Ailsa Bay

Ailsa Bay Inaugural Release, Bourbon & New Oak Cask, v1.1, 2016, 48.9%

4.3/5Expert Rating

Catalog product detail, market evidence, tasting notes, reviews, and collection actions.

TypeSingle Malt Whisky
MRI
MRI 32
Average Score
Avg 85
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Description

The Ailsa Bay Single Malt Scotch Whisky Inaugural Release is a peated Lowland whisky, notable for its 'micro maturation' process involving small Hudson Baby Bourbon casks, and its scientific approach to measuring peat (PPM) and sweetness (SPPM). It was the first single malt release from the Ailsa Bay distillery, which was established in 2007 by William Grant & Sons within the Girvan grain distillery complex.

Change-5.0%
LatestSGD 97
HighSGD 128
LowSGD 79
SGD 134SGD 114SGD 94SGD 74Price (SGD)Observed dateSep 28Feb 17May 31Sep 28 - SGD 102 - Australian Whisky Auctions - Sep 28, 2025Jan 20 - SGD 79 - Whisky.Auction - Jan 20, 2026Feb 17 - SGD 118 - Whisky.Auction - Feb 17, 2026Feb 17 - SGD 128 - Whisky.Auction - Feb 17, 2026Apr 20 - SGD 102 - Just Whisky Auctions - Apr 20, 2026May 31 - SGD 97 - Australian Whisky Auctions - May 31, 2026

Recently Sold

Listed value is based on sold auction prices and inclusive of auction fees (not including tax and shipping).

Australian Whisky AuctionsAuction Sold Price - May 31, 2026SGD 96.89
Just Whisky AuctionsAuction Sold Price - Apr 20, 2026SGD 102.41
Whisky.AuctionAuction Sold Price - Feb 17, 2026SGD 118.09
Cask type
Bourbon & New Oak Casks
Bottling
Official Bottling
Peated
Peated
Single cask
No
Non-chill filtered
Yes
Cask origin
Hudson Distillery
Cask no.
N.A
Batch
v1.1
PPM
21
Barley
N.A
Fermentation
N.A
Master distiller (bottling)
Brian Kinsman
Master distiller (distillation)
Brian Kinsman
Limited edition
Yes
Bottle count
N.A
Has box
Yes
Closure
Cork
Presentation
Bottle and box
Series highlights
Inaugural Release
Historical context
First official Ailsa Bay single malt release, February 2016
Special release
Inaugural Release
Allocation
N.A
Nose
Intense, sweet smoke and phenolic ash, balanced with creamy, honeyed sweetness. Notes of green apples, fresh cut grass, cookie spices, earthy wet ash, vanilla, mild caramel, and citrus (lemon zest). Some mention of wood smoke, charcoal, light floral notes, and even smoky bacon.
Palate
Zingy, peaty kick layered with sweetness, often described as sweetly spicy with cinnamon, peppermint, raw ginger, and apples. Features earthy, wet ash, caramelised fruits, pineapple, and oaky notes. A meaty character, vanilla sponge cake, custard, smoked wood, and a rich, creamy mouthfeel are also noted. Toasted almonds, citrus fruit, cocoa, maple syrup, dried fruits, pepper, and ginger are present.
Finish
Long and lingering, with a balance of sweet and smoky notes. Peppery, prickly warmth, drying, with vanilla and oak. Some describe it as savoury with candied spice, or medicinal peat with caramel and pepper, and tropical fruits.
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