Duncan Taylor, like many other independent bottlers, sometimes bottle casks for certain stores or distributors. This cask was the second Caol Ila that they’ve bottled for The Nectar in 2008. Both were distilled in 1982 and the previous one was very good (I was able to taste it in a store, so no actual tasting notes).

The Nectar is the Belgian importer of Arran, Springbank, Samaroli… and Duncan Taylor. They also bottle their own casks in the Daily Dram series.

Caol Ila 26yo 1982 
(54,6%, Duncan Taylor 2008, for The Nectar, cask #2738, 279 btl.)

Nose: nice and clean. Rather ashy but quite fruity as well. Lemon and lychee. Vanilla. Hints of smoked bacon, liquorice and bonfires. After a while, it starts getting slightly farmy (wet wool, stables) which is something I really appreciate. Some coastal notes as well. Complex with a subtle balance. Mouth: big invasion of peat, mineral notes and citrus. Quite salty and very powerful, more than you would expect at this age. Develops on sweeter notes. Finish on liquorice with a salty edge. Sweet peat smoke and lemon pie.

Like the previous cask: high quality Caol Ila with a large range of flavours to be discovered. Since it was bottled for a local distributor, it will be hard to find outside of Belgium. Around € 125.

Score: 89/100