Caol Ila 1984 (25 year old) 52.4%
Bourbon Hogshead 5390
A tarry, creosote laden nose of phenolic, slightly briny peat. Intense and quite heavily peated. Yet beneath all of this there lies some gorgeous, mature orange fruit and earthy, manuery spices.
The palate is pure peat and alcohol! Forceful and slightly fishy, with some distillery character (garden fruits) attempting to push its way through the morass of peat and mouth watering alcohol. It seems a lot younger than 25 years old. Superb length with an iodine and sooty, coal dust finish and a tarry after taste.
With water the nose is lighter, with more distillery character now prevalent. Not as coastal now but still with plenty of peat. The palate is oilier, with some herbal honey and now showing its age. Mature and gentle with a delightful sugar coating to the peat, and a sweet, violety finish. The after taste is still pure coal tar though!
Notes supplied by Chris
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