"We know what we are, but know not what we may be." - William Shakespeare

“Act IV, Scene VII”
Ophelia

​Ian Leong is a multi-disciplinary artist interested in the interplay between art and science.

In his current practice, Ian is interested in creating visual narratives, centered around found objects that he finds peculiar, with a specific interest towards the notion of decay or degradation in relation to time as well.

Staoisha is a frequently used term by independent bottlers for heavily peated Bunnahabhain spirits. Its name is derived from the waterbody, Loch Staoisha,  located about 2 kilometers, southwest of the distillery.

Built in 1881 its name comes from the Gaelic word, Bunnahabhain (Bu-na-ha-venn), which means, ‘Mouth of the river, a reference to the Margadale, the river from whose spring waters the whisky is distilled.


Fun Fact #1: This artwork was specially commissioned for Malt, Grain & Cane;  The idea came about after meshing two seemingly random ideas, Staoisha (a Scottish waterbody) & Ophelia, a body floating down a waterbody (river)...  🏊

Fun Fact #2: the @HampdenPirate decided to amplify the tragic moment of Ophelia's final, dying moments, as she floats down the river, by simulating rainfall. The artwork has a textured feel over it, created with transparent spot UV treatment. With close inspection, one is able to see "water droplets" across the entire artwork.

After all, there's this old saying, "when it rains, it pours...🌧️ "

Tasting Notes:

Aroma: Gentle sweet peat and ash – reminiscent of smoked salmon. A classic Islay chalkiness, coastal brine and salinity of sea spray. It gets fruitier with stewed apples, freshly emptied red wine barriques, and apple cider vinegar.

Taste: More herbal and medicinal notes, cooked Longan, dates and wolfberries. This fades out with light sweetness and brighter acidity with fruitier notes of dried cherries, green mango, honey lemon hard candies. It’s vibrance is in tune with freshly uncorked red wine, with a light flinty and gravel edge.

Finish: Medium length, gets more coastal, with more fruitiness, wood tannins and something of smoked ham or smoked salmon. Rounded up by a dry chalkiness.