Caol Ila 10yo

We didn’t want to overwhelm the fresh and muscular peat of this young Islay malt with too much wine, and that’s why we chose a finish of only one year in new Pedro Ximenez hogsheads. The first olfactory impression confirms that it’s not markedly winey at all: the interaction with the casks only enhanced some qualities of the spirit, resulting in a curiously contrasting match of buttery and more acidic notes, reminding of balsamic vinegar. Apart from this, it’s a very medicinal whisky: peaty in a very tarry way rather than ashy. The ashier and vegetal side of the smokiness comes out only at the palate: slightly buttery here too, but overall quite grassy and dry. The finale is a long and powerful crescendo of peat smoke, quite dry and tight.