Port Askaig 15 Year Old 2006 for the 15th Anniversary of The Nectar

It's an open secret that relatively young Port Askaig (like the one that's in my glass now) comes from Caol Ila. This was distilled in 2006 and bottled at cask strength after 15 years in honor of the 15th anniversary of Belgian importer The Nectar. Yup, the nose is unmistakable: halibut, kelp, apples and citrus fruit, pebbles on the beach, vanilla, everything I expect from a Caol Ila teenager. Mouth-filling and surprisingly sweet from the start. Vanilla and apples, but even with a hint of banana. Only then does the peat – which gives it a soft smokiness and delicious sweet and sour touch – jump out of the starting blocks. The herbs are soft (pepper and licorice) and give the malt some weight. The balance is there and that's always important. Nice and long finish on peat, white fruit and a salty touch, while it dies a soft sweet death on vanilla. Caol Ila... you never disappoint!

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