Earlier this week Diageo presented the Special Releases 2018 to some of its key clients and bloggers in Belgium. I was invited so I can give you some thoughts on most of the bottlings. Part 2 is coming tomorrow.
Caol Ila 15 yo ‘Unpeated style’ (59,1%, OB ‘Special Releases’ 2018, American and European oak casks)
Caol Ila 15 yo ‘Unpeated style’ (59,1%, OB ‘Special Releases’ 2018, American and European oak casks)The ‘Highlands style’, virtually unpeated. The first time this is presented in a combination of both wood types.
Nose: more on the fruity side this time. Apples and peaches, melons maybe, with raisins, light touches of pine and a hint of toasted bread. Oranges and hints of vanilla and fresh oak.
Mouth: a big grainy / malty core to start with, some heat, then a beer-like touch and plenty of bourbonny spice (ginger, pepper). The honeyed / fruity side is still here (mainly pears and peahces), but comes later, together with some toffee sweetness.
Finish: not too long, sweet and malty, with hints of liquorice.
Entirely unpeated this time. While I understand the idea of showing this style as a special release, I really don’t see the point in releasing it every single year. Other Diageo distilleries produce better unpeated whisky, and Caol Ila is so much better in the peated style. Around € 95 (TWE / TWB).
Score: 81/100
Oban 21 yo 1996 (57,9%, OB ‘Special Releases’ 2018, refill European oak butts)
Oban 21 yo 1996 (57,9%, OB ‘Special Releases’ 2018, refill European oak butts)Next up: Oban, the first time this is presented in European oak. Not many references here, there is an 18yo in the US but in Europe it stops with Oban 14 Years.
Nose: needs time to open up. There’s a hint of stewed apples and oranges, with light mineral traces and some green vegetal touches. Hints of hay. Traces of pineapple and oily notes. It goes in different directions.
Mouth: silky, rather full-bodied, it shows more fruity notes now (orange, maybe mango), as well as sweet coconut and oak spices (ginger, allspice) and a light salty touch. Mint and grassy notes towards the finish.
Finish: medium, on apples and a hint of cocoa.
Not everyone seems to appreciate this new Oban, but I like the somewhat bumpy ride. Really good but still behind the previous Oban 21 Years (2013) as far as I remember. The price point is a little hard to justify: around € 420 (TWE / TWB).
Score: 88/100
Pittyvaich 28 yo 1989 (52,1%, OB ‘Special Releases’ 2018, refill hogsheads, 4680 btl.)
Pittyvaich 28 yo 1989 (52,1%, OB ‘Special Releases’ 2018, refill hogsheads, 4680 btl.)From the same year as the previous Pittyvaich 25 Years Special Release. Remember the distillery only existed from 1975 until 1993 and purely operated to supply blends like Bell’s.
Nose: nicely old-style, with waxy notes (paraffin) and a hint of women’s powder, then leathery notes and hints of ginger cake and almond cookies. Dusty oak and hay. Subtle dried fruits / fruit cake in the background. Rather excellent.
Mouth: oily texture, great distillate in gentle wood. Subtle fruits (yellow apples, oranges, peaches) with gentle mineral notes and ginger cake again. Hints of dough. Toasted oak. Leather. Quite mellow, but with a growing influence of zesty citrus (grapefruit).
Finish: drier now, with liquorice, apple and grassy oak.
Nicely vibrant and superbly balanced. One of the really pleasant surprises among the Special Releases. Around € 320 – not cheap but possibly the best price/quality ratio this year. (TWE / TWB).
Score: 91/100
Update: for more Special Releases, check out part 2 of my tasting notes