2008 LMDW La Maison du Whisky Artist #6 Caol Ila 7 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

A LMDW world exclusive for the sixth release of the Artist series, this time from Caol Ila distillery. Distilled in 2008 and matured in a Bourbon barrel before bottling in 2016 at 61.5% Alc./Vol. and limited to just under 250 bottles. We have one only to sell.

Notes from LMDW... Fans will particularly appreciate this superb initial expression of the Caol Ila aromatic style. Maintaining a powerful presence, it becomes iodised and marine (shellfish) before being wreathed in delicate smoke. Palate : taut, lively. The fruit in the distillate literally explodes in the mouth. To such a point that it takes a little time for the peat and smoke to make their way back to centre stage. Even then, citrus and ripe fruit (pear, peach, apricot) attempt to invade the mid-palate. However, that is put on hold as gusts of pepper announce the vigorous return of damp earth, thick smoke and extremely iodised notes. Towards the end of the mid-palate, the peat regains its rightful strategic position. Overall : long, assertive. Exuding maturity, the finish is deeply rooted in Islay soil. As the tides rise and fall, we inhale hearty lungfuls of salty sea spray. Notes of cut hay, lemon and peppermint precede a liquoricey, creamy (vanilla) retro-nasal olfaction. The empty glass is medicinal (balsam, mustard poultice) and herbal (sage, vervain).