The Whisky Agency and The Nectar already had a joint bottling of Caol Ila 1979 last year. The latest batch of TWA releases also contained such a cask.
Caol Ila 33 yo 1979 (53,7%, The Whisky Agency & The Nectar 2012, refill hogshead, 241 btl.)
Nose: complex nose of grassy and coastal notes, lemon, ashes and gentle fruity notes (pear and lime juice). A little vanilla as well. Then back to fishnets and seaweed. A little flax. Faint medicinal notes. Great balance. Mouth: oily, waxy and ashy. Evolves on grapefruits, liquorice and roasted coffee beans, with a light honeyed edge to round it off. Salt & pepper. I really love the roasted notes here. Fades on herbs and citrus zest. Finish: long, dry, with ashes and plenty of liquorice and herbs.
As usual, it would be hard to find a downside to this Caol Ila. Except for its price maybe – the 1981 / 1982 expressions are often on the same level and still a bit cheaper. Around € 200 – still available.
Score: 90/100
This blog is my personal collection of impressions, written while searching for the ultimate single malt whisky.
