Artist #15 Something in the Water

For its fifteenth edition, the Artist range sets sail for Islay in the company of Elixir Distillers. Founded in London in 1999 by brothers Sukhinder and Rajbir Singh, this independent bottling company has a truly special relationship with the Scottish island, producing both a dedicated range (Elements of Islay) and a single malt (Port Askaig). In addition, Sukhinder Singh has elected to build a distillery on Islay’s southern coast: Portintruan (pronounced ‘port-nah-truan’). Construction on the distillery, located between Port Ellen and Laphroaig, began in 2020.

While Portintruan prepares for its grand opening, Artist #15 serves as an homage to the island’s historic distilleries (Bowmore, Ardbeg, Laphroaig, Caol Ila, Bunnahabhain), featuring five single casks distilled between 1984 and 2011. In a rare break from tradition, a blended malt is also featured in the series: a blend of various Islay expressions, this whisky—created by Sukhinder Singh—sets the tone for the flavour profile intended for his upcoming single malt.

Its name, Something in the Water (borrowed from one of Sukhinder Singh’s favourite songs), references the singular magic that sets Islay apart among Scotch whiskies. The wider collection showcases a palette of peat expressions: salty, medicinal, notes of smoke and iodine… It is also a showcase for the works of North Indian artist Radhika Surana. We were particularly enamoured of her work with indigo-dyed fabrics: her meticulous embroidery traces imaginary roads through Islay’s topography, like maps of dreamscapes.