It’s a yearly tradition to publish our tasting notes for the Black Friday release from The Whisky Exchange. Check my review of the 2021 edition.
Black Friday 2022 is a smoky release – the first Islay single malt in this series. Although the label only mentions it is an Islay whisky, a quick sip will quickly tell you where it was made. This is a 16 year old Caol Ila.
Islay Single Malt 16 yo ‘Black Friday’ (53,2%, The Whisky Exchange 2022, 2000 btl.)
Nose: quite a firm Islay style, perhaps a little more towards the south shore. It’s tense and maritime. Wet pebblestones, engine oil, kelp and a hint of tar. Later also leafy smoke and Islay mud. Then classic lemons, as well as some burnt orange peels and yellow apples, maybe even roasted pineapple, which round off the sharp edges. Very good.
Mouth: really punchy. On the one hand there’s the sharper, maritime character. Zesty lemons, green apples, green leaves and iodine. On the other hand there’s a nice roasted side, with burnt meat, a little coffee and smoked almond. Then hints of salted chocolate and crushed peppercorns. Tarry fisherman’s rope too.
Finish: long and briney, on cocoa, tar and a minty freshness.
Quite an intense Caol Ila, with maritime sharpness as well as a much darker side. The whole spectrum really, which makes this a very good multi-cask composition. Overall fairly priced considering the region and age, so this comes recommended. Now available from The Whisky Exchange (only for a few hours, I guess) and in the TWE London shops at 11 am.