Caol Ila Distillers Edition

Blair Athol Distillery, Thursday, April 25th, 2024. Whisky #6 Nose: Wood smoke, coal embers, cinnamon, honey-soaked apricot, peach nectar, and ginger, all perceived against the scent of low tide on a pebble beach. Palate: Smoke and buttery caramel fudge are the initial flavors upon arrival, immediately followed by sea salt. The sweet wine notes emerge during the development but do not detract from the palate; instead, they add a pleasing, blanket-like honeyed, fruity aspect. The texture is both maritime-dry and slightly oily. Finish: Medium. Spicy toffee, iodine, brine, and a hint of mint licorice in the aftertaste. Caol Ila Distiller's Edition was previously released as a 12-year-old age-statement batch product; however, since 2022, it has been a regularly produced NAS (I estimate it is now vatted from whiskies with an average age of around 12 years, but the minimum age is below 12). I'm unsure why this change was made, but it could be that it was one of the more popular annual Diageo Distiller's Editions (and the only one explicitly peated), so they decided to market it as a core-range bottling, which required some flexibility in the vatting. The nose strongly exhibits the classic Caol Ila distillate character but with added warm, sweet fruitiness, which feels entirely appropriate. The palate is similarly sweetened and fruity. I can't imagine anyone who enjoys sweet-wine-finished peated whisky would dislike this expression, and it's even reasonably priced and easy to find. "Good": 84/100 (3.75 stars)

(Double Matured in Moscatel Oak Wood: Distilled 2006/Bottled In 2017). Perhaps there's a valid reason to state that this specific version of the Distillers' Edition is quite clear and understandable in its aims, but it's still incredibly enjoyable. Perfectly balanced, powerful, yet quite the opposite of aggressive in terms of peat and smoke. On the nose: besides the strong general peatiness, iodine, smoke, and medicinal notes, there are many pleasant higher notes of ripe tropical fruits, sweet citrus, lemon pie, lollipops, yellow pear, peach jam; and also quite a few spicy nuances including cinnamon, cardamom, a bit of vanilla, and ginger. On the palate: smoky ashes again, light citrus notes, phenolic notes quickly give way to secondary tones of bursting spices like cayenne pepper and heavy fruits; light but noticeable honey and caramel in the background, Juicy Fruit bubblegum. The aftertaste develops significantly over time and lasts long enough to re-emphasize its strengths: bold peat, light malty/grain bitterness, citrus fruits, raisins, many spices like cloves, nutmeg, anise, and cinnamon, unseasoned oak. In summary, CIDE appears to be a gentle and delicate whisky. Likely all due to the post-Moscatel oak barrels, which makes it versatile and light (compared to sherry-finished Islay whiskies).

The color is golden yellow, unfortunately colored artificially. The scent is unusually sweet for a Caol Ila, abundant in raisins, marzipan, cinnamon, and honey, so much so that it almost conceals the Islay smoke, overshadowed by this confectioner's profile. The wine has left a very strong impression; it's a shame not to know the duration of the whisky's exposure to it. The palate entry still sees the smoke struggling to emerge from the cake, and after a few moments, it finally takes the lead, while still retaining the honey in which it is immersed. The same notes from the nose appear on the burning fireplace, with the addition of some candied fruit and a touch of salinity, which gradually recede, leaving ample room for the peat, which wears the sweet disguise with great ease. The combination is not very successful; the wine influence is present but after the initial impact, it becomes little more than a superficial adornment. In the not very long finish, ash and a spicy note remain; the Moscatel seems to have returned to Spain somewhat disappointed: it came to mature and was matured.

A friend's detailed review pretty much aligns with my experience. It's Caol Ila, but gentler, smoother and sweeter. It lacks the fresh grass and lemon oil notes found in the 12yr's nose and palate, replacing them with honey and pear and finishing with an apple turnover. Smoke is also more prominent than in the 12yr, but never reaches the intensity of the three big names on the south Islay coast. This is a very pleasing cask finish, and I regret there aren't more available for me to try. However, it's not what I seek when I choose Caol Ila, and for that reason, it won't supplant the 12yr as my go-to. If you can find it, you should absolutely sample it because it offers a pleasant variation on a solid foundation. And perhaps you won't miss the lemon-scented rocking chair on a beach that, for me, defines this distillery. Regardless; cheers!

Caol Ila Workshop Scottish distillery Peated Islay Whiskeys Last Thursday, on the 11th of July, a skilled whiskey expert led an excellent seminar at the Brazilian Association of Sommeliers' headquarters in Minas, focusing on Islay peat from the Scottish distillery Caol Ila. ABS Minas' partner, Ingá mineral water, provided ample hydration for everyone attending. During a blind tasting, participants sampled five peated whiskies: four distinct single malts and one special blended malt. This Single Malt, matured in Muscatel wine casks, was ultimately selected as the runner-up in the competition, tied for twelfth place, after all the whiskies were evaluated. Kudos to the participants for their competitive spirit and congratulations to the organizer for putting together such a remarkable event.

As Moscatel is a sweet dessert wine, this wood finish should enhance the mineral and peaty character of the Caol Ila spirit. The aroma offers hints of burning wood and embers, complemented by prominent spices, maple syrup, and seaweed. Notes of peppermint, apricots, and fresh ginger emerge. On the palate, aromatic and tart sensations develop, while briny peat smoke and a sugary coating complete the experience. Bitter tea, licorice, and grapefruit zest accompany the earthy, slightly dry finish. This bottling offers a unique take on the Caol Ila style and is quite enjoyable. RATING: 3.7/5.0 stars ≙ 85 pts → ABOVE AVERAGE [+]