85%) dark chocolate and nuts. I think I finished probably 80%+ of the bar today, it’s that good. I’ve got another chocolate bar to start, but that’s for New Year’s Eve, so watch this blog….
Christmas 2024 is well under way. Yesterday evening (Christmas eve) I enjoyed some nice Wagyu (or at least that’s what they claimed it to be) burgers with a nice bottle of Sublime Stout by Fyne Ales, picked up during the return drive from my last Islay visit. After some nice chocolate ice it was time for the first bottle open of a nice Islay single malt whisky:
Christmas 2024 Islay whisky nr.1
This is a Bruichladdich Port Charlotte valinch OLC: 01 2013. ask no. 2582, 2nd fill Oloroso butt matured, distilled 17/Apr/2013, 11 aged years. My bottle is 215/810. I’ll leave the tasting notes to someone else, but I’m enjoying it very much.
I haven’t started the chocolate just yet, hopefully will get to that on Boxing Day together with the second Islay single malt bottle opening. More about that soon.
So there we are, Christmas 2024 has arrived, Christmas Eve today. Time for some Christmas greetings and more. A selected few have received the physical form of these greetings, unfortunately I couldn’t send them to everyone. This year’s Christmas cards come courtesy of Islay Prints and have a maritime theme:
Christmas Wreath Cards courtesy of Islay Prints
A slightly different take on a Christmas wreath, inspired by the sea all around Islay. And I wrote on these cards to relatives and close friends under the light of the Islay lamps I’ve mentioned previously.
Have a great Christmas, hopefully with a few Islay treats. I’ve got some chocolate from Islay Cocoa and of course some Islay whiskies to open. I haven’t decided which ones yet, but I will aim to share my choices over the coming days. Feel free to share your treats in the comments.
Over the last few days I’ve seen a few posts, mainly on Facebook, about Crom Dubh na Nollaig, a mystical creature which was used to scare children on Islay to behave around Christmas. Usually the post contained some AI generated image of said creature, so I couldn’t resist to create my own version before we get to what the story behind it is:
Crom Dubh na Nollaig (as imagined by AI)
Usually the story went something like this:
On the Isle of Islay, people once told the story of Crom Dubh na Nollaig, a creature like Krampus, to scare children into behaving at Christmas. Legends said that screams from the chimney marked his arrival, though it was often just the sound of the winter wind. This Scottish Christmas monster is mostly forgotten now, but it was once an important part of the holiday season.
Several Ileach have commented on it, some had heard of it, many others hadn’t. As usual there is some truth in the story:
Back in 1969 Peggy Earl (who passed away in 1978) told Mary MacDonald about celebrating New Year and a Christmas creature:
The contributor says that although New Year was an important celebration, Christmas was also kept. Children were threatened with ‘Crom Dubh na Nollaig’, a creature that howled down the chimney.
I believe the comparison to Krampus is a later addition, but I don’t think it’s right. While Krampus was used to scare Children I think the link is mainly made to get people familiar with the better known Krampus interested.
From some articles I’ve seen the creature isn’t only an Islay story, it seems to also be known in other parts of the Hebrides, possibly also Ireland (if anyone from Ireland reads this and knows, can you let us know in the comments?).
Either way, a story worth preserving, I hope you found it interesting as well.
With Christmas just around the corner I remembered I should write about an Islay present some of you might like, available at The Celtic House in Bowmore. I came across them during my visit in June and have one hanging on my wall at home. It’s a replica Islay road sign, in my case pointing to Port Charlotte:
Replica Port Charlotte road sign
I think they are really well done, they even have some rust spots even though they are not made of metal. I’ve put it next to my Gaelic map of Islay and Jura:
Replica Port Charlotte road sign next to Islay and Jura map
The coastal path from Port Ellen to Ardbeg on the south coast of Islay, passing Laphroaig and Lagavulin on the way, is probably one of the best things since sliced bread. A while ago an Islay visitor filmed a timelapse video of cycling from Laphroaig to Ardbeg, allowing you to experience the ride in record time:
Islay: Scenic bike ride from Laphroaig to Ardbeg (time lapse)
I hope the video inspires you to cycle (or walk) the path yourself. And feel free to take your time. You’re on Islay time….
Not strictly speaking an Islay link, but when I read the headline I immediately had to think of Islay. The rare bird is the elusive (as far as actually seeing one) Corncrake. I’ve heard its iconic call many times, in particular around Kilchoman, but only seen one once. A great memory of the late Ian Brooke, who excitedly knocked on the door of the cottage I was staying in to alert me to it sitting on a wall in plain view not far away. A great and unexpected sight. This bird currently only survives in the western and northern isles of Scotland in the UK, but the BBC reports about it being reintroduced in Norfolk in England with this headline:
