Caol Ila 2008

A powerful, very tarry and smoky Islay single malt, just made a bit rounder and richer by the finish in an ex-bourbon barrel. It’s very representative of the distillery style, with pungent peat and maritime notes, quite dark and brooding at the nose. As much as it’s medicinal and smoky, at the palate it shows an unexpected fullness of body thanks to the touch of sweetness from the cask. It’s again very smoky and explosive, but backed by unusual richness of vanilla and honey, by a very thick malty and creamy mouthfeel. It’s juicy, ashy, and it also displays a very pleasant touch of black liquorice. Bold and full of flavour, but never sharp or aggressive to the palate.