Tasting Notes by Jim McEwan

Colour: Pale yellow straw hue

Body: medium

Aromas: Opens on a briny sea breeze with an iodine drift one expects from an Islay malt. Underneath it all lies a highly peated, p henolic foundational aroma; It also shows tantalising hints of lemon lime, sea spray on canvas sails and sun dried seaweed. The oak influence is there but it’s a provider for a fruitier more grainy path that makes the flavours seem more gentle despite the high alcohol and the heavy peat overtures.

Palate: It’s a surprisingly smooth spirit whose elevated alcohol by no means overshadows the peat reek marine character. By adding a drop of water more gentle flavours of barley sugar emerge in harm ony with lightly toasted oak. 

It’s a young son of Islay and shows its personality, but it’s not all power and passion. The distillation has also played its part and the light fruit flavours of pear and apple bring balance and sweetness to the taste. It’s not for the faint hearted, only Islay aficionados need apply!

This is a stripped back Caol Ila, enjoy the storm as the spirit takes you on a place you have never been!