Description

Caol Ila Aged 11 Years Single Malt Scotch Whisky – Cadenhead Original Collection (700ml)

Volume: 700ml           ABV: 46%           Age: 11 Years Old            Country: Scotland

Date of Bottling: NA
Matured In: Ex Bourbon Barrels then Finished in ex Sherry Palo Cortado casks.
Un-Chillfiltered, No Added Colouring

Scotch Whisky is known the world-over by the Brand names of large blending companies. These blends are the mixture of the products of various distilleries which were originally independent family owned units. Until the middle of the 20th century there were many small firms that bottled and sold the pure product of the local distilleries. Since Victorian times the firm of William Cadenhead has provided this service. However a diminution of public interest caused the small bottling companies to close down. Only a small handful of distilleries still remain in the ownership of their founding families and even fewer of the bottling companies remain active, William Cadenhead is one of the notable survivors.

Recent revival of interest in the whisky from different single distilleries has caused a surge of new firms to emerge. Many do not actually control their bottling operations and unfortunately feel it necessary to invest fictitious ancestries. However William Cadenhead has a well established pedigree and the experience of over one and a half centuries ensures that our customers can truly rely on what we put in a bottle. They guarantee that they never chill-filter or chemically alter the products that they bottle nor do they add colouring agents. Each of their bottlings of whisky, and indeed of their rums and cognacs, comes from an individually selected cask.

The Caol Ila Distillery, The name Caol Ila comes from the Gaelic ‘Caol Ila’ meaning ‘Sound of Islay’ which is the stretch of water which separates Islay from Jura. The distillery was founded in 1846 and has been very successful through its long history. The distillery draws water from the nearby loch which is surrounded by myrtle and heather. As did most distilleries it closed during the Great Depression from 1930 to 1937 and was reconstructed from 1972 to 1974. Juggling between old traditional methods and modern methods of using new technology. This distillery produces whiskies that have chocolate, citrus and floral notes as well as tangy and peaty, which is typical of an Islay whisky.

This single malt whisky was distilled at the Caol Ila Distillery on the Scottish island of Islay. It was placed in ex Bourbon barrels and left to mature fir a number of years before being moved to ex Sherry Palo Cortado casks for a long finish. It was bottled in 2023 at 46% alc/vol as part of the Cadenhead Original Collection offerings. No chill filtration has taken place and no added colouring has been used.

Our Tasting Notes

Nose: Immediately there’s some really pungent dark fruits, with summer berries and garden herbs. These aromas combine with strong quite bold peat smoke notes. Hints of star anise and smoked bacon.

Palate: Jammy most likely plum jam but also figs and cherries. Bold, almost over powering peat smoke. Smoked kippers, smouldering rosemary, salty and oaky.

Finish: Medium to long with espresso and dark chocolate, ashy smoke continues.