Reviews

Really wish this was a permanent/core offering. Makes an incomparable highball and adds a beautiful complexity in a neat pour that is hard to find at this price. Nose: maybe it is just how my night has gone, however the peated Hakushu malt is significantly more pronounced this time around. My only other peated Japanese whiskey reference aside from Hakushu is Yoichi, and this has some comparable characteristics (e.g. coal smoke, notable oceanic salinity). That being said, I am getting the classic Hakushu green apple here. As it's a blend there is obviously a strong grain whisky component too: vanilla, sweet oak, dusty corn. But it's almost in 50/50 balance here with the fruity, peaty Hakushu malt. Palate: sweet vanilla and caramel grain whisky base. A nice bit of green apple crumble. A gentle smoky peat. Finish: short, slight metallic character

Nose: bright, juicy, and ripe orchard fruit. a little bit of creamy vanilla and toasty caramel. As it opens up a bit more, I'm getting a ripe pineapple note. There is also a notable cereal/barley element and a fresh floral note that is almost jasmine rice. A noticeable, but not overpowering oak. Palate: a nice helping of honeyed malt, definitely citrusy in a slight grapefruit direction. A gentle oak spice. Refreshing and bright. Finish: gently lingering oak spice and residual fruit skins.

Nose: spicy rye, a hint of sourdough, mint, burnt caramel, but also getting a nice little hint of sweet malt alongside the charred oak sweet smokiness. Vanilla and a hint of caramel sauce ice cream shell. Palate: surprisingly bright and fruity, a decent amount of cherry, but also some plum, moves into a darker, sweeter caramel and sweet oak with nice vanilla. Prominent spicy rye throughout as you'd expect, getting a little carraway alongside a tiny bit of honey and fresh toasted rye bread. Very nice, and noticeably more well rounded and smooth than standard Rittenhouse (not that standard is bad at all!) A little bit of peanut shell as it transitions to finish. Finish: bitter oak, lingering hints of burning/smoking oak, a sweetness on the sides of the mouth, a slight minty note.

Nose: honey, pear, apple, nice sweet malt. A nice bit of caramel and cinnamon. Palate: smooth, cerealy, lots of honey, a nice amount of vanilla, ripe apples and pears. Finish: thinish, a nice little oak tannin

Nose: fragrant sweet peat, vanilla, strong smoke, seaweed and strong ocean spray. Palate: potent, sweet, a little oily. For as light as the color is this is packed with flavor. A bright zip of lemon zest. Vanilla, a bit of caramel. Potent and robust peat. A nice little bit of heat. A bit of water highlights the citrusy character more, cuts the oily body and adds some floral notes. Finish: ashen, charred citrus peel, savory peat phenols. From the bottle: DISTILLED AT CAOL ILA DISTILLERY AGED 7 YEARS IN REFILL BOURBON BARRELS CASKS 318768 & 318773 DISTILLED SEPTEMBER 2015 BOTTLED OCTOBER 2022 ONE OF 470 BOTTLES TASTING NOTES: INCREDIBLY BRIGHT WITH A DELICIOUS SPIRIT DRIVEN PROFILE. THE FLAVORS ARE COASTAL WITH SEA SPRAY, SEA ROCKS, AND BRINE BUT WITH ENOUGH NOTES OF CHOCOLATE, ESPRESSO, AND LEMON TO KEEP THE EXPERIENCE INTERESTING (AND REWARDING!).

Nose: dried fruits, baking spice, clove and orange peel. A bit of honeyed malt. Cinnamon, sherry sweetness. Palate: smooth, sweet, fruity. A solid sweet sherry/dried fruit base with a bit of orange peel. I stand by wanting more proof on this expression, but that being said this has a surprising amount of flavor for 40% Finish: shortish, dried fruits, a bit of sweet/earthy sherried oak.

Final pour! Nose: smells like tidal swell crashing against a rocky jetty, with a sweet vanilla caramel and spicy black pepper, a hint of lemon peel, and a smouldering campfire with charred chilis and bell peppers on the beach while the coastal rain begins turning from a mist to a heavy drizzle. Palate: slightly nutty, with sweet malt notes of caramel. Seawater, pepper, and flamed lemon peel. Tannic oak and rubbery phenolic maritime peat. Finish: bitter oak, medical tubing, charcoal, burnt peppercorn.

Nose: Orange peel, sweet-aged sherry, raisins, little bit of plum and also some apple. A noticeable cerealy malt, with mild honey a hint of petrichor, and the slightest hint of honeysuckle. Palate: juicy red apple, fresh ripe oranges, a gentle baking spice and a hint of licorice. Honestly this is tasting way better than the other times I've had this. Would love to see this at higher proof if not cask strength. I know that's the A'bunadh line but would be neat for a limited 12y.o. release. Finish: sweet with a very gentle spice. Does not linger. A little bit of bitter oak.