A wonderfully balanced expression from the core Caol Ila range, this 18 year old is malty and thick with notes of Caol Ila smoke and phenols, a lovely Islay single malt without extreme levels of peat.
Aromatic, darkness. Herbal, vegetal. Grassy, creamy malt.
Big, refined sweetness, leafy. Well integrated oak, smoke, oily, peat. Barley.
Long, herbal notes, gentle smoke, soft peat. Oily wood.
Of all the "older" expressions of single malts that I have I think the Caol Ila 18 is the best. It is a wonderful extension from the 12 year old, smoother but just as peaty as its younger relative. Very easy to drink!
strepitoso !!!
Just finished the last ounce as the winter fades and the snow melts and rolls off my roof. The finish pulls long, a sweet slow burn with just right smokiness. I will search far and wide to find its replacement.
I think I've tasted about 100 different kinds of Scotch, American, Japanese whisky, but this is by far the most pleasing of them all. The nose is brilliant, the taste keeps on developing and the finish is long, warm and smooth, fantastic stuff. Get one while you still can!
<a href="http://www.tastersclubwhiskeyofthemonth.com/blog/2012/07/25/caol-ila-18-year-2/">Taster's Club Review of Coal Ila 18</a>
