Tag: caol ila review

Caol Ila 10 Year Old 2006 (Gordon & Macphail Cask Strength for KWM Bottled 2016)

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Caol Ila 10 Year Old 2006 (Gordon & Macphail Cask Strength for KWM Bottled 2016)

Region: Islay

ABV: 57.5%
E150: No
Chill-filtered: No
Cask Type: Refill sherry hogshead 306200

 

Colour: Amber

Nose: Rum-like aroma, caramel, menthol, smoke, raisin, cream corn, sherry spice, cherry, tea.

Palate: Ash, oak, dried apricot, orange, smoke, salt, spice.

Finish: Long finish, pepper, cinnamon, ginger, smoke.

Score: 88/100

Another youthful refill sherry cask Caol Ila from G&M, this one is significantly darker than the 2004 one that I own, assuming 2nd fill? Rather interesting rum-like aroma, loads of sherry spice and caramel on the nose, the peat is less aggressive than I expect for a 10 year old. A well rounded palate, full of dried fruits, oranges, salt, spices; followed by a long and spicy finish, very nice.

Caol Ila 11 Year Old 2004 (Gordon & Macphail Cask Strength Bottled 2016)

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Caol Ila 11 Year Old 2004 (Gordon & Macphail Cask Strength Bottled 2016)

Region: Islay

ABV: 59.3%
E150: No
Chill-filtered: No
Cask Type: Refill Sherry Cask 306615, 306620, 306621, 306622.

 

Colour: Gold

Nose: Sweet smoke, brine, rubber, ashy peat, cherry syrup, orange, almond.

Palate: Lemon oil, malt, salt, ash, pepper, red fruit jam, cola, ginger.

Finish: Long finish, earthy, salt, oily, chili flakes.

Score: 87/100

Always enjoy a cask strength, youthful Caol Ila, and this is no exception.

Welcoming sweet, smoky, and salty nose to greet, the sherry influence isn’t as strong as other refill Caol Ila I’ve had, but it lets a lot more of the Caol Ila spirit shine through.

On the palate you get an oily mouth feel, most of the notes from the nose are present, with a slam jam of peppery spice, carries onto a long, earthy and salty finish, with a kick of chili flakes in the end.
Overall, a rather enjoyable dram, glad to have bought a bottle.

Whisky Review – Caol Ila 17 Unpeated 2015 Release

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Caol Ila 17 Unpeated 2015 [Link]

Region: Islay

ABV: 55.9%

E150: Yes

Chill-filtered: No

Container: Spiegelau Whisky Snifter, neat with a splash of water. Rested for 20 minutes.

Colour: Golden amber

Nose: Hints of smoke, toffee, citrusy fruitiness, vanilla, ripe fruits undertone, I detected hints of absinthe then after resting it was gone. Slight malt and nose from above the glass, dried fruits. Bright fruit notes after a splash of water. Really nice and complex notes.

Palate: Surprisingly smooth on the tongue at this ABV, added a splash of water after. Nice oily sweetness, slight herbal notes, citrus, hints of salt, mouthwatering, slight spice? A taste I can’t describe when I took my last sip and breathe in some air.

Finish: Medium-long, tingling spice, oak, some mineral? OH, after a minute hints of mints!

Score: 86/100