Caol Ila 1996 Artist #2 Over 15 yo

 

 

 

58,2°

Distillery : Caol Ila - Islay 

Bourbon Hogshead

Independent Bottling 

By La Maison du Whisky

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2012

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 35 ppm

 

 

 

In 2011, La Maison du Whisky teamed up with Signatory Vintage to launch the Artist range, an annual selection of 5 to 7 Single casks. For each batch, the label is designed by a renowned artist. In this case, a Caol Ila over 15 years old limited to 284 copies, with a label designed by Paola Parés. The Artist #2 series, which went on sale in 2012, is based on the theme of bars, which will be the subject of the drawing on the label of each bottle.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The nose is very soft and well-balanced, while at the same time immediately recognisable as Caol Ila iodine, imposing, salty, a fresh, fruity sea breeze, vanilla, citrus, some exotic fruits, passion fruits, mango. Very sweet. All wrapped in delicate smoke. A pinch of icing sugar. Floral honey. Suave on the palate, olive oil, light fruits, yellow apple, Comice pear, then the spices rise, cayenne pepper, ginger. The finish is both very violent and very long, progressive, pinching on the tongue, red pepper, grilled bacon, fresh oysters, unripe pineapple, still some green apple, liquorice stick, cinnamon, melted chocolate. The finish is almost endless. A journey.

 

In Short, 

An unforgettable finish. The rest, however, is not quite as overwhelming. It is still superb, both original with its hints of exotic fruits, and in the straight line with the distillery's character. If you can afford to buy the last few bottles at an agreeable price, don't hesitate.

Score : 90

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

  

                                           Kaleo - Full Session at The Current