Caol Ila 2015

A very robust Islay malt, to which a relatively long finish of 15 months in very active Virgin Oak casks brought a further level of intensity and muscle. Compared to previous releases in the same type of casks, the effect is different: not particularly sweet or buttery, but on the other hand very “dark”, very peppery, with the new wood amplifying the smoky and tarry notes. At the nose it’s medicinal, earthy, brooding, with a touch of burnt pinewood too. Even at the taste, the charred note marries well with the peat smoke: bonfires, chimney smoke, tar, and a marked note of liquorice. It’s big bodied and threatening, like a powerful fighter, and very stormy.