With the C and the I highlighted on the label, the guessing to which distillery this is, is brought back to a minimum.

Also, with things being what they are in Islay whisky’s popularity, there aren’t that many options left if you know this one sets you back some € 130.

Anyway, Bram and Floris released one last cask towards the end of 2023, and it’s this one. My sample came in just before Christmas and on a quiet afternoon last week, I sat down to try it and make the holidays ever so slightly more bearable.

Sherried Caol Ila is something the WhiskyNerds have mixed success with, since their earliest release from a 1990 distillate is still for sale, more than four years since its release. The quality is there, but the price was a bit over-represented in most whisky fanatics’ minds.

Sniff:
For a Caol Ila it seems to be quite low on the peaty scents. There’s a sherry note that translates more to almond flour and cherry stones than dried fruit. After a little air has been allowed it turns slightly yeasty, with hints of fermenting fruit and washbacks. Quite a bit of oak too.

Sip:
The palate packs quite a punch, even though this isn’t my first dram of the day. Some dried fruits but more almonds flour and cherry stones for some bitterness. There definitely is some smoke and engine grease on the palate, but not as much as you’d expect from Caol Ila.

Swallow:
The finish mellows quickly and leaves your mouth watering and dry (or is that the same thing?). The finish is of medium lengths and leaves the same flavors as there were before, but without the heat and it’s less dry too.

This is a solid dram! The sherry cask is clearly represented, but is very well integrated in the spirit. It diminishes the peated character of the spirit a little bit, but leaves more than enough room for the engine grease and diesel notes that I have come to expect from a well chosen Caol Ila.

I’m off to find people to share samples with so I can justify getting my hands on a bottle!

88/100

Available at the regular outlets for WhiskyNerds bottlings: Van Zuylen, Zonneveld, Whiskysite, The Old Pipe, and WhiskyKoning.