Caol Ila 2008

As much as we have always loved the whisky from this exciting Islay distillery, we wanted to add something more, something different. A finish in very active Virgin Oak casks, and we have a single malt that is unmistakably Islay (especially with a drop of water and taking time in the glass) in its sooty, ashy and tarry character… but at the same time it’s richer, fuller, with big notes of liquorice, toasted peanuts and peanut butter, vanilla and even a hint of toffee. And that’s not to say it’s sweet or that it has become gentler: on the contrary, it still is a peaty beast, simply with more muscles and a bigger, heavier but rounder mouthfeel.