Slainte-Mhath
Caol Ila 35 Year (2018 Special Release)
Single Malt — Islay, Scotland
Reviewed
August 15, 2021 (edited October 29, 2022)
Oh My God (part 2). Diageo's 2014 release of Caol Ila 30 is still my highest-rated whisky to date, so I was excited to taste its successor. The nose takes me back to the salt cellar, with layers of flavors unpacking like a Matryoshka doll. Guava, herbal teas and bonfire ash mingle with aniseed, old cigars and sour cream. Superb balance on the palate, where fruity, dry and spicy notes are interwoven with mineral peat smoke, peppermint and plums. Waves of brine, tobacco and espresso sparkle in the everlasting finish. 35 years in the casks for a moment of bliss!
RATING: 4.9/5.0 stars ≙ 94 pts → PERFECT [-]
750.0
EUR
per
Bottle
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@Anthology I daresay you won't be disappoined! I have never been very generous with 5-star ratings on Distiller, so far there were only 3 bottles deserving this score: Caol Ila 30 YO, Caol Ila 35 YO and Yamazaki 25 YO. The latter is unaffordable, so opting for Caol Ila 30 is a good choice.
Nice review! Found the 30Yr at a store in Vegas a couple months ago and ended up going back (through a proxy) to pick it up palate untasted, mostly based your glowing review @Slainte-Mhath. Its definitely in the running for a special occasion pour for sure (other contenders include CB Tobias & The Angel & 40Yr Farclas)
Caol Ila 30 YO vs Caol Ila 35 YO: I tasted the two bottles side by side, and here is my verdict. The older expression has more peat, which surprised me. Its younger sibling is fruitier, maybe a tad more complex and offers a superior finish. However, I liked the nose of the 35 YO a little more, making it hard to come to a conclusion. I gave the 30-year-old Caol Ila 95 points (94/94/96 for nose, taste, finish), while the 35-year-old scored 94 points (95/94/94). Given the difference in price, I've a slight preference for the younger expression.
@PBMichiganWolverine It certainly was, and now I am scratching my head what to open in ten years time when I turn 50. Maybe that Port Ellen or a 50 yo Strathisla?
Worthy birthday splurge !
Additional information: This Caol Ila was distilled in 1982, matured in both refill American hogsheads and butts, and released by Diageo in 2018 (3,276 bottles).