Whisky: Caol Ila 16 Year Fèis Ìle 2020 (Blind Re-Review)

Country/Region: Scotland/Islay

ABV: 53.9%

Cask: Refill Hogshead, Amoroso Treated Hogshead

Age: 16 Years (Bottled 2020)

Nose: Coastal with salty mineral-laden air, citrus rinds, melon rind, fried plantains with honey, dried grass, and subtle metallic grill grates with a hint of acrid coal dust.

Palate: Medium-bodied, coastal and fruity, maritime brine with charred lemons and grilled fruits, mango and melon rind developed with an iron-like metallic tinge and coal dust, fatty and creamy at times, especially with a bit of water; more mint and minerals toward the end with lingering charred citrus.

Finish: Medium-length with charred fruits, smoldering wood embers, and dried grass.

Score: 7 (85)

Mental Image: Wandering the Night Market

Narrative & Notes: I tried this blind with our local whisky club as part of a blind face-off in which one member put their bottle-selecting skills against a trio of single casks selected by Neil Patrick Harris for SMWS. The only rule was that he stick to a budget similar to the SMWS series.

This bottle came first in the lineup. I guessed it was a Caol Ila and not one of the SMWS bottles. A few other members guessed Glen Scotia or other potentially mild coastal distilleries.

I was right!  It did help that I knew what the three NPH bottles were, though I did not know where they fell in the lineup.  I also knew everything was peated, significantly narrowing down the possible distilleries. Though I correctly identified the three NPH bottles, this was the only totally blind one I guessed.

I have actually reviewed this before, which may have helped the flavor profile ring a bell with Caol Ila, though the last time I had it was way back in 2020. Despite trying the whisky blind this time, I scored it the same. Even better, my notes from back then are not all that different from this time, with plenty of acrid, fruit, and coastal notes— even the same hint of banana or plantain. I did pick up more meatiness four years ago, but otherwise, they match pretty well.

Overall, just as delicious as last time!