Caol Ila 2000 (Malts of Scotland)

As you know, Malts of Scotland is distributed in Belgium by Dominiek Bouckaert who is also running his own label The Whiskyman. Now they’ve released a Malts of Scotland bottling for The Whiskyman, a Coal Ila 2000.

Islay whisky is so rare these days, that only the bigger independent bottlers have access to it – and want to keep it under their own label.

Caol Ila 2000 (55,6%, Malts of Scotland for The Famous Whiskyman 2015, bourbon hogshead, MoS 15008, 198 btl.)

Nose: pretty much ticking all the boxes we’d expect from good Caol Ila. Iodine, creosote, lots of bitumen, mixed with bright citrus and sweet grains. Soaked grains in a mash tun really. Green apple peelings. Lemon candy. And just a hint of almonds and vanilla. Textbook Caol Ila.

Mouth: pleasantly sweet with a pretty big peaty kick. Waxy texture. Lemons again, medicinal notes, pepper and more lemons. Hints of ginger and wood spices. Smoother towards the end, warmer and ashier.

Finish: long, on sweet lemons, liquorice and a hint of roasted coffee beans.

Who said Islay whisky is all about fierce peat? This Caol Ila finds an excellent balance of sharpness and roundness, with an above-average complexity. Around € 90.

Score: 88/100