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Caol ila 18 Year Old

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@PeatyZealotReview by @PeatyZealot

6th Feb 2013

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Caol ila 18 Year Old
  • Nose
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  • Taste
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  • Finish
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  • Balance
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  • Overall
    94

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When I tasted the Caol Ila 12 and the Cask Strength I immediately fell in love with this lesser known giant and I was dying to get a hold of the 18. I couldnt get it at the Dutch webshops anymore or for a ridiculous price. Luckily I stumbled upon it in the liquorshop nearby for only €51,95 :) What a break! I took it, raced home and poured one right away. I dont think it needs any water, but you can add 1 ore 2 drops (no more I think) to notice slight differences.

Nose: sweet vanilla, ripe pear, salty seagrass, citrus, fresh baked cake, fresh woodsap, Frangelico, sunflowers, bit of smoke and peat in the background and marzipan. Quite soft, delicate and complex and it evolves nicely with some oil, dry hay, ash and a little iodine. Give it some time

Arrival: spices, nuts, pipesmoke, peat and wood. It comes in without knocking, quite powerful and tingles the mouth Development: malt, lots of peaty malt, more than in the nose; then some soft sour citrustones and goes back to sweet caramel/vanilla/bourbontones. All really well balanced.

Finish: dry wood, earth, barley, soft bbq smoke ash and some iodine comes back.

I think you can say I really love this stuff. I did'nt have much older Islay whiskies before, but so far this is exactly my kind of malt: complex, delicate, smooth ánd it packs a punch. I advise to first taste some Laphroaig 10, Lagavulin 16, Ardbeg 10, Caol Ila 12, Bunnahabhain 12 and then upgrade to this one. If u can find it... I read that they are planning to release more of the 18, hopefully also on Cask Strength!

Sláinte!

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7 comments

R
Rigmorole commented

When it comes to Ardbeg, I always recommend beginners start with Uigeadail. I know it sounds counter-intuitive, but I've turned quite a few newbies onto Ardbeg that way, at least when they come over to my house : )

11 years ago 0

R
Rigmorole commented

Have you tried the Talisker 18?

11 years ago 0

@PeatyZealot
PeatyZealot commented

Not yet, its so expensive... Where I live I can't get it in a bar so I'd have to buy a €90,- bottle... But I hear the stories and it should be really awesome. I'd love to taste the Uigeadail, heard good things about it and the price/quality/% should be great, but lets wait for next months purse Laga 12 and Noahs Mill are high on that list as well, so much more to explore! What are your favourites so far?

11 years ago 0

@tjb
tjb commented

Great review, my mouth is watering. Looking at your list I would say you should try the Uigeadial if you get the chance. I have tried those you listed above in your review except the Bunnahabhain and would love to try a Coal Ila 18 soon. The Ardbeg Uigeadial is quality and deserves the plaudits it receives.

11 years ago 0

@PeatyZealot
PeatyZealot commented

Go get one! Its a nice quest and the spoils are rewarding; I was just lucky to find it, the store where I found it has one more bottle... and its gonna be mine soon! Call me cheap, but I still have some trouble with whiskies running past the €50,- mark, like Ardbegs do most of the time. So Im still trying to extract the diamonds out of the €50 coals. Bunnahabhain is a good one in that sense, as long as you dont expect peat and smoke.

11 years ago 0

@Jules
Jules commented

This or the Talisker 18?

I can get the Talisker cheaper than this so I feel it might be the better value...

11 years ago 0

@PeatyZealot
PeatyZealot commented

Got the Oogie! Its a completely different animal but I would rate it just as high.

10 years ago 0