Caol Ila 7 Year Old 2006 Gordon & Macphail Exclusive for The Bonding Dram

Jeroen of The Bonding Dram has, in collaboration with the Flemish Malt Whisky Society, selected another cask. And what a cask indeed! From my favorite distillery on Islay: Caol Ila. This whisky is rather young and matured on a refill sherry hogshead.

Ah, sweet and coastal with a lovely twist of the sherry that translates into juicy peach sprinkled with oyster sap. Apple juice, as well! Wonderful floral touches around that: heathery flowers, ferns and yellow potpourri. Some sniffing tobacco. Powerful nose. Well, it is a young animal. Green peat, if you get my meaning. Sugared oranges. Ecoline! Greasy, but good.

Powerful palate, with a round, oily mouthfeel. Heavy on the spices. Mix of peppers, chili, ginger, touch of nutmeg. The sniffing tobacco returns, with a sweet edge of the fruit. The peach mostly, but also some green banana. Mildly drying as if from green tea. Midpalate a hefty helping of vanilla kicks in, smothering the smokiness somewhat.

The long finish is spicy, warm with a great balance between sweet and salt, with a smoky end.

I am a fan. Full stop. Available for around 54 EUR at The Bonding Dram.

Find where to buy Caol Ila whisky