2010 Single Malts of Scotland Caol Ila 10 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

Hiding at the bottom of the cliffs by Port Askaig on Islay's Eastern shore, Caol Ila has a reputation for producing smoky, maritime whiskies of elegance and poise. It's arguably at its best uncut and from hogsheads but works with sherry too. This expression promises all the characteristic complexity that the youthful distillate can muster, plus power toboot at 57.9% Alc./Vol. 317 bottles. Non chill filtered.

Other reviews... Colour: white wine. Nose: crystal-clean young-yet-mature CI in the style of that second Or Sileis. That is to say very clean, fresh, coastal, oystery (!) and lemony, with a rougher medicinal touch (mercurochrome). With water: there, raw wool and beach sand. You cannot be against that. Mouth (neat): excellent, creamier, fruitier, with this feeling of smoky limoncello that would just always work. No further literature needed (literature?) With water: and there, salt, brine, oysters, green peppercorns, turmeric, bitter zests. Finish: long, very pleasantly bitter. Comments: I would say you need a great sherry cask to fetch a very high score at such a low-tennish (reminds me of an old joke involving Sean Connery) age, but this sure is the nearest best thing. Forgot to mention bitter almonds yet again. 87 points - whiskyfun.com