
August 22, 2018

Young Caol Ila

In other words, fun, joy, freshness, and smoke. And peace.

Caol Ila 10 yo 2007/2018 (46%, James Eadie, Small Batch, bourbon, casks #314428 + 314430)

Caol Ila 10 yo 2007/2018 (46%, James Eadie, Small Batch, bourbon, casks #314428 + 314430)
Colour: white wine. Nose: anchovies and oysters crushed in lemon juice and the driest riesling, with just distant scents of woodruff after a long summer day (no, that’s not a load of rubbish!) Mouth: sometimes some good folks are calling this style ‘sweet peat’, and I rather agree, it’s both sweet (in a lemony way) and indeed peaty. This one’s rather uncomplicated, but it’s pure and it’s perfectly carved, in an almost eau-de-vie-ish way. Eau de vie de l’île d’Islay? Finish: medium, with a touch of potassium salt over these oysters and all the lemon juice we’ve poured over them. Comments: simple but so very good, so very Caol Ila. And always this entrancing freshness…
SGP:456 - 85 points.

Cola Ali 9 yo 2008/2018 (58.4%, Dramfool, finished in 1st fill oloroso hogshead, 150 bottles)

I’m asking you, why would anybody in full possession of his faculties decide to finish some young Caol Ila in some ‘1st fill oloroso hogshead’? Some kind of artsy provocation? Or did our friends just happen to have 1. some Caol Ila and 2. a 1st fill oloroso hogshead? Colour: gold. Nose: there’s something I do not understand, we’ve been to Jerez and we’ve visited bodegas that specialise in treating/seasoning bespoke sherry casks for the whisky industry, never did we find any cask that was this tobacco-y, this earthy, and this un-raisiny. There must be something I do not understand, really. Nice nose though, spicy, mustardy, and very umami-esque. At times you could almost believe there is some of that slightly stupid oak called mizunara (mizunara as such isn’t stupid, but the way whisky marketers are, well, marketing it totally is). With water: wood-smoked cold cuts and fish. Mouth (neat): a bit weird. Fanta, mustard, cloves, marmalade, smoked meats, leather. With water: same, with something slightly soapy. Finish: long, spicy. A long story cut short. Comments: well, I’ve already tried several fantastic whiskies by Dramfool, but this one really freaked me out. The Berliner Philharmoniker playing Rammstein. I’m reminded of my meals as a student, when we used to ‘shake the cupboard’ and make a gratin out of anything that had fallen out of it. Like, spaghettis with some mustard, raisins, pepperonis, and gherkins. Apparently, we survived.
SGP:465 - 78 points.

Caol Ila 12 yo 2006/2018 (54.6%, North Star Spirits, refill bourbon hogshead, 276 bottles)
We really like – and totally endorse – what North Star Spirits have been doing for two years or three. Just one thing, the new Aston Martin Vantage is really ugly, so please guys, forget about our contract until there’s a newer model, we can wait. Colour: straw. Nose: a rather fatter young Caol Ila, with some fresh butter, then limoncello, almond oil, and oyster juice. Love these touches of rubbed mint and eucalyptus leaves, as well as the ashes and the charcoal, as well as the raw wool. With water: relatively light, rather on cut apples and sunflower oil. Mouth (neat): just totally and immaculately unquestionable (wow!) Smoke, pepper, lemon, green apples, oysters, langoustines. Not too sure about the langoustines. With water: exceptionally sauvignony. Yes this is International Adverb Day. Clams, lemon, almonds, ashes… Finish: same for a pretty long time. Very fresh and brine-y. Comments: bordering perfection this time.
SGP:456 - 89 points.

Check the index of all Caol Ila we've tasted so far