Caol Ila 16 Year Black Friday 2022 (TWE)

Review #008 Spirit type: single malt scotch Alcohol content: 53.2% Details: aged 16 years, cask types not specified Compared to: Caol Ila 18 Year Appearance (no score): Color is pale gold. When swirled, a thick line clings to the glass, starting to bead up fast but forming slow legs. Smell: 16/20 Includes smoke, candied lemon peel, the scent of the sea, and a touch of rubber from tires. Taste: 35/40 Flavors of green apple, smoked pork chops, green olives stuffed with pimento, and a hint of the tartness from freshly squeezed lime. While listing these, one might not expect them to blend well, but surprisingly, they do. Aftertaste: 36/40 The texture becomes oilier in the finish. The smoky taste intensifies just as vanilla and a peppery spice emerge (reminding me of ex-bourbon casks). There's a fitting amount of alcohol burn throughout, concluding with a smooth, briny note. With Water: Adding a drop of water significantly reduces the alcohol's harshness, making it feel creamier, but it also boosts the saltiness of the finish. Total: 87/100 Final thoughts: This is my initial experience with cask-strength Caol Ila, and I'm quite pleased. Price: £95 Recommendation: yes Purchase intention: yes Scoring Guide: 96-100: An exceptional dram, truly divine, I'll cherish this bottle, 5 stars. 90-95: Nearly perfect, this whisky is something truly special, 4.75 stars. 85-89: Very good to amazing, almost complete, 4.5 stars. 80-84: Quite good, enjoyable but not outstanding, 4.25 stars. 75-79: Good, enjoyable but ultimately flawed, unlikely to repurchase, 4 stars. 70-74: A decent dram, but wouldn't seek it out, 3.75 stars. 55-69: Drinkable, 3.5-2.75 stars. Below 55: Suitable for cooking or pouring down the drain, 2.5 stars or less.