🥃 Whisky Auctioneer

Nose: He has a young, impetuous nose. A lot of smoke, a lot of sweetness (vanilla and malt). In addition pumpernickel and beer pomace smell. The smoke is ashy, coal smoke. Surprisingly not very fresh the smell, the "Caol Ila citrus notes" are strong in the background. It comes out after adding a little water. Diluted to around 46%, it becomes sugar-sweet in the nose. Popcorn, apricot, a little apricot and peach. Mouth: In the mouth there is also a strong ashy tinge with a peppery start. But the sweet opposite pole is the sweet. I have no experience with Koval Rye, but I suspect that a certain note comes from it, since I don't usually know it from young CIs: a bit like beer pomace bread with sunflower seeds. In addition orange peel. It is interesting that with a little water he gets a certain alcoholic sharpness, which he does not have with barrel strength. Then at a good 46% he loses it again and becomes very gentle and elegant, the citrus becomes a little more complex and I almost get the impression that I have the 12 year old OA in the glass, only with a little more wood. Finish: Long, ashy, oak is noticeable here, especially in barrel strength. 88/100 Conclusion: A completely convincing Caol Ila for old age, which definitely has an alternative aroma to the standard bourbon gas fillings. With water it shows different facets and invites you to play.

[December, 2019] Ooh, a baby Caol Ila with very good scores, I am curious... ...but to be honest, one dram is fine with me but I do not ask for a second one. It is interesting to experience this bold "trinity" of malty, peaty and woody notes but once this is done my taste buds ask for more impressions.

A very pleasant and elegant surprise adding lots of depth to the CI. This is one of the rare drams where 1+1=3. From a 5cl sample.

Again a beautiful and subtile Caol Ila, modest peat and smoke, with lot's of room for fruity and sweet notes.

Eye/Nose Strong golden tone. The malt is so intense in its aromas that you can smell it from a distance as it breathes in the Glencairn. A really massive powerhouse. Sweet Islay cargo wafts out of the glass. No warm smoke, but rather an almost tarry note that would have looked great on a fine Ardbeg in days gone by. The young Caol Ila leads the nose, as you would expect. First, strong vanilla emerges from behind the veil of smoke. Then this wonderful, all-encompassing sweetness that is reminiscent of maple or perhaps even more of the fruity, sweet scent of elderflower syrup. Aromas that include a whole range of spicy notes. Finally, I note the unmistakable scent of freshly sawn wood. Simply great! palate Almost 60% alcohol content lets me taste the malt - undiluted - respectfully. Wonderfully warm and creamy on the tongue. The alcohol is powerful, but doesn't bite. Pleasant freshness is my first impression. Nothing immature or metallic. When I enjoy tasting it, I keep coming back to this wonderfully smooth, full mouthfeel, as you sometimes find in cask-strength Caol Ilas. Sweet cereal porridge follows, again seasoned with a good dash of maple syrup. The malt seems fresh, even when tasting it, probably due to the fruity notes of fresh red Gloster apples and orange fillets. With a few drops of water, the Caol Ila changes completely, seems even more mature, more grown-up, but also loses a little of its youthful impetuosity. Both facets, whether with or without the addition of water, are very exciting for my taste and make the malt seem wonderfully complex. Purely a matter of taste. The palate impressively delivers what the nose promises. Finish/Conclusion Long, warm, ashy finish, with plenty of spices and a small pinch of white pepper. The sweetness is still there and fades away just as slowly, becoming dry towards the end and very clear. The spicy combination of bourbon and rye is just perfect for this smoker. More notes and reviews on Facebook at: #Maltkanzlei