Caol Ila 8YO 2012 Single Cask Whisky

Both ample and airy. With its smoky, roasted, peaty, spicy (saffron, pepper) iodine and animal (bresaola) notes, the first nose is impressive. Gradually, black liquorice rubs shoulders with fragrances of cooked apricot, rhubarb and cola. The nose evokes still warm ashes in the hearth of the fireplace.

Firm, lively. Full of ardour, the attack in the mouth is bacon, empyreumatic (sleet), salty (seaweed) and chocolaty (100% dark chocolate). Tinged with exoticism (flambéed banana, passion), the mid-palate is medicinal, liquorice and roasted (coffee bean).

Long, unctuous. Rivalling with smoke and ashes, at the beginning of the finish, notes of black fruits (blackberry, blackcurrant) highlight the magnificent influence of the sherry wine. In retro olfaction, the flavours of a powerful Havana permeate the taste buds. From the empty glass emerge fragrances of musk and camphor, as well as malted and smoked barley grains.

Caol Ila was founded to the North of Islay in 1846 by the pleasingly-named Hector Henderson. It is located near Port Askaig and sits in lush, floral surroundings, overlooking the cove and the Paps of southern Jura. The distillery draws its water from Loch Nam Ban, whose waters travel through limestone and peat before reaching their beneficiary, Caol Ila.