Whisky Review: Rock Island Mezcal Edition landed on my desk at 46.8 ABV, ~ $60, There is no age statement for the, carrying a $60, price tag. Here is what I found.
Palate
Smoke and spicy black peppercorns are two of the strongest notes here. Earthy, malty-sweet, agave and citrusy flavors reveal themselves shortly after. The whisky has a light oily feel on the tongue and finishes with a lingering smoky and spicy warmth.
Finish
46.8 ABV, ~ $60, There is no age statement for the blended whiskies, but it was finished for 12 months in mezcal casks. Rock Island Mezcal Edition is a complex and interesting whisky. Mezcal is not a common finishing barrel, but I think the flavors of the two spirits are very compatible. They both contain smoke from their own respective distilling processes and come together to create a rich, smoky profile in the final product. rnrnHowever, it is hard to piece apart what smoky notes I get from the Islay whiskies versus the mezcal barrel. Id love a chance to do an A-B comparison with the regular Rock Island. I can taste the agave in the sweeter notes of this whisky. I think its a shame this is only a limited edition, and I hope to see more mezcal finishes in the future.
The Bottom Line
Whisky Review: Rock Island Mezcal Edition is outstanding — one of those bottles that reminds you why you fell in love with whiskey in the first place. If you see it at $60,, do not hesitate. This one earns a permanent spot on the shelf.
