Caol Ila 2010 Single Malt Moscatel Finish Collection Antipodes Cask#311735 ABV 56.8% 700ml (Berry Bros & Rudd)

Colour: topaz.

Nose: rich and refined. On the first nose, a delicately ashy smoke and an oily peat appear alongside honeyed fragrances (lime blossom, bay leaf), candied fruit (pineapple, apricot) and dried fruit (date, fig). The scene is set and Caol Ila style is resplendent. Allowed to breathe, a beautiful vegetal (agave), roasted, lemon and floral (Indian carnation, freesia) sequence gradually takes hold. At the same time, curry and ginger notes flood the air.

Palate: lively, sharp. On the attack, blocks of peat spread across the palate, while notes of sea spray, fleur de sel and shellfish takes us to the seaside. Gradually, porridge and germinating barley flavours are softly released, followed by a pleasant liquorice bitterness at the end of the palate.

Finish: long, bright. A subtle combination of peat and lime blossom honey, the start of the finish wonderfully brings out the flavour palette’s naturally malty character. With incredible finesse, the end of the palate is mineral (chalk), softly chocolatey and nobly spicy (saffron, cardamom). The animal retro-nasal olfaction (bacon) is also medicinal (mustard poultice). The empty glass is intensely peaty, vegetal (artichoke heart) and malty (mash).

This version, which is finished in a cask previously used for a Moscatel sweet wine, stands as a reminder that Berry Bros & Rudd is not only the oldest wine and spirits merchant in the United Kingdom (1698) but also the official supplier to the British Crown. Characterised by subtle peat and smoke, its very Caol Ila palette of flavours and aromas strides confidently towards the sea, breathing in an especially invigorating salty and iodine air. Honeyed and candied notes wonderfully emphasise the sweet wine’s influence.