I found a couple of pundits’ reviews of Caol Ila 18 which I reproduce here the day before our tasting. Beneath that, I thought it might be interesting to distill a common view out of that wind.
Michael Jackson – rates Caol Ila 18 an 8.5
Nose
Fragrant. Menthol. Markedly Vegetal. Vanilla pod. Creamy.
Palate
Firmer. Much bigger. Much more expressive. Sweeter. Leafy sweetness. Spring greens. Crushed almonds. Rooty, cedary.
Finish
Some peaty bitterness. Big. Long, warming.
Comment
The most vegetal and assertive of the three expressions. Lots of contribution from the wood.
Dave Broom– rates Caol Ila 18 a 7.25
Nose
Darker in colour, some vanilla and a heavy floral note (bluebell). Light oaky notes, orange/lemon and some smoke.
Palate
Rounded and quite sweet to start then begins to dry in the centre. Good weight. Some oak.
Finish
Lightly smoky and herbal (dried thyme).
Comment
Dry, crisp and mature with more of a contribution from the cask (not OTT though).
What observations of Caol Ila 18 did these two pundits agree on (if anything)?
Nose
Jackson always seems to me to throw as many descriptors as possible up and hope that maybe one sticks. He does not disappoint here with his all-over-the-map description.
Look for some “vanilla” here as both observers noted it. Jackson thought there was a vegetative influence on the nose, however, I don’t think he had Broom’s mixture of bluebells and citrus specifically in mind.
Palate
Our experts seem in alignment on the palate. Look, perhaps, for a broad, sweet flavor to this whisky. They both seem to think there is some kind of arborial influence. They just can’t seem to agree on the species – one thinks cedar the other oak.
Finish
The two descriptions of finish share nothing in common unless you happen to think that thyme is a smoky herbal contributor. I suspect it might have a big finish to it though.
Comment
Looks like an interesting experience ahead for those of us who are “palate guys”. Caol Ila 18 looks to make an impression. I’ll be interested to see what it’s like.
Comments