Review by: Whiskery Turnip

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Distillery: Caol Ila.

Bottler: Gordon & MacPhail.

Region: Scotland/Islay Single Malt.

ABV: 57.5%. Cask Strength.

Age: 17 Years. Distilled in 2000. Bottled on 26 Feb. 2018.

Cask type: First Fill Bourbon Barrel.

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Nose: Soft tropical citrus and a mellow beachy brine, sun-bleached driftwood and coral, subtle cream and coconut oil, pineapple, brown sugar, wispy smoke.

Palate: Medium-bodied, coastal and bright, citrus, tropical fruit confections, wispy smoke and subtle herbs, caramelized upside cake, driftwood.

Finish: Long and soft with tropical citrus and a coastal salinity.

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Mental Image: Beach Bums on Parade.

Conclusion: Bumming on the beach with soft tropical citrus— grilled pineapple, Dole Whip, and hints of mango and guava. The tide brought salt and beachy minerals to bear, with hints of vanilla, coconut oil, sun-bleached driftwood, and scattered coral. Brown sugar and cream felt on the verge of caramel, while a wispy smoke kept pulling my attention toward a distant grill. Medium-bodied and balanced with a maritime and citrus flavor profile. Sweet tropical citrus melted across the palate with cream— Dole Whip, pineapple ice cream, grilled pineapple, mango, guava, vanilla bean, and hints of melon. Fruit arrived first, but salt and desiccated driftwood were quick to follow, with hints of roasted sesame and honey. Wispy smoke did not detract from dessert, rather it left the impression of freshly baked pineapple cakes or upside-down cake. The finish was long and soft with tropical citrus and a coastal salinity.

Brilliant. This was the bottle that helped me realize I had a whisky crush on Caol Ila when I purchased it a few years back. If I suspected it before, the bottle confirmed it. I  started and stopped writing notes for it many times, but with the fill level finally beginning to look a touch low, it was time to collect everything together for a farewell review.

The bottle has not changed much since I opened it. Perhaps some of the maritime brine has fallen further into the background. Still, the tropical citrus and fruits at the fore have remained a constant. When I first opened it, the bottle reminded me a lot of some of the unpeated Caol Ila releases, and it still does.

Final Score: 89.

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Scoring Legend:

• 95-100: As good as it gets. Jaw-dropping, eye-widening, unforgettable whisky.
• 90-94: Sublime, a personal favorite in its category.
• 85-89: Excellent, a standout dram.
• 80-84: Quite good. Quality stuff.
• 75-79: Decent whisky worth tasting.
• 70-74: Meh. It’s definitely drinkable, but it can do better.
• 60-69: Not so good. I might not turn down a glass if I needed a drink.
• 50-59: Save it for mixing.
• 0-49: Blech.