46,5°
Distillery : Caol Ila - Islay
Graves Wine Finish
Independent Bottling
By House of McCallum
Limited Edition
Single Malt
Bottled in 2022
Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured
Peated around 35 ppm
Still in House of McCallum for this 13 year-old Caol Ila which was finished in French Wine Casks, from the Graves area. This is the blending of 2 casks, which gave 738 bottles exactly. As usual, unchillfiltered, uncoloured, but this time not Cask Strength unfortunately.
Let's Taste It :
The finish in wine casks adds a mellowness to the nose, without in any way masking the costal character of the distillery. Shellfish, whelks, scallops and mussels in white wine. Iodine and sea spray in the background. Some stewed fruits, quinces, apricots, walnuts, dates. On the palate, it's vinous and meaty, blackberry syrup, smoked ham, bacon, and long, intense spices, cinnamon, nutmeg. Atomic finish, with paprika and heather, wood, tannins, wine lees, coffee grounds. Orange peel and a pinch of salt.
In Short,
It's surprising, because the finish is more explosive with this one than with the previous one I tasted, the 11-year-old Caol Ila, which is 4° more. It's rare that the qualities of the Caol Ila distillate are preserved with finishes in wine, port or sherry casks, which is the case here. It should be taken advantage of, except that the price is really excessive for a reduced whisky, which is a shame. If it had been Cask Strength, it would have been superb.
Score : 88
To Be Listened While Sipping :
Gentle Giant - Funny Ways
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