Caol Ila 10yo 1993/2004 (60.7%, SMWS of America, 53.82, Distilled 08 1993 Bottled 07 2004)

A good solid Islay nose; lashings of peat smoke, seashore, coal smoke and wood notes. What a Cracker Jack box full of surprises with a wee bit of white wine and peanut butter just to tie everything together. It seems a shame to add water, however it must be done. With a good dollop of water the nose opens up considerably with more of everything (especially the peat smoke, seashore, coal smoke) but down with a really nice background of sweetness. The taste is much like the nose and actually quite sweet; a good combination of the peat & coal smoke and the sweetness, the peat & coal smoke build after a short while, very pleasant. There is also a good heavy delivery of malt in the taste after the peat & coal smoke fade a little bit, a nice bonus in there. Without water the taste is a bit of a rocket ship taking off; the effect is huge; the high alcohol and the peat & coal smoke are incredible and it takes quite a will for the effect to subside. Much like cramming a whole package of peat smoke laden pop rocks into your mouth at once (using some imagination). The finish is much like the nose and the taste and is full of peat & coal smoke, with a bit of sweetness and then a really nice malt moment. The finish is very long and very good.

A nicely balanced dram with lots of vibrancy, try it neat just for fun.

US$95

88 Points

Visit the Scotch Malt Whisky Society of America at http://www.smwsa.com/

The third review of three Scotch Malt Whisky Society bottlings this week…..something new next week.