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Caol Ila The Single Malts of Scotland Aged 8 Years

KWM 2020 Whisky Advent Calendar - Day 14

8 691

@talexanderReview by @talexander

15th Dec 2020

1

Caol Ila The Single Malts of Scotland Aged 8 Years
  • Nose
    23
  • Taste
    22
  • Finish
    23
  • Balance
    23
  • Overall
    91

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Distribution of ratings for this: brand user

This will be a short review (I'm watching Frozen 2 with Maggie) - but today's entry is from the independent bottler Specialty Drinks, under their The Single Malts of Scotland range: a Caol Ila that spent 8 years in a sherry butt (No. 300161).

The colour is a pale straw. The nose is classic Caol Ila: Fisherman's Friend, liquorice all-sorts and herring. Ginger and cinnamon. Lemony. Slightly vegetal. Even better with water, as the ginger and peat are pushed forward. Beautiful.

Massive peat on the palate, with a creamy mouthfeel. Lemon pith, chili flakes, cilantro and brine. Very herbal, actually. Menthol. Medicinal, more so with water with brings out more peat as well. Great stuff but perhaps it could use a bit longer in the cask?

The finish is smoky, with pine, lemon and herbs. Nothing stupendous going on here, just a beautiful, powerful, bracing cask strength Caol Ila.

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6 comments

@BlueNote
BlueNote commented

Just got that one on the recent KWM sale. Love it.

3 years ago 3Who liked this?

@Nozinan
Nozinan commented

OK you two, you have me with a serious case of the FOMO. I had no choice but to order it. For CS at that price it was a no-brainer...

3 years ago 6Who liked this?

@casualtorture
casualtorture commented

One day when I see reviews like this I'll be able to hop online and order one. tired_face

3 years ago 0

Mackstine commented

Good review. This one took a while to open up for me, but the wait was well worth it. Big young relatively unadulterated Islay. The best part is it fills the void that octomore used to since I can no longer afford that :p

3 years ago 4Who liked this?

@talexander
talexander commented

Wow - Andrew Ferguson should give me a commission!

3 years ago 4Who liked this?

@OdysseusUnbound
OdysseusUnbound commented

Sounds amazing. Thanks for your review. Caol Ila never disappointed me.

3 years ago 3Who liked this?