I've already talked about the Mac-Talla Mara Cask Strength here, and it's not my habit to talk about the same bottle twice, but these are special circumstances. When the Mac-Talla Mara was launched in 2020, the rumours were that it was Bowmore, which was confirmed by several clues (the announced peat content, the fact that Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers are former owners of the distillery), and having tasted it, I could have sworn that it was. But then I tasted it again recently, and I didn't find the Bowmore markers at all, but rather those of another well-known distillery. So I asked around, and the Brand Ambassador confirmed that Mac-Talla is a brand that uses several distilleries, in other words, they don't only bottle Bowmore. And I noticed that on Whiskybase, a second batch of this bottling was made in 2022, and that the rate is not at all the same. Could it be that they've changed distilleries?
Let's Taste It :
It's very iodised and coastal, with a sea breeze, foam, seaweed, kelp, shellfish and plenty of salt. A few mineral and herbaceous touches, limestone, slate, quartz, tall grass and reeds. White fruits, but very far in the background. Cigar ash, thick peat. On the palate, it's full-bodied, a little fruitier, with a hint of vanilla and yellow plums, pleasant spices, cloves and grey pepper. The finish is long, powerful, everything you'd expect from a Cask Strength, notes of coal and tar, but also salt, tide, fresh fish, pebbles, a zest of lemon.
In Short,
In my opinion, this one is very different from the one I tasted a few years ago, and it's Caol Ila. And if these gentlemen have decided to change distilleries, then that's a very good idea, because it's more powerful, more characterful, more coastal. Much better, in fact. Young Bowmore without Sherry isn't great, it needs at least 18 years to develop its full potential. The good Bowmore under 18 that I tasted were all aged in Sherry casks. Caol Ila, on the other hand, tastes very good young and in Bourbon casks, because it's very coastal, full of smoke and iodine, it's got character, and it's easily recognizable. After all, I'm just saying that, but I can't be sure, I could be talking nonsense. In any case, I now think that Mac-Talla Mara is a good cask strength whisky, and the price is right, so I reckon it's not a bad idea to buy it.
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