Caol Ila Cl8 (Elements of Islay)

This Caol Ila Cl8 in the Elements of Islay series is a marriage of five bourbon barrels from the mid-2000s.

Caol Ila Cl8 (55,2%, Elements of Islay 2017, bourbon barrels, 50cl)

Nose: a very fresh, bright expression. Lots of lemon sweets, lime peel and truckloads of Granny Smith apples. Medium smoke, hints of bacon and soot. Hints of popcorn and just echoes of tequila – youthful spirit after all. Classic brine as well.

Mouth: fairly oily and rounded. Lemons, lime cordial, a bit of honey and custard. Light earthy notes, more mineral towards the end. Citrus zest. Quite a simple profile, but well done.

Finish: medium, lemon oils, zesty notes, minerals and smoke.

A crisp, clear-cut Caol Ila. Very good stuff with an unbeatable price / quality ratio: around € 50 from The Whisky Exchange.

Score: 86/100