Gifts from the sea
Caol Ila is starting to finally get the credit it deserves, not just from the peat geeks, but also in the wider whisky drinking world. Despite the extremely limited attention its owners give the brand, we've seen a great number of casual drinkers begin to associate the name (difficult as it is to pronounce correctly) with excellently balanced peated malt. We’re always on the hunt for Islay's “other” distillery both young and old, but we often seeing the prices beyond what the market can bare. While the quality is almost always top tier, it’s true that Caol Ila doesn't hold the weight that Laphroaig or Ardbeg in many Islay lovers opinion. That sad fact has more to do with marketing than objective quality, but that hasn’t stopped many suppliers from jacking prices up. Islay is so hot right now.
We'd have written it off completely as an option for our exclusive single casks we’re it not for the delicious and affordable stocks offered by the Laing brothers. What's particularly encouraging with regards to these stocls is their cost has gone down over the years, a rare occasion for any single malt. Part of this is due to the exchange rate and another part just thanks to our good negotiating skills, but equally important seems the good access our suppliers have to this wonderful whisky.
If you’re able to get contracts direct from a distillery and your raw cost of goods goes way down and that means there's room to play with the prices. We had no trouble moving last year's cask of gorgeous smoldering young Caol Ila at $70. This particular cask is nearly identical on paper, but a solid 15% cheaper. The style here remains altogether coastal with tons of saltiness, sweet fruit, savory smoke and an unctuous maltiness. Easily the best value peater in the shop right now.
Here are my tasting notes on this magical cask: The nose starts with pure peat, freshly cut. Oceany, but not too much sea spray, more as if you're sitting on a rocky beach on a very calm bay. Seaweed and driftwood. Some sweet candied elements keep it festive. The palate is very mossy. Sweet germinating malt, strong black pepper, savory sweet seaweed candy, earthy damp wood. With water we get saltier and the peat takes over from the seaweed. An underwater adventure in your glass.