Small Batch Caol Ila 2011
Cask Type: Hogshead
Bottled: 2023
Age: 12
Region: Islay
No. of bottles: 894
ABV: 46%
Release: Winter Release 2023
Joe Whittaker
“In the world of certainties - death, taxes, and the excellence of Caol Ila whisky - this small batch maintains its promise. A dram that is filled with Christmas chocolate oranges, spices and that Caol Ila smoke. Just great!”
Tasting Notes
Fresh aromas of warm orange, chocolate, peat smoke and unlit cigars rise slowly from the glass before a lighter note of sugared almonds appears. The palate is luscious and heavily peated whilst fruity orange, savoury peat, cocoa powder and grilled lime all balance perfectly. Clove and yet more orange linger long on the palate. This is something akin to a peated chocolate orange.
Distillery
Caol Ila Distillery is near Port Askaig, looking across the Sound of Islay to neighbouring Jura. Its whisky is very well respected for both its distinctive, smoky Islay style and elegant, fruity balance.
Jonny McMillan says:“For years Caol Ila has been Islay’s champion of whisky anoraks. With relatively few official bottlings, this distillery has been championed by independent bottlers, including Berry Bros & Rudd, who brought the distillery to the attention of whisky devotees with several stellar casks from the early 1980s.”