Caol Ila 2008 That Boutique-y Whisky Company Batch 23 14 yo

 

 

 

54,9°

Distillery : Caol Ila - Islay

Refill Hogshead and 1st Fill Oloroso Octaves Finish

Independent Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 35 ppm

 

 

 

That Boutique-y Whisky Company is one of the few trading companies belonging to the Atom Brands group. Created in 2012 by the gentlemen of Master of Malt, it has gradually acquired its own autonomy. Here, a Caol Ila of a respectable age, first aged in a simple refill Hogshead, then transferred to small Octave 1st Fill Oloroso casks. The result is 525 bottles adorned with a hand-drawn design by Emily Chapell, like all the company's bottles.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Tar and ash, mucky peat. Bewitching smoke, liquorice, dark chocolate, damp earth, dried banana, apricots and quinces. Beautiful fullness. On the palate, the Sherry is a bit more noticeable. Velvety, milk chocolate, smoked fruits, intense and varied spices, nutmeg, pepper, mustard. Delicate oak. The finish is quite long and relatively explosive, somewhat foresty, with chestnut bogue and humus, but above all there's the full-bodied smoke of fuel and gas oil that we love. A trail of salt and shortbread biscuits.

 

In Short, 

There's nothing particularly new here, but it's very pleasant. Despite its age, the peat remains intense, the iodine character is very discreet, as always with Sherry-aged Caol Ila, and there are lovely chocolatey and smoky flavours. To be reserved for enthusiasts, of course, but I'm surprised at the rather low price on offer, so I'd suggest you rush out and buy it.

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Twin Tribes - Monolith