Caol Ila 15 Year Unpeated Style (2014 Special Release)

While sampling the final few pours from a trip, I took a moment to open a special cask strength bottle. Searching my collection, I located this 2014 release from Caol Ila. Annually, they produce a malt and bottle it at cask strength for enthusiasts to experience their unpeated spirit, which is not their usual offering. This particular batch was initially distilled in 1998 and bottled in 2014, resulting in a mature 15-year-old spirit. It has a significant 60.4% ABV and is non-chill filtered. The cost was substantial, around $160 purchased in early 2016. In the tasting glass, its appearance is a lovely straw yellow with a surprisingly oily texture. Numerous long legs coat the glass after a vigorous swirl. The nose is quite delicate, featuring abundant cereal and bread notes with a hint of herbal blossoms. The oak and heat are not very prominent, even after 30 minutes in the glass. The palate is intensely hot. It's difficult to discern distinct flavors due to the extreme heat. I detect hints of almonds and the herbal notes from the nose, along with a touch of saltiness after finishing the dram. The burn from the high ABV and first-fill bourbon casks persists, scorching the tongue until diluted with water. Describing the finish as long and hot is an understatement; the burn is quite satisfying. Before finishing the entire measure, I added water to explore any hidden characteristics. Honestly, there wasn't much more to discover; the finish becomes slightly sweeter, but the overall flavor profile remains largely unchanged. In summary, it's a substantial dram that struggles to overcome its one-dimensional heat. It deviates from the typical Caol Ila profile, leading to some disappointment, despite knowing there would be no smoke or peat. I would prefer sticking to Caol Ila's signature style over purchasing this annual special release again. Cheers.

Aroma: Initially quite strong with alcohol, but after 15 minutes, underlying scents emerge. Notes of cereal, bread, wax, and herbs are detectable, along with hints of baked banana, honey, orchard fruit, and vanilla. With extended time, a creamy butterscotch aroma develops. Taste: The initial sensation is intensely hot. It's powerfully spicy with notes of cinnamon, black pepper, and ginger, amplified by the high alcohol content. It feels like consuming something harsh. The development phase brings out notes of unripe fruits and peanut brittle. The mouthfeel is adequate but unremarkable. A disagreeable sourness emerges in the latter part of the taste and continues into the finish. Aftertaste: Lingering and hot, with spiced fruit on a sour note and a touch of salt. The residual taste has an almost mezcal-like quality. This is a potent and unapologetically bold whiskey. Its challenging nature borders on unpleasant. I found it too intense to drink neat and had to add a significant amount of water. Reducing it to around 40% made it more palatable, but the flavor profile remained consistent – intensely hot and demanding. Sampled from a 30ml portion I've had for some time. I would not purchase a bottle, especially considering the cost. While expertly crafted, clean, and crisp, the character isn't to my liking, and frankly, I found it quite disorganized. Rating: 78/100 (2.75 stars)

During an event tasting six different Islay spirits, this was the most peculiar. While a Caol Ila 14y cask strength refill American hogshead single cask is consistently one of my top favorite whiskies, this Caol Ila 15y cask strength refill American & European hogshead, though not peated, ultimately left me unsatisfied. The aroma presents as rather simple, with honey and apples, a touch of nutty marzipan and vanilla, and a hint of pears. However, these elements are jumbled and lack intensity. The taste is predominantly mixed-fruit sweet with little else. Diluting it from its substantial 63% ABV to approximately 55% introduces notes of cucumber and cooked egg white. Quite unusual. I suspect my perception was influenced by having sampled three other very distinct drams, including heavily peated ones, beforehand. Perhaps I'll get another opportunity to try it with a fresh palate someday, but I won't be actively seeking it out.

The aroma presents considerable leather and minerals, with some caramel present. The initial taste is sweet and very briny, evolving into notes resembling anchovy, lemon zest, and pepper. It has a light body and is less harsh than its alcohol content would imply. A rather intriguing pour, likely not universally appealing - I'm uncertain if I've encountered a saltier scotch.

An Islay that isn't smoky: the nose is gentle, with a slight hint of iodine. A strong impact upon tasting, the alcohol is very noticeable upon entry. However, there are few distinct flavors. It feels rounded in the mouth, but the finish is underwhelming. It leaves a presence on the palate but barely registers in the throat.

Like driving spikes into my soft palate, then a warm, sweet aftertaste. The only sweet whiskey I’ve enjoyed so far that isn’t also quite peaty. I’d buy a bottle but not before a peated one, in my opinion.