Caol Ila 14 Year Old / Unpeated / Sherry Cask

Appeance: Clear, bright gold with copper lights.
Nose: Mild; cautious yet complex. A faint early whiff of Caol Ila smoke soon fades. Gentle early softness (vanilla, sweet oat biscuits with apricot jam) is edged away by a fruity sharpness (lemon and lime zest, ripe Victoria plums, rhubarb or gooseberry). A late hint of treacle toffee? Greater depth with water: first there’s sweet fruit salad, then a honeyed note; imagine slowly-growing sharp notes of stewed rhubarb with soft vanilla cream (or are they winey, then waxy notes with fresh straw?).
Body: Medium, rich. Coating and comforting, with water.
Palate: Immediate and intense: a smooth texture, with rich sweetness; gooseberry crumble or crisp, white grapes are the jewels in a rich, honeyed setting. Becoming bitter-sweet (more treacle toffee), all with a distinct, drying maritime saltiness. In all, a warming and spicy mouthfeel. Water cools things and develops the flavour well. Not as sweet, salty or bitter, but still displaying all three. Fresh and clean.
Finish: Medium length, sweet, yet drying. Water reveals a smooth, aromatic combination of sweet and bitter notes on a soft, digestive biscuit base, with late orange blossom.