Caol Ila Douglas Laing Provenance

This was the first sample of a Big Peat Tweet tasting hosted by the WhiskyWire

Colour: Very pale, white wine, barely any colouring from the cask. Probably due its young age and lack of lower contact with the cask: matured in a refill hogshead. (One thing's for sure, no E150 was added in either of these whiskies. So, no masks, no false facades, which is of course greatly appreciated.)

Nose: Young and grassy: a vague touch of sea spray with a whiff of fermenting rice (yeast), slightly peaty with traces of rubber, trails of smoky tar and soot. There is some sourness in the nose, something that reminds me of adhesive, pears, elements that hint to the oak from the cask and to finish it up: a pinch of butter.

Mouth: Briny-, oily-style palate: slightly vegetable, olives, iodine, elements of lemon, raisins and notes of petrol

Finish: A delayed fuse: medium long and burning, with underlying sugary notes

Conclusion De gustibus et coloribus non est disputandum: a particular nose, but not too strong on the palate. My first guess was a young Bowmore, however it wasrevealed to be a young Caol Ila. A very interesting whisky, like the name itself promises: young and feisty. But it looks like I, as far as whiskies are concerned, am more interested in the Milf-section.

Find where to buy Caol Ila whisky