Living Souls – 13 Year Old “Williamson” Islay Blended Malt Scotch Whisky

13 Years Old | Teaspooned Islay Malt | Refill Bourbon Barrels | 46.0% ABV

Smoke, sea spray, and citrus collide in an Islay dram with unmistakable coastal confidence.

The Living Souls 13 Year Old “Williamson” is a bold and beautifully matured teaspooned Islay blended malt, widely understood by whisky enthusiasts to trace its roots to one of Islay’s most iconic distilleries. Matured exclusively in refill bourbon barrels, this release balances maritime intensity with refinement earned through over a decade of maturation.

For those familiar with the name, “Williamson” is the traditional industry alias often associated with teaspooned malt linked to Laphroaig, offering enthusiasts an intriguing opportunity to experience a whisky unmistakably Islay in character while carrying its own unique identity.

This dram evokes a windswept cove at dusk, where driftwood burns low on a beachside fire and sea mist settles over the shoreline. Aromas of smoked almonds, bright lemon, and medicinal coastal brine rise from the glass, underscored by hints of iodine and ocean spray.

On the palate, waves of peat smoke and citrus collide, revealing layers of smoky depth balanced by soft vanilla sweetness from the bourbon casks. The result is a whisky that feels rugged yet composed, a vivid expression of Islay’s untamed coastline.

Bottled at an approachable yet flavorful 46.0% ABV, this release delivers complexity and drinkability in equal measure, making it equally rewarding for seasoned peat lovers and those exploring mature Islay whisky.

Whether opened beside a fire or shared among fellow whisky enthusiasts, this is a dram that captures the raw, elemental beauty of Islay in every sip.

---

Whisky Details

Distillery: Williamson (Teaspooned Islay Malt)
Region: Islay
Bottler: Living Souls
Age: 13 Years Old
Cask Type: Refill Bourbon Barrels
ABV: 46.0%
Style: Islay Blended Malt Scotch Whisky
Bottle Size: 700ml

---

Tasting Notes

Nose: Smoked almonds, bright lemon, sea spray, medicinal brine, iodine, and soft coastal smoke.

Palate: Waves of peat smoke, citrus zest, gentle vanilla sweetness, maritime salinity, and charred driftwood.

Finish: Long and smoky with lingering citrus oils, soft ash, coastal minerality, and warming spice.

---

About Living Souls

Living Souls believes some of the most remarkable whiskies are those that wander off the beaten track. Their aim is to uncover these hidden gems, add their own touch and bring their stories to life through a world of small batch spirit masterpieces.

---

Additional Information

✓ Natural Color
✓ Non-Chill Filtered

---

Why We Love It

✓ 13 years of maturation in refill bourbon barrels
✓ A classic “Williamson” teaspooned Islay malt
✓ Rich coastal smoke balanced by citrus brightness
✓ Bottled at a versatile 46.0% ABV
✓ Natural color & non-chill filtered
✓ A compelling dram for Laphroaig and Islay fans alike

A smoky, maritime Islay dram that channels bonfire smoke, sea mist, and the wild coastline in every pour.

Brand Tasting Notes: This bold 'Williamson' is a teaspooned 13 -year-old Islay blended malt, matured in refill bourbon barrels. Each sip transports you to a windswept cove as dusk, where driftwood crackles on a campfire and the sea mist hangs heavy in the air. The scent of smoked almonds and bright lemon dances with a briny whisper of iodine. On the palate, waves of smoke and citrus collide, capturing the wild untamed coastline.

---

About Laphroaig Distillery

Laphroaig - An Unmistakable Islay Icon

On the southern coast of Islay, where Atlantic winds shape both land and spirit, Laphroaig Distillery stands as one of the most unmistakable names in Scotch whisky. Founded in 1815 by the Johnston brothers, Laphroaig has built its legacy on its bold and beloved peated whiskies. Its whiskies are defined by iodine-rich smoke, brine, seaweed, and a surprising underlying sweetness, flavors born from the distillery’s proximity to the sea and its traditional floor malting practices, still partially maintained on site.

Like many Islay distilleries, Laphroaig’s identity is inseparable from its environment. The peat, cut from nearby bogs, imparts that signature phenolic intensity, while the sea air that drifts through its dunnage warehouses plays a quiet but crucial role in maturation. The distillery’s iconic pagoda roofs and whitewashed buildings, emblazoned with its bold black lettering, have become a pilgrimage landmark for whisky lovers around the world.

After pandemic-related delays forced us to postpone our plans in 2020 and 2021, our long-awaited pilgrimage to Islay finally became a reality in August 2022. Laphroaig was always at the very top of our list and fittingly, it became our first stop of the trip. There’s something surreal about arriving early in the day, the distillery still quiet, the smell of peat smoke hanging in the air as the island slowly wakes up. From the moment we stepped inside, it felt like stepping into whisky history.

Seeing the iconic stills in person, smaller than expected, yet unmistakably purposeful brought a new appreciation for the craft behind every bottle. Walking out along the dock and turning back toward the distillery offered that classic view: Laphroaig rising from the shoreline, waves lapping at the edge, a scene that’s instantly recognizable from pictures yet far more powerful in person.

But the true highlight was the warehouse tasting. Standing among rows of casks, breathing in that mix of damp earth, oak, and sea air, we had the chance to taste and even bottle whisky straight from the cask. It’s one thing to know Laphroaig’s profile; it’s another entirely to experience it in its raw, unfiltered form, drawn directly from the wood.

Laphroaig is not a subtle whisky, nor does it try to be. It’s a distillery that leans fully into its identity: uncompromising, distinctive, and deeply rooted in place. Visiting in person only reinforced what makes it so special: this is not just whisky production, it’s tradition, environment, and character distilled into every drop.