Caol Ila 2012 Cadenhead Original Collection 11 yo

 

 

 

46°

Distillery : Caol Ila - Islay 

Palo Cortado Sherry Casks

Independent Bottling 

By William Cadenhead Limited 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 35 ppm

 

 

 

In the Original Collection range, you'll find a bit of everything, mostly reduced whiskies and not single casks. There's even this Caol Ila, aged entirely in Palo Cortado Sherry casks for 11 years. We don't know how many bottles were produced, but we do know that it's not chill-filtered, which is something.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Deep soot, smoked ham, barbecue grease, thick wisps of carbonic smoke. Behind, a dash of vanilla and pineapple pulp. An astonishing blend, but it's very pleasant and full-bodied. On the palate, you feel as if you're chewing on ash, apricots, dates, apples, perhaps some cereals and nuts, various spices but not too strong, paprika, cardamom, nutmeg. The finish is very pleasant, long but not explosive, with hints of tide and shellfish, and a pinch of salt and iodine.

 

In Short, 

It was only after the tasting that I learned that there were Palo Cortado casks. In other words, the Sherry is not too invasive. Afterwards, I realised that it was present on the palate nonetheless, and moreover it relegated the costal character of the distillery to the background. I didn't find it great, the nose is a little too contrasted, the palate a bit light, the finish fine but not exceptional either. Having said that, the price is rather low if you buy it on the Cadenhead website, so you may give in to temptation.

Score : 86

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Orgone - Don't Stop