I was reading a tasting note for this whisky on twitter, and I was quite surprised someone (nevermind who) was describing it as “Smooth” on the palate. I knew i had a sample of this stashed somewhere in my sample cabinet, and I’ve never tasted a young CI at over 57% abv which I could describe as “smooth” so I set to taste this dram immediately. Well, here’s my 2 cent’s worth of tasting notes.. The whisky was distilled in 2005 and bottled 20/7/16, at a very potent 57.3% abv.
Caol Ila Cask Strength, 2005 , 57.3% abv
Nose: Sweet on first sniff, with hints of smoked fish, bacon and golden syrup, with quite some fragrant and reeky peat , creamy vanilla and black pepper, apple peel and a slight note of pear drops.
Palate: Spicy and pepper on entry, with an avalanche of fresh ground pepper, cinnamon gum and , salt and more creamy vanilla, smoked fish in sweet marinade and lovely wood fire.
Finish: Long, Peppery, smoky with cinnamon, soot and vanilla custard.
Conclusion:
This is a very nice young Caol Ila. It’s not ultra complex, but it does not feel young, and the creamy, smoky meat with pepper and cinnamon are quite enjoyable. Easy drinking, and lovely if you’re a peat lover. It’s not a smooth whisky, but it’s creamy, if that’s what you enjoy…
I am now on my 2nd bottle of this coal ila and I would describe it as smooth. A very good expression of cask strength coal ila
I’ve never met a smooth CI , Islay malts can be described as a lot of things, but for me the beauty is their roughness, the peat, the medicinal notes and smoke. this one is indeed, not a peat monster, and quite creamy with vanilla and sweetness, but it’s an Islay alright. enjoy!