A new Islay company has produced the first ever soap to be made from both whisky and its oak cask.
Ailsa Hayes of The Spirited Soap Company, a pharmaceutical research chemist, uses alcohol to make clear soap for the single malt fan who simply cannot get enough.
She said: “Since alcohol comes from distilleries - and there are 7½ malt whisky distilleries on Islay - it made sense to use whisky instead of industrial alcohol.”
“Girly perfumes are all very well but I wanted one that captured the very essence of whisky-making. And that’s where the cask came in.”
Commissioned by the Bruichladdich distillery, The Malt Bar is scented by whisky-drenched, oak shavings taken from the inside of a Bruichladdich cask.
Ailsa added: “Oak staves that have been marinated in whisky for decades smell awesome - but unless you’re a cooper or distiller you will never have experienced it.”
“It’s a sweet, toasted-oak smell; like a cross between a cigar box, carpenter’s workshop, hayloft and coal-tar all at once. You won’t sell like an alcoholic.”
During the barrel-making process casks are charred on the inside. These shavings give the soap an unusual translucent, black colour.
“It looks butch, smells manly and is very metro-sexual, said Ailsa.
Pass the soap!!
The Spirited Soap Company:
http://www.spiritedsoaps.co.uk
http://www.bruichladdich.com
