Caol Ila 16 Years Old 1996 53.191 Candy Fruit Filled Seashells (56.3%, SMWS, Refill Bourbon HH, 245 Bottles, 2013)

• 56.3% ABV, outturn 245 bottles, £59 for 70cl (Coal Ila)
• Score: 74/100

What they say:

Cask No. 53.191

The initial nose neat was like a salty sea breeze standing on a sand dune, soon followed by antiseptic notes of germolene as well as herbal ones of fennel and aniseed. Sweeter aromas appear later; foamy bananas and Mini Milk ice cream lollies. The taste without water is very sweet indeed like a Crème Chantilly with the slightest touch of peat smoke. It also brought back happy childhood memories for some of candy fruit filled seashells, one calling it ‘Roudoudou’ whilst another one ‘Schleckmuschel’. Careful when adding water, the aromas are still sweet and salty like salted butter caramels and an even fresher sea breeze than neat. The taste is fizzy and citric, good old fashioned homemade lemonade or cream soda.

Drinking tip: Whilst having a break during an afternoon walk on the beach

Date Distilled: 3 September 1996            
Colour: Balsamic olive oil            
Age: 16 years           
Flavour :  Lightly peated            
Cask Type: Refill ex-bourbon hogshead            
Whisky Region: Islay

What we say:

Dram #5 of the WOLS SMWS tasting from Caol Ila distillery (SMWS distillery #53)

Colour:

Gold

Nose:

Peat smoke, phenol, TCP and antiseptic, whipped cream

Taste:

Smoky bacon, salt, sweet and smoke, reasonably smooth and creamy and mouth-coating

Finish:

Medium length peat smoke and salt spray

Overall:

A gently smoky Islay but a little thin on complexity and other flavours, very easy drinking but not as well formed as the last one.