Caol Ila 2006/2015 "Whisky of the Year" (abv. 52.9, for the Auld Alliance)
This one is a bit of a joke made by the guys at the Auld Alliance, targeted at how some whisky competitions award prizes to whiskies based on very narrow categories. In this case, the Auld Alliance awarded this "Whisky of the Year" in the category for Caol Ila 2006-2015, 52.9% for the Auld Alliance. Creative eh?
To side-track a little, this is what seems to be happening to how prizes are awarded. Create ever more specific categories, recognize whiskies for being the best in the world according to a very narrow definition, and let everyone raise their prices because they're "award-winning whiskies". It seems like prizes are given out to as many people as possible, instead of letting genuine, fair competition happen. Which, unfortunately, seems to be how some educators try to motivate their students. Unfortunately, when everyone is special in his own special way, the word "special" loses its meaning. But I digress.
Nose - This is very meaty, a real BBQ party. I think there's beef on the grill, as well as some smoked ham. The peat is very much in the forefront, though it's smoky as well. Definitely not a "light" Islay, this Caol Ila. The age and abv tells too, as the alcohol and brightness of the aromas testify. Behind the peat and smoke is a solid layer of citrus fruits - lemon, grapefruit. And then further behind that, a nice grassy profile to hold the nose together. Spicy too! Just a light touch of vanilla, but maybe I'm imagining things. This is well layered and complex, especially after accounting for its age.
Palate - peat and smoke is rather big on entry, but that is quickly taken over by big sour notes. Lemons, I think. Freshly cut and bursting with lemony flavours. Spicy in a up-your-nose way. So that'll make it wasabi? Freshly ground wasabi at that - green, grassy undertones behind the spicy kick. A little..."dusty", like an old book. After a while, this gets a little malty, but overall, fairly well-balanced.
Finish - Mmm. Long...lemon/orange zest, slight bitterness, but overall, the sours keeps the whole finish fresh. Which is quite an accomplishment, considering the strength of the smoke.
Overall - DW and JE preferred the Kilchoman Machir Bay, which they only ordered because I was hard-selling it, and joking that we should buy a stake in the distillery. The Machir Bay has a cleaner taste profile - less...chalky/grassy/dusty, not as big on sours, sweeter, and a more precise smoke that's not as peaty as the Caol Ila. I personally like this Caol Ila just fine. The Machir Bay's better for sipping, but this is good too.
Lastly, the Lowlander!
(Ok, major mistake. Dalwhinnie is, of course, not a lowlander, but a highlander. So, with Campbeltown, Speyside and Lowlands missing, these 2 most recent posts can't be called "Regions of Scotland" anymore, can it? Meh. Shall not edit this so that I will always have evidence of shoddy work to spur myself on. It even says "highland" on the label, for crying out loud. Bad. Really bad.)
Dalwhinnie Distiller's Edition 1995/2011 (abv 43%)
We ordered this last. Unfortunately, it was the least liked of the 5 we had on the night.
Nose - Floral and perfumed. Oaky and some liquorice notes. Hmm. It's inoffensive, I guess.
Palate - The additional maturation period imparted a bit of leather. Hmm. Maybe a very small raisin. Fairly...sweet...hmm. What kind of sweetness though? Not honey...Maybe a liquorice-based sweet, which I am not exactly fond of. Fairly perfumed and lightly floral, but I won't say its pleasant enough to be in the same class as, say, Hibiki 12.
Finish - Mmm. Sweet-ish, closer to oak than sherry. Maybe a touch of heather, but the finish is predominantly oak. Light leather, so it's a bit drying. Slightly porridgy too.
Overall - Maybe I was tired by the time I got to this, but I'm not sure I like this.
Ok, I'm demotivated by my big boo-boo. Goodnight! Shall have to make up for it with a real Lowlander, and a Campbeltown next time.
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