Caol Ila 1991 23 YO Cask #1033 Cooper's Choice

Caol Ila 1991 23 YO Cask #1033 Cooper's Choice, 46 %

Let us go to Islay, the island of peaty drams. Let us visit Caol Ila, the giant among the eight, soon to be nine or perhaps ten, distilleries on the island. The Caol Ila 1991 23 YO Cask #1033 Cooper's Choice is an independent bottling from The Vintage Malt Whisky Company. It was distilled in 1991, matured in an unspecified hogshead, then bottled in 2014. The outturn was 360 bottles at an ABV of 46 %.

This whisky will be released in Norway on March 6, at a sales price of NOK 1676,50 (item number 2124901).

Nose (23/25): Soft, salt and peaty. Rich and well-balanced. A maritime dram with a green character - a hint of herbs and unripe citrus. A slight edge of mustard seeds add's a spicy dimension. Really nice nose.

Taste (21/25): Soft and ... wow - here comes a salty and peaty punch! Then it's gone - blink and you miss it. Hmm... must repeat. OK, it does stick around a bit linger this time. I did try to tackle it to the ground through, to have time enough for a proper introduction. I'm sticking with the peaty and salty first impression. Add to that a bit of vanilla and caramel, and that's more or less it. Nothing wrong here, don't get me wrong. No, I mean it - do - not - get - me - wrong. I don't like being gotten wrong (I have a distinct feeling I am on a syntaxic edge right now...). Well, fine, let's see what the finish is like.

Finish (21/25): Caramel, summer fruits and ashes. Medium length. Warm and comforting. Slightly metallic in the end.

Balance (21/25): A nose that promises the world, and a palate that does not quite live up to that promise, but still leaves you happy.

Score (86/100)

Sláinte! - Thomas