Caol Ila 17 Year Old Unpeated Special Releases 2015

Tasting notes by Billy A

• Nose

  Salted lemons and charcoal dust lead the way, with swimming pools and sea-spray – a mineral-heavy, coastal and zingy whisky. Behind the initially sharp nose, sit richer and spicier notes of vanilla cream, vanilla sponge, lemon drizzle cake and white pepper. Water brings out more sweetness, but the seaside charm remains.

• Palate

  Heavy but sweet smoke and damp charcoal lead the palate. Lemon zest and bitter pith sit with sweet Werther's Originals and gentle spice. The spice builds, with some floral and soapy notes that compliment rather than detract from the rest of the palate. Water brings out mouth-watering sour fruit and more perfumed notes – musky and fragrant.

• Finish

  Charcoal dust and soft fruitiness, fading to dark spice.

• Comment

  An upfront and very maritime dram, that has more depth than some of the more recent unpeated releases. It has smoke, but it's sooty and dusty rather than pungent, giving room for the distillery's pure maritime character to shine.