Single Malt Whisky, Scotland/Islay

Founded in 1846 by Hector Henderson, Caol Ila was first rebuilt and extended in 1879. After it was bought by the Distillers Company Limited in 1927, the entire distillery — save for one maturation warehouse — was demolished in 1972, reopening in 1974 with a new still room where a bay window allows visitors to admire the six stills. Note after note, this bottling’s flavor and aroma palette paints a vivid picture of this iconic single malt’s smoky, malty, salty, floral and herbaceous character.

TASTING NOTES

Appearance: lively gold.

Nose: precise, clean. The empyreumatic (sleet, ash), mineral and lemon aroma palette also reveals lovely malt (barley grain) and honey notes. Allowed to breathe, pepper, heat (Cayenne pepper) and medicinal aromas (ointment, camphor) appear.

Palate: clear, elegant. The flavor palette is astoundingly mature, bringing vanilla, florals (lily, iris) and fruit (pear) that add lots of body. Driven by notes of herbal tea (mint, verbena), the finish closes on subtle animal and chalk flavours.

Overall: long, well-rounded. At first, tarmac and pipe tobacco seize hold of the finish, accompanied by delicate liquorice notes, luscious green aromas (barley field) and iodine. Stunning mineral flavours of graphite and pencil lead follow.