The Whisky Cellar Caol Ila 11yo – 55.2%

201 bottles from a refill american oak hogshead then finished in a Maderia.

Founded in 1846, Caol Ila Distillery is renowned for producing a consistently solid Islay malt whisky, displaying notes of orchard fruits, earthy soil and distinctive marine/sea shore character. Of course, there’s traditional Islay peat smoke but it is not as pronounced as its Diageo stable mate, Lagavulin. Tall stills and long fermentation help to tame the heavier phenols. This little beauty was aged in the traditional Caol Ila fashion – in a refill hogshead – before being re-racked into a Madeira wine barrique in February 2019 (two years of ‘finishing’ by the time we bottle it). The result is incredibly unique.

Colour: Amber rose

Nose: Sea spray, shellfish platter, earthy, a touch of linament

Palate: Burning bonfire embers at first then fish and chips on the harbour wall. Salty with tomato chutney sweetness.
Finish: Salt and pepper, paprika dry-rubbed smoked meats and a medium length, lingering peat fire close.