An interesting old vintage Caol Ila matured in oak and then presumably finished in a sherry cask and the cask influence certainly shows itself, the smoky-sweet balance is not quite there and there’s a few off notes
Nose
Meaty, mesmerizing smoke mixed with some sweet sherry notes, does not smell intense nor alcoholy at all despite the 58,3% ABV
Body
A rollercoaster of taste as it goes from smoky -> sweet -> spicy -> bitter With water the typical smoky meatiness from Caol Ila becomes more apparent but at the end the bitter, tannic & oakiness still prevails
Finish
Long slightly bitter finish