Caol Ila 27 Year Old 1979 Taste Still

Taste Still is a Belgian bottler, linked to La Maison du Whisky Belgium and operational since 2000. A couple of years ago, they were able to secure this fantastic Caol Ila as you will find out.

Ah, even on the first whiff, I involuntarily get a big smile on my face. Sweet, smoky and oily. That is the heart of the matter here. Sweetness translating into green banana and a touch of caramel. Smoky from the wonderfully medicinal peat and the scent of a dying coal fire. The oiliness seems to come from olive oil and paraffin. Along the way, I also get some almonds and honey, green tea and walnuts. Very complex and simply marvelous!

The attack is very powerful and spicy. Liquorice and pepper, pinch of nutmeg and ginger. Hints of mint. Quite some apple juice and crystallized lime peel. Lavender? The walnuts and bananas return. A salty edge for good measure and mildly drying oak.

The finish is again smoky and long, but does become a tad too dry and the end.

This is top shelf Coal Ila!

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