A classic, coastal Islay style at a tantalising crossroads of rugged youthful peat and mineral, waxy maturity.
A.D.Rattray
Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Cask No. 313206
A. D. Rattray Cask Collection.
- Distilled at Caol Ila
- 14 Years Old
- Cask Type: Bourbon Hogshead
- Cask No: 313206
- Date Distilled: 21.08.2007
- Date Bottled: 23.09.2021
- Number of Bottles: 278
- Cask strength: 53.8%
- Un-chill filtered
- Natural colour
Appearance
White wine in colour, with a nice thick swirl line that drops very slow medium thick legs and with teardrops clinging onto the swirl line.
Nose
Yes the peat is here as expected, petrichor is rather evident too, mineral water, and a botanical aroma akin too mezcal/gin. The Smokey element reminds me of toasted tea cakes, with a slightly germoline type medicinal aroma.
A little more time and I’m finding chocolate coated hazelnuts, linseed oil, and dry straw.
Palate
Nice mouthfeel here, and the palate is a lovely peat/smoke/spicy fusion, which also brings some sweet/bitterness.
The peat is certainly here, but it’s not as dominant as the nose suggested, it’s mixed with seared pineapple, guava, lychee’s, and petrachor. Cinnamon and ginger root, milky coffee, and red berries all swirl around on the palate.
A late sweet flurry finishes the mid palate, with royal icing, and cream soda, with liquorice allsorts.
Finish
Medium length in general, but the smoke and spices do linger longer on their own, and they marry very nicely, to pull them apart at this point in regards to flavours is quite difficult to be honest, this is an event in its own, it’s 100% about enjoying and not analysing.
My thoughts
Well, in my humble opinion A.D.Rattray have done it again. I’ve tried a few Caol ila’s and this one is very good. It brings buckets full of “that” Caol ila style with more intensity plus a few flavours I’ve not had in a Caol ila before.
I will say that it’s one that shouldn’t be rushed, spending time with it is the best way to enjoy it, and at £86 it’s a lot of flavour, free delivery and a free sample of something else from their range for UK buyers is a super bonus for me, iv’e had and enjoyed a few myself now.
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