Caol Ila Stitchell Reserve (2013 Special Release)

Notes of apple and pear on the nose. Herbal spices on the finish.

After trying the unpeated 18 and 15, I really wish that Caol Ila would make one of these offerings a permanent member of the roster. I know that most Caol Ila is used as a blend component for the likes of Johnnie Walker, but man, these have been good thus far. Let’s hope the Stitchell Reserve from 2013 can stack up. Nose: Sugar cookie and plum skin. Toffee and toasted almond. Raspberry and sweet cola. Honeydew. Vanilla. Apple, pear, apricot, and floral notes. Caramel and butterscotch. A touch of sea salt. Cinnamon, baking spice, and oak. Palate: Plum skin, golden raisin, date, and fig. Toffee, vanilla, and sugar cookie. Toasted almond and caramel. Apple, pear, and apricot. Milk chocolate. Just a bit of a sea salt and seaweed. Cinnamon, baking spice, and oak. Finish: Plum, apple, pear, and apricot. Plum and golden raisin. Toasted almond, caramel, vanilla, and toffee. Cinnamon, black pepper, baking spice, and oak. Long finish—as expected of a 59.6% whisky. Fantastic. Unpeated Caol Ila does it again. Which brings up my original point. Why are there not more of these? This definitely maintains the precedent that the 18 and 15 established. This ran me $100, and I grabbed it within the last couple years. That’s a fortunate pick-up considering this was a 2013 release. And with that price considered, 4.75/5. Due in no small part to the finish. Amazing stuff from Caol Ila.

Reminds me of an unpeated Caol Ila distiller’s reserve. Nose: Honey, White Chocolate, Grass, Lemon, Bubble Gum, Salted Caramel, Jasmine, Figs, Raisins, Apricots Palate: Caramel, Brown Sugar, Almonds, Cherries, Vanilla, Pears, Grass, Lemon Peels, Jasmine, Dark Chocolate, Raisins, Jasmine Finish: Lemon Peels, Quince Jam, Caramel, Honey, Banoffee Pie, Vanilla, Cherries, Jasmine, Figs