Unpeated Caol Ila is one thing we’ve solely seen within the Particular Releases collection. The final unpeated expression I attempted was the 2016 launch. I bear in mind discovering whiffs of smoke in nearly all of those unpeated variations.
This 12 months it returns in an 11 12 months outdated model. A fairly eclectic cask distribution (once more): refill casks, rejuvenated casks and rejuvenated ex-wine casks in each American and European oak. The label additionally mentions brief fermentation and cloudy wort, and distillation in partially stuffed stills.
Caol Ila 11 yo ‘Ambrosial Feast’ (57,3%, OB Particular Releases 2024, unpeated, refill + rejuvenated ex-wine casks)
Nostril: pretty shy. It’s malty, with hints of walnuts, peanuts and wooden mud. The wine didn’t depart an enormous mark. Butter cookies with gentle vanilla, together with pepper and dried grassy notes. Then a number of mineral touches as effectively, which is the one Islay aspect I’m getting to this point.
Mouth: now stuffed with hazelnuts, toasted almonds and caramelized walnuts. Toffee seems, with nutmeg and clove. Quite a lot of latte and milk chocolate. Within the distance there’s a lemony word however that is definitely not a fruity whisky. Then pepper and a pill of bitter chocolate full of marzipan. Once more, the wine might be accountable for the bitterness and a sulphurous contact, but it surely doesn’t make it overtly vinous.
End: medium size, with baking spice, espresso and wine tannins.
A most sudden Caol Ila, for certain. Very nutty, dipped in wine, however restricted complexity and only a few of the anticipated markers. An unpeated model is meant to be extra delicate however the wine wipes all of it out. It leaves you questioning why anybody would insist on presentin this type of whisky inside the Caol Ila model. Instructional whisky, however strategy with warning. Obtainable from Malts.com or retailers like The Whisky Change or Royal Mile Whiskies.
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