skip to main |
skip to sidebar
Caol Ila 1991, 16yo
The Single Malts of Scotland
Islay Single Malt Whisky
57.9% abv
£40
Another release from The Single Malts of Scotland, the indie bottling label of The Whisky Exchange/Speciality Drinks. It appears that the label is working on becoming a brand in its own right, entering spirits competitions, appearing in Whisky Mag's tastings pages, introducing several batches of releases per year, and expanding its availability beyond their own shops both online and at their London Bridge location. With simple labelling, no cartons, and no cash wasted on marketing, the releases from these guys are always good, if not great, value (remember Malt Mission #150?)
In 2006, Caol Ila joined the extended Classic Malts range from Diageo and we consumers got a extended line totalling SIX (6) official bottlings from the distillery, including a Distiller's Edition (finished in dark moscatel casks) and an 8yo 'unpeated' expression(note: this does NOT mean it is not peaty). The normal phenol level (peatiness, measured in parts per million) is 12-14ppm. For context, Ardbeg is about 24-26ppm and Glenmorangie about 2ppm.
Today all of Caol Ila's spirit is tankered off Islay and filled to cask at Blackgrange(Cambus) or Menstrie(Carsebridge) on the mainland where it will mature. Where did this puppy mature?
For all SMS bottlings had on the mission, click HERE. For all Caol Ilas, click HERE.
TASTING NOTES:
Luscious, weighty nose, full of toffee sweetness, citrus, wet hay and freshly dry cleaned shirts. Smoker's fingers, scotch broth, and Chinatown at night (vinegar and white pepper, roast pork, fresh fish, and cleaning products). With water there is a bubblegum sweetness, almost spearminty, and more scented all-purpose cleaners.
Viscous in the mouth (scotch broth again?), pleasantly oily, with absolutely enormous peat and smoke. Nutty and fruity, maybe macadamia and papaya, with the starchy sweetness of fresh cut potatoes. With water there are cashews, credit card plastic, and an earthy peatiness. Slightly drying with smoke and more smoke through the finish. Minutes later I can still taste it and there are coastal elements of sea salt, peat, wet stone, and fish.
SUMMARY:
Well, good morning, sunshine. Pow! Big, oily, smoky whisky with sweetness and other characteristics to work their magic as well. Water can be used like an EQ with this whisky, adjusting the different frequencies: bringing the sea closer, making the lemon more pronounced, drawing out the sweetness, etc. Islay lovers will find much to enjoy here and peat freaks will relish this stuff straight out of the bottle. Impressive stuff that doesn't mess about.
Malt Mission #171
Malt Mission #172
Malt Mission #174
Malt Mission #175
Malt Mission HOME
Caol Ila 12 yo
Islay Single Malt Whisky
43% abv
£27
$58.90 (CAD)
$45 (USD)
Caol Ila (pronounced kull-eela or like THIS) means 'Sound of Islay' as it overlooks the narrow strip of water of the same name that lies between the islands of Islay and Jura. The phallic stills have a great view of Jura's Paps (mountains so named because of their resemblance to a pair of breasts), enough to keep them well excited over the years. It is one of two operating Islay distilleries owned by Diageo.
Built in 1846 and located on the north shore of Islay, near Port Askaig, Caol Ila's stills have fallen silent three times in its history: 1930-37, 1941-45, 1972-74. Like other Islay distilleries Bunnahabhain and Bruichladdich, when Caol Ila was built by Glasgow businessman Hector Henderson it created a full community of its own. Henderson went out of business in 1857 and the distillery was purchased by Bulloch Lade & Co. The Distillers Company Limited (DCL) took over management in 1927. Production continued with a few silent spells until 1972, when the entire structure of the distillery was demolished. A larger distillery was built, some say rather brusquely, and production resumed in 1974.The old warehouses remain and bear the large black letters of the distillery name.
For many years, Caol Ila was the unsung workhorse of Islay distilleries and therefore doesn't enjoy the same celeb status that its neighbours in Bowmore and down on the south shore of the island do. It is the largest distillery on Islay and one of the largest that Diageo owns. The bulk of its output goes to blends and since 1999, they have produced whisky with unpeated barley for a few months each year, until recently used exclusively for blending (now some of this stock is released as Caol Ila 8 Unpeated). Caol Ila was available as a part of the Flora and Fauna series launched in 1989 as a 15 year old. In 2002 the 12, 18 and Cask Strength that we most commonly find on shop shelves were launched.
This whisky will be guest-tasted by my good friend JM who lost his truck but kept his life in an unfortunate car accident recently. The following are his impressions.
TASTING NOTES:
Salty sea air, peaty and smoky. Fresh air-dried bed sheets, sliced pear, granny smith apple peels.
Watery in the mouth but viscosity seems to increase with time. Instant smoke like a sudden wind change at a campfire, numbing and medicinal like Buckley's cough syrup, chewing on a Popsicle or lollipop stick, envelope glue.
SUMMARY:
This stuff inspires a lasting burn that leaves mouth and tongue tingly and sensitive like an hour after a trip to the dentist. Outdoorsy and rough even for a peat freak like myself.
Malt Mission #106
Malt Mission #107
Malt Mission #109
Malt Mission #110
Malt Mission HOME
