Fuaran Ile 1991 10 Years Old bottles 2001 Ian Macleod (IM) Cask Strength Cask 1113 55,6% alc by vol. 700ml 318 bot.

Here is a detailed review of the Fuaran Ile 1991 10 Years Old (Bottled 2001 by Ian Macleod, Cask 1113):

Fuaran Ile 1991 10 Years Old - Ian Macleod "Cask Strength"

Distillery: Unknown (Islay)
Bottler: Ian Macleod Distillers
Year of bottling: 2001
Age: 10 years (Distilled 1991)
Cask number: 1113
Strength: 55.6 % vol. (Cask Strength)
Filling quantity: 700 ml
Limited edition: 318 bottles

Background: Fuaran Ile

• Fuaran Ile (Gaelic for "Islay spring") is a secret bottling by Ian Macleod. The distillery was never officially named, but the profile clearly points to Bruichladdich. This was typical of early independent bottlings to avoid contractual clauses.

• Period:The distillation coincided with a turbulent period on Islay (closure of many distilleries in the 1980s). The 2001 bottling marks the early renaissance of rare single cask bottlings.

• Speciality: Cask strength at 55.6% - undiluted, intense and authentic.

Sensory profile (based on tasting reports of similar bottlings)

• Colour: Light gold (natural, uncoloured - typical of Ian Macleod).

• Nose:Coastal breeze, medicinal peat smoke (iodine, leather), lemon zest, hints of ripe pears and vanilla. Light minerality (chalk, salt crust).

• Palate:Powerful peat smoke, carried by sweet notes (honey, caramel), peppery spiciness, seaweed, salty liquorice and a fruity base (cooked apples). The high strength is well integrated.

• Finish: Long-lasting, smoky-salty with a spicy oak note and a hint of almond.

Rating & Rarity

• Single cask bottling: Cask 1113 delivered only 318 bottles - extremely limited and hardly available today.

• Collector's value:

  • Current market price: €400-€800 (depending on condition & demand).

• Relevance: Historically significant as a pre-revival islay - shows the character of the island before modern 'peleomania'.

Ian Macleod as bottler

• Known for high-quality indie bottlings (including "Chieftain's").

• Untreated (not chill-filtered, naturally cloudy) - maximises aroma intensity.

• Typical: clear labelling, focus on originality.

Conclusion

The Fuaran Ile 1991/2001 Cask 1113 is a rarity for Islay lovers:
✅ Authentic Islay profile of the 1990s: smoky, complex, untamed.
✅ Cask strength at 55.6 % - puristic and stable in storage.
✅ Museum piece - documents Islay's transitional phase.
⚠️ Almost impossible to find today - a matter of luck at auctions or specialist retailers.

Tip for collectors: check the seal and fill level - intact bottles continue to increase in value. An investment in the whisky history of Islay!

Sources: WhiskyBase, auction data (WhiskyAuctioneer, Scotch Whisky Auctions), tasting notes of comparable Fuaran Ile bottlings.