Caol Ila 1984 (Cadenhead for The Nectar)

This Caol Ila 1984 bottled by Cadenhead was selected by their Belgian importer The Nectar to celebrate their 10th anniversary. Simultaneously Cadenhead released a second Caol Ila 1984 that was 31 years old.

Although this bottling bears the black Small Batch label (normally used for bottlings from two or three casks), it seems to be a single cask release.

Caol Ila 32 yo 1984 (52,9%, Cadenhead Small Batch for The Nectar 2016, 10th Anniversary, bourbon hogshead, 234 btl.)

Nose: mineral and slightly dusty start, with lots of wet ashes, as well as subtle hints of antiseptics. Becomes fruitier, showing nectarines, honeyed apples and rhubarb jam. Some vanilla. Sweetish, but there’s always the light, resinous peat and traces of acrylic paint around the corner.

Mouth: sweet again. Creamy malt, cane syrup, orange candy and herbal honey. Tobacco notes. Ashy peat again, which becomes grassier and makes the whole a bit drier. A light salty touch as well.

Finish: long, on almonds, bittersweet pink grapefruit and gentle smoke.

Caol Ila, Cadenhead and The Nectar, you can’t go wrong with these three names on a label. But anyway, I confirm the quality. Just over € 300, now available in Belgian stores, TastToe among others.

Score: 91/100