Review #200 - SMWS 53.363 'Delicious Earthy Smoke' - Caol Ila 10 Year
The first bottle we ever purchased from the Scotch Malt Whisky Society - this was our introduction to independently bottled single malt, as well, due to some lack of availability in our geographical area. Because this was our first IB Scotch, as well as our gateway into a wider world of whisky that wasn't just OB core range bottles, it holds a bit of a special place in our hearts.
Independently bottled Caol Ila has become quite expensive in recent years, despite its relative abundance - it's become common to see well over $10 per year of aging when buying from quality bottlers. Even for cask strength whisky with no added coloring or chill filtering, that's getting pretty steep; the taste has quite a high expectation to live up to. Then again, this is said to be one of the most consistent distilleries in Scotland in terms of flavor and quality.
This bottling from the SMWS spent its maturation time in a refill ex-bourbon hogshead; both the refill factor and the larger cask factor should mean that we'll see plenty of spirit character, and that it won't be too cask-forward.
SMWS 53.363 'Delicious Earthy Smoke' - Caol Ila 10 Year
Scotland/Islay - Single Malt
Price Paid: USD 135 (2021)
Current Locally Available Price: No longer available
Age Statement: 10 Years
Strength: 57.7% ABV
Cask Makeup: Refill ex-bourbon hogshead
Details: Not chill filtered, no color added; distilled November 12, 2009; 300 bottles
Tasting Methodology: Reviewed 4 times over 2 years; bottles at 90%, 80%, 60%, and 30% fill levels at times of review. Tasted in a Glencairn glass each time, rested 10-15 minutes
Nose: Peat is the most obvious - it's a mix of earthy, damp, musty, even tobacco-esque smoke. Some wood fire arrives, before we transition to savory scents: barbecue like smoked meats, charcuterie cheeses, and some orange. Sweetness from lemons and vanilla comes and goes; throughout it all, the backbone of musty peat permeates. There's charcoal, decomposing wood, moss, and agave. It's decently spirity (in a good way).
Palate: Very oily, some decent heat from the strength, and the peat smoke is strong. The mouthfeel is medium-thick, full of sharper flavors like astringent wood, lemon citrus, black pepper, and a hint of burning rubber. The smokiness sometimes brings ash or musty flavors like smoldering damp wood, and with more time, fruits arrive: grapefruit, charred orange, and hot peppers come to mind.
Finish: The finish is long - peat lingers all the way, quite strong at first, but it pleasantly fizzles out over time. Phenolic, salty, and a little bit drying from wood tannins; fruits again arrive late, with lemon and blood orange being the main culprits.
Final Note: A great whisky, especially if you enjoy the drier side of peated single malt. It has that classic light complexion of a Caol Ila, with the sharp lemon flavors, but also quite a strong peat level for the distillery; quite musty and mossy at times, which embodies that Islay character. This is classic ex-bourbon Islay whisky, but it does come at a cost.
Our Average Rating: 7.8 / 10
In the current whisky landscape of increasing prices and variable quality, we've added a value rating to our reviews that relates to the score and the available pricing of each whisky. This roughly equates to a 0-10 scale; no reviews so far have exceeded a score of 10, although it is technically possible for the formula to produce a value rating higher than 10 with a high enough score and low enough price.
Value Rating: 6.09
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