Caol Ila 8yo

A lovely round and rich Islay Malt, caught at the vibrant age of 8 years, and with a particularly long finish of 20 months in first fill bourbon hogsheads that smoothed out all asperities, adding a creamy and luscious touch. It’s a sunny, joyous, warm: definitely still marked by peat smoke and by a breezy freshness, but with the more lemony and salty notes held in rein. The smokiness is balanced by a slightly farmy note, by vanilla and banana, but the overall impression remains very balsamic, resinous. The effect of the bourbon casks is more evident at the palate, with a juicy and robust interplay between tar and malty sweetness, ash and a more honeyed character. Aromatically intense and full bodied, but gentle in mouthfeel: this is the perfect balance for a young but ripe Islay malt.