Two fast Caol Ila

Caol Ila 17 yo 2006/2023 (55.1%, Cadenhead, Genuine Assortment, bourbon hogshead, 204 bottles)
Color: pale straw. Nostril: I discover it somewhat on the softer facet of Caol Ila, with a pleasant straightforward stability of mineral salts, fragrant coastal qualities, seawater, citrus rinds and background medicinal features akin to bandages and TCP. With water: sootier, on coal scuttles, muted peat smoke, coal tar cleaning soap and bacon crisps. Mouth: somewhat easier than the nostril, on smoky wort and gristy vibes, salted porridge, quite a variety of chalky seashore pebble and ashy mineral impressions. Additionally some hay and cider apple vibes. With water: I discover it simplifies somewhat with water, changing into a bit dry, austere and salty, however some fascinating natural tea notes emerge. End: good size, again on citrus – preserved lemons in brine – seawater and mineral salts. Feedback: I desire this one with out water, a tad easy however irrefutably reliable. 
SGP: 466 – 85 factors. 

Caol Ila 31 yo 1983/2014 (48.7%, Signatory Classic, hogshead, cask #5300, 248 bottles)
Color: pale gold. Nostril: within the phrases of a Mr S V of Turckheim: the peat has ‘transmuted’! In different phrases, it is a kind of great outdated Caol Ilas that, after three a long time in refill wooden, has turn into poetically advanced and detailed. A kind of profiles that makes you consider very delicate natural and fruit teas, outdated dried out ointments, very outdated natural and honey liqueurs and numerous issues as various as honey-roast root greens, seashore pebbles, strop leather-based, sandalwood and dried flowers. Lovely and completely charming. Mouth: an ideal and harmonious collusion of peat smoke influences, medicinal and coastal qualities, and these underlying dried citrus fruit notes, matcha, verbena, very outdated dry riesling and heavier, textural features that flip your thoughts in direction of camphor and furnishings waxes. End: fairly lengthy, and nonetheless on these mixtures of outdated dried out honeys, natural medicinal issues, distant peat smoke, delicate mineral impressions. The freshness and vibrancy of the entire thing is absolutely great. Feedback: we should not wax lyrical an excessive amount of, you solely must attempt two or three of those older late 70s early 80s Caol Ilas to know that they’re wonderful whiskies with seemingly immutable freshness and stamina of character. That is one other nice one, made much more lethal by a pure energy that is so effortlessly quaffable. 
SGP: 555 – 92 factors.