45,8°
Distillery Officially Unknown - Islay
1st Fill Bourbon Casks
Independent Bottling
By Elixir Distillers
Limited Edition
Single Malt
Bottled in 2018
Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured
This is one of the many limited editions launched by Port Askaig over the years. According to highly informed people, it's not Caol Ila this time, but Bunnahabhain. This is the fruit of 11 first-fill Bourbon casks, the contents of which were distilled in 2004. If it is indeed Bunnahabhain, it is very rare to have peated liquid of this age from this distillery.
Let's Taste It :
Smooth on the nose, with a more discreet peatiness. Slight maritime touch, but mostly white fruits and almonds. Waxy smoke, pastry cream and maple syrup. Vanilla and marshmallow. Behind, ocean air, sea breeze, iodine. Fig and chocolate. Light on the palate, but full of spices, orchard fruits, goat's milk, but also thick peat. Lychees, oysters. Long but not very explosive finish, liquid honey, hazelnuts, pine cones. Sand from the beach. A grain of salt. Churned butter.
In Short,
The nose is very pleasant, with a pinch of iodine, but too little to make me think that this is Caol Ila. On the palate, however, it's not very expressive and I have to admit I'm a bit disappointed. The finish is nice but not great either. Overall, I don't find this expression up to the standard of the brand's others. As far as the peatiness is concerned, Caol Ila is something else than Bunnahabhain. And I think I now know why Bunnahabhain only sells young peated whiskies. After a certain age, the distillate loses its character.
Score : 86
To Be Listened While Sipping :
Rival Sons - Soul
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