Malt of the Month: September 2017
We choose our Malt of the Month to highlight some of the great whiskies of the world. Some are well known, some less so, but you can be certain that if it's our Malt of the Month, then you won't be disappointed. This month we've chosen:
17 Year Old
Unpeated
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One of the most popular bottles in the yearly Special Releases from distillery owner Diageo, this Caol Ila is made up entirely of unpeated spirit, unlike the regular bottlings. A hint of smoke still hides at the back of the palate, but this shows off a fruity and spicy side to the distillery's character.
ALLERGEN INFORMATION
This product may contain the following:Tasting Notes
From Billy Abbott The Whisky Exchange
- Nose: Salted lemons and charcoal dust with swimming pools and sea spray. Behind are richer and spicier notes of vanilla cream, lemon drizzle cake and white pepper.
- Palate: Heavy but sweet smoke and damp charcoal lead the palate, with lemon zest and bitter pith to follow. Spice builds, with floral notes and a touch of mouthwatering sour fruit.
- Finish: Charcoal dust and soft fruitiness, fading to dark spice.
- Comment: An upfront and very maritime dram, with more depth than you might expect for an unpeated whisky from Caol Ila.
Style
Character
About Caol Ila
History
The name Caol Ila is derived from the Gaelic phrase Caol Ìle, 'Sound of Islay', the name of the stretch of water that separates Islay from nearby Jura. Caol Ila distillery overlooks the strait, just to the north of Port Askaig, one of the island's main ports. It was founded in 1846, but was expanded extensively in 1879, and then entirely demolished and rebuilt in 1972. The distillery reopened in 1974 and after years of being known for producing blending malt, released a range of single malts in 2002.
Today
Caol Ila is now the largest distillery on Islay, producing more than 6 million litres of alcohol per year, most of which is used to make Johnnie Walker.
