Could disappoint those who like a more brutish, in-your-face whisky, but personally I find it really quite nice. The only CS I have seen in Ontario is 17 YO unpeated, and I have to say it's pretty impressive, but the only reason I got it was because I traded in a bottle someone brought for me by accident that was worth a lot more than I would ever pay for a bottle. We’re also getting a touch more ethanol when adding water, some ginger, dried grape must, candied pecans, a hint of chlorine and cloves. When watching a Bowmore review recently I asked Ralfy to recommend an Islay whisky for a Scotch neophyte, He said to "look up Caol Ila 12".

This version shows its character the best, a nose that mixes seashore and grass with a distinct hint of smoked bacon. If we decide not to exercise or enforce any right or provision of these Terms, such decision shall not constitute a waiver of such right or provision. The General Wine Company is a family-owned and operated wine merchant in Liphook, Hampshire, England. Very strong yet nicely balanced aromas which, on a second visit, provide you with a touch of tincture and iodine.They may lack the machismo associated with cask strength but seem better able to balance and enable greater sensing of tastes. The nose starts out all wood smoke, but if you hang around long enough there is a quick acid bite followed by a sweetness, like biting into a mandarin orange.

She was kind enough to bring over a small shot bottle filled with Laphroaig Quarter Cask, and I compared it with the Caol Ila. I’ve had this bottle for a couple years, and had not had any for quite some time, so I decided to go back and give it another try.I know many people would disagree with me, but its quiet sophistication seemed to upstage the fireworks of the Laphroaig, especially the solvent astringent overtones that amp up the peppery liveliness a bit much for me. Tree bark, peat and vanilla fudge aromas are first to escape and on tasting a burst of smokiness, sea salt and sweet aniseed vanilla hit the palate.

Today I’ll be trying the 12 Year Old and 18 Year Old from their core range and an Indie that shall remain a surprise for now. Without prejudice to the section Liability below, the Service may be temporarily unavailable during maintenance, updates, etc. Blend: If you already have a bottle of Talisker in your collection, try different mixes with the Caol Ila. This whisky receives a high score from me because I can't imagine a much better whisky for the money. This peated malt is a great combination of great smoky and peaty notes mixed together with fresh and light fruity notes.If Rolling Stone can give the new Bruce Springsteen album 5 stars, then surely I can give Caol Ila 12 it's numerical equivalent on connosr. The distillery belongs to Diageo, and in addition to being sold as a single malt is used heavily in blends such as Johnnie Walker and Black Bottle. I'm not sure what it is about Caol Ila, but it is distinct from other Islays (and without exotic finishes). In some ways, it can be said that we should be thankful Diageo hasn’t put much focus on Caol Ila yet.

This has a ‘clean smoke’ in it, as opposed to some of the stronger and denser peat-smokes that come from the Ardbegs of the world. Your continued use of the Service after any such changes or updates take effect will constitute acknowledgement and (as applicable) acceptance of those changes or updates. It's a nice, uncomplicated easy drinking Islay and always my fallback dram when I can't make a decision. My girlfriend was at her ballet class, so when the 2 youngest wer in bed, I opened up a bottle of 12YO. However, this one goes a step further and fully takes me to something specific that I get to enjoy by living in New Jersey: a seashore campfire.There are, of course, the yearly releases of cask-strength 12 year olds, Feis Isle and Distillers Edition, but those are hard to find in retail compared to the 16. I’m really not sure why you thought it was appropriate and fair to post a 3/10 based on what you admit is a dodgy sample from some bar. So these days, every once in a while, whenever I venture over to her house to hang out, the tale she once told, almost in a tone of reverence) haunts me just a little. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys peat, and it compares favourably with pretty much any of the base malts from any other Islay distillery (Lagavulin 16, Ardbeg 10, etc).