Tasting notes Serge Valentin: 92 points (Whiskyfun.com)

Tasting notes Ruben Luyten: 92 points (WhiskyNotes.be)

As with all great things, what you see on this photo is also the results of a collaboration between passionate people.

In 2021, we got the chance to taste a few of Diageo's Casks of Distinction (CoD) samples together with Pierrick Guillaume, former manager of Caol Ila distillery, and indie bottler Whisky Nerds.

Needless to say, as former Caol Ila and then Lagavulin manager, this bottling is a very special and personal project for Pierrick and we are more than happy that he decided to join.

As for our friends from Whisky Nerds - each time our paths cross something epic comes out as a result. Their and our names are already on the 1997 Lagavulin Cask 0001 "For European Lagavulin Fans" - at that time the first CoD in Europe!

Without a doubt, it was love at first sip with Refill American Oak Cask No. 6223. A year of additional maturation has now made the balance between cask and distillate even better.

In the words of whisky writer Charles MacLean, "A bold and surprisingly maritime example!"

This Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky from Caol Ila was filled into the cask in 1990 and was allowed to mature for a full 32 years in American white oak. With unadorned 51.5% vol. cask strength, it was bottled in June 2022. The result: "A rich, smoky Caol Ila at its peak, this is a sweet and smoky delight from start to finish with its fresh, clean aromas and creamy texture adding to the enjoyment" finds whisky writer Charles MacLean, who has already had the opportunity to taste the precious dram in advance.