Caol Ila 18 Year Old Unpeated (Special Release 2017) Whisky

Just a superb whisky. Caol ila is Quickly becoming one of my favourite distillery’s. This is 59.8% yet it’s smooth enough to drink neat. If you add a little water the nose and flavours intensify dramatically. On the nose you get sweet citrus & Sharp fruits, morning dew, damp soil, vanilla, spices. The taste is intense, salty bursts, sweet, sour, spice, custard. There’s more, but my pallet isn’t experienced enough yet to pick them out. The finish is long, a hint of background smoke appears at last, very subtle though, sweetness, bitterness, chocolate, warming spices. It’s beautifully complex.

I picked this up in a hurry at the duty free this king it's going to be the normal, peated Caol Ila 18yo (something I've been looking for for a long time). When I read through the labelling I had mixed feelings ....what would this be like, really?

I'm now delighted to say, she's a keeper. Stunning and unique.

First up give it air for 10-15 minutes. Then the nose is chocolatey, malty, creamy with vanilla and lime. Palate is gorgeously full and classic oily Caol Ila style. Love it. Salty, but deliciously sweet also - sweet lime, a whack of caramel. Just a faint whiff of peat and chili heat on the looong finish. It's a beast, but sleek and sophisticated - if you add a few drops of water and give it time to air, you hardly feel the high ABV. Overall, a class act and unique. For single malt pilgrims who have traveled some distance and looking for something new - go for it. Personally, I'll treasure every sip of this.

Tremendous whiskey. Has the standard Caol Ila viscosity in a more powerful punch. Cutting with about 5-10ml of water, for me, seems to bring out a perfect balance for this cask strength whisky. I like it better than the 18 neat.

This stuff burns... not sure it qualifies as good scotch. The alcohol overwhelms any flavors whatsoever. Need to add serious water or ice just to drink.

Superb