We’re having three young Caol Ila bottlings from independent bottlers today. We’ve been talking about the stunning accuracy of this distillery, yet these casks turn out to be quite different. The price as well, by the way.

Caol Ila 9 yo 2006 (51,3%, Sansibar ‘Samurai label’ 2015, bourbon hogshead, 340 btl.)

Nose: nice combo of bright fruits and mentholated and iodine notes.  Eucalyptus, Tiger balm. Wet wool. Unripe pineapple, perhaps a little rhubarb. Lemon peel and pretty clean peat smoke. The freshness of the mint / menthol is great. Mouth: same thoughts, very mentholy, minty and herbal. Definitely...