Caol Ila Pauillac (Latour) Cask Finish 8 Years 2014/2022 | Whisky Review

Physical Whisky Characteristics

Origin: Islay, Scotland
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Distillation and Maturation Process: Matured for eight years (2014 to 2022), finished in a Pauillac cask from Château Latour, a prestigious Bordeaux wine estate.
Age Statement: 8 years
ABV: 46%
Filtration and Color: Un-chill filtered and uncolored
Bottle Design: Not described, but the whisky is noted for its rarity and the use of an expensive cask for finishing, with a total of 1399 bottles produced.

Smokiness: Approximately 50 ppm, indicating a distinct smokiness that is characteristic of younger Islay whiskies.
Primary Flavors: Smoky with a young fruitiness, sea tang, barbecue, glowing coal, floral fruity notes, citrus, and a hint of honey.
Tannins and Spiciness: Red wine tannin notes from the Pauillac cask, with an overall spiciness.
Aftertaste: A transition from a hint of honey to a more dry aftertaste, with a noticeable oiliness.

Independent Bottler: Murray McDavid, located in the old Coleburn distillery, known for their advanced cask enhancement process but do not distill themselves.
Cask Selection: The use of an expensive Château Latour cask for finishing adds a unique layer to the whisky's profile.

Islay Whisky: Caol Ila is known for its smoky Islay character, which is a hallmark of whiskies from this region.
Bordeaux Influence: The finishing in a Bordeaux (Pauillac) cask from Château Latour introduces a unique cross-cultural element to the whisky, blending Scottish distillation with French winemaking traditions.

Horst Luening describes the whisky as having a "hefty, strong" flavor profile with a distinct smokiness and red wine tannin notes, indicating a positive reception to the balance of flavors.

An 8-year-old Caol Ila whisky finished in a Pauillac cask from Château Latour, offering a unique blend of smoky Islay character with Bordeaux wine influences.
Features a distinct smokiness, young fruitiness, and a complex flavor profile enhanced by the finishing process.
Produced by independent bottler Murray McDavid, emphasizing the rarity and special cask selection involved.
Appreciated for its balance of smoky, fruity, and spicy flavors, with a notable influence from the Bordeaux cask finishing.

For Peat Lovers: The distinct smokiness will appeal to fans of peaty, smoky whiskies.
For Adventurous Drinkers: The unique finishing process in a Bordeaux cask offers a novel tasting experience.
For Collectors: The limited production and use of an expensive finishing cask make this a desirable bottle for collectors.
For Whisky and Wine Enthusiasts: Individuals interested in the crossover between whisky and wine flavors will find this bottling particularly intriguing.