Caol Ila 11 Year Old Douglas Laing Old Particular 2009 Single Refill Cask DL14042 Germany Exclusive (2020) 70cl

Caol Ila 11 Year Old Douglas Laing Old Particular 2009 Single Refill Cask DL14042 Germany Exclusive (2020) 70cl

1 of 302 bottles! 302 bottles of high ABV Caol Ila!

We all love a sweet peat Caol Ila that stands in the middle ground of the Islay distilleries as the fun highly drinkable fun cousin. Germany prefer higher ABV direct from cask and this satisfies all those needs. Most of the bottles are long gone and here is a release from 4 years ago at the RRP from previous.

Caol Ila's distillery character manages to combine a fresh pear note, grassiness, a hint of juniper and distinct notes of the seashore – lobster shells, crab creels and gentle smoke. Although it receives the same spec of malt as sister distillery Lagavulin, Caol Ila’s distillation regime – longer fermentation, higher cut point, taller stills – helps to reduce the heavy phenols. Maturation for the single malt is in refill casks. The unpeated variant is equally delicate, with a fresh, estery and almost floral lift.

Its importance for blends meant that, until 2002, when a 12-year-old was released, malt lovers had to seek out independent bottlings. Now there is a range including no-age-statement Moch, 18-year-old and 25-year-old, a finished Distiller’s Edition and annual special releases.

TASTING NOTES

Nose: Oh Sweet Islay! Gentle puffs of peated smoke, seaweed, rock pools and lemon shortbread

Palate: Oak spice, waxed lemon, chocolate orange, white pepper, thyme and salty cured meats

Finish: Ashy with burn red fruits, toasted barley, charred wood, salted caramel and a lemon zest (CGL)

55.5% ABV

70cl