Caol Ila 19 Year Old / The Whisky Exchange

Another ‘tribute to the old officials’ bottling by TWE. This baby was just introduced at The Whisky Show London. Colour: white wine.

Nose: Textbook, ultra-classic mineral Caol Ila. Some kind of smoked cocktail made out of oyster and lemon juices. Also traces of exhaust fumes and burnt rubber, ‘in a good way’. With water: it’s its medicinal side that comes to the front, with almost a Laphroaigness. Also more ashes and soot (coal stove).

Mouth (neat): Exactly what happened on the nose, plus touches of green olives. So flints, oysters, lemon and ‘good’ rubber (yet it’s not rubbery at all, well, I know what I’m trying to say). Some wax and ashes as well, maybe one or two capers… (briny and a little sour, works very well). With water: all perfect. Smoked and salted lemon juice. Oysters and touches of chilli sauce. Rocks.

Finish: Long, very zesty, very fresh.

Comments: Still youngish but already great. Caol Ila is a good example of a name that’s widely available and almost always excellent. Very good value. SGP:357 - 88 points.