Caol Ila 8 Years The Whisky Trail Cask 304580 60.6% 2013

Professional reviews

Serge Valentin (87)

Colour: gold. Nose: was this an ex-sherry hogshead at some point? There's some distant feeling of earthiness, smoked beef and game stock. I also find wee leather and tobacco touches along with smoked paprika and some dried herbs. A little left field and a departure from many other Caol Ilas of similar age. With water: more chiselled and saline now. A lot of seawater, olive brine, frying pancetta and a dab of iodine. Mouth: same feeling of very distant sherry influence. Lean mineral, leathery notes with hints of smoked dark chocolate, chilli powder, game salami, mineral oil, boot polish and tarred rope. Big, fat, greasy kiln smoke and coal scuttle impressions. With water: fatter, broader and more rounded. A softer and more peppery peat smoke and a whole lot more medicinal vibes coming through. Excellent! Finish: long, deeply tarry, nicely fishy, very salty and with more pickles, brined olives and smoked chillies. Comments: a deviant, yet excellent young Caol Ila. Love this rather salty, animalistic sherry 'feeling'.

BOW (88.50)