Caol Ila 9 Year Old 2010 Signatory Cask Strength

Boy, oh boy another one of those very young and very strong Caol Ila, this time from the stables of Signatory, bottled in those mighty decanters from the Cask Strength Collection. They are a pain to pour from but look great in the cabinet. And look at that color… a wonderful, bright bronze. Mouth-watering.

Delicious nose! Roast beef with plums! Lots of chocolate, chicory, sniffing tobacco and caramel. A truckload of butterscotch. Suspiciously soft peat smoke. A drop of balsamic, crushed banana and a light, non-disturbing touch of rubber. Ship’s ropes. Grand.

Nicely oily and immediately somewhat piquant on black pepper and cloves. Ashes, tar, cured meat. Lots of maritime notes with a sweet edge of banana, caramel and candied orange peel. Sweet versus salty, actually, and absolutely delicious. Perfect integration of the alcohol, for while I am tasting it need I absolutely do not feel the need to add any water. This is sheer craftmanship.

Wonderfully long and warm finish, mostly about sweet smoke than lingers and makes you sit back in your Chesterfield with a smug smile on your face.

I should have become the Caol Ila Charlatan instead of the Toshan Man. Boy, I truly love this malt! Got me a bottle straight away.

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