Caol Ila
Caol Ila 8YO 2012 Single Cask Whisky
Whisky from Scotland
Bottle size:
750 ml
Shipping: R120 nationwide
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.
A single cask release from the Caol Ila distillery on Islay, bottled by Signatory independent bottlers in their Cask Strength Collection range. Distilled on 14 June 2012, matured for 8 years in a first-fill ex-sherry butt and bottled on 11 November 2020. Only 525 bottles were produced. Naturally coloured and bottled at a cask strength of 57.8%.
Nose:
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.
Palate:
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).
Finish:
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.