Single malt whisky - tasting notes

13 Jul 2011

Caol Ila 1979 (Whisky Agency & The Nectar)

Posted by: Ruben In: Caol Ila

This Caol Ila 1979 was part of the joint releases by The Whisky Agency and The Nectar. Presented at The Whisky Fair, they are still available in most stores.

 

Caol Ila 1979 Whisky Agency & The NectarCaol Ila 32 yo 1979
(52%, The Whisky Agency & The Nectar 2011, bourbon hogshead, 242 btl.)

Nose: beautifully fresh and warm at the same time. The freshness comes from maritime notes (seaweed, shells, mercurochrome) and eucalyptus, while warmer notes are added by yellow apples, soft buttercups and vanilla. The balance is perfect! Hints of limestone. Wax. Leather. And a soft veil of smoke. Mouth: dry, medicinal notes up front (bandages, iodine), with some camphor and kelp. Then a spicy / salty wave, herbal tea and liquorice. A little tar. Leather. Lemon and grapefruit zest. Finish: long, again balanced, softly briny with a coating lemon sweetness.

I would have loved a little more rounded sweetness on the palate, but nonetheless a delicious Caol Ila. Refined as always, very drinkable and extremely consistent.
Around € 190.

Score: 90/100

Caol Ila 1979 (Whisky Agency & The Nectar) 4 Ruben Luyten 2011-07-13
  • ALouis

    Too expensive if you compare with the price of these beatiful bottles:
    Caol Ila 30yo 1979/2009 (53.1%, Berry Bros & Rudd, Cask #4412)
    Caol Ila 30yo 1979/2010 (55.6%, Berry Bros & Rudd, cask #4604/4605)
    Caol Ila 30yo 1979/2010 (53.3%, Berry Bros & Rudd, Cask #4415)

    Ruben, do you have tasted one of this BBR?

  • http://www.whiskynotes.be Ruben

    I’ve heard they are very good. Never tried them though. And you’re right, the last batch from TWA/The Nectar was quite heavily priced. Caol Ila has always had a very good price/quality ratio but apparently this is coming to an end.

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  • WhiskyNotes: I meant that in an affirmative way: you absolutely wouldn't be tempted to think this was distilled on Islay, because it's clearly different.
  • StuartHighland: 'You would never think this was distilled on Islay'... that because it wasnt. It was distilled at Balblair, but matured in a cask previously used by a
  • WhiskyNotes: Thanks Sjoerd. Not that I'm not interested, but it's Glenflagler mixed with other malts so I'm afraid it's not an option to tick it off my list. Thank

Coming up

  • Bowmore 1996 (TWA Faces)
  • Braeval 1994 (Liquid Library)
  • Laphroaig 2000 (Perfect Dram)
  • Glen Moray 1995 (Carn Mor)
  • Longrow Rundlets & Kinderkins
  • Glenfarclas Chairman's reserve 175
  • Balvenie Tun 1858 (batch 1)

1256 notes by Ruben

WhiskyNotes - Ruben LuytenThis blog is my personal collection of impressions, written while searching for the ultimate single malt whisky.