Caol Ila 2014 11 Year Old, Finn Thomson Cask #301512

This single cask of Caol Ila is pure distillery character in a bottle. Matured for its whole life in a refill hogshead, this release unashamedly showcases the natural qualities of Caol Ila single malt. The peated spirit is allowed to shine through brightly without being overwhelmed by the wood or an unneccessary finishing process. For Finn Thomson, the sign of a good independent bottler is being able to select a cask that doesn't always rely on covering up the distillery style with the wine, sherry or port finishes that are becoming more common in the market today.

Upon tasting this sample for the first time, Finn Thomson realised that the cask was the perfect example of how Caol Ila gets the perfect balance between the classic bonfire smoke associated with Islay alongside a more nuanced fruity and floral element. Longer fermentation and taller stills contribute towards a lighter style of Islay smoke.

While still producing a classic Islay, peat forward flavour, the peaty character is less prominent than the likes of Lagavulin and ardbeg. At cask strength, there are layers of flavour that allow the whisky to evolve in the glass.