CAOL ILA 11 YO 2007

Islay Single Malt – 51%, 70cl
Single Cask #319478 – Hogshead
Limited Edition of 283 bottles
LMDW Exclusive

In addition to its official peated bottlings, Caol Ila also produces an unpeated single malt, primarily used by master blenders. Nonetheless, since 2006, a number of unpeated Caol Ila have been added to the distillery’s range of official bottlings. Standing at the crossroads of the smoky and smoke-free paths taken by Caol Ila, this version – which was selected by La Maison du Whisky at the famous London institute Berry Bros & Rudd – is the ideal starting point for discovering the world of peated whiskies. Like a Pointilist painter, this Caol Ila uses small brushstrokes to paint a picture that aims to authentically reproduce the atmosphere which reigns on the Isle of Islay.

Colour: pale gold.

Description

refined, balanced. Characterized by notes of damp straw, malted barley, ash and incense, the initial nose is very direct and precise. Allowed to breathe, a rich, oily (savory) and mentholated peat begins to take action. It brings lots of length and sweetness to the aromatic palette. It then lingers naturally with floral (lavender, violet), salty and medicinal (iodine tincture) notes.

taut, lively. The attack unmistakably centres on smoke and malted barley. Remarkably mineral (pencil lead, schist), it is also lemony and fruity (pear, apple). On the mid-palate, tapenade and smoked meat (bacon, bresaola) flavours bring lots of consistency and sweetness. Gradually, white florals (lilac, lily of the valley) pierce through notes of tar and soot. Spectacular!

long, fresh. Muddled at the end of the palate, the start of the finish is rooty (ginger, ginseng) and bursting with mineral salts. With incredible liquorice richness, it is also fruity and juicy (white grape, William’s pear). Gradually, white mint, coconut milk and vanilla take over the very end of the palate. Heady florals (peony, freesia) perfume a delicate and elegant retro-nasal olfaction. The empty glass is undeniably malty, medicinal (ointment), vegetal (artichoke) and mineral (lava).

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