A very interesting whisky, from a great drinking nation, just one that is not usually known for whisky – Italy! This whisky is rather fascinating in that uses malted rye in the mashbill, a very unusual practice, alongside malted wheat and, of course, malted barley. The whisky is aged in Sicilian Marsala casks for three years, before a further finishing period in former Islay whisky casks, which gives it a distinctive peaty tang. It is bottled at 43%, in a very striking bottling which is halve covered in matte-black wrap. Alba is a double reference: it is Italian for “Dawn” but also an ancient name for Scotland, a nod to this whisky’s double heritage. The whisky itself is sharp, fruity with a rarely-seen precision of flavour. There is a rye spice to this whisky, though it is rounded with the sweetness of malt. A wonderful peaty tang finishes this dram off.