I handed by TastToe the opposite day, the most important whisky store we’ve in Belgium. They at all times have a few fascinating exclusives in order that they provided me a sip of two of their newest releases.
The primary one is a 2012 Caol Ila bottled by Signatory Classic. It was iinitially matured in refill hogsheads after which transferred to a recent sherry butt for a 27-month ending interval. Caol Ila and sherry casks typically result in fireworks. The opposite one is Ben Nevis 2010 from the identical bottler, one thing I’ll by no means refuse.
Caol Ila 9 yo 2012 (58,7%, Signatory Classic for Crombé, TastToe & Broekmans 2021, recent sherry butt #10, 679 btl.)
Nostril: a barely humorous mixture of savoury notes like dried porcini and cured ham, with a balsamic sourness and soy sauce. Stout beer, hints of tar and iodine, then again to tobacco leaves and walnuts. Natural notes, meaty notes, barely rubbery peat and espresso. A heavy cask affect, however Caol Ila can deal with it.
Mouth: vastly extractive however pretty balanced nonetheless. Gingerbread, pine resin, darkish chocolate, beef inventory, all-spice and liquorice. Tarry peat, roasted chestnuts and darkish PX. Additionally chilli, ginger and pepper. Extra espresso in the direction of the tip, with leather-based and bitter oranges.
End: very lengthy, glorious chocolate notes, spice and oak char.
A dialed up sherry bomb with a number of savoury notes all through. I discovered the balsamic nostril a bit edgy at first, however general it’s a giant and daring Caol Ila. Now obtainable from TastToe and the opposite outlets.
Ben Nevis 10 yo 2010 (59%, Signatory Classic for Broekmans & TastToe 2021, bourbon barrel #406, 165 btl.)
Nostril: much less soiled and mineral than another vintages. This has a stunning quantity of fruits like tangerines, candy grapefruit and pineapple, with vanilla and a lightweight varnishy contact. Hints of honey. Some walnuts within the background, with a wee milky edge.
Mouth: candy, with a stunning fruity profile. Tangerines once more, in addition to mango and pink grapefruit. Properly tropical, with some coastal sea breeze and gravel behind it. Growing extra inexperienced notes over time, in addition to some tangy ginger, white pepper and a lightweight leafy dryness.
End: medium, pretty inexperienced with a bitter edge. Inexperienced tea, minty notes and lemon peels.
A deeply fruity Ben Nevis – the brand new classic to look at when 1995 and 1996 run out? It actually exhibits an identical fruitiness, with good coastal notes behind it. Correct whisky, nonetheless obtainable from TastToe. Rating: 88/100
