A yearly Diageo Special Release matured for 15 years in refill and rejuvenated American-oak hogsheads and ex-bodega European oak butts.
Appearance: Light gold/apple juice. Many quick-forming medium/thick legs compliment an oily film coating the inside of the glass.
Nose: Freshly baked apple and blackcurrant pie and custard. That’s it, Freshly baked apple and blackcurrant pie and custard, and it’s lovely.
Palate: A lovely mouthfeel, oily and luxurious.
The brown sugar-dusted pastry note is still very much evident, the apple element though had evolved into more of a stewed blackberry flavour, deeper and richer.
The more sips are taken, the more dark berry this gets, and it’s lovely.
Finish: Honey-soaked blackberry and cinnamon. There are some black pepper notes too, adding some warmth.
Overall: I’ve always said that I’m not a Caol Ila fan, the problem is, however, that whenever I try one I like it, a lot.
This unpeated example is very nice indeed, full of dark fruits, sugar and a touch of spice.
