Indie Caol Ila

Just as Man U is currently stringing together a good sequence of wins, I'm going to do a sequence of peaty whiskies from everyone's favourite Scotch region. A couple of the whiskies in this sequence are very kindly shared by friends - thanks PY and NF (in advance)! As promised in the previous, this one is a strong Caol Ila.

PY bought this indie Caol Ila some time back at LMDW, and we had a quick sip. His initial review was that this Caol Ila is the real thing, making a Kilchoman single sherry cask feel 'feignty'. Big bold claim. He kindly gave me a small sample to try at leisure, and I'm finally giving this a shot.

Caol Ila G&M 'Cask Strengh', 2004/2015 (60.1% abv)

Nose - Sharp attack, like Lukaku - big alcohol tendrils unfurling in your nose. Wasabi-like. A hint of kerosene and flint - explosive, like Rashford's pace. Behind that, smoke and lemons, then salt. Pears, pear rind, a little vanilla, and some rich notes from the cask, I believe - oak, a touch of coconut, peach. Peat turns ashy from the rather grassier initial profile. Complex and intricate, like Mkhitaryan. Ok, enough Man United references...

Palate - Lemonade! Vanilla and honey. Nectar. Toffee. Lots of sweet stuff going on here! Help! I think I'm losing the war on diabetes! Oh, great, there's the chalk and salt to the rescue! Some bitter notes, like tea. Pear drops, stewed fruit. Smoke and ashes. A big beach bonfire. Grapefruit and ginger, then a bunch of pepper sprinkled with clove and...parsley? Tea tannin...overbrewed Chinese tea.

Finish - Charcoal smoke, like sitting beside the campfire after the flames die down. Lots of pepper, some chalk, a hint of nut oils, lingering ginger. A little bitter for my liking though.

Overall - wow. That was intense. I wouldn't say that this makes the Kilchoman feel feinty, for I think the Kilchoman's a little more polished than this Caol Ila. Nonetheless, this IS very big and intense, like Matic's pres...ok, never mind. How does G&M get their hands on so many barrels of such good stock?

Great start to the Islay sequence! Up next is...NF's PC!