Caol Ila 12 Year Old
Laphroaig Wannabe
2 486
mReview by @mhock66
- Nose~
- Taste~
- Finish~
- Balance~
- Overall86
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I’ve had this bottle for a couple years, and had not had any for quite some time, so I decided to go back and give it another try.
I had it neat, and it pours a light golden straw color. The pour is thin, with no ring left around the glass.
On the nose, you immediately get brine and peat, along with a bit of caramel and tea.
The initial taste has a surprising strong alcohol burn. I was actually shocked by it. Then you pick up the smokiness and peat, with an interesting sweetness that I did not recall. There are also some licorice and tea flavors, but they are muted.
The aftertaste immediately leaves a bit of bittnerness in your mouth, but after a few minutes there is a lingering taste of meat and some leather.
I have some mixed feelings on this one. While good, there are some off-putting notes (the immediate bitterness and the alcohol burn), but for a smoky Islay, it serves its purpose. This is a whisky I will be going back to, if only to be able to better describe it.
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Thanks for the review. Interesting that you compare it to Laphroaig. I’ve always found Caol Ila to be more of a toned-down Talisker, but that’s just me. Both have a pepperiness, and a vegetal note I find quite pleasant. I think you and I scored this one similarly. I think I’ve scored it 84-86, depending on the batch. Now Caol Ila 17 YO Unpeated Cask Strength? That’s a whole ‘nother story. That’s fantastic stuff!