LDMW Caol Ila 11 Year Old 2010 Collective 6.0 – 70cl
The Caol Ila distillery was originally founded in 1846 and then completely rebuilt in 1974. Equipped with three wash stills with a capacity of 20,000 litres and three spirit stills with a capacity of 14,000 litres, it is the largest distillery on Islay. Through the notes of oily peat found on the attack, this cask strength bottling transcends the smoky, iodine and spicy character this outstanding single malt is famous for. Generous and adventurous, its palette of flavours and aromas embarks on a journey that takes us to the French slopes of the Jura wine-growing region where Savagnin grapes grow.
TASTING NOTES
Colour: deep golden yellow.
Nose: rich, powerful. Characterised by waxy notes, the first nose also wavers between superb aromas of peat, toffee, malted barley and clove. Allowed to breathe, the fine acridness of a smoking cigar floats on the surface of the aroma palette, as exotic fruits (pineapple, lychee) gradually appear. This indulgent first stage in the tasting brings to mind a vanilla flan.
Palate: full-bodied, intense. On the attack, a rich peat with salty, herbaceous and lemony tones takes control. The more candied mid-palate (pear, apple, pineapple) is also heady (iris, lily). Softly chocolatey and mentholated,
Finish: the end of the palate gradually becomes more and more rooty (ginger, clove).
ABV 59.1%