At the 2024 Whisky Show, The Whisky Exchange presented a series of show bottlings. While it seemed like a very extensive series, it then turned out every bottle existed with three different representatives on the label. That means you can choose the Dailuaine 2011, Ben Nevis 2013 or Caol Ila 2008 with different TWE faces. You can also buy a full set of 3 x 3 bottles, if you like.
Dailuaine 12 yo 2011 (53,1%, The Whisky Exchange for Whisky Show 2024, hogshead)
Nose: more nutty than the sister cask in the Seasons: Autumn series. Hazelnuts and macadamia, along with some toffee. Then vanilla pastry, with hins of marmalade and stewed apples in the background. Hints of sunflower oil and beeswax shine through, along with light lemony notes.
Mouth: a waxy style with plenty of leafy notes and mild herbs. Mid-palate the wood spice becomes stronger, along with marmalade notes. After that a mild bitterness sets in (gin-like botanicals), along with nuts and hints of sesame. Quite earthy and robust. Liquorice and grapefruits take it towards the finish.
Finish: relatively long, on a mix of peppery notes, lemon peels, roasted nuts and earthy undertones.
I like this one. It’s not too easy-going, with nice oily notes as well as some robust elements. Available from The Whisky Exchange.
Ben Nevis 10 yo 2013 (60,2%, The Whisky Exchange for Whisky Show 2024, sherry butt #1276)
Nose: meaty with hints of sulphur. Spent fireworks. Then there’s a lot of fudge, mulched leaves, truffles and dusty cellars. Whiffs of dried apricot in the distance, as well as soaked pears and hints of porridge. A winey touch and hazelnuts as well.
Mouth: better now, although it’s never going to be a clean cask. Plums and walnuts, along with leather and old, greasy rags in a car workshop. Also mineral oils, some herbal bitters and more winey character. Meaty notes and tobacco as well.
Finish: medium length, on chocolate, nuts and wood spice.
This reminds us of the one bottled in the Single Malts of Scotland series for Kirsch Import. A dirty sherry cask, not my style. Too bad for the friendly guy on the label. Available from The Whisky Exchange. Score: 83/100
Caol Ila 15 yo 2008 (53,2%, The Whisky Exchange for Whisky Show 2024)
Nose: pretty classic, pretty naked. The usual ashes, fishing nets, kelp and mild medicinal notes. Candied citrus peels and a little vanilla in the background. Bonfire smoke, as well as pine needles, dried ginger and whiffs of bath salts. Simple and clean.
Mouth: a mix of saline notes, mint and white pepper with almonds and sweet citrusy notes. Nicely oily, with balanced bonfire smoke. Then hints of vanilla pastry, chestnuts and a touch of hessian. A little dark chocolate and tonka bean in the end.
Finish: quite long, on liquorice and salinity, along with floral sweetness and some peppery oak. The warming aftertaste is perhaps the best part.
All good: a rich Caol Ila with all the expected markers. Simply a very reliable whisky. Available from The Whisky Exchange. Score: 87/100