Versions of Caol Ila aged or matured in sherry barrels are extremely rare. When we taste this 2012 vintage for the first time, we can only regret it. Indeed, with an uncommon force of persuasion, it turns everything upside down on its way, to be traded with the toughest prejudices. If only one of its many qualities should be mentioned, it would undoubtedly be the ability to take the taster to new olfactory and gustatory regions that have never been explored before.

Tasting Notes

Colour: Mahogany with green reflections.

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 also 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 chocolatey (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, camphor as well as malted and smoked barley grains.