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12th September 2011 |
 Caol Ila Unpeated 12 Year Old
This
is the sixth release of unpeated Caol
Ila and the second 12 year old release.
This comes from a batch of Caol Ila
which is only made once a year from
unpeated malt, for blending in the
"Highland Style". It was matured in 1st
fill ex-bourbon American Oak casks which
were filled in 1999.
Bottled at the a huge 64% ABV, it is a limited edition of
fewer than 6000 bottles
worldwide and has a RRP of £55.
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Caol Ila Unpeated 12 Tasting Notes
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Producer's Tasting Notes:
Appearance:
Yellow gold. Light beading.
Nose:
Quiet, approachable. Mild nose-feel, in
spite of its strength. A sweet and
fruity aroma: fondant and green apples.
Hints of pear-drops with sweet and sour
notes. No discernible smoke, but just a
trace of Virginia tobacco; then the
faintest olive brine tang in a room full
of creamy vanilla toffee. Dusty cereals,
then mint toffee followed by more
vanilla and ripe fruit. Soft, fresh and
fruity with water: buttery apple pie,
now with a hint of breakfast cereal.
Body:
Medium to rich.
Palate:
At natural strength, the taste is sweet,
the texture smooth and light; it’s
warming, but not burning, as might be
expected. By turns suddenly drying, with
burnt fruit cake and complex, fruity
chocolate; then richer and honeyed, with
lemon curd on buttered toast. Smooth at
reduced strength, with reduced
sweetness, light acidity and a shake of
salt, lending a maritime character.
Initially cool; soon hotter, with silky
tannins, before chilling again with
mango and cream.
Finish:
Creamy and oaky; sweet milk chocolate,
then burnt fruit. Hugely elegant with
water and astonishingly clean.
Summary:
Deceptively complex, at first hiding all
that characteristic Caol Ila freshness
and vigour under a smooth exterior.
Masses of oaky, cocoa character and
fruit tartness soon show that peat smoke
isn’t everything!
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Other 2011 Diageo Special Releases
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Select a whisky for more info and
tasting notes.
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Where To Buy The Diageo Special
Releases
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of specialist Whisky shops who delivers
to you:
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