Tasting Note:
The oldest Caol Ila Special Release to date, combining whisky from refill American oak hogsheads and refill American and European oak butts in a well-balanced and mature expression that shows a fine freshness, cleanliness and precision for its age. Just 3,276 bottles. Antique gold in colour with good beading. On the nose it is clean and clear, with floral and fruity notes with a faintly smoky base. Lemon zest, butter and malt vinegar. The smoke is carried on notes of pine, resin and menthol, with a cereal-grain core. Later, a floral freshness with almond soap and final, fresh mint. The body is light to medium. On the palate it is cooling and very fluid, with a smooth, creamy texture, soon becoming dry after a lightly sweet start. Sugary, then smoky against a developing herbal astringency with fennel. Wonderful tooth-coating tannins offset a rising, peaty pungency. The finish is spicy-sweet, with honey, sweet peat smoke and crunchy cereal, smooth chocolate, syrupy pistachio pastry. Cleansing, with silky dryness and lingering smoky warmth.