Diageo

Caol Ila 15-Year-Old Single Malt Whisky (2016) Review

Caol Ila is known for its peated whisky, but once a year it distills a batch of unpeated whisky.   That’s what we have in front of us today.  The 15-year-old was distilled in 2000 and aged in refill American oak hogsheads and refill European oak butts.  Like other whiskies in the Special Releases series, this unpeated Caol Ila is bottled at cask strength (61.5% abv) for a retail price of $140.

The nose is malty, with orchard fruits, lemon rind and a vanilla cream.  Caramelized apples dominate the entry, followed by hints of spice and freshly squeezed lemon.  A sweet malty character appears late in the palate and into the finish, where it is complemented by some oak spice. 

Overall, Caol Ila 15 year is a nice, delicate malt.  Though I can’t help missing that added peat element of the standard bottlings.  8/10

Thanks to Diageo for the sample.  As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Brora 38-Year-Old Single Malt Whisky (2016) Review

I’m a fan of Clynelish, so I couldn’t pass up the chance to review a whisky from sister distillery, Brora.  Sadly, Brora no longer exists, and hasn’t for quite a while.  The history of the two distilleries is interesting, and I’ll explore that history when I get around to reviewing Clynelish on this blog.  In the meantime we have Brora 38-year-old, the oldest ever released in this series.  This bottling was distilled in 1977 and selected from refill American oak hogsheads and refill European oak butts.  Brora 38 is bottled at a cask strength of 48.6% abv and available at a retail price of $2,200.  There is so little of this whisky to go around.  Press materials paint a scary picture:

“Fifteenth of a limited series of annual releases, annual allocation has extended availability of this irreplaceable malt but stocks are now depleted.”

Stocks are now depleted? Does this mean this is the last release of Brora?  No, but I don’t see many more releases.  How’s the whisky?  I’m happy to report it is exquisite!

The nose starts with candied apples and a light smokiness, with hints of brine, burnt orange peel, and forest floor. The palate bursts with alluring hints of slightly overripe orchard fruits, sea salt-covered caramel, oak spice and a touch of umami in the form of sauteed mushrooms. Meanwhile, a gentle smoke builds in the background. The finish is long and bittersweet, with hints of burnt sugar, spice and smoke.

Brora 38 is rare, expensive, and elegant. Worth every penny of the asking price. My favorite of the bunch.  9.75/10 (yes, this matches my highest ever rating only awarded to the recent Lagavulin 25)

Thanks to Diageo for the sample.  As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Cragganmore Single Malt Whisky (2016) Review

The only whisky in this year’s collection without an age statement, Cragganmore is a vatting of three cask types “chosen for flavor alone,” according to press materials.  They include both refill & rejuvenated American Oak hogsheads and ex-bodega European Oak butts.  Like the rest of the collection, Cragganmore is bottled at cask strength, or 55.7% abv in this case and retails for $600.  This marks the Speyside distillery’s sixth appearance in the Special Releases series.  How is it?

The nose has a fresh citrus quality, almost like freshly sliced tangerines. Hints of graham cracker, cinnamon sticks, honey and mint ice cream help round out the aromas. The palate starts sweet and quickly turns dry. Honey and spice cake at first. The citrus from the nose is also here, as well as light touch of brine. Things turn when chardonnay develops mid-palate, along with a touch of herbs. Oak tannins take hold going into the finish, as honey and herbs emerge. 

Cragganmore is a nicely crafted NAS whisky, but I just wasn’t blown away by it. 7/10