Whisky: Caol Ila 11 Year (2011), Douglas Laing Cask 16748 for K&L

Country/Region: Scotland/Islay

ABV: 55.8%

Cask: Refill Hogshead

Age: 11 Years (Distilled Jan. 2011, Bottled Oct. 2022)

Nose: Smoke off tar and resin, clean coastal salinity, dried grass, barbecue, medicinal herbs, and black pepper.

Palate: Medium-bodied, citrus and tar, creosote and hot pavement, dry grass, citrus rind, herbs, vanilla, anise, black pepper.

Finish: Medium-length with charred citrus, maritime brine, and dried grass.

Score: 7 (82)

Mental Image: VIP Seats for the Siege of Acre

Narrative & Notes: Tar and burning resin fired the senses— like watching a medieval siege from a safe distance; pitch and smoke in the air with a clean coastal salinity, dried grass, charred meats back at camp, and burning medicinal herbs to ward off any unpleasant miasma— some combination of mugwort, burning sage, and peppercorns. Medium-bodied, though on the lighter end, with bright citrus and acrid burning tar; a touch of creosote from a road paving crew mixed with dried summer grass, charred citrus rind, and mentholated tobacco; cured vanilla beans and anise floated by with black pepper and just a hint of those medicinal notes from the aroma. Medium-length with charred citrus, maritime brine, and dried grass.

Uncomplicated, this young Caol Ila had a remarkable flavor drift in the direction of Laphroaig and I could see easily mixing them up in a blind tasting.  The classic maritime and citrus elements were generally further in the background as acrid smoke from burning tar, and pitch took over with occasional digressions toward the grill or medicine shop.  The palate was a touch sweet but well-structured, with a nice evolution from citrus, pavement, and fermented or sun-cured vanilla and anise by the sea.

Overall, a classic Caol Ila with no frills or fuss. These youngish Caol Ila are a dime a dozen with a generally good floor on the quality— this was a notch above most.

Image Credit: Whiskybase