Caol Ila 15yo

A very special cask strength release of Islay single malt, enhanced with a finish for two entire years in a fresh Oloroso hogshead: a true delight for connoisseurs! The interaction between the dry Spanish wine and peat smoke results in a very aromatic nose: only moderately winey, at the same time slightly buttery but mostly dry, with notes of balsamic vinegar, camphor, eucalyptus. Smoky, but also deeply resinous. At first sip, straight, it’s very dry: orange peel, aperitif bitters, with the peat initially delayed in its impact. Give it time, and it explodes with a blast of gunpowder. Add a drop of water, and a candied orange sweetness tames its tight profile. The finale is very astringent, vibrant, a crescendo of smoky and balsamic intensity.