Caol Ila 2010 Single Cask Berry Bros. & Rudd 13 yo c. 311746

 

 

 

55,1°

Distillery : Caol Ila - Islay 

Bourbon Hogshead and Pedro Ximénez Sherry Finish

Independent Bottling 

By Berry Bros. & Rudd

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 35 ppm

 

 

 

Apparently, Berry Bros. had a number of casks of Caol Ila distilled in 2010. They released some of them this year, and each had its own little finish, in Oloroso, or no finish at all. This one was finished in a Pedro Ximénez Sherry cask, it yielded 280 bottles and is destined for the French market.

Let's Taste It : 

I found the nose very balanced, with a drop of soot, wood and soft caramel. The peat is not too exuberant, nor is the Sherry, although there is a hint of meatiness and elasticity, red plums and bacon. The palate is full of sweet fruits, grapes, damsons, cranberries, spices, not too strong either, paprika, nutmeg, cumin. The finish is rich and deep, long enough, charcoal, earth, tar, cola, blackberries and blueberries. Smoked ham, peas with bacon, parsley.

In Short, 

Very pleasant, the Sherry is not too overpowering, but it still leaves its mark, this is a good, meaty Caol Ila. On the other hand, you shouldn't rely too much on the distillery's iodine and sea usual flavours. Like all Sherry-aged Caol Ila, it's rather earthy and tarry, with smoked meat, but that's fine too. The only thing wrong with it is the price, which is out of all proportion.

Score : 88

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Richie Kotzen - Socialite