Description

Caol Ila 2015 Aged 8 Years Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky – Cask Series 023 By North Star (700ml)

Volume: 700ml           ABV: 56.7%           Age: 8 Years Old       Country: Scotland

Cask Number: Batch 023
Date of Distilling: February 2015
Date of Bottling: September 2023
Matured In: Refill Solera Sherry Hogshead
Un-Chillfiltered

The Whisky

Dive into a masterclass of coastal balance with the Caol Ila 8 Year Old North Star (Cask Series 023). Distilled in February 2015 and bottled in September 2023, this 700ml single malt is an exceptional find from independent bottler North Star Spirits. It was matured for its full 8 year life in a single Refill Solera Sherry Hogshead and bottled at a formidable cask strength of 56.7% ABV.

The incredible rarity of this bottling, sees only 225 bottles ever produced. The use of a “Solera” hogshead is particularly special; these casks are sourced from the traditional tiered aging systems of Spain, where the wood has been saturated with sherry for decades. By using a refill Solera cask, North Star has achieved a sophisticated profile where the rich, oxidative notes of old sherry complement—rather than mask—the vibrant, medicinal smoke of the Caol Ila spirit. This is a rare opportunity to taste the “Sound of Islay” through the lens of ancient, seasoned Spanish oak.

Our Tasting Notes

Nose: A sophisticated and layered bouquet. You are greeted by the classic Caol Ila scent of lemon-infused smoke and smoked kippers, followed by a refined sweetness of dried apricots and marzipan. As it opens, the Solera influence brings forward notes of old leather, roasted almonds, and a hint of salted chocolate, creating a perfectly balanced coastal aroma.

Palate: The arrival is oily, punchy, and incredibly textural. It delivers a wave of sooty peat and sea spray, which is quickly met by a mid-palate of dark honey, walnut cake, and golden syrup. The 56.7% ABV carries a warming, peppery spice that highlights the citrus zest and medicinal brine, all while being rounded out by the nutty, dry depth of the Solera wood.

Finish: Long, elegant, and persistent. The finish lingers with cold fireplace ash and dried fruits, finally tapering off with a final, savoury flourish of brine and toasted oak tannins.

The Distillery

Caol Ila (pronounced Cull-Eela), located on the rugged north-east coast of Islay, is the island’s largest distillery. A unique factual detail: Caol Ila uses extraordinarily large wash stills that are only half-filled, a technique that increases copper contact and results in a “cleaner,” more citrus-forward spirit compared to its neighbors. In this North Star bottling, that clean spirit has been enriched by the Solera hogshead, a cask type that imparts a level of complexity and “old-world” character usually reserved for whiskies twice its age.

Overall Review

The Caol Ila 8 Year Old North Star Series 023 is globally reviewed as a “transcendent young Islay,” praised for its masterful use of refill sherry wood and its extremely limited yield. Critics have lauded its “old school Solera depth,” marking it as a mandatory purchase for those who want a smoky dram that offers both the fire of youth and the wisdom of seasoned Spanish oak.