Caol Ila 14 yo (1997/2011), SMWS 53.152, 57,7%

Review #736

This whisky is called “Sweet, vanilla, smoky heart” and comes from a refill ex-Bourbon hogshead. Only 191 bottles were made. Sweet vanilla Islay peat in the smell. The alcohol makes it seem a bit more peaty than what it actually is. White fruits and a little bonfire.

Peat and white fruits again in the taste. Some meaty notes joins the peat (perhaps a bit of bacon), and some salty notes comes forward. The finish peat lingers off in the finish with a boost of vanilla and lemon cake.

The nose is a bit tame, but the taste take revenge, and is quite flavourful. Actually more compact and rich than many other Caol Ila’s. For me, the peat dies a bit down with water, but some more notes of caramel comes forward. I will give this 87/100 (21/23/22/21).