I picked up a Wilson & Morgan Caol Ila today, 15 year-old, 55 per cent ABV. I'll be trying it later tonight, but has anyone tasted this one?
And I looked at the first BenRiach Curiosita I've seen locally -- a peated Speyside. The tasting notes I've found online suggest it would fit right into my preferred style, which is most things Islay and other phenolic/peaty/smoky malts. Anyone tried it?
bill
I wish I had access to such interesting bottlings.
I have both the Caol Ila 12 yr. (OB) and the Caol Ila 18 yr (OB). I also found a Signatory 1991 (15 yr.) that I have not yet opened. The 12 and 18 are excellent, of course.
The selection in British Columbia government liquor stores has improved quite a bit in the last 10 years or so, but the prices remain outrageous.
The cask strength Caol Ila 15 I mentioned is quite laid back for an Islay, but very nice. It's paler than straw (not coloured, obviously) and a bit alcoholic at 55 per cent, but it doesn't take much water to calm it down. I got lightly tanned leather aromas from it, some mild fruit like apricots on the palate, giving way to a bit of pepper, and the Islay elements -- peat and smoke -- quietly in the background and in the finish, which goes on for some time.
bill
I've had a couple versions of peated Benriach, and it tended to be far more stiffly smoky than it was floridly, vegetally, or sea-brine smoky. It was a bit more simple and straightforward in the wood-ash smoke department than any of the more dynamically characteristic Islays or their friends (e.g., Talisker).
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