Peated whisky is not only made on Islay these days, and many of the peated Speysiders are quite good. In the same way, Islay distilleries are now making unpeated version with great success. 

If it’s just the alcohol you’re after, this Caol Ila 10yo unpeated style will be your favourite special release with a whopping 65,8% of acohol. It replaces last year’s unpeated Caol Ila 8yo.

Caol Ila 10yo ‘unpeated style’
(65,8%, OB 2009)

Nose: the first things I picked up were some peppermint, green melon, bubblegum and vanilla. After a few moments, these make place for big notes of cocoa butter (Mycryo), coffee with milk and white chocolate chips. With water, it becomes floral and more fruity with citrus and apples. Mouth: chocolate again, lemon biscuits, cereals. The vanilla / citrus combo is outstanding. With water: more typically Caol Ila if you ask me. A few grassy notes, more citrus. Ginger. Finish: warm, sweet vanilla cake with coffee and marshmallow. Not too long.

This unpeated Caol Ila is very enjoyable and maybe even better than their peated bottlings. The only downside is that it’s quite simple, there’s not much evolution in the flavour development. Around € 60.

Score: 85/100