Caol Ila 35yo, 1979-2014, XOP - Xtra Old Particular

ABV

47.1%

Region

Islay

Bottling

Douglas Laing

Cask type

Refill Hogshead (# DL10594, 204 btl.)

Nose

Juicy apricot and ripe peach combine with soft smoke and some peat aromas. These are joined by further fruity notes of pineapple, followed by vanilla, ash and a touch of soot.

Palate

The initial sweetness of peach and apricot is joined by warming and spicy notes of ginger and nutmeg, accompanied by soft peat smoke. Lightly grilled pineapple, with bonfire smoke and a touch of iodine towards the finish.

Finish

The finish is long lasting and pleasantly warming with a honey sweetness, malty notes, some oak and maritime with salty caramel towards the end.

With water

After the addition of a few drops of water, the nose is much more present, with slightly more smoky notes and less fruit. Sweetness on the palate with vanilla and apricot, followed by subtle peat and malty grain notes. The finish is still long and creamy with malted barley, caramel, iodine and a hint of peat smoke.

Comments

A wonderfully mature, fruity maritime Caol Ila with a complex aroma. Everything is just right here. Spirit and wood have entered a perfect symbiosis after three and a half decades of maturation in an oak cask. Wonderful that you can taste whiskies like this. A great dram that doesn't need any water.

I thank Douglas Laing for the complimentary sample and the photograph!