Caol Ila 11 Year (2008), Whiskybase Cask 318620
Whisky: Caol Ila 11 Year (2008), Whiskybase Cask 318620
Country/Region: Scotland/Islay
ABV: 58.1%
Cask: Hogshead
Age: 11 Years (Distilled 10 Oct. 2008, Bottled 18 March 2020)
Nose: Toasted herbs, brine, oak moss, burnt wood, charred orange rind and mellow citrus, hints of tar, anise, cinnamon, and black pepper.
Palate: Medium-bodied and oily, maritime brine and crisp citrus with underlying medicinal herbs, hints of mango and lemon, tar and charcoal, slightly bitter herbs and orange at the end.
Finish: Medium-length with drying salt, minerals, and lemony citrus
Score: 6
Mental Image: Beach Base Camp
Narrative & Notes: The aroma was well-suited to opening up clogged nasal passages with a blend of toasted herbs, salty brine, charcoal, and sweet citrus. Waves crashed on a rocky shore while a pile of damp burning wood and tar struggled to keep away a maritime chill. A bubbling teapot infused with anise, cinnamon, black pepper, and dried orange rind promised respite and time to watch the moss grow. Medium-bodied with a lovely oily quality, the flavor profile was loaded with maritime brine and crisp citrus until a slightly funky and bitter herbal character pushed through. Salty brine and dissolved minerals popped like sea spray across the palate while bitter orange with hints of mango dazzled in their wake. Lemon and herbs lingered with a bit of tar and acrid charcoal until burning bundles of medicinal herbs arrived to cleanse the air. The finish was medium-length with drying salt, minerals, and lemony citrus.
Classic Caol Ila all the way through. I will spare myself any extended commentary on this one; it was what you expect from a youngish Caol Ila— brine, citrus, and herbal undertones. I found those elements were unusually well-balanced in this whisky. Often, Caol Ila leans significantly in one direction or the other, but this was structured so that each component had its time to shine. The bitterness accompanying the medicinal herbs was no doubt less welcome, but the slightly sweet tar was a pleasant contrast.
Caol Ila rarely dazzles, but it disappoints even less frequently— it is an icon of dependability. The distillery achieves a remarkably consistent level of quality, even while pulling off several variations of its classic flavors by varying fermentation times. This cask may not have broken away from the pack. Still, it was a great representation of classic Caol Ila elements.
Image Credit: Whiskybase
