Caol Ila 11 yo Special Release 2024 Ambrosial Feast

 

 

 

57,3°

Distillery : Caol Ila - Islay 

Refill, Rejuvenated, and Rejuvenated ex-Wine American and European Oak Casks

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2024

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Almost Unpeated

 

 

 

Unpeated Caol Ila is something of a curiosity on Islay. It's like pizza without cheese or spaghetti without tomato sauce - some people say it's good, but you never see them eating it. It's been a long time since an unpeated bottling came out of the stills at the North Islay distillery, the latest Unpeated Caol Ila dating back to 2018. This one is partly made from wine casks, so it could be interesting.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Airy nose, with a sea breeze that's not at all aggressive, light wood, hazelnuts, quince jam and a hint of honey. Green apples, vergeoise-filled biscuits. Brewer's yeast, white peaches, soft caramel. In the mouth, hazelnuts, espresso, soft caramel, liquorice, dates. Lively spices, followed by a mellow, long, rocky and fruity finish. Sultanas, limestone, quartz, a few grains of salt, hawthorn, honeysuckle, chestnuts and a touch of vanilla. Almond paste, woody undertones. 

 

In Short, 

What I like about Caol Ila is the peat, of course, but above all its costal and salty character, its mineral intensity. Here, there's none of that. It's a pleasant, well-made product, with fruit, wood and hazelnuts, with only a few mineral elements showing through. It lacks personality, in my opinion. What's more, the price is slightly high, personally I don't see the point of buying it.

Score : 88   

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Ginger Evil - Arrowhead