Caol Ila 2012 Thompson Bros. 9 yo

 

 

 

53,3°

Distillery : Caol Ila - Islay 

Dechar/Rechar Hogshead

Independent Bottling 

By Thompson Bros. 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask

Bottled in 2021

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 35 ppm

 

 

 

As owners of a bar in Dornoch, the Thompson brothers started making their own bottlings very early, in the 1990s, but at the time it was confidential. It was only at the end of the 2010s that enthusiasts started to talk about them, as the founders of their own distillery, still in Dornoch, and when their company started to become very famous. Among the dozens of products they are launching every year now, this Caol Ila is for the Dutch market. Only. 257 bottles were put on sale.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Nice iodine and all that goes with it, tide, seaweed and kelp. Maritime peat, lobsters and langoustines, foam and seafood. But it's also very pulpy, yellow fruits, between plum and banana. With a few drops of water, charcoaled breadth. On the palate, the fruits stand out first, then pleasant spices, nutmeg, gray pepper, ginger. The spices become stronger and the peat more intense. Nice balance after a while. Pleasant and fairly long finish, not too strong, on white grapes, vanilla. A few seashells.

 

In Short, 

I liked it, it's very nice, but it's absolutely not a masterpiece. It's a bit dirty and lacks complexity, but there is a nice balance between fruit and iodine. The price was more than correct when it was launched, today it depends. 

Score : 87

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Red Fang - Wires

SMWS 2012 93.181 A Burning Galleon of Tropical Fruit 9 yo

 

 

 

61,9°

Distillery : Glen Scotia - Campbeltown

1st Fill Ex-Bourbon Barrel

Independent Bottling 

By The Scotch Malt Whisky Society

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2022

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated 

 

 

 

Although launched in 1983, the Scotch Malt Whisky Society, a trading company founded by Pip Hills, did not make a bottling of Glen Scotia until 1991. But after that they caught up well, since they are currently around the 201st. That's an average of 9 bottlings a year, not bad guys. This one is the 181st, and nothing particularly original, 9 years old, aged in a first fill Bourbon cask. 219 bottles were filled.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Mineral and woody. The Bourbon leaves its mark, vanilla and honey. It's floral and herbaceous, zucchini flower, primrose. White plum, mirabelle. Banana Frecinette. Then it becomes more ethereal. With a few drops of water, the lemon comes out. Finally, I smell cereals, hay and young beam. Very citrusy on the palate, on grapefruit, lychee, kumquat, the spices are powerful, cumin, chilli. Green olives. The finish is long and explosive, cola, tall grass, wood leaves. Hazelnut, dry earth.

 

In Short, 

A very good whisky, very friendly and pleasant. It has character, but it is not at all aggressive, it is easily drunk on the contrary. There aren't so many exotic fruits, it's more on honey and vanilla. When it came out, the price was really interesting (knowing that you have to contribute as a member to buy it), but on the secondary market it is obviously more expensive.

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

                                           Antytila - Bakhmut Fortress

Lagavulin 12 yo Special Release 2018

 

 

 

57,8°

Distillery : Lagavulin - Islay 

Refill American Hogsheads 

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2018

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 38 ppm

 

 

 

18th Release of the Lagavulin 12 year old on the occasion of the Diageo Special Releases which takes place every year. True to tradition, the aging was done in Bourbon Refill barrels in order to let the distillate thrive, it is cask strength and without any modification of the product. On the other hand, we still do not know how many bottles are produced.

 

 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Earthy peat, a little muddy, herbaceous, typical of the distillery, embellished with a beautiful lemony pulp. Very fine iodine, almost chiseled, dusty, coarse salt, delicate tide, sea breeze. Very nice balance. Some seafood in passing, oysters, mussels, razor clams, whelks. Maritime freshness mixed with peat and white fruits, it's magnificent. Juiced oranges. Grapefruit. Litchi. And we come back to peat land, old hay. In the mouth, it's just measured, the citrus fruits are not excessive, the spices robust but not too much, cumin, gray pepper, cloves. Rather strong ginger. Long and powerful finish, honeyed, molasses, discreet vanilla, a drop of caramel. Peanut butter.

 

In Short,  

This is the 6th Lagavulin 12 year old I have tasted so far, and I found it to be the best. Maybe because I had drunk a 21 year old just before, though. It seemed to me softer, fruitier, fuller than the others. With a more pronounced peat, but not at all invasive. I found it perfect. The craziest thing is that you can still find it at an almost proper price, so I'll rummage here or there just in case.

Score : 90

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

                                           Yo La Tengo - I Heard You Looking

Caol Ila 2012 A Dream of Scotland 10 yo

 

 

 

54,7°

Distillery : Caol Ila - Islay

Italian Red Wine Casks Finish

Independent Bottling 

By Brühler Whiskyhaus

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2022

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 35 ppm

 

 

 

In the small town of Brühl in Germany is the Whiskyhaus, a whisky store that many dream of visiting. And for the past few years, its owner, Marco Bonn, has been delighting us with more and more independent bottlings. Most are released under the A Dream of Scotland banner, since these are Single Malts from Scotland. The label is adorned with a pretty design, and the maturations are often original, such as this Caol Ila which has been finished in Italian wine barrels. On the other hand, no indication on the first ageing, but it must be Bourbon barrels. It gave 472 bottles which were quickly sold.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

It's the beautiful Caol Ila ashes, Very black smoke and soot, we're in front of a bonfire, the logs are charred, still burning. After a while, it becomes fruity, blackberries and blackcurrants, it goes very well together. At the end, slightly acidic, with lingonberries and red currants. The smoke intensifies. Much more fruity on the palate, raspberry and pomegranate, we barely feel the peat, some spices, pepper, tinder, nutmeg. Nice fullness in the mouth. Beautiful finish, not extraordinary, with a return of coal. It's quite long though. Varnished wood, warm chestnuts, damp earth.

 

In Short, 

It's a good one, the Italian wine gives a slightly acidic fruity touch which is very nice, and the ashy smoke is particularly intense. Only the finish is a bit below, but in any case this bottler is to be followed closely. The prices are high, but it could be worse, given the rush every time a new bottle comes out. They dren't available for long.

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

                                            Chaoseum - First Step to Hell

Caol ila 2016 Claxton's Exclusives 6 yo

 

 

 

59°

Distillery : Caol Ila - Islay 

Bourbon Hogshead

Independent Bottling

By Claxton's 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2022

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 35 ppm

 

 

 

It was through the importer High Spirits that Claxton's was able to distribute this little thing on the continent. Claxton's is a young English bottler still little known, it offers here a young and fiery Caol Ila grown in a most certainly refill Bourbon barrel, the distillate will be talked about. The number of bottles produced is not known.

 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Powerful, thick, almost solid smoke. With lots of seaweed and kelp. Sea foam, coarse salt. It is only after a while that we find the iodized freshness typical of the distillery. A very vague hint of white fruit. Buried under shovelfuls of peat. Scales of fish, bottarga and other seafood. I lick an oyster shell. But I also detect some cereals, crushed wheat germ, hay, tall grass. At the end the smoke becomes more ashy and subtle. In the mouth, it's quite sweet, I'm surprised, yellow plums, green bananas, but that was without counting the spices, very strong, gray pepper,,nutmeg, cardamom, the peat comes back with them. The finish is obviously devastating, very long, charcoaled, chalky, we chew ashes, and at the same time it sparkles, rye bread, with a hard crust, black radish. A green grape.

 

In Short,  

Yes, it's a naked Caol Ila, and I love it! Such a definitive and radical product is becoming rare these days, and we should enjoy it while we can. You hardly feel the influence of the cask, and the power of the distillate is crazy. It is very pleasing to find such a pure expression, especially since the price remains very reasonable. On the other hand, it is clearly not complex, it is direct, straight to the point, simple, powerful, precise. This one is not in nuances, and so much the better.

Score : 88

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           The Hives - Tick Tick Boom

Caol Ila 2011 Whisky Live Paris 10 yo

 

 

 

46°

Distillery : Caol Ila - Islay 

1st Fill Bourbon Barrel

Independent Bottling 

By Signatory Vintage 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2021

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 35 ppm

 

 

 

On the occasion of the most important event in Europe in the world of Whisky, the Whisky Live Paris, a special bottling is released every year, and in 2021 it is a 10-year-old Caol Ila, Single Cask, aged in a First Fill Bourbon barrel. Only 242 bottles were put on sale. Although I couldn't find confirmation anywhere, I'm assuming it's not cold filtered, as it's not Signatory's way of doing that at all. On the other hand, it is quite reduced.

 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Iodine, coarse salt, sea spray, seaweed, did you say Caol Ila? Nice vanilla and pastry cream. Smooth, grainy smoke. It is barely perceptible at first, then gradually takes over. The peat grows heavier. Dash of lemon. Round mouth, delightful, a little spicy, on cumin and clove. Grapefruit, with a hint of pineapple. Young wood, slight bitterness. Well done finish, quite long and robust, charcoal and spices, sweet on the end, churned butter, stracciatella.

 

In Short, 

It's a cask full of subtlety and nuances, it's very well made and pleasant to drink, but it's also very gentle and soft. With a few more years of maturation, and Cask Strength, it could have given something really beautiful. But there, my advice is that it is not up to the advertised price. Either way, it's long since sold out.

Score : 86

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Katie Melua - I Will Be There

Caol Ila 2005 Connoisseurs Choice Cask Strength 15 yo c. 301520

 

 

 

57,5°

Distillery : Caol Ila - Islay

1st Fill Sherry Butt

Independent Bottling 

By Gordon & McPhail 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2020

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 35 ppm

 

 

 

Gordon & McPhail is one of those venerable bottlers that have been around for over a century. But in 2018, they completely renewed their range, notably by creating this collection, which offers quite rare Single Casks that have not undergone any modification. Here a Caol Ila distilled on February 21, 2005 and bottled on August 25, 2020, which gave 637 copies.

 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Nice ashy smoke. Who knocked over the ashtray? Next, iodine. Loaded with seaweed and sea spray. A few fish, peat, it's all pretty familiar. Behind, something lumpy, could it be orange peel jam? Gooseberries, papayas? Meringue tart tatin? Sweetness is growing, it becomes well balanced. On the palate, lemon and pastry cream, spices, cumin, nutmeg, very thick peat. Nice grainy woodiness at the end, and even a slight bitterness. Long and beautiful finish, quite powerful, scrambled eggs, hay and sesame, a pinch of coarse salt, cola, iced tea. Hazelnuts and almonds.

 

In Short, 

It's a very classic Caol Ila, but what a pleasure. Despite the age, the smoke is present, and that's a good thing. It is nevertheless sweet, and the finish is really beautiful. A few years after its release, it is very difficult to find, but the price-quality ratio remains correct.

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Primal Scream - Moving On Up

Lagavulin 12 yo Special Release 2021

 

 

 

56,5°

Distillery : Lagavulin - Islay

Refill American Oak

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt

Bottled in 2021

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 38 ppm

 

 

 

The 21st edition of the Lagavulin 12 year old was bottled on April 13, 2021 for release in September. The casks were selected by Dr. Craig Wilson himself, and the label is set with an illustration by Ken Taylor (I don't know if he should be congratulated for that). By the way, the bottle has its little nickname: "The Lion's Fire". As usual, the number of copies for sale is unknown, but there must be several thousand. The maturation is still the same, as it always has been, and as it always should, in American oak barrels.

 

Let's Taste It : 

Fairly strong, deep smoke. Loamy peat, muddy earth, tall grass, reeds. Clear, crystalline iodine, very vague touches of vanilla and white fruits. Delicate woodiness. It is sandy, chalky, with returns from damp cave, gypsum, stalactite. Vanilla makes its way in there, with difficulty. Peanut butter, sesame, pumpkin seeds. Pond, stagnant water, but also pomegranate seeds. With a few drops of water, the fruits are more widespread, mirabelle plums, Belle Hélène pear, lychees. Beautiful young wood beams. On the palate, sesame cream spread, peat and solid spices, paprika, cumin, nutmeg. It's quite woody again. Long and powerful finish, delicately bitter, hay, yam, black radish, dry earth. Hazelnuts and cola. A squeeze of lemon at the end.

In Short, 

The DNA of Lagavulin is widely recognizable, we are dealing with a distillate absolutely not bothered by the influence of the cask, a pure and bewitching liquid which floods us with all the power of its classicism. Sometimes it seems to me that the 12 year olds have a few minor flaws, a touch of bitterness or acidity, fruit that is a little too sweet, here that's not the case, it's just perfect. You would have to compare with the 12 year old from 2015 to know which of the two is the best, but for me, these two clearly stand out from the pack. The price, on the other hand, has started to increase on this edition, yet it was still reasonable at the time.

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

                                           Melvins - Don't Forget to Breathe

Caol Ila 2012 Asta Morris 7 yo

 

 

 

60°

Distillery : Caol Ila - Islay 

Sherry Butt

Independent Bottling 

By Asta Morris 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2020

Peated around 38 ppm

 

 

 

Asta Morris is a company founded in 2009 in Belgium by Bert Bruyneel. A hundred bottlings were carried out over time, before the company diversified into Rums, Gin and Armagnac. Here we have a young Caol Ila aged in a Sherry cask and sold in 524 copies. It's a Single Cask, but we don't know if it's reduced or cold filtered, it's a shame anyway.

 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

A rather fruity first nose, on yellow plum, plantain banana, and even a little guava, then the smoke rises, fine ash which could fill an ashtray, finally it gains momentum, pear crumble, cooked cherries, a drop of fuel oil. Dusty iodine in the background. Discreet woodiness. Cocoa powder. In the mouth, the fruits stand out, on a layer of vanilla, and the robust spices, cumin, pepper, cardamom. At the end nutmeg dominates with small hints of chocolate. Tingling finish, long, on berries, humus, heather, bark, chestnut puree. As an after-glass, molasses and caramel.

 

In Short, 

I consulted Ruben's notes, and he rated it relatively low, because he thinks it doesn't smell enough of Sherry. Which is true, but for me it is a quality. In the other Sherry-aged Caol Ilas that I have tasted, the distillate loses some of its markers in the process. Here it is not the case, we have a nice balance between iodine, smoke and the Sherry fruits. In addition, the alcohol is really well integrated despite a dizzying rate. The final is really successful on this point. Finally, the quality-price ratio was really nice when it came out. I say "was", because now that it is sold out, it has become less interesting.

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Soley - I'll Drown