Whisky : Caol Ila 12 Year; Scotch Universe Callisto VIII

Country/Region : Scotland/Islay

ABV : 57.4%

Cask : First Fill Ruby Port

Nose : Sweet barbecue, grill smoke, and seashore.  Briny prawns in sweet chili sauce on the grill, tangy dark fish sauce, and strawberry pie are come to the fore.  Cleaning agents, grill smoke, and Coca-cola hang in the background.

Palate : Sharpe and sweet with a bite that quickly fades to smoke.  Sharpness of concentrated ginger cola, rock salt, and vermouth or maybe just a Manhattan.  Quick fade down to sugary smoke and baking spices.

Finish :  Lingering smoked cinnamon and ginger candy.

Score : 6

Mental Image : Sweet Chili Prawns.

Something Better : Ledaig 13 Year; Single Cask Nation (similar sweet maritime grill, more complex)

Something Worse : Nikka Black; Night Cruise (similar prawns/spices, less finish/smoke)

Notes :  The opening on this exploded like a firecracker across the palate with tons of sweet soda notes that were so sharpe they felt effervescent before cooling off to a low gentle meaty grill smoke with elements of salt and sweet glaze.  It reminded me a lot of a Balcones Rum Finish I reviewed earlier which also had an initial burst of flavors before the palate radically shifted directions.  This one was less a radical shift to new territory and more like a changing of gears— switching between notes already present on the nose.

This was nice, I enjoyed the nose and I enjoyed the palate a lot more with a few drops of water which smoothed the transition and brought out more fruit.  I am not a huge port cask finish aficionado, so this is not my favorite thing.  Overall, while I did enjoy this bottle, I preferred the next bottle in the series, Callisto IX, over this one by quite some margin.  I think this bottle would be a great addition to any tasting lineup, I certainly would not complain to see it again.