Caol Ila 22 Year Old Feis Ile 2019

I had to wait for it for a little while, but thanks to a Scottish pal I was finally able to get my hands on this Feis Ile 2019 release from my favorite distillery on Islay: Caol Ila. Very refreshing to see that they very transparently put on the label that the whisky matured on ‘sherry-treated American Oak casks’.

OMG… I already notice upon pouring the dram: this is going to be an extremely good Caol Ila. It starts with that lovely, sublte influence of sherry on the nose, that offers up a hint of strawberry and heathery honey. But make no mistake: this is a grand coastal nose with sea salt, shells on the beach, dried see weeds, jute bags filled with lemon and a few leaves of mint with finally a hint of bandages. Despite the high ABV, this is absolutely approachable on the nose.

Oh, I’m already doing a #happydance (funny hashtag that I launched on Instagram, by the way), because on the palate too, it’s bull’s eye. Lovely mix of sweet versus salt with red fruit, maple syrup and even chocolate with praline filling versus black olives, leather, lemon and mandarin, sea salt and tar. Some green tea, black pepper and smoked ham. But what an elegance! And perfectly drinkable, even though the alcohol is felt more than on the nose.

The finish – well… the Finish – is quasi perfect, in which the sweetness makes room for the saltiness.

Out of this world! The sherry was subtle, though unmistakable and a stroke of brilliance if you ask me. Thanks, Neil, for getting me two bottles of this beauty!

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