Caol Ila 18 Year (2017 Special Release)
Single Malt
Caol Ila // Islay, Scotland
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Cost
Released in 2017 as part of Diageo's annual fall special release collection, this Islay single malt was aged for 18 years, and is from the distillery's brief annual unpeated malt distillation. It was matured in refill American oak hogsheads. Quantities are limited worldwide.
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age18 Year
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abv59.8
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Single MaltDistilled in pot stills from 100% malted barley, produced at one distillery, aged in barrels; if Scotch or Irish, must be aged for at least three years.
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Cask Typerefill American oak hogheads
Tasting Notes
"Wait — this doesn't smell like Caol Ila. Ah yes, it's the unpeated edition, with the nose offering vanilla, cream, and well, vanilla cream soda, along with whispers of bright citrus and dried fruits. Even without the peat, there's still a distinctly Caol Ila black pepper punch that shows big on the palate, especially at cask strength, along with salt, toffee, spice, dark fruits, and citrus zest. The finish goes and goes, starting hot but mellowing into pleasant aftershocks of the palate. "
Reviewed by
Jake Emen