The Smoky Scot, an apt name for a whisky that comes from Scotland's most famous whisky producing island, which just so happens to be famous for its intensely smoky aqua vitae. As one would expect from the name, this is a heavily peated single malt and is sourced from the Caol Ila distillery by the independent bottler, Aceo Ltd. It is also aged for a mere 5 years in ex-bourbon casks, making this perhaps the youngest age statement Scotch whisky I have ever tried. Mind you, I have tried younger Japanese whisky, but the warmer climate of Japan promotes a more vigorous aging in barrels so it wouldn't be a fair comparison.
Vitals:
ABV: 46%
Colour: Pale straw, almost clear in the glass, like a pinot gringo.
Chill-filtered: No
Nose: An intense waft of salt and smoke hits the nostrils almost instantly. It reminds me heavily of kim or nori seaweed with a touch of tarry rope thrown in for good measure. The quintessential Caol Ila brine is here in all its glory. As the smoke disperses, notes of peppermint linger.
Palate: Astonishingly sweet with honey, malt and lemons. The sweetness is rounded out with a salty bite that reminds you that this is a maritime malt! The smoke is initially very much in the background, but it starts to really make itself felt about midway though, giving that recurring seaweed note, along with smoked fish, and dill.
Finish: Long and smoky, with lemons, salt and a touch of sweet honeyed malt. I'd be more willing to drink tequila shots if it was chased by this rather than lemon juice and salt...
Conclusion:
You cannot really go wrong with anything that comes out of Caol Ila and this little guy is no different from its siblings, official and non-official. The profile on the nose was quite typical of a very young Islay dram but I was taken aback by how sweet and pleasant this was to drink despite its age. While back home in Scotland there is probably little reason to pick up this over the official Caol Ila 12...here in Korea it is a very different story, with this being half the price!
한국어 시음평:
향: 소금, 스모크, 김 → 페퍼민트 오일.
맛: 꿀, 맥아 보리, 레몬, 소금 → 스모크, 김,훈제 생선, 딜(허브).
끝맛: 피니시가 길고 스모크 향이 진해요. 레몬, 소금, 꿀맛도 함께 나요.
결론: 놀랍도록 달콤해요.훌륭한 가격의 아일라 위스키예요.
Review by Glasgowhisky
2020/04/08
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