A few Caol Ila today, including a brand new release for charity. I thought I’d add releases from Claxton’s and the Thompson Bros as well, just to round things out, but the main reason for today’s post is the new Caol Ila 8 Years from Dram4Charity.
Dram4Charity (formerly known as Dram4ALS) was born out of the viral Ice Bucket Challenge, which swept the world back in 2014. The charity is run by Belgian (Flemish) whisky enthusiasts and all proceeds will go towards the ALS Foundation Alain Verspecht. Diagnosed with ALS in 2007, Verspecht is a much-loved member of the Belgian whisky community.
This 8-year-old Caol Ila, finished in a Pedro Ximènez cask, is the first of three whiskies from The Whanksy Series. The other two whiskies will be released in the next few months. The overarching theme is Frames of Freedom with the labels designed by Verspecht – the Caol Ila represents Time.
The Caol Ila is available from the Dram4Charity website, where you can also reserve the entire Whanksy Series in advance.
Caol Ila 2016 8 Years (51.5%, Dram4Charity, 60 bts.)
Nose: A comforting barbecue-esque smoke with hints of grilled beef, as well as smoked paprika powder and a sliver of charcoal. There’s some hessian too, as well as a nice earthiness and some stewed apples. Maybe even fresh apples. Anyway, the hint of cigar boxes, smoked raspberries and sandalwood add some more depth.
Taste: A very pleasant, almost oily texture (but not quite). A good amount of coastal notes, plenty brine-y and also some charred orange peel. There’s some ripe, mushy banana as well as lemon zest, but also pipe tobacco and a sprinkle of cracked black peppercorns. Then a tinge of spearmint to round things out.
Finish: Medium to long. Hints of teak, bonfire smoke and tobacco leaves. Slightly herbaceous.
Caol Ila 2013 10 Years (58.3%, Claxton’s, C#24115)
Nose: Wonderfully malty with hints of bananas, charred oak and seaweed, but also some refreshing minty elements alongside teak wood and a toasty bonfire. Finally vanilla custard with a whiff of straw and hay.
Taste: Rather bright initially and with a touch of iodine, but also smoked straw, gentle ashes and some white pepper. There’s just a hint of blueberries, but mostly waves of vegetal peat, accompanied by nutmeg and charred oak.
Finish: Long. More driven by wood smoke now, as well as charred lemon peel and toffee. Rather dry at times.
Caol Ila 2012 9 Years (53.3%, Thompson Bros, 257 bts.)
Nose: There’s some rhubarb and notes of copper alongside hints of crème caramel, vanilla custard and burnt toast, but also slivers of sweetened coffee, candied banana and wood smoke. Finally, maybe some farmy elements as well, followed by fennel and aniseed.
Taste: Arriving on creamy notes of vanilla, some coffee grounds and liquorice, followed by a hint of orange, a pinch of pepper and some sugary breakfast cereals. Almost forgot, but it is quite peaty. Earthier more so than coastal. And some dry ashes too.
Finish: Medium to long and a tad dry. Hints of liquorice root, chocolate and straw. Lingering wood smoke.
