The unpeated Caol Ila is one of the constant appearances in Diageo’s Special Releases. It has been roughly between 10 and 17 years old – this year brings a Caol Ila 15 Year Old , a mix of refill American oak casks and European oak sherry butts.

I’ve tried a few of these unpeated Caol Ila expressions before ( 2009 , 2013 ‘Stitchell Reserve’ and 2015 ).

Caol Ila 15 yo 2000 ‘unpeated style’ (61,5%, OB 2016, Special release)

Nose: fairly fruity (sweet lemon, grapefruit, apples) with lots of pine needles, grassy notes and an alcoholic kick. Light...