Caol Ila 15 Year 2000 (2016 Special Release)

Honeyed fruit, salt, warmth. Needs to open with some water

Another rare find from Caol Ila. Last time I did the 2017 18 year old release; now I've got this 15 year from 2016. Like the 18, this is unpeated and bottled at cask strength. At 61.5%, this is sure to be a heavy hitter. Nose: Malty and buttery. Apple, pear, apricot, and floral notes. Some lime and orange citrus. Vanilla and caramel. Sugar cookie. Almond, walnut, and a nice dose of oak. No ethanol; the only tell of the high ABV is a few prickly baking spice notes. Palate: More of the buttery and malty notes. Cashew, almond, and walnut. Macadamia as well. Cola and plum. Orange and lime reappear from the nose. Vanilla and caramel. Chinese pear. Finish: Apple, pear, apricot, lime, and orange. Cola and plum. Fruit notes turn into waves of cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, black pepper, and oak. Long as they come. Solid whisky. It has many of the characteristics I traditionally find in unpeated cask strength Scotches--Islay or otherwise. This one especially shines on the finish, which is long and layered. I do prefer the depth I find in the 18. At $140, this cost $40 more than the 18. Both bottles were purchased several years after they were released, so I think I'm lucky to have found either. I'm going to look to much into the prices. Bottom line is that this is a solid whiskey. 4.25/5.

I am a sucker for cask strength whiskies. I generally prefer mine prayed, but this is really good. Piercingly pure, intense, balanced.

Nose: straw and brine Taste: Sweet honey, vanilla bean, black pepper Smooth for such a high proof