The final dram of the Scotch Malt Whisky Society ("SMWS") March outturn preview tasting at the Jack Rose Saloon in Washington DC on 2/28/22. Predictably, they ended with a peated expression, since peat tends to dominate your palate after you've sampled it. This is yet another ~10 year Caol Ila, which they SMWS seems to have an unlimited stock of. My notes tell me I've only had three of these bottles, but I feel like it's been twice that number. They stick with you.
The official notes:
Sweet roasted nuts and toasted oats merged with waxy orange skin and salted limes before maritime aromas floated to the surface to bring dry seaweed, shellfish and chimney soot in a rock pool. Toasted biscuit flavours transferred over to the palate to be joined by fresh herbs and oysters but now with barbecued bananas, smouldering heather and burning pine needles. Adding water highlighted the floral aromas of lavender and accentuated medicinal accents that complimented tarragon and orange oil. Lemon, orange and cherries combined on the tongue along with butterscotch, icing sugar and toasted pine nuts to finish.
I think this is a little ambitious, as far as tasting notes go. Bottled at 59.4% ABV after a decade in a refill hogshead, let's play Islay detective:
Nose: The classical Caol Ila notes: smoke, bread, tar, rope, herring. Dull lemon. Hints of seaweed. Rock salt, minerals. Very clean and straightforward. No odd or off notes here, but I wouldn't exactly call it "phenomenal" either.
Mouthfeel: On the heavier side of medium.
Palate: Oil, glass noodles (!), salt, fish sauce, dusty malt, charred toast. Considerably more interesting than the straightforward nose. I wish I had those BBQ'd bananas from the official notes! But alas, none. I do get faint hints of burning pine, but only here and in there, in spots, and it's VERY faint. Might even be the power of suggestion. The most interesting note is the oily glass noodle note. It's strangely distinctive and comes out of left field for me. Again, not "phenomenal" but definitely eyebrow raising.
Finish: Exceptionally long and smoky. Lasts an age and more. Burnt citrus and peat and smoke.
Verdict: One of the better bottles of Caol Ila I've had, but still not going to get my dollars. All SMWS Caol Ila bottles are rock solid, above average, but also amazingly consistent - once you've had one or two, you've basically had them all (in essence). There is little reason to really continuously purchase these unless you are a dedicated peathead, love Caol Ila, or happen to desire this particular set of flavors. Hesitantly recommended?
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