This teenage Caol Ila was released as a Black Friday special by the Whisky Exchange.  While many of their Black Friday releases have not carried the name of the distillery, this one laid it all out.  I split a bottle with a friend and took my sweet time to ever actually get around to pouring or trying it.

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Whisky: Caol Ila 16 Year, The Whisky Exchange Black Friday

Country/Region: Scotland/Islay

ABV: 53.2%

Cask: Oak

Age: 16 Years (Bottled 2022)

Notes: Crisp and maritime with plenty of oceanic brine and mellow notions of diesel engines and dirty shop rags— perhaps a bit like sitting near the engine while on a deep sea fishing cruise. Smoked kippers and muscles provided a bit of meat to some of the peppery sea with background notions of Tiger balm and muscle rubs. Medium-bodied and oily on the palate, the flavor profile offered more charred wood and ash upfront with pickling spices— caraway, celery seed, mustard seed. Brine and pepper sat further in with burned parchment paper and muscle balms. The finish was medium-length with fireplace ash, toasted spices, peppercorn, and more subtle brine.

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Score: 6-7 (79)

Mental Image: Christmas Pickle Plate

Conclusion: Clean and approachable, this was a classic Caol Ila with plenty of charred wood, ash, maritime brine, and medicinal herbs and spices. It had a good mouthfeel and the spirit was well-integrated. There was nothing off about the malt beyond an occasional dash of something chemical that came with the herbal and medicinal muscle rubs. Overall, a tasty Caol Ila, though I prefer them a bit fruitier.